All 4 Uses of

prevail
in
Frankenstein - 1831 version

With his permission my mother prevailed on her rustic guardians to yield their charge to her.
p. 37.1

prevailed = used persuasion

...when Justine was twelve years of age, prevailed on her mother to allow her to live at our house.
p. 66.5 *

The republican institutions of our country have produced simpler and happier manners than those which prevail in the great monarchies that surround it.
p. 66.6 *

prevail = are most common

Sometimes I could not prevail on myself to enter my laboratory for several days, and at other times I toiled day and night in order to complete my work.
p. 169.3

prevail = successfully use persuasion

Definitions:

(1) (prevail as in: reason will prevail)
prove superior or win
(2) (prevail as in: she prevailed upon him)
use persuasion -- especially successfully

The expression "prevail upon your patience" or "prevail upon your kindness" means to appeal to the listeners patience or kindness as a method of persuasion.
(3) (prevailing as in: prevailing attitude)
most common, powerful, or influential
(4) (prevail as in: rare, but still prevails)
to be in force; or to have some power or influence