Hawkline Monster 2 (because I read it early and am therefore shunned by society)

"The shadow clumsily followed behind it, darker than the darkness in the room, more silent than complete silence and alone in the tragedy of its servitude to evil." - pg 158

I genuinely enjoyed this book, mostly due to its unique use of the combination of gothic/sci-fi/ghost story/western. The shadow of the Hawkline Monster particularly drew my attention. It can't do anything to stop the cruel antics of the real monster (a being of light, ironically), but it dreams of being able to control the powers of The Chemicals to please the Hawkline sisters instead of tormenting them. Here, the shadow is characterized as a clumsy fool being dragged along by the torturous Monster. Its sorrow reflects the static nature of Hawkline Manor - silent, alone, and at the mercy of the cruel light it had a part in creating. The shadow finally triumphs over the Monster in the epilogue, when it is the only "character" with a true happy ending. It lives in the diamonds, making them more beautiful with its graceful shadow and having no memory of its previous servitude. Perhaps it's the Gothic influence - shadow wins out against the Hawkline Monster of light.