1. Guilt and Responsibility: Victor feels a deep sense of guilt and responsibility for creating the creature. He understands that the creature's monstrous appearance has led to his isolation and suffering. Listening to his story is a way for Victor to confront his own actions and the consequences they have had.
2. Curiosity and Desire for Understanding: Victor is inherently curious and driven by the pursuit of knowledge. He wants to understand the creature's perspective, motivations, and how he has come to be so isolated and vengeful. He hopes that by understanding the creature, he might find a way to mitigate the consequences of his actions.
3. Fear and a Desire for Resolution: Victor fears the creature's rage and the potential for further destruction. He hopes that by understanding the creature's story, he can find a way to appease him and prevent further harm. He sees listening to the creature as a way to potentially reach a resolution to the conflict.
4. Compulsion and a Sense of Duty: Victor feels compelled to listen to the creature's story. He sees it as a moral obligation, a way to make amends for the pain he has inflicted.
5. Empathy and a Recognition of Shared Humanity: Despite the creature's monstrous appearance, Victor starts to see him as a being with feelings, desires, and a capacity for suffering. He begins to empathize with the creature's plight, recognizing their shared humanity.
In essence, Victor's decision to listen to the creature's story is driven by a complex interplay of guilt, curiosity, fear, compulsion, and empathy. He hopes that understanding the creature's perspective will lead to a resolution to the conflict, but ultimately, it is a turning point in his journey of self-discovery and his confrontation with the consequences of his actions.