F R A N K E N QS T E I N ;

T HE M O DE R N PR O M E T HEUS .

MARY W . S HE L
LE Y;

Did I re q u est th e e M k e
, a r, fro m my cl ay,
 CA M B R I D GE
P RE SS OF J O HN W I LS ON
 WI L
LI AM G O D W I N,

A UT HO R OF PO LI T I C L
A J S I CE
U T ,
” “
CA LE B W ILLI A M S ,
” ET C
.
,

IS RE S PE CT F ULL Y I N S CR I B ED BY T HE A UT HO R .
 P R E FA CE .

HE
T supp o s e d by D r D a rwi n a n d s o m e o f the phys i o
e v e nt on w h i ch th i s fic ti o n i s fo u n d e d , h a s
been
, .
,

l o g i c a l w r i te rs o f Ge rm a n y a s n o t o f i mp o ss i bl e o ccurr e n c e
, .

I sh a l l n o t b e supp o s e d a s r e c o rd i n g t h e r e m o t e s t d e gr e e o f
s e r i o us fa i th to such a n i m a g i n a ti o n ; ye t i n a ssum i n g i t a s ,

th e b a s i s o f a w o r k o f fa n cy I h a v e n o t c o n s i d e r e d mys e l f
,

a s m e r e ly w e a v i n g a s e r i e s o f sup e r n a tur a l t e rr o rs T he .

e v e n t o n w h i ch th e i n t e r e s t o f th e s to ry d e p e n ds i s e x e mp t

fr o m th e d i s a dv a n t a g e s o f a m e r e t a l e o f sp e c tr e s o r e n ch a nt
m e n t I t w a s r e c o mm e n d e d by th e n o v e l ty o f th e s i tu a t i o n s
.

w h i ch i t d e v e l o ps ; a n d h o w e v e r i mp o ss i bl e a s a phys i c a l
,

fa c t a ffo rds a p o i n t o f Vi e w to th e i m a g i n a t i o n fo r th e d e l i n
,

e a t i n g o f hum a n p a ss i o n s m o r e c o mpr e h e n s i v e a n d c o m

m a n d i n g th a n a ny w h i ch th e o rd i n a ry r e l a ti o n s o f e x i s ti ng
e v e nts c an yi e l d .

I h a v e thus e n d e a v o r e d to pr e s e rv e th e t ru t h o f t h e e l e
m e n t a ry pr i n c i pl e s o f hum a n n a t u r e w h i l e I h av e n o t s c ru
,
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p l e d to i n n o v a te up o n th e i r c o mb i n a t i o n s T h e I l i a d .
“
,

th e tr a g i c p o e t ry o f Gr e e c e S h a k s p e a r e i n th e T e mp e s t “
,
”
and M i dsumm e r N i gh t s D r e a m ; a n d m o s t e sp e c i a lly
’

L
“

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M i l to n i n P a r a d i s e o s t
,
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c o nfo rm to th i s rul e a n d th e
,

m o s t humb l e n o v e l i s t w h o s e e k s to c o n fe r o r r e c e i v e a mus e
,

m e n t fr o m h i s l a b o rs m ay w i th o u t pr e sump ti o n a pp ly to
, , ,

pr o s e fic ti o n a l i c e n s e o r r a th e r a rul e fro m th e a do p ti o n
, ,

o f w h i ch s o m a n y e x q u i s i te c o mb i n a ti o n s o f hum a n fe e l i n g

h av e r e su l te d i n th e h i gh e s t sp e c i me n s o f p o e try .

T h e c i rcums t a n c e o n w h i ch my s t o ry r e s t s w a s sugg e s t e d
i n ca su a l c o n v e rs a t i o n I t
. w a s c o mm e n c e d p a r t ly a s
,
a
6 PRE FA CE .

s o urc e of a mus e m e nt a n d p a rtly a s a n e xp e d i e n t fo r e xe r

,

Cl s m g a ny u n t ri e d r e s o urc e s o f m i n d O th e r m o t i v e s w e r e
.

m i n gl e d w i th t h e s e a s th e w o rk pr o c e e d e d I a m by n o
, .

m e a n s i n d i ffe re n t to th e m a n n e r i n w h i ch w h a t e v e r m o r a l
te n d e n c i e s e x i s t i n t h e s e n t i m e n t s o r ch a r a c te rs i t c o n t a i n s
sh a ll a ffe c t th e re a d e r ; ye t m y ch i e f c o n c e r n i n t h i s r e sp e c t
h a s b e e n l i m i te d to t h e a v o i d i n g th e e n e rv a t i n g e ff e c t s o f th e
n o v e ls o f t h e pr e s e n t d a a n d t o th e e xh i b i t i o n o f th e a m i a
y ,

b l e n e s s o f d o m e s ti c a ffe c t i o n a n d th e e xc e ll e n c e o f u n i v e r
,

s a l v i r tu e . T h e o p i n i o n s w h i ch n a tur a lly spr i n g fr o m t h e

ch a r a c te r a n d s i tu a ti o n o f th e h e ro a r e by n o m e a n s to b e
c o n c e i v e d a s e x i s ti n g a l w a ys i n my o w n c o nv i c ti o n ; n o r i s
an i n fe r e n c e jus tly to b e dr a w n fr o m th e fo ll o w i n g p a g e s a s
y
prejud i c i n g a ny ph i l o s o ph i c a l d o c tri n e o f wh a t e v e r k i n d .

I t i s a subj e c t a ls o o f a dd i t i o n a l i n t e r e s t toth e a u th o r th a t ,

th i s s to ry w a s b e gu n i n th e m aj e s t i c r e g i o n w h e r e th e sc e n e
i s pr i n c i p a lly l a i d a n d i n s o c i e ty w h i ch c a n n o t c e a s e t o b e
,

r e gr e tte d I p a ss e d th e su m m e r o f 1 8 1 6 i n th e e nv i r o n s o f
.

Ge n e va . T h e s e a s o n w a s c o ld a n d r a i ny a n d i n th e e v e n,

i n gs w e cr o w d e d a r o u n d a bl a z i n g w o o d fi r e a n d o cc a s i o n ,

a lly a mus e d o urs e l v e s w i th s o m e Ge r m a n s to r i e s o f gh o s t s ,

wh i ch h a pp e n e d t o fa ll i n to o u r h a n d s ,
T h e s e t a l e s e xc i t e d
.

i n us a pl a yful d e s i r e o f i m i t a ti o n T wo o th e r fr i e n ds (a
.

t a l e fr o m t h e p e n o f o n e o f w h o m w o uld b e fa r m o r e a c
c e t a b l e t o th e publ i c t h a n a n t h i n g I n r h p t
p y c a e v e o e o
p r o

duc e ) a n d mys e l f a gr e ed to w ri te e a ch a s to ry fo u n d e d o n ,

s o m e sup e rn a tur a l o ccurr e n c e .

T h e w e a th e r h o we v e r sudd e n ly b e c a m e s e r e n e
, , a n d my

t wo fri e n ds l e ft m e o n a j o ur n e y a m o n g t h e A lps a n d l o s t , ,

i n th e m a g n i fic e n t sc e n e s wh i ch th e y pr e s e n t a l l m e m o ry o f ,

th e i r gh o s tly v i s i o n s . T h e fo ll o wi n g t a l e i s th e o n ly o n e
wh i ch h a s b e e n c o mp l e te d .
 HE
T Fra nk e n ste i n ” fo r o n e o f th e i r s e ri e s e xpre ss e d a
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P ub l i sh e rs of th e S ta n d a rd N o v e l s , i n s e l e cti n g
,

w i sh th a t I sh o uld fur n i sh t h e m wi th s o m e a cc o u n t o f th e
o r i g i n o f th e s to ry . I a m th e m o r e w i ll i n g to c o m ply b e
c a us e I sh a ll t hus g i v e a g e n e r a l a n s we r to th e q u e s ti o n s o
Ve ry fr e q u e n tl y a s k e d m e ,Ho w I th e n a yo u n g gi rl c a m e
, ,
”
t o t h i n k o f a n d t o d i l a t e up o n s o v e ry h i d e o us a n i d e a ?
I t i s tru e t h a t I a m v e ry a v e rs e to br i n g i n g mys e l f fo rw a rd
i n pr i n t ; b u t a s my a cc o u n t w i l l o n ly a pp e a r a s a n a pp e n d
a e t o a fo rm e r pr o duc t i o n a n d a s i t w i ll b e c o n fi n e d t o
g ,

such t o p i cs a s h av e c o n n e c ti o n w i th my a u th o rsh i p a l o n e I ,

c a n sc a rc e ly a ccus e mys e l f o f a p e rs o n a l i n t rus i o n .

I t i s n o t s i n gul a r th a t a s th e d a ugh te r o f two p e rs o n s o f

, ,

d i s t i n gu i sh e d l i t e r a ry c e l e bri ty I sh o uld v e ry e a rly i n l ife

,

h a v e t h o ugh t o f w ri ti ng A s a ch i ld I scr i bbl e d ; a n d my

.
,

fa v o r i t e p a s t i m e dur i n g th e h o urs g i v e n m e fo r r e cr e a t i o n
, ,
”
w a s t o w r i te s t o r i e s
“
. S ti ll I h a d a d e a r e r p l e a sur e th a n
t h i s w h i ch w a s th e fo rm a t i o n o f c a s tl e s i n th e a i r ; th e i n
,

d u lg i n g i n w a k i n g dr e a ms ; th e fo ll o w i n g up tr a i n s o f
th o ugh t w h i ch h a d fo r th e i r subj e c t th e fo rm a t i o n o f a suc
,

c e s si o n o f i m a g i n a ry i n c i d e n ts M y dr e a ms we r e a t o n c e
.

m o r e fa n ta s ti c a n d a gr e e a b l e th a n my w r i ti n gs I n th e l a t .

t e r I w a s a c l o s e i m i t a to r , r a t h e r d o i n g a s o t h e rs h a d d o n e

h
t an pu tt i n g d o w n t h e sugg e s t i o n s o f my o w n m i n d . W h a t
I w r o t e w a s i n te n d e d a t l e a s t fo r o n e o th e r e ye , my ch i l d
h o o d s c o mp a n i o n a n d fr i e n d ; bu t my dr e a ms we r e a ll my
’
8 PRE FA CE .

own I a cc o u nte d fo r th e m to n o b o dy ; th e y w e r e my r e fuge

wh e n a n n o y e d , my d e a r e s t pl e a sure wh e n fr e e .

I l ive d pr i n c i p a lly i n th e c o u ntry a s a g i rl a n d p a ss e d a ,

c o n s i d e r abl e ti m e i n S c o tl a n d I m a d e o cc a s i o n a l v i s i t s to
.

th e m o r e p i c tur e s q u e p a r t s ; b u t my h ab i t u a l r e s i d e n c e w a s
o n th e b l a n k a n d dr e a ry n o r th e r n sh o r e s o f th e T a y n e a r ,

D un de e B l a n k a n d dr e a ry o n r e t r o sp e c t i o n I c a ll th e m ;
.
, ,

t h e y w e re n o t s o to m e t h e n T h e y w e r e th e e yry o f fr e e
.

d o m a n d th e pl e a s a n t r e g i o n w h e r e u n h e e d e d I c o uld c o m
,

mu n e w i th th e cr e a tur e s o f my fa n cy I w ro te th e n b u t i n .
,

a m o s t c o mm o n pl a c e s tyl e . I t w a s b e n e a th th e tr e e s o f th e
gro u n ds b e l o ngi n g to o u r h o us e o r o n th e bl e a k s i d e s o f,

th e w o o dl e ss m o u n t a i n s n e a r t h a t my tru e c o m , p o s i ti o n s ,

th e a i ry fl i gh t s o f my i m a g i n a ti o n w e r e b o rn a n d fo s te r e d
L
.
,

I d i d n o t m a k e mys e l f th e h e r o i n e o f my t a l e s i fe a p .

e ar e d to m e t o o c o mm o n pl a c e a n a ff a i r a s r e g a rd e d mys e l f
p .

I c o uld n o t figur e to mys e l f th a t r o m a n t i c wo e s o r w o n d e rful

e v e n t s w o uld e v e r b e my l o t ; b u t I w a s n o t c o n fi n e d t o my
‘

o w n i d e n ti t a n d I c o uld p e o pl e th e h o urs w i th cr e a t i o n s
y ,

fa r m o r e i n te r e s ti n g t o m e a t th a t a g e th a n m y o w n s e n
, ,

s a ti o n s .

Afte r th i s , my l ife b e c a m e bus i e r a n d r e a l i ty s to o d i n,

pl a c e o f fic ti o n My husb a n d h o we v e r w a s fr o m th e firs t
.
, ,

v e ry a n x i o us th a t I sh o uld pr o v e mys e l f w o r thy o f m ar

yp
e n t a ge a n d e n r o ll mys e l f o n t h e p a g e o f fa m e
, He w a s fo r .

e v e r i n c i ti n g m e t o o b ta i n l i te r a ry r e pu t a t i o n w h i ch e v e n o n , ,

my o w n p a rt I c a re d fo r th e n th o ugh s i n c e I h ave b e c o m e
, ,

i n fi n i t e ly i n d i ffe r e nt to i t
. A t th i s t i m e h e d e s i r e d t h a t I
sh o uld w ri te n o t s o much w i th th e i d e a th a t I c o uld pro duc e
,

an t h i n g w o r thy o f n o t i c e b u t th a t h e m i gh t h i ms e l f judg e
y ,

h o w fa r I p o ss e ss e d th e pr o m i s e o f b e tt e r t h i n gs h e r e a ft e r .

S t i ll I d i d n o th i n g .T r a v e ll i n g a n d th e c a r e s o f a fa m i ly
, ,

o ccup i e d my ti m e ; a n d s t u dy i n th e w a y o f r e a d i n g o r
, ,

i mpr o v i n g my i d e a s i n c o mmu n i c a ti o n w i t h h i s fa r m o r e
c ul t i v a t e d m i n d w a s a l l o f l i te r a ry e mp l o ym e n t t h a t e n g a e d
, g
my a tte nti o n .
 PRE FA CE .
9

summ e r o f 1 8 1 6 w e vi s i te d Swi tz e rl a n d a nd b e
L
I n th e , ,

c a m e th e n e i ghb o rs o f o rd B yr o n A t firs t we sp e nt o u r
.

pl e a s a n t h o urs o n th e l a k e , o r w a n d e r i n g o n i ts sh o r e s a nd
L o r d B yr o n w h o w a s w r i t i n g h i s th i rd c a nto o f
, Ch i ld e
H a ro ld w a s th e o nl y o n e a m o n g us wh o p u t h i s th o ugh t s
,

up o n p a p e r T h e s e a s h e bro ugh t th e m succ e ss i v e ly to us

.
, ,

c l o th e d i n a ll th e l i gh t a n d h a rm o ny o f p o e t ry s e e m e d to
,

s t a m p a s di vi ne th e gl o r i e s o f h e av e n a n d e a r th w h o s e i n fl u ,

e n c e s w e p a r to o k wi th h i m .

B u t i t pr o v e d a w e t u n g e n i a l summ e r a n d i n c e ss a n t r a i n
, ,

O ft e n c o n fi n e d us fo r d ays to th e h o us e S o m e v o lum e s o f
.

gh o s t s to ri e s t r a n sl a te d fro m th e Ge rm a n a n d Fr e n ch fe ll
, ,

i n t o o u r h a n ds T h e re w a s th e H i s to ry o f th e I n c o n s t a n t
L
.

o v e r w h o w h e n h e t h o ugh t t o cl a sp th e br i d e to w h o m h e
, ,

h a d pl e dg e d h i s v o w s fo u n d h i ms e l f i n t h e a rms o f th e p a l e
,

gh o s t o f h e r w h o m h e h a d d e s e rte d T h e r e w a s th e t a l e o f .

t h e s i n fu l fo u n d e r o f h i s r a c e w h o s e m i s e r a bl e d o o m i t wa s
,

t o b e s to w th e k i ss o f d e a th o n a l l th e y o u ng e r s o n s o f h i s i 11
fa te d h o us e jus t w h e n th e y r e a ch e d th e a ge o f pr o m i s e
w
,
.

Hi s g i g a n ti c sh a d o y fo rm cl o th e d l i k e th e gh o s t i n Ha m
, ,

l e t i n c o mpl e te a rm o r b u t w i th t h e b e a v e r up w a s s e e n a t
, , ,

m i d n i gh t by th e m o o n s fi tfu l b e a ms to a dv a n c e sl o w ly
’
,

a l o n g th e gl o o my a v e n u e T h e sh ap e w a s l o s t b e n e a t h th e
.

sh a d o w o f th e c a s tl e w a lls ; b u t s o o n a g a t e swu ng b a c k a ,

s te p w a s h e a rd th e d o o r o f th e Ch a mb e r o p e n e d a n d h e
, ,

a dv a n c e d t o th e c o uch o f t h e bl o o m i n g y o u ths cr a dl e d i n ,

h e a l thy sl e e p E te rn a l s o rr o w s a t up o n h i s fa c e a s h e b e n t
.

d o w n a n d k i ss e d th e fo re h e a d o f th e b o ys wh o fro m th a t ,

h o ur w i th e r e d l i k e fl o w e rs s n a pp e d up o n th e s ta l k I h ave .

n o t s e e n t h e s e s t o r i e s s i n c e t h e n ; b u t th e i r i n c i d e n t s a r e a s

fr e sh i n my m i n d a s i f I h a d r e a d th e m y e s te rd ay
L
.

“
We w i l l e a ch w r i te a gh o s t s t o ry s a i d ,o rd B yr o n ;
an d h i s pr o p o s i t i o n w a s a cc e d e d t o T h e r e .w e r e fo ur o f us .

T he no e b l a u t h o r b e g a n a t a l e a fr a gm
,
e n t o f w h i ch h e
”
pr i n te d a t th e e n d o f h i s p o e m of M a z e pp a S h e ll e y m o re “
.
,

a p t to e mb o dy i d e a s a n d s e n t i m e n t s i n t h e r a d i a n c e o f br i l
IO PRE FA CE .

l i a nt i m a ge ry , a nd i n th e
mus i c o f th e m o s t m e l o d i o us v e rs e
th a t a d o r n s o u r l a ngu a g e th a n to i nv e nt th e m a ch i n e ry o f a
,

s to ry c o mm e n c e d o n e fo u n d e d On th e e xp e r i e n c e s o f h i s
,

e a rly l i fe . P o o r Po l i d o r i h a d s o m e t e rr i bl e i d e a a b o u t a
s k ull h e a d e d l a dy wh o w a s s o pu n i sh e d fo r p e e p i n g thr o ugh
-
,

a ke
y
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h o le — w h a t t o s e e I fo rg e t — s o m e t h i n g v e ry sh o c k

i ng a n d w r o n g o f c o urs e : b u t wh e n S h e w a s r e duc e d to a
,

wo rs e c o n d i t i o n th a n th e r e n o w n e d T o m o f C o v e n try h e ,

d i d n o t k n o w w h a t to d o w i th h e r a n d w a s o bl i g e d to d e ,

s a t c h h e r to th e t o mb o f t h e C a pul e t s t h e o n ly p l a c e fo r
p ,

w h i ch s he w a s fi tte d T h e i llus tr i o us p o e t s a ls o a n no ye d
.
,

by th e pl a t i tud e o f pro s e sp ee d i ly r e l i n qu i sh e d th e i r u n c o n
,

g e n i a l ta s k .

I bus i e d mys e l f t o M i n t of a s t o ry — a s t o ry to r i v a l

th o s e w h i ch h a d e xc i t e d us to th i s t as k O n e wh i ch w o uld .

sp e ak to th e mys te ri o us fe a rs o f o u r n a ture a n d awa k i ng ,

thr i ll i ng h o rr o r — o n e to m a k e th e r e a d e r dr e a d to l o o k
ro u n d to curdl e th e b l o o d a n d q u i c k e n th e b e a t i n gs o f th e
, ,

h e a rt. I f I d i d no t a cc o mpl i sh th e s e t h ip g s my gh o s t s to ry ,

wo uld b e u nw o r thy o f i ts n a m e I th o ugh t a n d p o n d e r e d

.

—v a i n ly I fe l t th at bl a nk i n c a p ab i l i ty o f i nv e n ti o n wh i ch
.

i s the gre a te s t m i s e ry o f a ut ho rsh i p w h e n dull N o th i n g r e ,

pl i e s to o u r a nx i o us i nvo c a t io n s Ha v e y o u t /z o ug /z z (3f 4
.
‘

s tor
y ? I w a s a s k e d e a ch m o r n i n g a n d e ac h m o r n i ng I w a s
,

fo rc e d to r e ply wi th a mo r t i fy i n g n e g a t i v e .

E v e ry th i n g mus t h av e a b e g i n n i n g t o sp e a k i n S a n c h e a n ,

phra s e ; a n d th a t b e g i n n i n g m us t b e l i n k e d to s o m e th i n g
th a t w e n t b e fo r e T h e H i n d o o s g i v e th e e l e ph a n t a w o rld
.

to s upp o r t i t b u t th e y m a k e a n e l e ph a n t to s ta n d up o n a
,
~

t o r to i s e . I nve n t i o n i t m us t b e humbly a dm i tt e d d o e s n o t
, ,

e x i s t i n cr e a t i n g o u t o f v o i d b u t o u t o f ch a o s , th e m a t e r i a ls
mus t i n th e firs t pl a c e b e a ffo rd e d i t c a n g i v e fo rm to d a rk
, , ,

sh ap e l e ss subs t a n c e s b u t c a nn o t br i n g i n to b e i n g t h e sub
,

s ta n c e i ts e lf I n a l l m a tte rs o f d i sc o v e ry a n d i nv e n t i o n e v e n
.
,

o f th o s e th a t app e r ta i n to th e i m a g i n a t i o n we a r e c o n ti n u ,

a l ly r e m i n d e d o f th e s t o ry o f C o lumbus a n d h i s e gg In .
 PRE FA CE . II
!

v e nt i o n c o n s i s t s i n th e c ap a c i ty Of s e i z i n g o n th e c ap ab i l i ti e s
o f a subj e c t a n d i n th e p o we r o f m o uld i ng a n d fa sh i o n i n g
,

i d e a s sugg e s t e d to i t
L
.

M a n y a n d l o n g w e re th e c o nv e rs a ti o n s b e t we e n o rd By
r o n a n d S h e l l e y to w h i ch I w a s a d e v o u t b u t n e a rly s i l e n t
,

l i s te n e r .D uri n g o n e o f th e s e v a r i o us ph i l o s o ph i c a l d o c ,

t r i n e s w e r e d i scuss e d a n d a m o n g o th e rs th e n a t u r e o f th e
, ,

pr i n c i pl e o f l i fe a n d w h e th e r th e r e w a s a ny pr o b ab i l i ty o f
,

i t s e v e r b e i n g d i sc o v e r e d an d c o mmu n i c a te d T h e y ta lk e d .

o f th e e xp e r i m e n t s o f D r D a r w i n sp a k n o t o f w h a t th e
(I .e

D o c t o r r e a lly d i d o r s a i d h e d i d b u t a s m o r e t o my pur
, , ,

p o s e o f w h a t w a s th e n sp o k e n o f a s h a vi n g b e e n d o n e by
,

h i m ) w h o pr e s e rv e d a p i e c e o f v e rm i c e ll i i n a gl a ss c a g e
, ,

t i ll by s o m e e x t r a o rd i n a ry m e a n s i t b e g a n t o m o v e w i t h v o l
u ntar m t i N o t thus f r l l w uld l if b g i
'

y o on . a t e a o , e e v e
,
n .

P e rh a p s a c o rps e w o uld b e r e a n i m a te d ; g a lv a n i sm h a d -

g i v e n to k e n o f such th i n gs ; p e rh a ps th e c o mp o n e n t p a rt s
o f a cr e a tur e m i gh t b e m a n u fa c t ur e d br o ugh t to g e th e r a n d , ,

e n du e d w i t h v i t a l w a rm th .

N i gh t w a n e d up o n t h i s t a l k a n d e v e n th e W i t ch i n g h o ur ,

h a d g o n e by b e fo r e w e r e t i r e d to r e s t W h e n I h a d pl a c e d my
, .

h e a d o n my p i ll o w I d i d n o t sl e e p n o r c o uld I b e s a i d t o th i nk
, , .

My i m a g i n a t i o n u nb i dd e n p o ss e ss e d a n d gu i d e d m e g i fti n g
, , ,

th e succ e ss i v e i m a g e s t h a t a r o s e i n my m i n d w i t h a v i v i d
n e ss fa r b e y o n d th e u su a l b o u n d o f r e v e r i e I s aw — w i th .

shu t e y e s b u t a cu te m e n ta l v i s i o n I s a w th e p a l e s tud e nt
,

o f u n h a ll o we d a r t s k n e e l i n g b e s i d e t h e th i n g h e h a d p u t
‘

to g e th e r I s a w t h e h i d e o us ph a n t a sm o f a m a n s tr e t ch e d
.

out ,
a n d th e n o n th e w o r k i n g o f s o m e p o w e r ful e n g i n e
, ,

sh o w s i g n s o f l i fe a n d s ti r wi th a n u n e a sy h a l f v i t a l m o ti o n
, ,
-
.

F r i gh tful mus t i t b e ; fo r supr e m e ly fr i gh tful w o uld b e t h e

e ffe c t o f a n hum a n e n d e a v o r t o m o c k th e s tup e n d o us m e ch
y
ani s m o f t h e Cr e a t o r o f t h e w o rld H i s succ e ss w o uld .

rr
te i f y th e a t r i s t ; h e w o u l d rush a w a y f r o m h i s o d i o u s

h a n d i wo rk h o rr o r s tri c k e n He w o uld h o p e th a t l e ft to
,
-
.
,

s l
i t e f th e
,
sl i gh t sp a r k o f l i fe w h i ch h e h a d c o mmu n i c a te d,
I 2 PR E FA CE .

wo u l d fa d e th a t th i s th i ng wh i ch h a d r e c e i ve d such i mp e r
fe e t a n i m a ti o n , w o uld subs i d e i n to d e a d m a tte r ; a n d h e
m i gh t sl e e p i n th e b e l i e f th a t th e s i l e n c e gr ave wo uld of th e

q u e n ch fo r e v e r th e t r a n s i e n t e x i s t e n c e o f th e h i d e o us c o rps e

w h i ch h e h a d l o o k e d up o n a s th e cr a dl e o f l i fe He sl e e ps .

b u t h e i s a w a k e n e d ; h e o p e n s h i s e y e s : b e h o ld th e h o rr i d
th i n g s t a n ds a t h i s b e ds i d e o p e n i n g h i s curt a i n s a n d l o o k i ng
, ,

o n h i m w i th y e ll o w w a te ry b u t sp e cul a t i v e e y e s
, ,
.

I o p e n e d m i n e i n te rr o r T h e i d e a s o p o ss e ss e d my m i n d
.
,

th a t a thr i ll o f fe a r r a n thr o ugh m e a n d I w i sh e d to e xch a n g e

th e gh a s tly i m a g e o f my fa n cy fo r th e r e a l i ti e s a r o u n d
,
I .

s e e th e m s ti ll ; th e v e ry r o o m th e d a r k a r u e t th e cl o s e d
p g , ,

shu tte rs w i th th e m o o n l i gh t s truggl i n g t hro ugh a n d th e

, ,

s e n s e I h a d th a t th e gl a ssy l a k e a n d w h i te h i gh A lps w e r e

b e y o n d I c o uld n o t s o e a s i ly ge t r i d o f my h i d e o us ph a n
.

t o m ; s ti ll i t h a u n te d m e I mus t try t o th i n k o f s o m e th i n g
.

e ls e. I r e curr e d to my gh o s t s to ry my t i r e s o m e u n luc ky ,

gh o s t s to ry ! O h i f I c o uld o n ly c o n tri ve o n e w h i ch w o uld

,

fr i gh t e n my r e a d e r a s I mys e l f h a d b e e n fr i gh te n e d th a t
n i gh t !

S wift a s l i gh t a n d a s ch e e r i n g w a s th e i d e a t h a t br o k e i n
, ,

up o n m e .I h av e fo u n d i t ! W h a t te rr i fi e d m e w i ll t e r
“

r i fy o t h e rs a n d I n e e d o n ly d e scr i b e th e sp e c tr e w h i ch h a d
h a u n te d my m i d n i gh t p i ll o w O n th e m o rr o w I a n n o u n c e d
.

t h a t I h a d t /z o ug /z z of a s t o ry I b e g a n t h a t d a y w i t h th e
‘
.

w o rds I t wa s o n a d r e a ry n zg k z £72 N o v e m é e r m a k i ng
'
‘
, ,

o n ly a t r a n scr i p t o f t h e gr i m t e rr o rs o f my w a k i n g dr e a m .

A t firs t I th ugh o t b u t o f a fe w p a g e s — o f a sh o r t t a l e ;

b u t S h e ll e y urg e d m e t o d e v e l o p th e i d e a a t gr e a te r l e n g th .

I c e rt a i n ly d i d n o t o w e th e sugg e s t i o n o f o n e i n c i d e n t n o r ,

sc a rc e ly o f o n e tr a i n Of fe e l i n g to my husb a n d a n d ye t b u t, , ,

fo r h i s i n c i t e m e n t i t w o uld n e v e r h a v e t a k e n th e fo rm i n
,

w h i ch i t w a s pre s e n t e d to th e w o rld Fr o m th i s d e cl a r a .

t i o n I m us t e xc e p t th e pr e fa c e A s fa r a s I c a n r e c o ll e c t i t
.
,

wa s e n ti r e ly w r i tte n by hi m .

A n d n o w o n c e a g a i n I b i d my h i d e o us pr o g e ny go fo rth
, ,
 PRE FA CE . I3

and pro sp e r I h ave a n a ffe c ti o n fo r i t fo r i t w a s th e o ff

.
,

spr i n g o f h a ppy d ays w h e n d e a th a n d gr i e f we r e b u t w o rds

, ,

w h i ch fo u n d n o t ru e e ch o i n my h e a r t .I t s s eve r a l p a g e s
sp e a k o f m a n y a wa lk m a n y a dr i v e a n d m a ny a c o nv e rs a
, ,

ti o n w h e n I w a s n o t a l o n e ; a n d my c o mp a n i o n w a s o n e
,

w h o i n th i s wo rld I sh a l l n e v e r s e e m o r e
, , .B u t th i s i s fo r
mys e l f ; my r e a d e rs h ave n o th i n g to d o wi th th e s e a ss o c i a
ti o n s .
 FR A N KE N S T E I N ;

T HE M ODE R N P R O M E T H E US .

L
E TT E R I .

TO MR S . S AVI LL E , E N GL A N D .

S T P E T ER S BUR G
.
, De c . n th, 1 7

Y OU wi ll rej oi ce t o h e a r th a t n o dis aster h a s accompa n ied t h e

comme n ceme n t o f a n e n terprise which yo u h ave regarded with
s uch evi l forebo di n gs I arrive d here yesterd ay ; a n d my first task
.

i s t o as sure my de ar s ister o f my welfare a n d i n creasi n g co n fid e n ce

,

i n the succe s s o f my u n dertaki n g .

I am al re a dy far n orth o f Lo n do n ; a n d as I wal k i n the s treets

o f P etersburg I feel a col d n orther n breeze pl ay upo n my cheeks
, ,

wh ich brace s my n erves a n d fill s me with del ight D o yo u u n der

, .

s ta n d th i s feeli n g ? Th i s breeze which h as travel led from the r e

,

gio n s towa r d s which I am ad v a n ci n g give s me a foretaste o f those

,

icy clime s I n sp irited by th i s wi n d of promi se my d ay dre am s

.
,

become m ore fer v e n t a n d v ivi d I try i n vai n to be persu aded th at

.

t h e p ole i s the seat o f frost a n d desol atio n ; it ever prese n ts itself

t o my im agi n atio n a s the regio n o f beauty a n d del ight There .
,

M argaret the s u n i s for ever vi s ible ; its bro ad disk j ust skirti n g
,

the horizo n a n d di ff u s i n g a perpetu al sple n dor There for with

,
— .

your le ave my s i ster I will put some trust i n precedi n g n avigators

, ,

there s n ow a n d fro st are b a n is he d ; a n d s aili n g over a calm s e a

, ,

we m ay be w afte d to a l a n d surp as s i n g i n wo n ders a n d i n beauty

e very regio n h ith e rto discovered o n the h abitable globe Its pro .

d u c t i o n s a n d fe atures m ay be without example as the phe n ome n a ,

o f the h e a v e n ly bodies u n doubtedly are i n those u n di scovered

sol itu de s Wh at m ay n o t be expected i n a co u n try o f eter n al
.

light ? I m ay there di sco v er the wo n drou s power wh ich attracts

the n eedle ; a n d m ay regul ate a th ous a n d cele sti al observatio n s ,

th at require o n ly thi s voyage to re n der their seemi n g e c c e n tr ic i t l e s

I 6 F R A N KE NST E I N OR ,

co n s is te n t e v er I sh all s ati a te my a rde n t curio sity with t h e

fo r .

sight o f a p art o f the world n ever before vi s ited a n d m ay tre ad a ,

l a n d n ever before impri n te d by the foot o f m a n These are my .

e n t iceme n ts a n d they a re su fficie n t to c o n quer a l l fe ar o f d a n ger

,

or death a n d to i n duce me to comme n ce thi s l abori ou s voyage

,

with the j oy a child feel s whe n he emb arks i n a l ittle bo at with ,

h i s holi d ay m ates o n a n expeditio n o f d i sco v ery up h i s n ati ve

,

river But supposi n g all these co njecture s to be fal se yo u ca n n ot

.
, ,

co n tes t the i n e stim able be n efit wh ich I s h al l co n fer o n a l l m a n ki n d

t o the l ast ge n eratio n by di sco v eri n g a p as s a ge n e a r t h e pol e t o
,

tho se cou n tries to re ach which at pre se n t s o m a n y mo n ths a r e

,

requi site ; o r by ascertai n i n g the secret o f the m ag n et which if a t , ,

a l l pos s ible c a n o n ly be e ff ecte d by a n u n dertaki n g such a s mi n e

, .

These reflectio n s h a v e d i spelled the agitatio n with which I beg an

my letter a n d I feel my he art glow with a n e n thusi a sm which
,

ele v a tes me t o H e a v e n ; for n othi n g co n tribute s s o much to tr a n

q u i l li z e the m i n d a s a steady purpos e — a po i n t o n which the soul
m ay fix i t s i n t e llectu al eye Thi s ex p e ditio n h a s bee n the fa v or i t e
.

dre a m o f my early ye a rs I h a ve re a d with a rdor t h e accou n t s o f

.

the v a rio u s v oy a ge s wh i c h h av e b e e n m ad e i n the prospec t o f

a rri v i n g a t the N orth P acific O ce a n through t h e s e a s which s u r

rou n d the pole Yo u m ay remember th at a h istory o f all t h e

.
,

v oyage s m ade fo r purpo se s o f di scovery composed t h e whole of o u r

good U n cl e T homas s l ibr a ry My educ a tio n wa s n egl ected yet I

’
.
,

wa s p as sio n ately fo n d o f re adi n g Th e s e v olum e s were my study .

d ay a n d n ight a n d my famil i arity with them i n cr e a sed th a t regr e t

,

which I h ad felt as a child O n le a r n i n g th a t my father s dyi n g

, ,
’

i nju n ctio n h ad forb id de n my u n c le to a l low m e t o e mb a rk i n a s e a

fa ri n g li fe .

These v i si o n s faded whe n I peru sed for the firs t tim e thos e , ,

poets whose e ff usio n s e n tra n ced my soul a n d lifte d it to He ave n , .

I al so becam e a poet a n d for o n e year lived i n a P ar a di se of my

,

o w n cre ati o n ; I im agi n ed th at I also might Obtai n a n ich e i n t h e

temple where the n ames o f Homer a n d S h a k s p e a r e are co n secrated .

Y o u are well acqu ai n ted with my failure a n d how he avily I bore ,

the dis appoi n tme n t But j ust at th a t time I i n herited the fortu n e
.

o f my cousi n a n d my thoughts were tur n ed i n to the ch a n n el Of

,

t heir e a rl ier be n t .

Six ye a rs h a v e passed si n ce I resol ved o n my pres e n t u n dertaki n g .

I c a n e ve n n o w remember the hour from which I dedicated myself

, ,

to thi s gre a t e n terprise I comme n ced by i n uri n g my bo dy to h ard

.

s h ip . I acco mp a n i e d t h e wh a l e fi s h e r s o n s e v er a l e xpeditio n s t o
-
 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T H E US . I
7
th e N orth S e a ; I o lu n tarily e n dure d cold fami n e thirst a n d w a n t
v , , ,

o f s leep ; I o fte n worke d h arde r tha n the commo n s ailors duri n g

the d ay a n d devoted my n ights to the s tu dy Of m a them atics the

, ,

theory o f m edici n e a n d tho s e br a n che s o f p hysical scie n ce from

,

wh ich a n aval adve n turer might derive the gre atest practical a d v a n
tage Twice I actu al ly hire d myself as a n u n derm ate i n a Gree n
.

l a n d wh aler a n d acquitted myself to adm iratio n I mu st o w n I

, .

felt a l ittle proud whe n my captai n o ffered me the seco n d d i g n i t v

,

i n the ves sel a n d e n tre ated me to rem ai n with the gre ate st ear n e s t
,

n e s s ; s o valu able di d he co n s i der my services .

A n d n o w de a r M argaret do I n o t de serve to accompl i sh s o m e

, ,

gre at p u rpose ? M y l ife m ight h ave bee n p assed i n e ase a n d lux

ury ; b ut I p referred gl ory to every e n ticeme n t th a t wealth pl a c e d
i n my p ath O h th at some e n couragi n g vo ice woul d a n swer i n
.

t h e a fli r m a t i v e ! My courage a n d my res olutio n i s firm ; but my

hope s fluctu ate a n d m y spirits are ofte n dep res sed I am about to
,
'

proceed o n a lo n g a n d di ffi cult voyage the emerge n cie s o f which ,

will dem a n d all my fortitude I am required n o t o n ly to raise the :

S p irits o f others but sometime s to sustai n my o wn whe n theirs are

, ,

fail i n g .

Th i s i s the most fa vorable period for travelli n g i n R us s i a They .

fly quickly over th e s n ow i n their sledge s ; the moti o n i s pleas a n t ,

and , i n my opi n io n far more agre eable th a n th at of a n E n glish ,

stage co ach The col d i s n o t exce ss i v e if you are wrapt i n furs a

-
.
, ,

dre s s w hi ch I h ave already adopte d ; for there i s a great di ff ere n ce

betwee n walki n g the deck a n d rem ai n i n g se ated motio n les s fo r
hours whe n n o exerci se preve n ts the bloo d from actually freezi n g
,

i n your vei n s I h ave n o ambitio n to lo se my life o n the post ro ad

.
-

betwee n St P etersburg a n d Arch a n gel

. .

I s h al l dep art for t h e l atter tow n i n a fort n i ght or three weeks ;

a n d my i n te n tio n i s to h ire a s h ip there which c a n e asi ly be d o n e ,

by p ayi n g the i n sura n ce for the ow n er a n d to e n gage as m a n y ,

s ail ors a s I th i n k n eces s ary am o n g those who are accustomed t o

the wh ale fi s h i n g I do n o t i n te n d to s ail u n ti l the mo n th o f Ju n e
-
.

a n d whe n s h all I retur n Ah de ar s i ster how c a n I a n swer thi s

?
, ,

questio n ? If I succeed m a n y m a n y m o n th s perh a p s ye ars will , , , ,

p as s before y o u a n d I m ay m eet If I fail you will s e e m e agai n .

,

s oo n ,o r n ever .

F arewell my de,
ar excel le n t M argaret H e ave n s hower do
,
w n .

bles si n gs o n you a n d s ave me th at I m ay agai n a n d agai n t e st i fy

, ,

my gratitu de fo r all your l ove a n d ki n d n es s .

Your a ffectio n ate brother R WA L T O N ,

. .
18 F R AN KE NST E I N OR ,

L
E TT E R II .

To MRS . S AVI LL E , E N GL AN D .

M h 7 AR CHA N GE L ,
2 8t h arc , 1

Ho w slowly the time p as se s here e n comp as sed as I am by frost ,

a n d s n ow ; yet a seco n d step i s take n towards my e n terprise I .

h a v e hired a ves sel a n d am occupie d i n collecti n g my s ailors ;

,

t h o s e whom I h ave alre ady e n gaged appe ar to be m e n o n whom I

c a n depe n d a n d are certai n ly pos sessed of d au n tles s courage

,
.

But I h ave o n e wa n t which I h ave n ever yet bee n able to s atisfy ;

a n d the ab se n ce of the object of which I n o w feel as a most severe
'

evil I h ave n o frie n d M argaret whe n I am glowi n g with the

.
,
:

e n thu si asm o f succes s there will be n o n e to p articip ate my j oy ; if

,

I am ass ailed by dis appoi n tme n t n o o n e will e n deavor to sustai n ,

me i n d ej e c t i o n I sh all commit my thoughts to p aper it i s true ;

u ,

but th at i s a poor medium for the commu n icatio n of feel i n g I .

desi re the comp a n y of a m a n who could symp athize with me ;

whose eye s woul d reply to mi n e You m ay deem me rom a n tic my .
,

de ar S i ster but I b itterly feel the wa n t of a frie n d I h ave n o o n e

,
.

n ear me ge n tle yet courageou s pos se s sed of a cultivated as well as

, ,

of a cap aciou s m i n d whose taste s are like my o w n t o approve or

, ,

ame n d my pl a n s How woul d such a frie n d rep air the faults O f

.

your poor brother ! I am too arde n t i n executi on a n d too i m ,

p atie n t o f di fficulties But it i s a still gre ater evil to me th at I am

.

self educated ; for the first fourtee n years of my l ife I r a n wild o n a

-

commo n a n d read n oth i n g but our U n cle Th om as s books of

,
’

voy ages At th at age I became acqu ai n ted with the celebrated

.

p oets of o u r o wn cou n try ; but it was o n ly whe n it h ad ceased to be

i n my power to derive its most importa n t be n efits from such a c o n

v i c ti o n th at I perceived the n eces s ity o f becomi n g acqu ai n ted with
,

more l a n gu ages th a n th at of my n ative cou n try Now I am twe n ty .

eight a n d am i n real ity more illiterate th a n m a n y school boys of

,
-

fiftee n It i s true that I have thought more a n d th at my d ay

.
,

dream s are more exte n ded a n d m ag n ifice n t ; but they wa n t (a s the

pai n ters call it ) ke p i ng ; a n d I greatly n eed a frie n d who woul d
e

h ave se n se e n ough n o t to despise m e as rom a n tic a n d a ff ectio n ,

e n ough for me to e n deavor to reg u l ate my m i n d .

Well these are useles s compl ai n ts ; I sh al l certai n ly fi n d n o

,

frie n d o n the wide ocea n n o r eve n h ere i n Arch a n gel amo n g

, ,
 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S . I9

m e rch a n ts se am e n Yet some fee l i n gs u n a l li e d t o t h e dr o s s

a nd .
,

o f hum a n n ature beat eve n i n the se rugge d bosom s

, My l ieute n a n t .
,

fo r i n sta n ce i s a m a n o f wo n derful courag e a n d e n terpris e ; h e i s

,

m adly de sirou s o f glory H e i s a n E n gl i shm a n a n d i n the m i dst

.
,

o f n a tio n al a n d profes sio n a l p rej udic e s u n softe n ed by culti v atio n , ,

retai n s s ome o f the n oble st e n dowme n ts o f hum a n ity I first b e .

came a c q u ai n ted with him o n bo ard a wh a le v e s sel fi n di n g th a t he

was u n e mp loye d i n thi s city I e a sily en gage d h im t o a s si st i n my
,

e n terp ri se .

Th e m aster i s a p ers o n o f a n excelle n t di spositio n a n d i s re m a rk ,

a ble i n t h e s h ip fo r h i s ge n tle n es s a n d the m ild n es s o f hi s d i s ,

c ip l i n e
. H e i s i n deed o f s o am i able a n ature th at he will n o t hu n t
, ,

( a f a v orite a n,d almo s t the o n ly amu seme n t here ) becaus e h e c a n ,

n o t e n dure t o spi ll bloo d H e i s moreover heroically ge n er o us

.
, , .

S ome ye ars a g o he loved a you n g R u s si a n l ady of moder a te fortu n e ; ,

a n d h avi n g am as sed a co n si derable s u m i n pri z e mo n ey the fath e r -

,

o f the girl co n se n ted to the m atch H e s a w h i s m i stres s o n ce more

.

b efore the desti n ed ceremo n y ; b ut s h e wa s b a thed i n tears a n d , ,

throwi n g hers elf at h i s feet e n tre ated him to sp are her co n fes si n g
, ,

a t the s am e time th at s h e lo v e d a n other but th at he was poor a n d , ,

th at her fath e r wo ul d n ever co n se n t to the u n io n My ge n erou s .

frie n d r e as s u re d the supp li a n t a n d o n bei n g i n formed o f the n a m e

-
,

Of her l over i n st a n tly ab a n do n e d h i s p ursuit He h ad alr e ady

,
.

bought a farm with h i s m o n ey o n wh ich he h ad des ig n e d t o p as s ,

the rem a i n der o f hi s life ; but he besto we d the whole o n h i s rival ,

t og e ther with the rem a i n s o f h i s prize mo n ey to purch ase stock , -

,

a n d the n h im self s olicited the you n g wom a n s father to co n se n t to

’

her m arri age with h e r l over But the Ol d m a n decidedly refused .

,

thi n k i n g him self bou n d i n ho n or to my frie n d ; who whe n h e ,

fou n d the father i n exorable quitted hi s cou n try n o r retur n ed u n ti l

, ,

h e h e ard th at h i s former m i stre s s was m a rried accordi n g to h e r

Wh at a n oble fellow ! yo u will excl aim H e i s
“ ”
.

s o ; but the n he h as p as sed a l l h i s l ife o n bo a rd a v e ssel a n d h as ,

s c a rcely a n i de a beyo n d t h e rope a n d the s hroud .

But do n o t suppo se th at b e cau se I compl ai n a l ittle o r bec a us e

, ,

I c a n co n ceive a co n sol a tio n for my toil s wh ich I m ay n ever k n ow ,

th at I am w averi n g i n my re solutio n s Tho s e are as fixed as fate ; .

a n d my v oy a ge i s n o w o n ly d e l aye d u n til the weather s h a l l permit

my emb arkatio n The wi n t e r h a s b e e n dre adfu l ly sev e re ; but t h e

.

S pri n g promi se s well a n d it i s co n s idered a s a r e m arkably e a rly

,

se a so n ; s o th at perh a p s I m ay s a il s oo n er th a n I exp e cted I

, ,
.

s h a l l d o n othi n g r a shly ; yo u k n o w m e s u ffi c i e n tly t o c o n fide i n my

ao F R AN KE NST E I N OR ,

p r ude n ce a n d co n siderat e ne s s wh en e ve r the s a fety o f oth e rs i s c o m

mi t te d to my care .

I c a n n ot describe to yo u my s e n s atio n s o n the n ear pro sp e ct o f

my u n dertaki n g It i s impo ss ible to commu n icate t o you a c o n
.

c e p t i o n o f the trembli n g se n s atio n h alf fearful with which I a m , ,

prep ari n g to dep art I am goi n g t o u n explore d regio n s to t h e

.
,
“

l a n d of mist a n d s n ow ; but I sh all kill n o alb atros s th e refore d o ,

n o t be al armed for my s afety .

S hal l I meet you agai n after h a vi n g traversed imme n s e seas

, ,

a n d retur n ed by the mo st souther n cape o f Afric a o r America ? I

d are n o t expect such succes s yet I ca n n ot bear to look o n the ,

reverse of the picture Co n ti n ue t o write to m e by every o pp o r

.

t u n i ty : I m ay receive your letters (though the ch a n ce i s very

doubtful ) o n some occasio n s whe n I n eed them mos t to support my
spirits I lo v e yo u very te n derly R emember me with aff ectio n
. .
,

s houl d yo u n e ve r hear from me agai n .

Your aff ectio n a te broth e r ,

R O B E R T WA L T O N .

L
E TT E R III .

To MRS . S AVI LL E , E N G L A N D .

L 7 J U Y t
7 ,h 1

M Y D EA R S I S T E R — I write yo u a few l i n es i n h aste to s a y th at

, ,

I am s afe a n d well adva n ced o n my voyage Th is letter will re ach

,
.

E n gl a n d by a merch a n tm a n n o w o n its homeward voyage from

Arch a n gel ; more fortu n ate tha n I who m ay n o t s e e my n ative ,

l a n d perh ap s for m a n y years I am however i n good sp irits

, ,
.
, ,

my m e n are b o ld a n d app are n tly firm o f purpose ; n o r do the fl o a t

,

i n g sheets o f ice th at co n ti n u ally pas s u s i n dicati n g the da n g e rs o f ,

the regio n t o ward which we are adva n ci n g appear to di sm ay them , .

We h a v e already reached a very high l atitude ; but it i s the heigh t

o f summer a n d although n o t s o warm as E n gl a n d
,
the souther n ,

gales which blow u s speedily toward those s hores which I s o

,

a rde n tly des ire to attai n breathe a degree o f re n o vati n g warmth

,

which I h a d n o t e xpected .

No i n cid e n ts h av e h itherto befall e n u s th a t woul d m ake a figur e ,

i n a letter O n.e o r two sti ff gales a n d the breaki n g o f

, a m a st are ,

a c c i d e n ts wh ich e xp e r i e n c e d n a v ig a tors s c a rcely r e m e mb e r t o r e

v
 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T HE U S . 2I

cord ; a n d I sh al l be w e l l c o n te n t if n othi n g wors e h a pp e n s t o u s

,

duri n g o u r voyage .

A dieu my de ar M argar e t B e a s sure d th at fo r my o wn s ak e a s

, .
, ,

wel l as yours I wil l n o t r a s hly e nc ou n t e r d a n g e r I will b e co o l

'

, .
,

p ers ev e ri n g a n d pru
, de n t .

R e m e m b er m e t o a l l my E n gl i s h fri e n d s .

M o s t affe c tio n a t e ly y o urs ,

L
E TT E R IV .

TO MRS . S AVI LL E , E N GL AN D .

August sth , 17

SO str a n ge a n a cc i d e n t h a s h a ppe n ed to u s th a t I c a n n ot forb e a r ,

r e c ordi n g it al though it i s very prob able th at o u will s e e me b e

, y
fore the se p apers c a n come i n to your po s ses s i o n .

L ast M o n d ay (July 3 1 s t ) we were n early surrou n de d by i c e

, ,

wh ich clo se d i n t h e s h ip o n all s i de s scarcely le avi n g her the s e a ,

roo m i n wh i ch s he flo a ted O ur situ a tio n was somewh at d a n ger

.

o u s e speci al ly as we were comp asse d rou n d by a v ery thic k fog

, .

We accord i n gly l ay t o h O p i n g th a t s ome ch a n ge wou l d take pl a ce

,

i n the atm o sp h e re a n d we ather .

Ab out two o clock t h e m i s t cleared away a n d we b ehel d stretch e d

’
, ,

out in every directio n v ast a n d irregul ar pl ai n s o f ice wh ich

, ,

seeme d to h a v e n o e n d S ome o f my comrades gro a n ed a n d my

.
,

o w n m i n d bega n to grow w atchful with a n xious thoughts whe n a ,

s tra n ge s ight sud de n ly attracted o u r atte n tio n a n d diverted o u r ,

s ol icitude from o u r o w n s i tu a tio n We perceived a l o w c a rri age .

,

fixed o n a s ledge a n d draw n by dogs p as s o n tow a rds the n o rth at , ,

the di sta n ce o f h a lf a m ile a bei n g whi ch h ad the s h ap e Of a m a n

: ,

but app are n tly of gig a n tic s tature s a t i n the s ledge a n d gui de d t h e
, ,

dogs We watched the rap i d progres s Of the traveller with our t e le

.

s c op e s u n til he w a s lo st amo n g the di sta n t i n equ a liti e s o f the i c e

,
.

Th i s app e ara nce excited o u r u n q u alifie d wo n der We were a s .

,

we bel ieve d m a n y hu n dred mile s from a ny l a n d ; but thi s app a ri

,

t i o n seeme d t o de n ote th a t it wa s n o t i n real ity s o dista n t as we , ,

h a d supp os e d S hut i n however by ice it was imp os sible t o fo l

.
, , ,

l o w h i s track which we h ad ob served with the gre atest atte n tio n

,
.

A b o ut tw o hours a fter thi s occurre n ce we he ard t h e grou n d s e a ; ,

22 F R A N KE NS T E I N OR ,

and b e fore gh t the i c e b ro ke a n d fre ed o u r s hip We how e ve r

ni ,
.
, ,

l ay t o u n ti l t h e mor n i n g fe ari n g t o e n c o u n ter i n th e d a rk thos e

,

l a rge loose m as ses which flo a t about after the bre aki n g up o f t h e

ice I profited of thi s time to rest fo r a few ho urs
. .

I n the mor n i n g however as s oo n a s it wa s l ight I we n t upo n

, , ,

deck a n d fou n d al l the s ailors bu sy o n o n e s ide o f the ves sel

, ,

app are n tly talki n g to some o n e i n the s e a It w a s i n fact a sledge .

, , ,

like th at we h ad see n before which h ad drifted toward s u s i n the ,

night o n a l arge fr a gme n t o f ice

, O n ly o n e dog rem ai n ed alive ; .

but th e re wa s a hum a n bei n g withi n it whom the s ailors were ,

persu adi n g to e n ter the v es sel H e wa s n o t as the other traveller .

,

seemed to be a s av a ge i n h ab ita n t o f some u n di sco v ere d i sl a n d but

, ,

a n E uropea n Whe n I appe are d o n deck the m aster s aid Here “

.
, ,

i s o u r capt a i n a n d h e w ill n o t al l ow yo u to peri s h o n the ope n

,
‘

”
sea .

On perc e i v i n g me the stra n ger addres se d me i n E n gl i sh a l

, ,

tho u gh with a foreig n a cce n t Before I come o n bo ard your .

“

v es sel s aid he will you h ave the ki n d n es s to i n form me whither

“
, ,

u are bou n d ?
”
o
y
You m ay co n ceive my asto n i s h me n t o n he ari n g such a q u e stio n
a ddres se d to me from a m a n o n the bri n k o f de structio n a n d to ,

wh om I shoul d h ave suppo sed th at my ves sel woul d h ave bee n a

r e source which he woul d n o t h ave exch a n ged for the most precious
wealth the e arth c a n a ff ord I replied however th at we were o n .
, ,

a v oyage o f di scovery toward s the n orther n pole .

U p o n he a ri n g thi s he appe ared s atisfied a n d co n se n ted to com e ,

o n bo ard Good Go d ! M argaret if you h ad see n the m a n who

.
,

t hu s cap itul ated fo r h i s s afety your surpri se woul d h ave bee n ,

b ou n dle s s H is limb
. s were n e arly froze n a n d h i s body dreadfu lly ,

em aci ated by fatigue a n d su ff eri n g I n ever s aw a m a n i n s o .

wretched a co n ditio n We attempted to carry him i n to the cabi n .

,

but a s soo n as he h ad quitted the fresh air he fai n ted We accord , .

i n g l y brought him back to the deck a n d restored him to a n im atio n ,

by rubbi n g him with bra n dy a n d forci n g h im to swallow a sm al l ,

q ua n tity As soo n as he s howe d sig n s of life we wrapped h i m up

.
,

i n bl a n kets a n d pl aced him n ear the chim n ey of the kitche n stove

,
-
.

By slow degrees he r e co v ered a n d ate a little soup which re s tored , ,

h i m wo n derfully .

T wo d ays p a ssed i n thi s m a n n er before he wa s abl e t o spe ak ;

a n d I Oft e n fe a red th ta h i s su ff eri n gs h ad depri
,
v e d h im o f h i s
u n d e rsta n di n g Whe n he h ad i n some me asure recovered I t e
.
,

moved h i m t o my o wn c abi n a n d a tte n ded o n h im a s much a s my ,

 T HE M O DER N PR O ME TH E U S .
23

duty w o ul d pe rm it I n eve r s aw a more i n terest i n g creature : h i s

.

e ye s h a ve ge n erally a n e xp re s s io n o f wi l d n e s s a n d eve n m ad n e s s
; ,

b ut there a r e m ome n t s wh e n if a ny o n e perform s a n act Of k i n d

,

n es s toward s h im o r do e s hi m a n the mo st trifli g service hi s

, y n ,

whole cou n te n a n ce i s lighted up as i t were with a be am of b e n e v , ,

o l e n c e a n d sweet n e s s th at I n ever s a w equ alled But he i s ge n eral ! v .

m el a n choly a n d de sp airi n g ; a n d s ometimes he g n ashe s h i s tee t h a s ,

if imp a tie n t o f the weigh t of woe s th at opp res s h im .

Whe n my guest w a s a l ittle recovere d I h a d great trouble to ,

k eep o ff t h e m e n who wi s he d to ask h im a thous a n d questio n s ;

,

but I woul d n o t allo w him to be torme n ted by their i dle curio s ity ,

i n a s tate o f bo dy a n d m i n d whose restor a tio n evide n tly depe n ded

up o n e n tire repo s e O n ce however the l ieute n a n t asked Why he
.
, , ,

h a d com e s o fa r upo n the ice i n s o stra n ge a v eh icle ?

H i s c ou n te n a n ce i n st a n tly as sumed a n a spect o f the deepes t
gloom ; a n d he rep l i ed T O s e ek o n e wh o fle d from me
,
“
.

A n d d i d t h e m a n wh o m yo u p ursued tr a v e l i n the s a m e fas h

“

”
ion ?

“
Ye s .

The n I fa n cy we h a v e s e e n h im ; fo r the d ay before we picke d ,

y o u up, we sa w som e dogs dr awi n g a sledg e with a m a n i n it , ,

a cro s s the i ce .
”

Thi s arou se d the stra n ger s atte n tio n ; a n d he aske d a mul titude
’

o f que stio n s co n cer n i n g the route wh ich t h e demo n a s he c a lled .

h im h ad pursued S oo n after whe n he was al o n e with m e he

,
.
, ,

s ai d I h ave do ubtles s exci ted your curio sity as well as th at O f

“
, , , ,

the se goo d p eop le ; b ut you a r e too co n si derate to m ake i n quiries .

“
Cert a i n ly ; it woul d i n dee d be very imperti n e n t a n d i n hum a n
i n m e to troub le yo u with a n y i n qui s itive n es s o f m i n e
”
.

“
A n d yet yo u re scue d me from a s tr a n ge a n d perilou s s itu atio n ;
o u h a v e be n e v ole n tly restore d me to l ife
”
y .

S oo n a fter th i s he i n q ui red if I thought th at the b re aki n g up o f

,

t h e ice h a d des troye d t h e other s ledge I rep l ied th at I cou ld n t .

, o

a n swer with a n y degree o f certai n ty ; for the ice h ad n o t brok e n

u n t i l n e ar m i d n ight a n d the travel ler mig h t h ave a rrive d at a p lace

,

o f s afety befor e th at time ; but of th i s I c oul d n o t j udge .

From th i s time t h e stra n ger seeme d very e ager to be upo n deck ,

t o watch for the s ledge wh ich h ad befor e appe ared ; but I h ave
p ersu aded h im to rem ai n i n the cab i n for he i s far too weak to s u s ,

t a i n the raw n es s o f th e atmo sp here A n d I h ave prom ised th a t .

s ome o n e s houl d watch fo r h im a n d give h im i n sta n t n otice if a n y

,

n e w Obj ect s ho u l d appear i n s ight .

2
4 R AN KE NST E I N
F OR ,

Such i s my j our n al o f wh a t rel ates to thi s stra n ge occurre n ce u p

t o the prese n t d ay The stra n ger h as gradually improved i n health
. ,

but i s very sile n t a n d appe ars u n e asy whe n a ny o n e except myself

,

e n ters h i s cabi n Yet hi s m a n n ers are s o co n cili ati n g a n d ge n tle

.
,

t h at the s ail ors are al l i n tere ste d i n him alt h ough they h ave ,

very little commu n icatio n with him For my o w n p art I begi n t o .

,

l ove h im as a brother ; a n d h i s co n sta n t a n d deep grief fill s m e

with symp athy a n d comp as sio n He mu st h ave bee n a n ob le.

creature i n h i s better d ays bei n g eve n n o w i n wreck s o attracti v e

,

a n d ami able .

I s ai d i n o n e o f my letters my de ar M argaret th at I shoul d fi n d

, ,

n o frie n d o n the wide ocea n ; yet I h ave fou n d a m a n wh o befo r e ,

hi s spirit h ad bee n broke n by misery I shoul d h ave bee n h appy t o ,

h ave pos ses sed as the brother o f my heart .

I sh all co n ti n ue my j our n al co n cer n i n g the stra n ger a t i n ter va l s ,

s houl d I h a v e a n fresh i n cide n ts to record

y .

August 13 th , 17

M y a ff ectio n for my guest i n creases every d ay H e e xcites a t .

o n ce my admiratio n a n d my pity t o a n asto n i sh i n g degree H ow .

c a n I s e e so n oble a creature destroyed by m isery without feel i n g ,

the mo st poig n a n t grief ? H e i s s o ge n tle yet s o wi se ; h i s mi n d i s ,

s o cultivated ; a n d whe n he speaks although hi s words are culled ,

with the choices t art yet they flow with rap idity a n d u n p aralleled
,

eloque n ce .

H e i s n o w much recovered from hi s i ll n es s a n d is co n ti n u ally On ,

deck app are n tly watchi n g for the sledge th at preceded h i s o wn

, .

Yet although u n h appy h e i s n o t s o utterly occup ied by hi s o wn

, ,

misery but th at he i n terests himself deeply i n the employme n ts of

,

others H e h a s asked me m a n y questio n s co n cer n i n g my desig n ;

.

a n d I h ave rel at e d my little history fra n kly to him H e appeared .

ple ased with the co n fide n ce a n d suggested several alteratio n s i n ,

my pl a n which I sh al l fi n d exceedi n gly u seful

, There i s n o .

peda n try i n h i s m a n n er ; but all he does appe ars to spri n g solely

from the i n terest he i n sti n ctively takes i n th e welfare of those who
surrou n d him H e i s ofte n overcome by gloom a n d the n he s its
.
,

by himself a n d tries to overcome all th at i s sulle n o r u n soci al i n

,

h i s humor These p aroxysm s p as s from him like a clou d from

.

before the s u n though hi s dej ectio n n ever le ave s him I h av e

, .

e n deav ored to wi n h is co n fide n ce ; a n d I trust th at I h ave s u c

ce e de d O n e day I me n tio n ed to him the desi re I h ad always felt
.

o f fi n di n g a frie n d who might symp ath iz e with me a n d direct m e ,

 T HE M O DE R N PR O ME T H E US . 2
5

by hi s cou n sel I s ai d I did n o t bel o n g to th at cl as s o f m e n who

.

are o ff e n ded by advice I am self e d u cated a n d perh ap s I h ardly

.
-
,

rely s u ffi cie n tly upo n my o wn powers I wi sh therefore th at my .

comp a n io n S houl d be wi ser a n d more experi e n ced th a n myself to ,

co n firm a n d support m e ; n o r h a v e I bel ieved it impo s sibl e to fi n d

a true frie n d .

“
I agree with you repl ie d the stra n ger , i n bel ievi n g th a t ,

frie n ds h ip i s n o t o n ly a desirable but a pos sible acqui sitio n I , , .

o n ce h ad a frie n d the m o st n oble of hum a n cre ature s a n d am

, ,

e n titled therefore to j u dge respecti n g frie n d ship You h ave hop e

, ,
.

a n d the worl d before yo u a n d h ave n o cause for desp air

, B ut I .

I h ave lo st every th i n g a n d ca n n ot begi n life a n ew

,
.
”

As he s ai d th i s h i s cou n te n a n ce became expres sive o f a calm

,

settled grief which touched me to the he art But he was s ile n t

,
.
,

a n d p rese n tly retired to hi s cab i n .

E ve n broke n i n sp irit as he i s n o o n e c a n feel more deeply th a n ,

he doe s the be autie s o f n ature The starry sky the sea a n d every .
, ,

sight a ff orded by these wo n derful regio n s seem still to h ave t h e ,

power of elev a ti n g h i s s oul from e arth Such a m a n h as a doubl e .

exi ste n ce he m ay su ff er m i sery a n d be overwhelmed by d i s a p

: ,

o i n t m e n t s ; yet whe n he h a s reti red i n to him self he wil l be l ike a

p ,

cele sti al spirit th at h as a h alo arou n d h i m withi n whose circle n o

, ,

grief or folly ve n tures .

Wi ll you l augh at the e n thu s i asm I exp res s co n cer n i n g th i s

divi n e wa n derer ? If you do yo u mus t certai n ly h ave lost th at ,

s impl icity which was o n ce your ch aracteristic ch arm Yet if you .

,

wi ll sm i le at the w armth of my expres s io n s wh ile I fi n d every d ay

,
'

n e w cau se s fo r repe ati n g them .

Augus t r9t h, 1 7

Yesterd ay the stra n ger s ai d to me You m ay e asily perceive ,

“
,

C aptai n Walto n th at I h ave su ff ered gre at a n d u n p aral leled mi s

,

fortu n es I h ad determi n ed o n ce th at the memory o f these evil s

. , ,

sho ul d die with me ; but you h ave w o n me to alter my determi n a

tio n You seek for k n owledge a n d wi sd om as I o n ce d id ; a n d I
. ,

arde n tly h op e th at the gratificatio n o f your wi shes m ay n o t be a

serpe n t to sti n g you as m i n e h as bee n to me I do n o t k n ow th at
,
.

the rel atio n o f my mi sfortu n e s will be u seful to you yet if you a r e , ,

i n cl i n ed li ste n to my tale I believe th at the st a ge i cide ts

,
r n.
n n

co n n ected with it wil l a ff ord a view of n ature which m ay e n l arge ,

your facultie s a n d u n dersta n d i n g You will he ar of powers a n d .

o cc urre n ces such

,
as y o u h ave bee n accu stomed t o thi n k impo s s ibl e ;
26 FR A N KE NST E I N ; OR TH E M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S
,
.

but I d o n o t do ubt th at my tale co n veys i n its series i n ter n al e v i

”
de n ce o f the truth o f the eve n ts of wh ich it i s composed .

Y o u m ay easily co n ceive that I was much gratified by the o ff ere d

c om mu n icatio n ; yet I coul d n o t e n dure th at he s houl d re n ew h i s

grief by a recital of hi s mi sfortu n es I felt the grea t e st e ager n es s

.

to hear the promi sed n arrative p artly from curio sity a n d p artly
, ,

from a stro n g desire to amel iorate hi s fate if it were i n my p ower

,
.

I expre s sed these feel i n gs i n my a n swer .

I th a n k you he replied for your symp athy but it i s u seles s ;

,
”
, ,

my fate i s n early fulfilled I wait for but o n e eve n t a n d the n I

.
,

sh all repose i n peace I u n dersta n d your feeli n g co n ti n ued he

.
,
”
,

perceivi ng th a t I wished to i n terr u pt him ; but you are mi stake n ,

my frie n d if thus you will al low me to n ame you ; n othi n g c a n

,

a lter my desti n y . Li ste n to m y hi story a n d you will perceive h o w

,

irrevocably i t i s determ i n ed .
”

H e the n tol d me th at he woul d comme n ce h is n arrative the n ext

,

d ay whe n I shoul d be at lei sure Th i s promi se drew from me the

,
.

warmest th a n ks I h ave re solved every n ight to record as n early

.
,

a s po s sible i n h i s o wn word s wh at he h as rel ated duri n g the day

, .

I f I shoul d be e n gaged I will at least m ake n otes

, Th is m a n uscript
.

will doubtles s a ff ord you the greate st pleasure ; but to me who ,

k n ow h im a n d who hear it from h is o wn l ip s with wh a t i n ter e st

, ,

a n d symp athy sh a l l I r e a d it a t some future d ay !

 FR A NKE N S T E I N
;

THE M ODE R N P R O M E T H E US

CHA P TE R I .

A M by birth a Ge n e v e se ; a n d my fam ily i s o n e o f the m ost

I t i n gu i s h e d o f th at repub l ic My a n cestors h ad bee n for ma ny
.

ye ars cou n sel lors a n d sy n dics ; a n d my father h ad filled several

pub l ic situ atio n s with h o n or a n d reputatio n H e was respected by .

a l l wh o k n ew h im for h i s i n tegrity a n d i n defatigable atte n tio n to

,

publ ic bu si n e s s H e p as sed h i s you n ger d ays perpetu ally occupied

.

by the a ff airs o f h i s c ou n try ; a n d it w a s n o t u n til the decli n e of li fe

th at he thought of m a rryi n g a n d bestowi n g o n the state so n s wh o
,

m igh t carry h i s virtue s a n d h i s n ame dow n to posterity .

As the circum sta n ces o f hi s m arri age illu strate hi s character I ,

c a n n ot refrai n from rel ati n g them O n e o f h i s most i n tim ate

.

frie n d s was a merch a n t who from a flouri shi n g state fel l through
, , ,

n umerou s m i sch a n ce s i n to poverty

, Thi s m a n whose n ame was
.
,

Be aufort was o f a p rou d a nd u n be n di n g di spo sitio n a n d coul d n o t

, ,

be ar to l ive i n p overty a n d obl ivio n i n the s ame cou n try where he

h ad formerly bee n d i sti n gui she d for h i s ra n k a n d m ag n ifice n ce .

H avi n g p ai d h i s debts therefore i n the most ho n orable m a n n er he

, , ,

retre ate d with h i s d aughte r to the tow n of Lucer n e where he l ived ,

u n k n ow n a n d i n wretched n es s My father loved Beaufor t with t h e

.

truest frie n d sh ip a n d wa s deeply grieved by hi s retre at i n these

,

u n fortu n ate circum sta n ces H e grieved al so for the los s of h i s

.

s ociety a n d resolve d to seek h im out a n d e n de avor to persu ade h im

,

t o begi n the worl d agai n th rough hi s cre dit a n d as si sta n ce

Be aufort h a d take n e ff ectu al measures to co n ce al h imself ; a n d it
wa s t e n mo n th s before my father d iscovered h i s abode O verj oyed .

a t th i s di scovery ,
he h aste n ed to the ho u se which was s itu ate,d i n a
m e a n street n e ar the R e u s s B u t whe n h e e n tere d m isery a n d
,
. ,
 28 F R A N KE NST E I N OR ,

desp a ir a lo n e welcomed him Beaufort h a d s aved b u t a v ery sm all

.

sum of mo n ey from the wreck o f hi s fortu n es ; but it was s u ffi cie n t

to provide h im with su ste n a n ce for some mo n th s a n d i n the me a n , ,

time he hoped to procure some respectable employme n t i n a me r

ch a n t s house The i n terval was co n seque n tly spe n t i n i n actio n
’
. .

Hi s grief o n ly became more deep a n d ra n kli n g whe n he h ad lei sure ,

for reflectio n ; a n d at le n gth it took s o fast hol d of hi s m i n d th at ,

a t the e n d of three mo n ths he l ay o n a bed o f sick n es s i n cap able ,

.

of a n y exertio n .

Hi s d aughter atte n ded h im with the gre atest te n der n e s s ; but s h e

s a w with despair th at their little fu n d was rapidly decreas i n g a n d ,

th at there was n o other prospect o f support But C arol i n e Beau .

fort posses sed a mi n d o f a n u n commo n moul d ; a n d her courage

rose to support her i n her adversity S he procured pl ai n work ;.

s h e pl aited straw ; a n d by various mea n s co n trived to e ar n a pit

ta n ce scarcely su ffi cie n t to support life .

Several mo n th s p as sed i n thi s m a n n er H er fa ther grew worse ;

.

her time was more e n tirely occupied i n atte n di n g him ; her mea n s
o f subsiste n ce decre ased ; a n d i n the te n t h mo n th her father d ied

i n her arms leavi n g her a n orph a n a n d a beggar

, Thi s l ast blow .

overcame her ; a n d s h e wa s k n eeli n g by Beaufort s c o fli n whe n my ’ ‘

,

father e n tere d the chamber He came l ike a protecti n g spirit to the

.

poor girl who comm itted herself to h i s care a n d after the i n t e r

, ,

me n t of h i s frie n d he co n ducted her to Ge n eva a n d pl aced her ,

u n der the protectio n o f a rel atio n Two ye ars after this eve n t
.
,

C aroli n e became h i s wife .

Whe n my father became a husb a n d a n d a p are n t he fou n d hi s ,

time s o occu p ied by the duties of hi s n e w s ituatio n th at he r e l i n ,

i s h e d m a n y of h i s public employme n ts a n d devoted himself to

q u ,

the educ a tio n o f hi s childre n O f these I was the eldest a n d the

.
,

desti n ed successor to all hi s l abors a n d util ity No creature could .

h ave more te n der p are n ts th a n mi n e My improveme n t a n d health

.

were their co n sta n t care especi ally as I rem ai n ed for several ye ars
,

their o n ly child But before I co n ti n ue my n arrative I must record

.
,

a n i n cide n t which took pl ace whe n I was four years of age .

My father had a si ster whom he te n derly loved a n d who h ad

, ,

m arried e arly i n life a n Itali a n ge n tlem a n Soo n after her m ar .

r i a ge she h ad accomp a n ied her husb a n d i n to hi s n ative c o u n try

, ,

a n d for some years m y father h ad very little commu n icatio n with

her About the time I me n tio n ed s h e died ; a n d a few mo n th s

.

afterward s he received a letter from her hu sb a n d acqu ai n ti n g h im ,

with h i s i n te n tio n of m arryi n g a n Itali a n l ady a n d reque sti n g ray ,

 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T H E US . 2
9

f ather to take ch arge o f the i n fa n t E liz abeth the o n ly chil d o f his ,

d ece ased si ster It i s my wi s h he s aid th at you should c o n

.
“
, ,
“

s ider her as you r o w n d aughter a n d e ducat e her thus Her moth , .

e r s fortu n e i s secure d to her the docume n ts of which I wil l commi t

’

to your keep i n g R eflect upo n th i s propo sitio n a n d decide whether

.
,

y ou woul d prefer educati n g your n iece yourself to her bei n g ,

b rough t up by a stepm other .

M y father d i d n o t he sitate a n d imm e di a t e ly we n t to Italy th at he

, ,

m ight a c com p a n y the l ittle E l iz abeth to her future h ome I h ave .

Ofte n he ard my mother s ay th at she was at th at time the mo st ,

b e autiful ch il d s h e h ad ever see n a n d s ho wed sig n s eve n the n of a , ,

ge n tle a n d a ff ectio n ate dispo s itio n These i n dicatio n s a n d a de .

,

s ire to b i n d as clo sely as po s sible th e tie s o f domestic love deter ,

m i n e d my m other to co n s i der E liz abeth a s my future wife ; a de sig n

wh ich s h e n ever fo u n d re aso n to repe n t
L
.

F rom th i s ti me E liz abeth a v e n z a became my pl ayfel low a n d a s , ,

we grew ol der my frie n d S he was docile a n d good tempered yet

, .
,

gay a n d p l ayful as a summer i n sect Although s h e was lively a n d .

a n i m ate d her feel i n gs were stro n g a n d deep a n d her dispo sitio n

, ,

u n comm o n ly a ffectio n ate No o n e coul d better e nj oy l iberty yet

.
,

n o o n e c o ul d subm it with more grace th a n s h e did to co n strai n t a n d

c aprice H er im agi n atio n was luxuri a n t yet her cap ability of a p

.
,

pl i catio n was gre at Her perso n was the im age o f her m i n d ; her
.

h azel e yes although as lively as a bird s posses sed a n attractive

,
’
,

s oft n e s s H er figure was l ight a n d airy ; a n d though cap able of

.

e n duri n g gre at fatigue she appe are d the m ost fragile creature i n
,

the worl d Wh ile I ad m ire d h er u n dersta n di n g a n d fa n cy I loved

.
,

to te n d o n her as I s houl d o n a favorite a n i m al ; a n d I n ever s a w

,

s o much grace both o f pers o n a n d m i n d u n ited to s o l ittle p rete n

s io n .

E very o n e a dore d E lizabeth If the s erva n ts had a n y request to .

m ake it w a s alw ays through her i n terces sio n We were stra n gers
,
.

t o a n y species o f di su n io n or di spute ; for although there was a ,

gre at d is s im il itude i n o u r ch aracters there was a harmo n y i n th at ,

very d i s s im ilitu de I wa s more calm a n d ph ilosophical th a n my

.

co m pa n i o n ; yet my t e mper was n o t s o yieldi n g My appl icatio n .

was of lo n ger e n dura n ce ; but it was n o t s o severe while it e n dure d .

I delighted i n i n ve stigati n g fa cts rel ative to the actu al world ; s h e

bu s ie d herself i n followi n g the aeri al cre atio n o f the poets The .

worl d was to me a secret which I des ire d to di sco v er ; t o her it was

a v aca n cy whi c h s he s ought to people with im a gi n atio n s of her
o wn .
3 0 FR A N KE NST E I N OR ,

My brothers were co n sid e r ably you n g e r th a n myself but I h a d a ,

fr i e n d i n o n e o f my school fellows who compe n s ated for th i s d e fi

-
,

c i e nc
y He n ry. Clerv a l wa s the s o n o f a merch a n t o f Ge n e v a an ,

i n tim ate frie n d o f my father He was a boy o f s i n gul ar tale n t a n d

.

fa n cy I remember whe n he was n i n e ye ars Ol d he wrote a fa i ry

.
, ,

tale which was the delight a n d am azem en t o f al l h i s comp a n io n s

.

.
,

H i s favorite study co n sisted i n books o f chi v alry a n d rom a n ce ; a n d

whe n very you n g I c a n remember th at we u sed t o act p l ay s com
, ,

posed by h im o u t of these favorite books the pri n cip a l ch aract e rs ,

o f which were O rl a n do R obi n Hood Am adi s a n d St George

, , ,
. .

No youth could h ave p as sed more h appily th a n m i n e My p ar .

e n ts were i n dulge n t a n d my comp a n io n s a mi able O ur stu dies

,
.

were n ever forced ; a n d by some mea n s we always h ad a n e n d

pl aced i n view whic h excited u s to ardor i n the p ro secu tio n of
,

them It was by thi s method a n d n o t by emul atio n th at we were

.
, ,

u rged to applica t io n E lizabeth was n o t i n cited to app ly herself to

.

drawi n g th at her comp a n io n s might n o t outstrip h e r ; but through

,

the desire of pleasi n g her au n t by the rbp r e s e n t a t i o n o f some favor

ite sce n e do n e by her o wn h a n d We le ar n ed L ati n a n d E n gli sh .
,

th at we might read the writi n gs o f those l a n guage s ; a n d s o far

from study bei n g m ade odiou s to u s by pu n i shme n t we lo v ed a p p l i ,

catio n a n d o u r amuseme n ts h ave bee n the l a bors of other childre n

, .

P erh ap s we did n o t read s o m a n y books o r lear n l a n guages s o ,

quickly as those who are discipli n ed accordi n g to the ordi n a ry

,

m ethod s ; but what we lear n ed was imp res sed the more deeply o n
o u r memor i e s .

I n thi s descriptio n of o u r dome sti c circle I i n clude H e n ry C ler v a l ,

for he wa s almo st co n sta n tly with u s He we n t to school wi th me .

,

a n d ge n erally p assed the after n oo n at our house ; for bei n g a n o n ly

chil d a n d destitute o f comp a n io n s at home hi s father was well

, ,

pleased th at he should fi n d a ssociates at o u r house ; a n d we we r e

n ever completely h appy whe n Clerval was abse n t .

I feel pleasure i n dwelli n g o n the recolle ctio n s o f chil dh ood b e ,

fore mi sfortu n e had tai n ted my mi n d a n d cha n ged its bright vi sio n s ,

o f exte n sive u seful n es s i n to gloomy a n d n arrow reflectio n s up o n

self But i n drawi n g the picture of my e arly d ays I must n o t o mi t

.
, ,

t o record those eve n ts which led by i n se n sible step s to my after , ,

tale of misery ; for whe n I would accou n t to myself for the b irth o f
th at p as sio n which afterwards ruled my desti n y I fi n d it arose l ike
, , ,

a mou n tai n river from ig n oble a n d almo st forgotte n sources ; but

, ,

swell i n g a s it proceeded it became the torre n t which i n its cours e

, , ,

h as swept away a l l my hope s a n d j oys .

 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T H E US .
3 1

N a tu ral the ge n iu s th at h a s regul a ted my fate ; H

P h ilos op hy is
de s ire therefore i n th is n arratio n to state tho se fa cts which led to
, , ,

my p re dil ectio n for th at scie n ce W he n I wa s thirtee n ye ars o f .

age we al l we n t o n a p arty o f ple asure t o the b a th s n e a r Th o n o n

,

the i n cleme n cy o f the w e ather obl iged u s to rem ai n a d ay co n fi n e d

t o the i n n I n th i s house I ch a n ce d to fi n d a volum e o f the works
.

o f C or n el iu s Agripp a I ope n ed it with ap athy ; the theory wh ich

.

h e attempts t o demo n strate a n d the wo n derful facts which he ,

rel ate s s oo n ch a n ged th i s feel i n g i n to e n thu si asm A n e w l ight

, .

seem e d t o d aw n upo n my m i n d ; a n d b ou n d i n g with j oy I c o m , ,

m u n i c a t e d my di sco v ery to my father I ca n n ot help rem a rki n g .

here th e m a n y opp ort u n itie s i n structors posse s s o f directi n g the

a tte n tio n o f their pup il s to u seful k n owledge which they utterly ,

n eglect M y father looke d carele s sly at the titlep age Of my book

.
,

a n d s ai d Ah ! C or n el iu s Agripp a ! M y de ar Victor do n o t w a ste

, ,

your ti me up o n th i s : i t i s s ad tras h ! ”

If i n ste ad o f th i s rem ark my father h ad take n the p ai n s to ex

, ,

pl ai n to me th at t h e p ri n ciple s of Agripp a h ad bee n e n tirely

,

exp lo ded a n d th at a m oder n system of scie n ce h ad bee n i n troduced

, ,

wh ich p os ses sed much gre ater powers th a n the a n c ie n t because ,

the powers of th e l atter were chimerical while tho se of the forme r ,

were re al a n d p ractical ; u n der s uc h circu m s ta n ce s I shoul d cer ,

t a i n l y h a v e throw n A gripp a as ide and with m y im a gi n atio n , ,

warmed a s i t was s houl d prob ably h ave applied myself to t h e

,

m ore ratio n a l theory of chem i stry which h as resulted from mo der n

di s coverie s It i s e v e n pos s ible th at the trai n o f my ide a s woul d
.
,

n ever h a v e r e cei v ed the fatal impu l se th at led to my rui n B u t the .

cursory gl a n ce my fathe r h ad take n o f my v o lume by n o mea n s

a s sure d m e th at he was acqu ai n te d with its co n te n ts ; a n d I c o n

ti n n e d to re ad wi th the gre ate st a v id ity .

Whe n I r e tur n ed home my first care was to procure the whol e ,

works of th i s author a n d afterward s o f P aracel su s a n d Albertu s

,

M ag n u s I re a d a n d stu d ie d the wil d fa n cies o f the se writers with

.

delight ; they a ppe a re d to me tre asu re s k n ow n to few bes ide my

self ; a n d although I ofte n wi s h e d to comm u n i cate these secret
store s of k n owle dge to my father yet hi s i n defi n ite ce n sure o f my ,

favori te Agri p p a always with hel d me I disclo sed my discoveries .

to E liz abeth therefore u n der ,

a prom i se o f strict
,
secrecy ; but s h e

di d n o t i n tere s t herself i n the subj ect a n d I wa s left by her to ,

p u rsue my stu die s al o n e .

It m ay appe ar very stra n ge th at a d iscipl e of Albertus M a g n u s

s houl d arise i n the eigh t e e n th c e n tury ; but o u r fam ily w a s n ot
3 2 FR AN KE NST E I N OR ,

I h ad n o t a tte n ded a ny o f the l ectures give n at the

s c i e n ti fic a l , a n d

p ublic school s of Ge n ev a My dre am s were t h erefore u n d isturb ed

.

by real ity ; a n d I e n tered with the greate st d ilige n ce i n to the se arch

fo r the philo sopher s sto n e a n d the elixir o f l ife But the l atter
’
.

Obtai n ed my most u n divi ded atte n tio n we alth was a n i n ferior :

obj ect ; but wh at glory woul d atte n d the d is c overy if I coul d ,

b a n ish disease from the huma n frame a n d re n der m a n i n vu l n erab le ,

to a n y but a viole n t de ath !

Nor were these my o n ly visio n s The rai si n g o f ghosts or devils .

was a prom ise liberally accorded by my favorite a u thors the ful ,

fi l m e n t Of which I mo st eagerly sought ; a n d if my i n ca n tatio n s

were always u n succes sful I attributed the failure rather to my
,

o wn i n experie n ce a n d mi stake th a n to a wa n t o f skill or fidelity

,

i n my i n structors .

The n atural phe n ome n a th at take pl ace every d ay before o u r eyes

di d n o t escape my exami n atio n D i sti ll atio n a n d the wo n derful .
,

e ffects Of steam proces ses of which my favorite authors were

,

utterly ig n ora n t excited my asto n i s hme n t ; but my utmost wo n der

,

was e n gaged by some experime n ts o n a n air pump wh ich I saw -

,

employed by a ge n tlem a n whom we were i n the h abit of visiti n g .

The ig n ora n ce of the e arly philo sophers o n these a n d several

o ther poi n ts served to decreas e their credit with me ; but I could

n o t e n tirely throw them aside before some other system should

,

occupy their pl ace i n my mi n d .

Whe n I was about fiftee n years old we h ad retired to our house ,

n e ar B e l r i ve whe n we wit n e ssed a mo st viole n t a n d terrible thu n

,

der storm It adva n ced from beh i n d the mou n tai n s of Jura ; a n d
-
.

the thu n der burst at o n ce with frightful loud n e s s from various

quarters o f the heave n s I rem ai n ed while the storm l asted
.
, ,

watch i n g its progres s with curiosity a n d deligh t As I stood at the .

door o n a sudde n I behel d a stream of fire i s sue from a n O l d a n d

,

be autiful o ak which stoo d about twe n ty yard s from our hou se ;

,

a n d s o soo n as the d azzli n g light va n i shed the o ak h ad di s appe ared , ,

a n d n oth i n g rem ai n ed but a bl aste d stump Whe n we vi sited i t .

the n ext mor n i n g we fou n d the tree sh attered i n a s i n g u l ar m a n

,

ne r .It was n o t spl i n tere d by the sh ock but e n tirely reduce d to ,

thi n rib a n ds of wood I n eve r behel d a n y th i n g s o utterly de

.

stroyed .

The catastrophe Of this tree excited my extreme asto n i shme n t ;

a n d I e agerly i n quire d of my father the n ature a n d origi n of thu n der

a n d light n i n g He repl ied E lectricity ; describ i n g at the s am e

.
“

time the variou s e ff ects of th a t power He co n structe d a sm all .

 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T HE US .
33

l ctri c al m achi n e a n d exhibited a fe w exp e rime n ts ; he m ade al so

e e ,

a kite wi th a wire a n d spri n g which dre w d ow n th a t flui d from

, ,

t h e cl o u ds
.

Thi s l ast s troke comp lete d the o v erthro w o f C or n eliu s Ag ripp a ,

A lbertu s M ag n u s a n d P aracel su s wh o h a d s o lo n g reig n e d the

, ,

l o rd s o f my im agi n atio n B ut by som e fa tality I d id n o t fe e l

.

i n cl i n ed t o comme n ce th e stu dy o f a n y moder n system ; a n d thi s

d i s i n cl i n atio n was i n flue n ced by the followi n g circum sta n ce
M y father exp res sed a wis h th a t I s houl d atte n d a course o f
le cture s up o n n atur a l p hi losophy to which I cheerfully co n se n ted , .

S ome a cci de n t preve n ted my atte n di n g these lecture s u n til the

c ours e was n e arly fi n i s hed The l e cture b e i n g therefore o n e o f the
.

l a st was e n tirely i n c omprehe n s ible to me The profes sor discoursed

, .

with the gre at e s t flue n cy o f potas sium a n d b o ro n o f sulph ates a n d ,

Oxyd s term s to which I coul d a ffi x n o ide a ; a n d I became dis

,

gu ste d with the s cie n ce o f n a tural p hilosop hy although I still read ,

P l i n y a n d Bu ff o n with delight a uthors i n my estim a tio n o f n e a rly

, , ,

e qu al i n tere st a n d utility .

M y occup atio n s at thi s a ge were pri n cip ally the m athematics ,

a n d m o st o f the b r a n c h fi o f study appertai n i n g to th at scie n ce .

I was bu sily emp loye d i n le ar n i n g l a n guages ; L ati n wa s alre a dy

fa m il i ar to me a n d I bega n to read some o f the e asies t Greek
,

a uthors without the help o f a lexico n I a l so perfectly u n derstood .

E n gl i s h a n d Germ a n Th i s i s the li st o f my accomplis hme n ts a t

.

the age o f seve n tee n ; a n d you m ay co n ceive that my hours were

ful ly empl oye d i n a c q u iri n g a n d m a i n tai n i n g a k n owledge o f th i s
v a riou s l i terature .

A n other tas k al s o de v o l v ed upo n me whe n I b e cam e the i n ,

s t r u c t o r o f my brothers E r n est w a s s ix ye ars you n ger th a n my

.

s e lf a n d was my p ri n cip al pup il H e h ad bee n a ffl icted with ill

,
.

he alth from h i s i n fa n cy th rough wh ich E l iz abeth a n d I h ad b e e n

,

h i s co n sta n t n urse s : h i s di spo s itio n was ge n tle but he w a s i n ,

c a p able o f a n y severe appl icatio n Wil li am the you n gest o f our .

,

fam ily was yet a n i n fa n t a n d the most be autiful l ittle fellow i n t he

,

worl d ; h i s l ively blue eyes dimple d cheeks a n d e n deari n g m a n

, ,

n ers i n spired the te n dere st a ffe ctio n .

S uch was o u r domesti c circl e from wh ich c a re a n d p a i n seemed

,

fo r ever b a n i shed My fa ther directed o u r stu dies a n d my mother

. ,

p a rtoo k o f o u r e nj oyme n ts N either o f us po s ses s e d the s lightest

.

p re em i n e n ce o v er t h e o th e r ; t h e v oi c e o f comm a n d was n e v er
-

he ard a mo n g u s ; but m utual a ff ectio n e n gaged u s all to co mply

wi th a n d obey the sl ighte st desire o f e a ch other .
34 FR A N KE NS TE I N OR ,

C HAP T E R II .

H E N I h a d attai n ed the age o f se v e n tee n my p are n ts re solved ,

th at I s houl d become a stude n t at the u n iversity of I n gol stadt .

I h ad hitherto atte n ded the school s of Ge n e v a ; but my father

thought it n ecess ary for the completio n o f my educatio n that I
, ,

s houl d be m ade acqu ai n ted with other customs tha n those o f my

n ative cou n try My dep arture was therefore fixed at a n e arly d ate ;
.

b u t before the d ay resolved upo n coul d arrive the first misfortu n e ,

of my l ife occurred a n ome n as it were o f my future mi s e ry , ,

.

E lizabeth h ad caught the scarlet fever ; but her ill n ess was n o t
severe a n d s h e quickly recovered D uri n g her co n fi n eme n t ma ny
,
.
,

argume n ts h ad b ee n urged to persuade my mother to refrai n from

atte n di n g upo n her She h ad at first yiel ded to o u r e n treaties ;
.
, ,

but whe n s h e he ard that her favorite was recoveri n g s h e could n o ,

lo n ger deb ar herself from her society a n d e n tered he r chamber ,

lo n g before the d a n ger of i n fectio n was past The co n seque n ces of .

thi s imprude n ce were fatal O n the t h i r b day my mother sicke n ed ;

.

her fever was very m alig n a n t a n d the looks of her atte n da n ts ,

prog n osticated the worst eve n t O n her deat h bed the fortitude .
-

a n d be n ig n ity Of this ad mirable wom a n did n o t desert her She

j oi n ed the h a n ds of E lizabeth a n d myself My childre n she :
“
,

s ai d my fi r m e s t hopes of fut u re h appi n es s were pl aced o n the

,
“

prospect of you r u n io n Th i s expectatio n will n o w be the co n sol a

.

tio n o f your father E lizabeth my love you must supply my pl ace

.
, ,

to your you n ger cousi n s Al as ! I regret th at I am take n from you ;

.

a n d h appy a n d beloved as I h ave bee n

,
i s it n o t h ard to quit you ,

all ? But these are n o t thoughts befitti n g m e I will e n de avor to :

resig n myself cheerfully to death a n d will i n dulge a hope O f meet ,

i n g y o u i n a n other world
”
.

S he died calmly ; a n d her cou n te n a n ce expres sed a ff ecti o n eve n

i n death I n eed n o t d escribe the feel i n gs o f those who se dearest
.

tie s are re n t by th at most irreparable evil the void th at prese n ts ,

itself to the soul a n d the desp air that i s e xhibited o n the co u n

,

te n a n c e It i s so lo n g before the mi n d c a n persuade itself th at s h e

.

whom we s aw every d ay a n d whose very exi ste n ce appeared a p art

,

of o u r o wn c a n have dep arted forever that the bright n es s of a

, ,

belo v ed eye c a n h ave bee n exti n gui shed a n d the sou n d o f a voice ,

s o famili ar a n d dear to the e ar c a n be hushed n ever more to be

he a rd These are the re flectio n s o f the first d ays ; but whe n the
.
 TH E M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S .
35

l ap se of time p roves the reali ty o f the evil the n th e a ctu al bitter ,

n es s o f grief comme n ce s Yet from whom h a s n o t th a t rude h a n d

.

re n t away some de ar co n n ectio n ; a n d why shoul d I describe a

s orrow which al l h ave felt a n d mu st feel ? The tim e at le n gth
,

arrives whe n grief i s r ather a n i n dulge n ce th a n a n ece s sity ; a n d

,

the sm ile th at pl ays up o n th e l ip s although it m ay be deemed a ,

s acri lege i s n o t b a n i s he d My mother w a s de a d but we h ad stil l

, .
,

dutie s wh ich we ought to perform ; we mu st co n ti n ue o u r cours e

with the re st a n d le ar n to th i n k ourselves fortu n a te while o n e re
, ,
!

m ai n s whom the spoiler h as n o t seized .

M y j our n ey to I n gol stadt wh ich h a d b e e n deferre d by the se

,

e ve n ts , w a s n o w agai n determ i n ed upo n I obtai n ed from my .

father a re sp ite o f s ome weeks Thi s perio d wa s spe n t s adly ; my .

m other s de ath a n d my speedy dep arture depres sed o u r spirits ; b u t

’
, ,

E li z abeth e n de a v ored to re n ew the sp iri t o f c h e e r fu l n e s s i n o u r l ittl e

s ociety . S i n ce the death o f her au n t her m i n d h ad acquired n e w ,

firm n e s s a n d vigor S he determ i n ed to fulfil h e r duties with t h e

.

gre ate st exact n e s s ; a n d s h e felt th at the most imperiou s duty o f ,

re n deri n g he r u n cle a n d cou s i n s h appy h ad devolved upo n her , .

S he co n soled m e amu sed her u n cle i n structed my brothers ; a n d I

, ,

n ever behel d he r s o e n ch a n ti n g as at thi s time whe n s h e wa s ,

c o n ti n u al ly e n de avori n g to co n tribute t o the h a ppi n es s o f other s ,

e n tirely forgetfu l o f he r self .

The d ay of my dep arture at le n gth arrived I h ad take n le av e .

o f a l l my frie n d s excep ti n g C lerval wh o h a d s p e n t the l ast eve n i n g

,

with u s H e b itterly l ame n te d th at he wa s u n ab le to accomp a n y

.

m e ; but h i s father coul d n o t be persu ade d to p art with h im i n ,

te n d i n g th a t he s houl d become a p art n er with h im i n bu s i n e s s i n ,

compli a n ce with h i s favorite theory th at le ar n i n g was superfluou s ,

i n the commerce o f ord i n ary life H e n ry h ad a refi n ed mi n d ; h e

.

h ad n o desire to be i dle a n d was wel l p le ased to become hi s father s

,
’

p art n er ; but h e bel ieved th at a m a n might be a very good trad e r ,

a n d ye t po s ses s a c ulti v a te d u n dersta n di n g .

We s a t l ate l i ste n i n g to hi s compl ai n ts a n d m aki n g m a ny littl e

, ,

a rra n geme n ts for the future The n ext mor n i ng e arly I departed
. .

Te ars gu s hed from t h e eyes o f E lizabeth ; they p roceeded partly

from sorrow at my dep artu re a n d p artly because she reflected th at ,

the s a me j ou r n ey w a s to h ave take n pl ace three mo n th s before ,

whe n a m other s ble s si n g woul d h ave accomp a n ied me

’
.

I threw myself i n to the ch a i se th at was to co n vey me away a n d ,

i n dulge d i n the mos t mel a n choly reflectio n s I wh o had ever .

,

b e e n s u rrou n d e d by a m i able c omp a n io n s c o n t i n ually e n gage d i n ,

36 FR AN KE NST E I N OR
‘

e n de a vori n g to bestow mutu al ple asure I was n o w a lo n e I n th e ,

.

u ni v ersity whither I was goi n g I must form my o wn frie n ds a n d , ,

b e my o wn protector My l ife h ad hitherto bee n rem arkably

.

s eclu ded a n d domestic ; a n d thi s h ad give n me i n vi n cib le r e

p g
u n a n c e to n e w cou n te n a n ces I loved my brothers E lizabeth
.
, ,

a n d C lerval ; the se were o l d famili ar face s ; but I bel ieved my

“ ”

self totally u n fi tte d for the comp a n y of stra n gers S uch were my .

reflectio n s as I comme n ced my j our n ey ; but a s I proceeded my ,

spirits a n d hope s rose I arde n tly desired the acqui s itio n of k n owl
.

edge I h ad ofte n whe n at home thought it h ard to remai n

.
, ,

duri n g my youth cooped up i n o n e pl ace a n d h ad lo n ged t o e n ter ,

the world a n d take my st a tio n amo n g other hum a n bei n gs N o w

,
.

my de sires were complied with a n d it would i n de e d h ave be e n , , ,

folly to repe n t .

I h ad su ffi cie n t lei sure for these a n d m a n y other reflectio n s dur

i n g my j our n ey to I n gol stadt which was lo n g a n d fatigui n g , At .

le n gth the high white steeple o f the tow n met my eyes I alighted .
,

a n d was co n ducted t o my solitary ap art m e n t t o spe n d the eve n i n g

as I pleased .

The n ext mor n i n g I delivered my letters Of i n tro ductio n a n d ,

p aid a vis it to s ome o f the pri n cip al p rofes sors a n d amo n g others ,

t o M K rempe profes sor o f n atural ph ilosophy

.
, H e received me .

with polite n e s s a n d a sked me several questio n s co n cer n i n g my

,

p rogres s i n the di ff ere n t bra n ches

‘

of scie n ce appertai n ing to .

n atural philosophy I me n tio n ed it i s true with fear a n d tre m

.
, ,

bl i n g the o n ly authors I h ad ever read upo n tho se subj ects The

,
.

p rofessor stared H ave you he s ai d re ally spe n t your time i n

:
“
,
”
,
“

Studyi n g such n o n se n se ?
”

I replied i n the a ffi rm ative E very m i n ute co n ti n ued M

.
,
.

Krempe with warmth every i n sta n t th at you h ave wasted o n

,
“

those books i s utterly a n d e n tirely lo s t Y o u h ave burde n ed your .

m emory with exploded systems a n d u seles s n ames Good God !

, .

i n wh at desert l a n d h ave you l ived where n o o n e was ki n d e n o ugh ,

to i n form you that these fa n cies w h ic h you h a ve s o greedily ,

imbibed are a thous a n d years old a n d as mu sty as they are

, ,

a n cie n t ? I l ittle expected i n thi s e n lighte n e d a n d scie n tific age to

fi n d a di sciple o f Albertus M ag n us a n d P aracel su s My de ar s i r .
,

u must begi n your studie s e n tirely a n e w

”
o
y .

S o s ayi n g ,he stepped asi de a n d wrote dow n a li st o f several books

,

t re a ti ng o f n at u ral philosophy which he de sired me to procure , ,

a n d d ismis sed me after me n tio n i n g that i n the begi n n i n g o f t h e

,

followi n g we e k h e i n te n ded t o comme n ce a cours e o f lectures upo n

 T HE
!

M O DER N PR O ME T HE U S .

na tural phi l oso p hy i n its ge n er a l rel atio n s a nd t h at M Wald m a n , .

,

a fellow profes sor wo ul d lecture upo n chemi s try the a lter n ate d ays
-
,

t h a t he mi s sed .

I retur n e d home n o t di s a ppoi n ted fo r I h ad lo n g co n s idered

, ,

tho se authors u seles s whom the profe s sor h ad s o stro n gly repro
b ated ; but I did n o t feel much i n cli n ed to study the books which I
p rocure d a t h i s recomme n d atio n M K rempe was a little squ at . .

m a n with a gru ff voic e a n d repul s ive cou n te n a n ce ; the te acher

, ,

therefo re d i d n o t prepo s ses s me i n fa vor o f h i s doctri n e Bes ides

, .
,

I h ad a co n tem p t for the u se s o f m oder n n atural philosophy It .

w a s v ery di ffere n t whe n the m asters o f the scie n ce sought i m

,

mortal ity a n d power ; such v iews although futile were gr a n d ; , ,

but n o w the s ce n e was ch a n ged The ambitio n of the i n quirer .

seeme d to l im it itself to the a n n i hil atio n of those vi s io n s o n wh ich

my i n tere s t i n scie n ce w a s ch iefly fo u n ded I wa s required to .

e xch a n ge ch i me r a s o f bou n dle s s gra n deur for re al itie s of l ittl e

worth .

Su ch were my reflectio n s duri n g the firs t two o r three days spe n t

al mo st i n sol itude B ut as the e n su i n g week comme n ced I thought
.
,

o f the i n form atio n wh ich M K rempe h ad give n me co n cer n i n g t h e

.

l e cture s A n d although I coul d n o t c o n se n t to go a n d he ar th a t

.

l ittle co n ceite d fellow del iver se n te n ces o u t of a p u lp it I recollecte d ,

wh at he h ad s ai d O f M Wal dm a n whom I h ad n ever see n as h e

.
, ,

h ad hitherto bee n o u t of tow n .

P artly from curio s i ty a n d p artly from i dle n es s I we n t i n to t h e

, ,

lecturi n g room wh ich M Wal dm a n e n tered shortly afte r Thi s

,
. .

profe s s or was very u n l ike h i s colle ague H e appe ared about fifty .

ye ars o f age but with a n aspect expres sive o f the greatest b e n e v o

,

le n ce ; a few gray h airs covere d hi s temp les but thos e at the b ack ,

Of h i s he ad were n e arly bl ack H i s perso n was s hort but r e m a r k a

.
,

bly erect ; a n d h i s voice the sweete st I h ad ever heard He bega n .

hi s lecture by a recapitul atio n o f the hi story of chemistry a n d t h e

variou s improveme n ts m ade by d i ff ere n t m e n of le ar n i n g pro ,

no u nci ng with fervo r the n ame s o f the most di sti n gui s hed d i s c o v

erer s .
H e the n took a curs ory view o f the prese n t state of the
scie n ce a n d expl ai n ed m a n y o f its eleme n tary term s Afte r h avi n g
,
.

m ade a few prep aratory experime n ts he co n clu de d with a p a n egyric ,

upo n mo der n chemi stry the term s of wh ich I sh al l n ever forget

,
.

The a n cie n t te achers o f thi s scie n ce s ai d h e prom i sed i m

”
, ,
“

po s s ib il ities a n d performed n oth i n g The m od er n m asters promi s e

,
.

v ery l ittle ; they k n ow th at metal s ca n n ot be tr a n smuted a n d th at ,

.

th e el ixir of l ife i s a ch imer a But the se ph ilo

. sophers who s e h a n ds ,
3 8 FR A N KE NS T E I N OR ,

s ee m o n ly m a d e to d abb l e i n dirt a n d thei r ey e s t o pore o ver th e

,

microscope o r crucibl e h av e i n de e d performed mir a cl e s They

, .

pe n etrate i n to t h e rec e s ses o f n ature a n d show how s h e works i n ,

h e r hidi n g pl a c e s -
They asce n d i n to the h e a ve n s ; they h a v e d i s
.

co v ered how the blood circul a tes a n d the n a ture of the air we ,

breathe They h ave acquire d n e w a n d almost u n limited powers ;

.

t h e v c a n comm a n d the thu n ders o f the heave n m imic the e arth ,

quake a n d eve n mock the i n v is ible world with its o wn sh adows

, .
”

I dep arted highly pleased with the p rofes sor a n d hi s lecture a n d ,

p aid him a visit the s ame e v e n i n g H is m a n n ers i n private were

.

eve n more mild a n d attractive tha n i n public ; for there was a cer
ta i n dig n ity i n hi s mie n duri n g hi s lecture wh ich i n his o wn house ,

w a s repl aced by the greate st a ff ab ility a n d ki n d n e s s He heard .

with atte n tio n my l ittle n arratio n co n cer n i n g my stu dies a nd ,

smiled at the n ames o f Cor n elius Agripp a a n d P aracel sus but , ,

without the co n tempt that M K rempe h ad exhibited H e s aid th at

. .
,

“
these were m e n to whose i n defatigable zeal moder n philosophers
we re i n debted for most o f the fou n d atio n s o f their k n o wledge .

They h ad left us a n easier task to give n e w n ames a n d arra n ge i n

, ,

co n n ected cl as sificatio n s the facts which they i n a great degree h a d

,

bee n the i n strume n ts o f bri n gi n g to light The l abors of m e n of .

ge n ius however erro n eou sly directed scarcely ever fail i n ultim ately
, ,

tur n i n g to the solid adva n tage of ma n ki n d I li ste n ed to his state .

”

me n t which was delivered without a ny presumptio n o r a ff ectatio n ;

,

a n d the n added th at hi s lecture had rem ove d my prej udices agai n st

,

moder n chemists ; a n d I at the s ame time requested hi s advice

co n ce r n i n g t h e books I ought to procure .

“
I am h appy s ai d M Waldm a n to h ave gai n ed a disciple ;
”
, .
,
“

a n d i f y o u r applicatio n equal s your abil ity I h ave n o doubt of your ,

succes s Chemi stry i s that bra n ch o f n atural philosophy i n which

.

the greatest improveme n ts h ave bee n m ade a n d m ay be m ade ; it i s ,

o n th at accou n t th at I h ave m ade i t my peculi ar stu dy ; but at the

s ame time I h ave n o t n eglected other bra n ches o f scie n ce A m a n .

would m ake but a very sorry chemi st if he atte n ded to th at dep art ,

me n t of hum a n k n owledge alo n e If your wish i s to become re ally

.

a m a n o f s cie n ce a n d n o t a petty experime n tali st I should advi se

, ,

y o u to apply t o e v e ry bra n ch o f n atural philosophy i n cludi n g ,

m athem atics .

H e the n took me i n to h is l aboratory a n d expl ai n ed to me the ,

u ses o f h i s v arious m a chi n es ; i n structi n g me as to wh at I ought to

p rocure a n d promi si n g me the u s e o f h is o wn whe n I should h av e

, ,

a d v a nce d fa r e n o ugh i n t h e scie n ce n o t t o dera n ge their mech a n ism .

 T HE M O DER N PR O M E T H E U S .
39

He a l s o gave me the l i st of books whi ch I h ad re q uest e d ; and I

t o o k my le ave .

Thu s e n ded a d ay m e mor a b le to me ; i t decided my futur e de s ~

ti ny .

C HA P T E R III .

R O M th i s atural p hi lo sop hy a n d p articul arly chem i stry

d ay n , ,

i n the mo s t com p rehe n s i ve se n se o f the term becam e n early ,

my s ole occup a tio n I re ad with ardor those works s o full of g e n

.
,

i u s a n d d i scrim i n atio n which m oder n i n quirers h ave writt e n o n

,

t hes e subj ects I atte n ded the lect u re s a n d cultivated the acqu ai n t
.
,

a n ce o f the m e n of scie n ce o f the u n iversity ; a n d I fou n d eve n i n

,

M K remp e a gre at de al o f sou n d s e n se a n d real i n form atio n com

.
,

b i n e d i t i s true with a repul s ive physiog n omy a n d m a n n ers but

, , ,

n o t o n th at accou n t the les s v aluab le I n M Waldm a n I fou n d a

. .

true frie n d H i s ge n tle n e s s was n ever ti n ged by dogm ati sm ; a n d

.

h i s i n structio n s were give n wi th a n air of fra n k n es s a nd good n a

t u re th at b a n i she d every i de a o f ped a n try It was perh ap s the .
, ,

a m i ab le ch aracter o f thi s m a n th at i n cli n ed me more t o that bra n ch

o f n atural ph il o sop hy wh ich he p rofes sed th a n a n i n tri n s ic l ove for ,

the s cie n ce itself But th i s state o f mi n d h ad pl ace o n ly i n the first

.

s tep s toward s k n owledge t h e m ore fully I e n tered i n to the scie n ce

: ,

th e m ore exclu s ive ly I pursue d it fo r its o w n s ake Th at app lica .

ti o n wh ich at firs t h ad bee n a m atter of duty a n d resolutio n n o w ,

b ecame s o a rde n t a n d e a ger th at the stars ofte n di s appe ared i n the

light of m or n i n g wh ile I was ye t e n gaged i n my l aboratory .

As I appl ie d s o closely i t m ay be eas ily co n ceived th at I improved

,

r a p i dly M y ardor was i n dee d the asto n i shme n t Of the stude n ts ;

.

and my proficie n cy th at o f,
the m asters P rofe s s or K.rempe Ofte n

a ske d me with ,
a sly s mile how C or n el
, iu s Agripp a we n t o n ; wh ile
M Wal dm a n expre s se d the mo s t he artfe lt exultatio n i n my p rog
.

re s s Two ye ars p as sed i n thi s m a n n er duri n g which I p aid n o

. ,

v i s it to Ge n ev a but was
,
e n gaged he art a n d soul
,
i n the p u rsuit o f ,

s om e d i s coverie s which I hope d to m ake No n e but those

. w h o

h a v e experie n ce d them c a n co n ceive o f the e n ticeme n ts of Scie n ce .

In other stu d ie s you go as far as other s h ave go n e before you and ,

t here i s n othi n g more to k n ow ; but i n a scie n tific pursu it there i s

c o n ti n u a l foo d for d i scovery a n d w o n der A m i n d o f m od e ra te .

40 FR A N KE NST E I N OR ,

C
a p a c i ty wh i ch c losely pursue s
, study must i n fal libly arri ve a t
o ne ,

gre a t profici e n cy i n th at study ; a n d I wh o co n ti n u ally sought t h e

a ttai n me n t o f o n e obj ect o f pursuit a n d was solely wrapped up i n ,

thi s improved s o rapidly th at at the e n d o f two ye ars I m a d e

, , , ,

s ome di scoveries i n the improveme n t of some chemical i n strume n ts ,

which procured me great esteem a n d admiratio n at the u n ivers ity .

Whe n I arrived at th i s poi n t a n d h ad become as well acqu ai n te d

,

with the theory a n d practice of n atural philo sophy as depe n ded o n

the les so n s of a n y of the profes sors at I n gol stadt my res ide n ce ,

there bei n g n o lo n ger co n ducive to my improveme n t I thought o f ,

retur n i n g to my frie n ds a n d my n ati v e tow n whe n a n i n ci de n t h ap ,

pe n ed th at protracte d my stay .

O n e o f the phe n ome n a wh ich had pecul i arly attracted my atte n

tio n was the structure of the hum a n frame a n d i n deed a n y a n im a l , , ,

e n dued with l ife Whe n ce I ofte n asked myself d id the p ri n cip l e

.
, ,

o f life proceed ? It was a bold que stio n a n d o n e which h as ever ,

bee n co n sidered as a mystery ; yet with how m a n y thi n gs are we

upo n the bri n k of becomi n g acquai n ted if cowardi ce or carele s s ,

n es s did n o t restrai n o u r i n quiries I revolved these circums ta n ce s

.

i n my mi n d a n d determi n ed the n ceforth to apply myself more p ar

,

t i c u l a r ly to tho se bra n ches o f n atural phi lo sophy which rel ate t o

.

phys iology U n le s s I h ad bee n a n im ated by a n almo st s u p e r n a t u

.

ral e n thusi asm my appl icatio n to thi s s t u d v woul d h a v e bee n irk

,

some a n d almost i n tolerable To exam i n e the causes of l ife we

, .
,

mu st first h ave recourse to death I became acqu ai n ted with t h e .

scie n ce of a n atomy ; but thi s was n o t su ffi cie n t ; I mu st a l so Ob serv e

the n atural decay a n d corruptio n of the hum a n b o dy I n my e d u .

catio n my father h ad take n the greatest precautio n s th at my m i n d

shoul d be impressed with n o super n atural horrors I do n o t ever .

remembe r to h ave trembled at a tale o f superstitio n or to h a v e ,

fe ared the app aritio n o f a spirit D ark n es s h ad n o e ff ect upo n my

.

fa n cy ; a n d a churchyard was to me merely th e receptacle of bo die s

deprived of l ife which from bei n g the se at o f be auty a n d stre ngth
, , ,

h ad become food for the worm Now I was led to exami n e the .

c au se a n d progres s o f thi s decay a n d forced to spe n d d ays a n d,

n ights i n vaults a n d ch ar n el hou ses My atte n tio n was fixe d upo n

-
.

every obj ect the most i n supportable to the del icacy of the h um a n
feeli n gs I s aw how the fi n e for m of m a n was degraded a n d
.
.

wasted ; I behel d the corruptio n o f de ath succeed to the bloomi n g

cheek o f l ife ; I s a w how the worm i n herited the wo n ders of the eye
a d
n br a i n I.p aused exami n i n g,
a n d a n alyzi n g all the m i n u t i w o f
c aus ati o n a s ex e mpl ifi e d i n the c h a n ge from life to de ath a n d de at h
, ,
 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S .
41

to l i fe u n til from the m id st o f thi s d ark n es s a sudd e n l ight b rok e

,

i n up o n me , a l ight s o brilli a n t a n d wo n drous yet s o s imple th a t , ,

whi le I became dizzy with the imme n sity of prospect wh ich it i llu s
t r a t e d I was su rp rised th at amo n g so m a n y m e n o f ge n ius wh o
, ,

h ad directe d thei r i n quiri e s toward s the s ame scie n ce th at I a lo n e ,

s ho ul d be re serve d to discove r s o asto n i s hi n g a secret .

R emember I am n o t record i n g the vi sio n of a m adm a n T h e

, .

s u n doe s n o t m ore certai n ly s h i n e i n the he ave n s th a n th at which ,

I n o w a ffi rm i s true S ome m ir a cl e migh t h ave produced it yet t h e

.
,

stage s o f d iscovery were d i sti n ct a n d prob able After d ays a n d .

n igh ts o f i n cre dible l abor a n d fatigue I succeeded i n discoveri n g ,

th e c a u s e o f ge n eratio n a n d life ; n ay m ore I became myself cap a

, ,

b le o f b estowi n g a n im atio n upo n l ifeles s m atter .

T he asto n i s hme n t wh ich I h ad at first experie n ce d Oh th i s d i s c o v

e r y soo n gave p l ace to delight a n d rapture After s o much tim e
.

sp e n t i n p ai n ful l ab or to arrive at o n ce at the sum mit of my desires

,

wa s the m o st gratifyi n g co n summ atio n of my toil s But thi s d i s .

c o v e r y wa s s o gre at a n d overwhel m i n g th at al l the step s by wh ich ,

I h a d bee n progre s s ively le d to it were obl iterated a n d I behel d ,

o n ly th e re su lt Wh at h ad bee n the study a n d des ire o f the wi se st

.

m e n s i n ce t h e cr e atio n of the worl d was n o w with i n my grasp ,

.

N ot th a t l ike a m agic s ce n e it al l ope n e d upo n me at o n ce : t h e

, ,

i n form atio n I h ad ob tai n e d was of a n ature rather to direct my e n

d e a v o r s s o s oo n as I s houl d p o I n t them toward s the Obj ect of my
s e arch th a n to exhib it th at Obj ect alre ady accompl i s he d
,
I was l ik e .

the A rab i a n wh o h ad bee n b urie d with the de ad a n d fou n d a p a s ,

sa eg to l ife a i de d o n ly by o n e gl immeri n g a n d seemi ,

n gly i n e ff e c t

u a l l ight
,
.

I s e e by your e ager n es s a n d the wo n der a n d hope wh ich your

,

e ye s exp re s s my
,
frie n d th at you ,
expect to be i n formed of the secr e t
wi th which I am acqu ai n te d th at ca n n ot be ; li ste n p atie n tly u n til
th e e n d of my sto ry a n d you will e as ily perceive why I am reserved
,

u p o n th at subj ect I.will n o t le a d you o n u n gu arded a n d arde n t a s

I the n was to you r de structio n a n d i n fal lible m i sery Le ar n from

,
.

me if n o t by my precepts at le ast by my exampl e how d a gerou s

, ,
n ,

is the acqu irem e t

n of k n owledge a n d how m
, uch h a pp ier th at m a n

pl oy it .
Although I p o s ses sed the cap acity of bestowi g a im atio n n n,

to prep a r e a fr a m e fo r t h e r e c e p ti o n o f it with a l l i t s i tri c c

n a i e s
ye t ,
 42 F R A N KE NS T E I N OR ,

of fibre s muscle s a n d vei n s still rem ai n ed a work of i n c o n ce i v abl e

, , ,

di ffi culty a n d l abor I doubted at first whether I s houl d a ttempt

.

t h e cre atio n of a bei n g li k e myself or o n e of s impler orga n iz atio n ;

b ut my im agi n atio n was too much exalted by my first succes s to
ermit m e to doubt f my abili y to give life to a im al as om
p o t a n n c

plex a n d wo n derfu l as m a n The m ateri al s at prese n t withi n my

.

comm a n d b a l dly appe ared adequ ate to so arduou s a n u n dertaki n g ;

but I doubted n o t th at I sho u l d ultim ately succeed I p rep ared .

myself for a multitude o f reverses ; my operatio n s m ight be i n c e s

s a n t l y b a ffled a n d at l ast my work be i mperfect ; yet whe n I c o n
, ,

s i d e r e d the improveme n t which every d ay takes pl ace i n scie n ce a n d

mecha n ics I w a s e n couraged to hope my prese n t attempts would at

,

lea st l ay the fou n d atio n s of future succes s Nor could I co n si der .

the m ag n itude a n d complexity o f my pl a n as a n y a r gu m e n t o f i t s i

i mp racticabil ity It was with these feeli n gs th at I bega n the cre a

.

tio n o f a hum a n bei n g As the m i n ute n es s of the p arts formed a

.

great hi n dra n ce to my speed I resolved co n trary to my firs t i n t e n

, ,

tio n to m ake the bei n g of a giga n tic stature ; th at i s to s a y about

, ,

eight feet i n height a n d proportio n ably l arge

, After h avi n g .

formed thi s determi n atio n a n d h avi n g spe n t some mo n ths i n s u c

,

c e s s fu l l y collecti n g a n d arra n gi n g my m ateri al s I bega n ,

.

No o n e c a n co n ceive the variety of feeli n gs which bore me o n

ward s like a hurrica n e i n the first e n thu si as m of succes s L ife
, , .

a n d death appeared to me ideal bou n ds wh ich I s hould first bre ak ,

through a n d pour a torre n t of light i n to our d ark world A n e w

,
.

species woul d bles s me as its creator a n d source ; m a n y h appy a n d

excelle n t n atures woul d owe their be i n g to me No father co uld .

c laim the gratitude of hi s child s o completely a s I shoul d deserve

theirs P ursui n g t hese reflectio n s I thought th at if I coul d bestow
.
, ,

a n im atio n upo n l ifeles s m atter I m ight i n proces s of time (although

,

I n o w fou n d i t impos sible ) re n ew life where de ath h ad app are n tly

devoted the body to corruptio n .

These tho u ghts supported my spirits while I pursued my u n der ,

taki n g with u n rem itti n g ardor My cheek h ad grow n p ale with .

study a n d my perso n h ad become em aci ated with co n fi n eme n t

, .

S ometimes o n the very b ri n k of certai n ty I failed ; yet stil l I clu n g

, ,

to the hope which the n ext d ay or the next hour might real ize .

O n e secret which I alo n e pos sessed was the hope to which I h ad

dedicated myself ; a n d the moo n gazed o n my mi d n ight l abors ,

while with u n rel axed a n d breathles s e ager n es s I pu rsued n atur e t o

, ,

her h idi n g pl aces Who sh all co n ce ive the horrors o f my secret

-
.

toi l a s I d abbled amo n g t h e u n h a llowed cl a mp s of t h e grav e o r

, ,
 T HE M O D E R N PR O ME T H E US .

t o rtu re d the l ivi n g a n im al to a n im ate the l i feles s cl ay ? My l imbs

n o w tremble a n d my eyes swim with the remembra n ce ; but the n a

re s i stles s a n d almo s t fra n tic impul se urge d me forward ; I seemed

t o h ave lo st al l soul o r se n s atio n but for thi s o n e p ursui t It wa s .

i n dee d but a p as s i n g tr a n ce th at o n ly m ade me feel with re n ewed

,

acute n e s s s o s oo n as the u n n atural stimulu s ceasi n g to op erate I

, ,

h ad retur n ed to my o l d h ab its I collecte d bo n e s from ch ar n el .

hou se s a n d di sturbed with profa n e fi n gers th e treme n dou s secrets

, , ,

o f the h u m a n frame I n a sol itary ch amber o r rather cell at the

.
, ,

top o f the h ou se a n d sep arate d from a l l the other ap artme n ts by a

,

gal lery a n d stai rcase I kept my works hop of filthy cre atio n ; my
,

e yeb all s were starti n g from their sockets i n a tte n di n g to the detail s

o f my em ployme n t The di s secti n g room a n d the s l aughter house

.
- -

fur n i s he d m a n y o f my m ateri al s ; a n d ofte n di d my hum a n n ature

tur n with l o athi n g from my occup atio n while still urged o n by a n , ,

e ager n e s s which perpetu ally i n cre a sed I brought my work n e ar to ,

a co n clu si o n .

The s ummer m o n th s p as s e d wh ile I w a s thu s e n gaged heart a n d ,

s ou l i n o n e pu rsu it It was a m ost beautiful se aso n ; n ever d id t h e

,
.

fiel d s b e stow a more ple n tiful h arve st o r the vi n es yiel d a more ,

luxuri a n t vi n t age ; but my eye s were i n se n s ible to the ch arm s of

n ature A n d the s ame feeli n gs which m ade me n eglect the sce n es
.

a rou n d m e ca u se d me al s o to forget tho se frie n d s who were s o m a n y

m iles ab se n t a n d whom I h ad n o t see n for s o lo n g a time I k n ew
,
.

my s ile n ce d i squ iete d them ; a n d I wel l remembered the words of

my fath er I k n ow th at while you are ple ased with yourself you
, ,

wi ll remember u s with a ffectio n a n d we s h all he ar regul arly from ,

y ou . Y ou mu st p ardo n me if I reg a rd a n
y i n terruptio
,
n i n your
corre spo n de n ce a s a p roof th at your other du ties are equ al ly n e g
”
l e c te d .

I k n ew well therefore wh at woul d b e my father s feel i n gs ; but I

, ,
’

c ou l d n o t te ar my thoughts from my employme n t lo athsome i n

’
,

its elf but wh ich h ad take n a n I r r es i stible hol d o f my im agi n atio n

,
.

I wi s he d as i t were to procrasti n ate all th at rel ated to my feel i n gs

, ,

of a ffecti o n u n til the gre at Obj ect wh ich swallowe d up every h abit
o f my n atu re s h oul d be complete d .

I the n thou gh t th at my father woul d be u nj u st if he ascribe d my

4
4 F R AN KE NST E IN ; OR ,

p u rsuit o f k n owledg e i s a n exceptio n t o thi s rule If the study t o .

Wh ich yo u apply yourself h as a te n de n cy to we ake n your a ff ectio n s ,

a n d to destroy your taste for those s imple pleasure s i n which n o

a lloy c a n pos sibly mix the n th at study 1 8 certai n ly u n l awful th at i s

, ,

t o s ay n o t befitti n g the hum a n mi n d

, If thi s rule were always o b
.

s erved if n o m a n allowed a ny pursu it wh atsoever to i n ter fere with

,

the tra n qu ill ity o f h i s domestic a ff ectio n s Greece h ad n o t bee n e n ,

sl aved ; C ae s ar woul d h ave S p ared hi s cou n try ; America wou ld

h ave bee n discovered more gradually ; a n d the empire s o f M exi co
a n d P eru h a d n o t bee n destroyed .

B ut I forget t h a t I am moralizi n g i n the most i n tere sti n g p art o f

‘

my tale ; a n d your looks remi n d me to p roceed .

My father m ade n o repro ach i n h i s letters a n d o n ly took n otice ,

Of my s ile n ce by i n quiri n g i n to my occup atio n s more p articul arly

t h a n before Wi n ter Spri n g a n d Summer p as sed duri n g my
.
, ,

l abors ; but I di d n o t watch the blo ss om o r the exp a n di n g le aves ,

sights which before always yielded me supreme delight s o deeply ,

was I e n gro s sed i n my occup atio n The leaves o f th at year h ad .

withere d before my work drew n ear to a close ; a n d n o w every d ay

showed me more pl ai n ly how well I h ad succeeded B ut my e n t h u .

s i a s m was checked by my a n x i e ty a n d I appe ared rathe r like o n e

, .

doomed by sl avery to toil i n the mi n es o r a n y other u n wholesome ,

trade th a n a n arti st occup ied by h i s favorite employm e n t E very

,
.

n ight I w a s oppres sed by a slow fever a n d I became n ervou s to a ,

mo st p ai n ful degree a disease th at I dreaded the more becau se I

,

h ad h itherto e nj oyed mo st excelle n t health a n d h ad always bo asted ,

o f the firm n e s s O f my n erves But I believed th at exercise a n d

.

amu se me n t woul d soo n drive away such symptoms ; a n d I promi sed

mys e lf both o f these whe n my cre atio n s houl d b e comp lete
, .

C HA P T E R IV .

T was a dreary n ight of November th at I behel d the a e com

on

l i s h m e n t o f my toil s With a n a n xiety th at almos t amou n t e d

p .

t o ago n y I collected the i n strume n ts of life arou n d me th at I

, ,

might i n fu se a sp ark of bei n g i n to the l ifeles s thi n g th at l ay at my

feet It was already o n e i n the mor n i n g ; th e rai n p attered d i s
.

m ally a g ai n st the p a n es a n d my ca n dle was n e arly bur n t o u t whe n

, , ,
 TH E M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S .
45

b yt h e glimmer o f the h a lf exti n gui shed l ight I s aw the dul l yel lo w

-
,

e y e o f the cre ature Op e n ; it bre a the d h ard a n d a c o n v ul s i v e motio n ,

a gitated its l imb s .

H ow c a n I describe my emotio n s a t th i s catastrophe o r h o w de ,

l i n e ate the wretch whom with such i n fi n ite p ai n s a n d care I h ad

, ,

e n de avore d t o form ? H i s l imb s were i n proportio n a n d I h ad ,

selecte d h i s fe ature s as b eautiful Be autiful ! Great Go d ! H is .

yellow ski n s carcely covered the work o f mu scles a n d arteries b e

n e ath ; h i s h air was o f a lu strou s bl ack a n d flowi n g ; hi s teeth of a ,

pe arly wh ite n e s s ; but these luxuri a n ces o n ly formed a more horri d

co n tras t with h i s w a tery eye s th at seemed almost o f the s ame color
,

a s the d u n white sockets i n which they wer e s e t hi s s hri v elled c om ,

p lexi o n a n d straight bl ack l ip s

,
.

Th e di ff ere n t accide n ts o f l ife a r e n o t s o ch a n ge able a s the feel

i n gs o f hum a n n ature I h a d worked h ard fo r n e arly two years
'

.
,

fo r the sole purpo se o f i n fu s i n g l ife i n to a n i n a n im ate body For .

thi s I h ad dep ri v e d myself Of res t a n d he a lth I h ad des ired it with .

a n ardor th at far exceeded moderatio n ; bu t n o w th at I h ad fi n i s hed ,

t h e be auty o f the dre am v a n i s hed a n d bre athles s horror a n d di s ,

gu st fil le d my he art U n ab le to e n dure the aspect o f the bei n g I

.

h a d cre ate d I ru shed o u t o f the room a n d co n ti n u e d a lo n g tim e

, ,

—
travers i n g my bed ch a mber u n able to compose my m i n d to sleep
,
.

A t l e n gth l as s itude succeede d to the tumult I h ad before e n dured ;

a n d I threw myself o n the bed i n my clothes e n d e avori n g to seek ,

a few mom e n ts o f forgetful n es s But it wa s i n vai n I slept i n deed

.
,

but I w a s di sturbed by the wil d e st dream s I thought I s a w E liz a .

b eth i n the bl oom Of he alth walki n g i n t h e streets o f I n gol stadt

, ,
.

D el ighte d a n d surp ri sed I emb raced her ; but as I imp ri n ted the
,

firs t ki s s o n her l ip s they be c ame l ivid with the hue o f death ; h e r

,

f e at u re s appeared to c h a n ge a n d I thought
,
th at I held the corps e

Of my de ad mother i n my arm s ; a shrou d e n veloped her form ,

and I s aw the grav e w o-

rm s crawli n g i n the fold s o f the fla n n el .

I s tarte d from my sleep with horror ; a col d dew covered my fore

h e a d my teeth ch attered a n d e v ery limb bec a me co n vu l se d ; whe n
, , ,

by th e dim a n d yellow light of t h e moo n as it forced its way ,

th rough the wi n dow s hutters I behel d the wretch the miser able
-
, ,

m o n ster whom I h a d cre a te d He hel d up the curtai n o f the bed ;

.

and h i s eyes if
,
eyes they m a
y be called were fixed o n me H,
i s .

j aws Ope n ed a n d he mutt e re d s ome i n ar ti cul te sou d s wh le a

a n i ,
,

gri n wr i n k led hi s cheeks .

H e m igh t h a v e sp oke n but I di d n o t hear ; o n e h a n d w a s

,

s tr e tche d out se
, e m i n gly to d e t a i n m e but I e scaped a n d
, rus h ed ,
46 F R A N K E NS T E I N OR ,

do wn st a irs I t oo k refuge i n the court y a rd b e lo n g i n g t o th e

.
-

trouse which I i n h abi ted ; where I rem ai n ed duri n g the rest o f t h e

n ight ,w alki n g up a n d dow n i n the greatest agitatio n l i s te n i n g ,

a tt e n ti v ely catchi n g a n d feari n g each sou n d a s if it were t o e u

,

n ou n ce the appro a ch o f the demo n i acal corse t o wh ich I h ad s o

miserably gi v e n life .

O h ! n o mort a l coul d support the horror o f th at cou n te n a n ce .

A mummy agai n e n dued with a n i m atio n could n o t be so hideou s

a s th at wretch I h ad gazed o n him wh ile u n fi n ished : he was
.

ugly the n ; bu t whe n those mu scles a n d j o i n ts were re n dered

cap ab le of motio n it became a thi n g such a s e v e n D a n te could
,

n o t h a v e co n ceived .

I p as sed the n ight wretchedly S ometim e s my pul se h e a t s o .

quickly a n d h ardly th a t I felt the p alpitatio n o f every artery ; at

,

others I n early s a n k to the grou n d through l a n guor a n d extreme

,

w eak n es s M i n gled with thi s horror I felt the b itter n es s of d i s

.
,

appoi n tme n t dre ams th at had bee n my foo d a n d pleas a n t res t fo r

:

s o lo n g a sp ace were n o w be come a hel l t o me ;

, a n d the ch a n ge

was s o rapid the overthrow s o complete !

,

M or n i n g di sm al a n d wet at le n gth d aw n e d a n d d iscovered to

, , ,

my sleepless a n d achi n g eyes the church o f I n gol stadt its white ,

st eeple a n d clock which i n dicated the s ixth hour The porter

, .

ope n ed the gates of the court which h ad th at n ight bee n my a s y ,

lum a n d I i ssued i n to the streets p aci n g them with quick step s a s

, , ,

if I sought to avoi d the wretch whom I fe ared every tur n i n g o f t h e

street woul d prese n t to my view I did n o t d are retur n to the .

a p artme n t wh ich I i n h ab ited but felt impelled to hurry o n a l , ,

though wetted by the rai n which poured from a bl ack a n d comfort ,

-

l e s s sky .

I co n ti n ued walki n g i n thi s m a n n er for some time e n de a vori n g , ,

by bo dily exercise to ease the lo ad th at weighed upo n my mi n d

, .

I traversed the streets without a ny cl ear co n ceptio n o f where I w a s

, ,

o r wh at 1 was doi n g My heart palpitated i n the s ick n e s s of fe ar ;

.

a n d I hurried o n with irregul ar step s n o t d a ri n g to loo k about ,

me i

Like one who , on a l o n el y ro ad ,

D th w lk i o a dn fe ar and d re a ,

A n d h avi ng n , tu d d w lks on
o ce rne ro u n , a ,

A nd t u ns n m r l h d o OI e l lS ea

B ecaus e he kn ws f igh t ful fi nd o a r e

D o t h cl o s e b e h i n d h i m t ad fi“ re

3“ Col eri dge s Anci ent Mari ner

’
.
 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S .
47

C o n ti n ui n g thu s I came at le n gth oppo sit e

, the i n n a t whi c h to
t h e v ariou s di lige n ce s a n d carri age s u su ally stoppe d H ere I .

p au se d I kn ow n o t why ; but I rem ai n e d some m i n ute s with my

,

eye s fixed o n a co ach th at was com i n g toward s m e from the other

e n d o f the s treet A s it drew n e arer I ob serve d th at it was t h e
.
,

Swi s s dil ige n ce it stoppe d j u st where I was sta n di n g ; a n d o n t h e

:
,

d oor bei n g ope n ed I p erce ived H e n ry C le rval who o n seei n g me

, , , ,

i n sta n tly sp ru n g o u t M y de ar Fra n ke n stei n excl aimed he

.
“ ”
, ,
“
how gl ad I am to s e e yo u ! h ow fortu n a te that you s hould be her e
a t the very m ome n t o f my alighti n g !

Noth i n g coul d equ al my deligh t o n seei n g C lerval ; hi s prese n ce

b rough t b a ck to my though ts my father E liz abeth a n d al l thos e , ,

s ce n e s o f h ome s o de a r to my re collectio n I grasped h i s h a n d .

,

a n d i n a m ome n t forgot my horror a n d misfortu n e ; I felt s u d

d e n l y a n d for th e first time duri n g m a n y mo n th s calm a n d sere n e
, ,

j oy I wel come d my frie n d therefore i n the mo st cordial m a n n er

.
, , ,

a n d we walked toward s my college C lerval co n ti n ued talki n g fo r .

s ome time about o u r m utu al frie n d s a n d h i s o wn goo d fortu n e i n ,

”
bei n g p ermitted to come to I n gol stadt You m ay e as ily believe .
,

s ai d he how gre at w a s the d i fli c u l ty to persu ade my father th at

,

it was n o t ab solutely n eces s ary for a merch a n t n o t to u n derst a n d

a n y th i n g excep t book keep i n g ; a n d i n deed I bel ieve I left him
-
, ,

i n credulou s to the l ast for hi s co n sta n t a n swer to my u n we aried

,

e n tre atie s was the s ame as th at of the D utch schoolm aster i n the
‘
Vi car of Wakefiel d I h ave t e n thous a n d fl o r i n s a ye ar without
‘

Greek I e at heartily without Greek But h i s a ffectio n for me at

,
.
’

le n gth overcame h i s di sl i k e of l e ar n i n g a n d he h as permitted me ,

”
to u n dertake a voyage of discovery to the l a n d of k n owledge .

“
It give s me the gre atest del ight to s e e you ; bu t tel l me h o w
”
you left my father brothers a n d E lizabeth , ,
.

“
Very well a n d very h appy o n ly a l ittle u n easy th at they hear
, ,

from you s o sel dom By the bye I me a n to lecture you a l ittle

.
- -
,
”
up o n thei r accou n t myself B ut my de ar Fra n ke n stei n co n ti n ued
.
, ,

he ,
s topp i n g s hort an d gazi n,
g fu l l i n my face I di d n o t befor e ,
“

rem ark h ow very i l l you appe ar ; s o thi n a n d p ale ; you look a s if

”
you h ad bee n watchi n g for several n ights .

“
You h ave gues sed righ t ; I h ave l ately bee n s o deeply e n gaged
i n o n e o ccu p atio n th at I h ave n o t al lowed myself su cie t rest
,
ffi n a s ,

you s e e but I h ope I s i n cerely hope th at al l these emp loyme ts

: ,
n
,

ar e n o w at a n e n d a n d th at
,
I am at le n g t h free .

I t r e m b l e d exce s sively ; I coul d n o t e dure to thi k of d far

i

n n a n ,

le s s to all ud e t o the occurre n ce s o f the p recedi g ight I walke

n n d .
48 F R A N KE NST E I N OR ,

w i th a quick p ace a n d we soo n arrived a t my college I th e n

, .

r eflect e d a n d the thought m ade me shiver th at the cre atur e whom

, ,

I h ad left i n my ap artme n t might s till be there a l ive a n d walki n g , ,

a bou t I dreaded to behol d thi s mo n ster ; but I feared still mor e

.

th at He n ry should s e e him E n tre ati n g him therefore to rem ai n a

.

fe w mi n utes at the bottom o f the stairs I d a rted up toward s my ,

o w n room M y h a n d was alre ady o n the lock of the door before I

.

re collected myself I the n p a used ; a n d a col d sh iveri n g cam e

.

o v er me I threw the door forcibly ope n a s ch ildre n are a c

.
,

customed to do whe n they expect a spectre to sta n d i n waiti n g for

t h e m o n the other s ide ; but n oth i n g appe are d I steppe d fe arfully .

i n : the a p artme n t was empty ; a n d my bed room was al so freed -

fro m its h ideous guest I co u l d h ardly believe th at s o great a

.

good fortu n e coul d h ave befalle n me ; but whe n I became as sured

-
,

th a t my e n emy h ad i n d e ed fl e d I c l apped my h a n ds for j oy a n d , ,

r a n dow n to C lerval .

We asce n ded i n to my room a n d the ser v a n t p res e n tly b rought ,

b r e akfast ; but I was u n able to co n tai n myself It wa s n o t j oy .

o n ly th at po s ses sed me I felt my flesh ti n gle with exces s o f s e n s i

:

t i v e n e s s a n d my pulse beat rap idly

, I was u n able to rem ai n for a .

s i n gle i n sta n t i n the s a me p l ace ; I jumped over the ch airs cl apped ,

my h a n d s a n d l aughed aloud Clerv a l at first attributed my u n .

u su al S pirits to j oy o n h i s arrival ; but whe n he ob served me mor e

atte n tively he s aw a wil d n es s i n my eyes for which he co ul d n o t

,

a c cou n t ; a n d my loud u n restr a i n ed he a rtles s l a ughter frighte n e d

, ,

a n d asto n i shed him

My de ar Victor cried he wh at for Go d s s ake i s the m atter ?

, , ,
’
,

D o n o t l augh i n th a t m a n n e r H ow ill you a r e ! What i s t h e .

cause o f all thi s ? ”

D o n o t ask me cried I putti n g my h a n ds befor e my e yes for

, , ,

I thought I s aw the dreaded spectre glide i n to the room ; /z e c a n “

tell O h s ave me ! s ave me !

.
, I im agi n ed th at t h e m o n st e r seiz e d
”

me ; I struggled furiously a n d fel l dow n i n a fit , .

P oor C lerval ! wh at mu st h ave bee n h i s feel i n gs ? A meeti n g ,

w hich he a n ticip ated with such j oy s o stra n gely tur n ed to b itter ,

n es s . But I was n o t the wit n es s o f hi s grief ; for I was l ifeles s a n d ,

did n o t recover my S e n ses for a lo n g lo n g time , .

T hi s was the comme n ceme n t o f a n ervou s fev e r wh ich c o n fi n e d ,

me fo r se v eral mo n th s D uri n g al l th at time He n ry was my o n ly

.

n urse I afterw a rds le a r n ed that k n owi n g my father s ad v a n ce d ’

.
, ,

a n d u n fi t n e s s for s o lo n g a j our n ey a n d how wretched m

‘

a ge , y ,

s ick n e s s woul d m ak e E li z abeth h e sp a re d th e m th i s gri e f b y c o n ,

 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S .

ce al i n ex te n t o f my d i sorder H e k n ew th a t I c oul d n o t h a v e
g t h e .

a m ore ki n d a n d atte n tive n urse th a n h im self ; an d firm i n t h e ,

h op e h e felt o f my recovery he d i d n o t doubt th at i n st e a d o f , , ,

d o i n g h arm he performe d the ki n dest a ctio n th at h e co ul d tow a rd s

,

them .

But I w a s i n re al ity v e ry ill a n d sur e ly n oth i n g but the u n bou n de d

a n d u n rem itti n g a tte n ti o n s of my frie n d coul d h a v e restored me to

l ife The form o f the mo n s ter o n wh om I h a d bestowed existe n ce

.

wa s for ever b efor e my eye s a n d I rave d i n ce s s a n tly co n cer n i n g ,

h i m D oubtle s s my word s su rp rise d H e n ry ; he at first bel ieved

.

them to b e the wa n deri n gs o f my d i sturbe d im agi n atio n ; but t h e

perti n acity with which I c o n ti n u al ly recurred to the s ame subj ec t
p e rsu ade d h im th at my di s ord e r i n d e e d ow e d its origi n to some u n
c o m mo n a n d terrible eve n t .

By very s low degrees a n d w i th fre q ue n t rel a p ses th a t al armed

, ,

a n d gri eved my frie n d I reco v er e d I r e member the first time I

!

, .

bec a m e cap ab le o f Ob servi n g ou tward obj ects with a ny ki n d o f

p le asure I perceive d th
, at the falle n leaves h ad d is appe ared and ,

t h a t the you n g bud s were s hooti n g forth from the trees th at sh aded
my wi n dow It w a s a di v i n e spri n g ; a n d t h e s e aso n co n tributed
.

gre a tly to my c o n v ales ce n ce I felt a l s o se n time n ts o f joy a n d .

a ff ectio n revive i n my bos om ; my gl oom d is appe ared a n d i n a ,

s h ort time I b e c a m e a s c he e rful a s b efore I wa s att a cke d by the

fa t a l p as s i o n .

D e are st C lerval excl a i me d I h o w ki n d h o w very goo d yo u

, ,
“
,

a r e to m e Th i s whole wi n ter i n ste ad of bei n g spe n t i n study a s

.
, ,

o u p rom i s e d yourself h a s bee n co n sume d i n my s ick room How

y
.
,

s h al l I ever rep a y you ? I fee l the gre atest remorse for the dis
a ppoi n tme n t o f wh ich I h a v e b e e n t h e oc c a s io n ; b u t yo u will for

give me .
”

“
You wil l rep ay me e n tirely if you do n o t d i s compos e yours e lf , ,

b ut get wel l a s fas t as you c a n ; a n d s i n ce you a ppe ar i n such go od

”
S p irits I m ay spe a k to you o n o n e subj ect m ay I n o t ?
, ,

I tr e mb led O n e subj ect ! wh a t coul d it b e ? C oul d h e a l lu d e to

.

a n obj ect o n whom I d are d n o t eve n t hi n k 3

'

“
C omp o s e yours e lf s ai d C lerv a l wh o o b s e r v e d my c h a n ge o f
”
, ,

c ol or I wi l l n o t me n tio n it i f i t agitates you ; b ut your father

,
“
,

a nd cou si n woul d be v ery h app y if they recei v e d a lett e r from y o u

in your o wn h a n dwrit i n g T he y h a rdly k n o w h o w

. i l l you h a ve
”
b e e n a n d a r e u n e a sy a t you r l on g s i le n ce
,
.

“
I s th a t a ll my de a r He n ry ? ,
H ow c u d
o l y o u su p p o s e t h a t m y
5 0 FR AN KE NST E I N OR ,

firs t though t woul d n o t fly tow a rds thos e d e a r d e a r fr i e n ds whom , ,

I l o ve a n d wh o a r e s o de servi n g o f my love ?
,
”

“
If thi s i s your pres e n t temper my frie n d yo u will p e rh a p s be , ,

gl a d to s e e a letter th a t h a s be e n ly i n g here s o m e d ays fo r yo u : i t

i s from your c ousi n I b e l i e ve ”
, .

C HA P T E R V .

L
E V L
C th R A en put the followi n g lett e r i n t o my h a n ds
V FR AN K E N S T EI N To . .

M Y D EA R CO U S I N I ca n n ot describe to you the u n e asi n es s we

,

h ave all felt co n cer n i n g your health We ca n n ot help im agi n i n g .

th at your frie n d Clerval co n ce al s the exte n t of your di sorder ; for i t

i s n o w several mo n th s si n ce we h ave see n your h a n dwriti n g ; a n d
a l l thi s time you h ave bee n oblige d to dictate your letters to He n ry .

S urely Victor you must h ave bee n exceedi n gly ill ; a n d thi s m ake s
, ,

u s all v e r w r e tc h e d as much s o n early as after the death of your

y ,

de ar mother My u n cle was almo st persuaded th at yo u were i n deed

.

da n gerou s ly ill a n d coul d h ardly be restrai n ed from u n dertaki n g

,

a j our n ey to I n golstadt Clerval always writes th at yo u are getti n g

.

better ; I eagerly hop e th at you will co n firm thi s i n tel lige n ce soo n
i n your o w n h a n dwriti n g ; for i n deed i n d eed Victor we are al l , , ,

very miserable o n thi s accou n t R elieve u s from th i s fe ar a n d we .

,

sh al l be the h app ies t cre atures i n the world Your fa t her s he alth .
’

i s n o w s o vigorous th at he appears t e n ye ars you n ger si n ce l ast

,

wi n ter E r n est al so i s s o much improved th at yo u woul d h ardly

.
,

k n ow h im he i s n o w n early s ixtee n a n d h a s lost th at s ickly

: ,

appeara n ce which he h a d some years ago : he i s grow n quite robu st

a n d active .

“
My u n cle a n d I co n versed a lo n g tim e l a st n ight about wh at
profes si o n E r n est should fol low H i s co n sta n t ill n es s whe n you n g .

h a s deprived him o f t h e h ab its of applicatio n ; a n d n o w th at he

e nj oys good health he i s co n ti n u ally i n the ope n air climb i n g t h e
, ,

h ill s o r r o wi n g o n the l ake I t herefore proposed th at he shoul d

,
.

be a farmer ; which y o u k n ow cou si n ; i s a fa v orite schem e o f m ine , .

A fa rmer s i s a v ery he althy h appy life ; a n d t h e least hurtful o r

’
.
, ,

r a ther the most be n efici al profes sio n o f a n y My u n cle h ad a n ,

.
 TH E M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S .
5 1

ide a o f h i s bei n g educate d a s a n advoc a te th a t th r o ugh h i s i n tere st ,

h e m ight becom e a j u dge But be sid e th a t h e i s n o t a t all fitte d

.
,

for such a n occup ati o n i t i s certai n ly more cr e ditab l e to cultiv ate

,

th e e arth fo r the su ste n a n ce o f m a n th a n to be the co n fid a n t a n d , ,

s o m etim es th e accomp l ice o f h i s vice s ; whi ch i s the profes s io n o f

,

a l awyer I s ai d th at the emp loyme n ts o f a prosperou s farmer if

.
,

they were n o t a m or e ho n or a b le they were at le ast a h appi e r ,

sp ecie s o f o ccup a tio n th a n th at o f a j udge who se m i sfortu n e it was ,

a lw a ys t o m e d dle with th e d ark s i de o f hum a n n atur e My u n cle .

s m ile d a n d s ai d th a t I ought to b e a n a dvoc a t e myself which put

, ,

a n e n d t o the c o n v e rs atio n o n th at subj ect .

“
A n d n o w I mu st tel l yo u a l ittle sto ry th at wil l ple a se a n d
perh a p s a m u se yo u D O yo u n o t remember Justi n e M orit z ? P rob
.

a b ly y o u d o n o t ; I wil l r e l ate her h istory therefore I n a few , ,

word s . M ad a me M oritz her mother was a widow with four , ,

ch il dre n o f whom Ju sti n e was th e th ird Thi s girl h ad alway s

, .

b ee n t h e favorite o f her father ; but th rough a stra n ge perversity , ,

h er m other coul d n o t e n dure her a n d after the de ath of M M oritz , ,

.
,

tre ate d h er very il l M y au n t ob serve d thi s ; a n d whe n Justi n e

.
,

wa s twel v e ye ars Of age pr e v aile d o n her mother to allow her t o

,

l i v e a t h e r h ou se The republ ica n i n stitutio n s o f o u r cou n try h a v e

.

p ro duce d s imp ler a n d h app ier m a n n ers th a n those which prevail i n

th e gre at m o n archi e s th at surrou n d it H e n ce th e r e i s les s d i s t i n c .

t i o n betwee n the several cl as se s o f its i n h ab it a n ts ; a n d th e lower

O rders bei n g n either s o p oor n o r s o desp i sed their m a n n ers are ,

m ore refi n e d a n d moral A serva n t i n Ge n ev a does n o t me a n t h e

.

s a m e thi n g as a serv a n t i n Fra n ce or E n gl a n d Ju sti n e thu s .

,

r eceive d i n o u r fam ily le ar n e d th e dutie s of s e rva n t ; a co n diti o n

,

wh i ch i n o u r fortu n ate cou n try doe s n o t i n clude the i de a o f

, ,

i g n ora n ce a n d a s acrifice of the dig n ity of a hum a n bei n g

,
.

“
After wh at I h a v e s aid I d are s ay you wel l remember t h e ,

h e roi n e o f my l ittl e tale fo r Ju sti n e was a gre at favorite o f yours ;

:

a n d I reco llect y o u o n ce rem a rked th at if you were i n a n i l l hum or , ,

o en gl a n ce from Ju s ti n e coul d di s sip ate it for the s ame re aso n th at ,

A r i o sto give s co n cer n i n g the be auty o f A n gel ica — she looked s o ,

f ra n k
- he arte d a n d h appy M y au n t co
. n c e ive d a great attachme n t
fo r her by,
wh ich s he was i n duce d t o give her a n educatio n superior
to th a t wh ich s h e h a d at first i n te n de d T hi s be n e fit was ful ly .

r ep a i d ; Ju sti n e wa s the mo st grateful l ittle cre ature i n the worl d :

I do n o t me a n th a t s h e m ade a n y p rofe s s io s I ever heard n n o n e

,

p as s her l ip s ; but you coul d s e e by her eyes th a t s h e almost ador e d

h er pr o te ctre s s Although her d i s p o s i ti o n wa g y
. s a a n d i n m y
a n
,
 5 2 R AN KE NS T E I N
F OR ,

re sp e cts i n co n s i d e r a t e yet s h e p aid the gre a te st a tt e n t i o n t o e v e ry

,

g e stur e o f my a u n t S h e thought her the m o d e l o f al l ex celle n ce

.
,

a n d e n de a v or e d t o im itate her phr a seology a n d m a n n e rs s o th a t ,

e ve n n o w s h e Oft e n r e mi n ds me o f her .

“
Wh e n my de a rest a u n t d ied e v ery o n e w a s t o o much o ccup i e d
,

i n their o wn grief t o n otice poor Justi n e wh o h a d a tte n ded h e r ,

duri n g her ill n es s with the mo st a n xious aff ectio n P oo r Justi n e .

wa s ve ry ill ; but other tri al s were reserved for h er .

O n e by o n e her brothers a n d s i ster died ; a n d h e r mother with

, ,

t h e ex ceptio n o f her n eglected d aughter w a s left ch il dles s The

, .

co n s c i e n ce Of the wom a n was t roubled ; s h e bega n to thi n k th at

the d e a th s o f her favorites wa s a j u dgme n t from H e a v e n to ch astise
h er p arti al ity She was a R om a n C atholic ; a n d I b e lieve her c o n
.

fe s s o r co n firmed the i de a which she h ad co n ceived Accordi n gly a .

,

few mo n th s after your dep arture fo r I n gol stadt Justi n e was called ,

home by her repe n ta n t mother P oor girl ! s h e wept whe n s h e .

quitted o u r house s h e wa s much altered s i n ce the death o f my

:

a u n t ; grief h ad give n soft n es s a n d a wi n n i n g mil d n es s to her m a n

n e rs wh ich h ad before bee n remarkable fo r viv acity

, Nor was her .

re si d e n c e a t her mother s hou se of a n ature to restore her gayety

’
.

T he poor wom a n was v ery v acill ati n g i n her repe n ta n ce S he .

s om e times begged Ju sti n e to forgive her u n ki n d n e s s but much ,

ofte n er accused her o f h avi n g caused the death s of her brothers

a n d s i ster P erpetu al fretti n g at le n gth threw M ad ame M oritz i n to
.

a decl i n e which a t firs t i n creased her irritability but she i s n o w at

, ,

pe a ce for e ver She died o n the first appro ach of col d we ather at
.
,

the b egi n n i ng o f thi s last wi n ter Justi n e h as retur n ed to u s ; a n d

.

I as sur e yo u I l ove her te n derly S he i s very clever a n d ge n tle a n d

.
,

extremely pretty ; a s I me n tio n ed before her m ie n a n d her expr e s ,

s io n s co n ti n u a lly r e mi n d me Of my de a r a u n t .

“
I must s ay a l so a fe w word s to you my dear cou si n o f l ittle , ,

d a rl i n g Willi am I wish you coul d s e e him ; he i s very tall o f hi s

.

a g e with sweet l a ugh i n g blue eyes

,
d ark eyel ashes a n d curli n g
, ,

h a ir Wh e n he s miles two l ittle dimples appear o n e ach c heek

.
, ,

which a r e ro sy with he a lth H e h a s already had o n e o r two l ittle

.

w i v es b u t Loui s a Bir o n i s h i s fa v or i t e a pretty l ittle girl o f five

, ,

y e a rs o f a g e .

N ow d e a r Vi ct o r I d a re s ay you wish to b e i n dulg e d i n a l ittl e

, ,

.
gos sip co n ce r n i n g the good people o f Ge n e v a T he pretty M is s .

«
M a n sfi e l d h a s a lre a dy re cei ve d the co n gratul atory v i s its o n her a p
r o a c h i n g m a rri a g e w i th a you n g E n gl i shm a n Joh n M e lbour n e
p , ,

E qs . H e r u gly s i s t e r M a n o n m a rri e d M D u v i l l a r d t h e r i ch
, , .
,
 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S .
53

b a n k e r l as t ,utum n Your fa v orite s chool fellow Lou i s M a n oir

’

a .
, ,

h a s su ff ere d se v eral m i sfortu n e s si n ce the dep a rtur e o f C ler v al from

Ge n eva But he h as alre ady reco v ered h i s sp irits a n d i s rep orted
.
,

to b e o n the p o i n t o f m arryi n g a v ery l ively p retty Fre n ch wom a n

M adam e Taver n ier S he i s a wi do w a n d much ol der th a n M a n o ir ;
.
,

but s he i s very much a dmired a n d a favorite with everybo dy , .

“
I h a v e writte n myself i n to goo d sp irit s de ar cou s i n ; yet I c a n ,

—
m ake your f ther a n d al l o f u s h appy ; o r I ca n n ot be ar to th i n k
a

o f t h e other S i d e o f the q uestio n my t rs alre ady flow Adi u

L
; e a e .
,

my d e a rest cou s i n E L I Z A B E T H AVE N Z A

.
.

“
G M h 8t h 7
e n e va , arc 1 , 1

D e ar de a r , E l i z abeth ! ”
I excl a imed whe n I h a d r e a d her letter ;
I wi l l write i n st a n tly a n d rel ie v e them from the a nxiety they mu s t
,
”
feel . I wrote a n d thi s exertio n greatly fatigued m e ; but my c o n
,

v a l e s c e n c e h ad comme n ced a n d proceeded r e gul a rly I n a n oth e r

, .

fort n ight I was able to le a v e my ch amber .

O n e o f my firs t duties o n my recovery wa s t o i n tro duce C ler v a l

t o the s everal p rofe s sors of the u n ivers ity I n doi n g th i s I u n der .
,

we n t a ki n d o f rough u s age ill befitti n g the wou n d s th at my mi n d ,

h a d s u stai n ed E ver s i n ce the fatal n ight the e n d o f my l abors

.
,

a n d the begi n n i n g o f my m i sfortu n es I h a d co n cei v e d a vi ole n t ,

a n tip athy eve n to the n ame Of n atural p hilosop hy Whe n I wa s .

o therwi s e q u ite restore d t o he alth the s ight o f a chem ic a l i n s t r u ,

m e n t wou l d re n ew a l l the a go n y o f my n ervou s symptom s H e n ry .

s aw thi s a n d h ad rem oved al l my app aratus from m y v iew

, He .

h a d al s o ch a n ge d my ap artme n t ; fo r he percei v ed th a t I h ad a c
q uire d a di sl ike for the room whi ch h a d p re v i o u s ly bee n my l abor a
tory B ut thes e cares o f C lerval were m ade o f n o a v ai l whe n I
.

v i site d the p rofe s sors M W al dm a n i n flicte d torture whe n he

. .

praise d with ki n d n es s an d w armth the a sto n i s h i n g p rogres s I h ad

, ,

m ade i n the scie n ce s H e soo n p ercei v ed th a t I di sl ike d the s u b

.

j e c t ; but n o t gue s s i n g th e re a l cause h e a ttributed my feel i n gs t o ,

mo de sty a n d ch a n ged th e subj ect from my improveme n t to t h e

,

s cie n ce itself with a des ir e as I evi de n tly s aw o f dr awi n g m e o u t

, , ,
.

Wh at coul d I do ? H e m e a n t to p le as e a n d h e torme n ted me I .

fe lt a s if he h ad pl ace d c a reful ly o n e by o n e i n my view tho s e , ,

i n strume n ts wh ich were t o b e a fterward s u se d i n putti n g me to a

slow a n d cruel de a th I writhed u n der h i s words yet d a red n o t .
,

e xhib it th e p a i n I felt C l e r v a l wh o s e e y e s a n d feeli n gs we r e

.
,
54 F R A N K E NS T E I N OR ,

a lw ays q u i ck i n d i scer n i n g th e s e n s a tio n s o f o th e r s d e c li n e d t h e , ,

subj ect all e gi n g i n e x cuse h i s t o t a l ig n or a n ce ; a n d the co n vers a

,

tio n took a more ge n eral t u r n I th a n ked my frie n d from my heart

.
,

but I did n o t speak I s aw pl ai n ly th a t he wa s surp rised but h e

.
,

n ever attempted to draw my secret from me ; a n d although I loved

h im with a mixture o f a ff ectio n an d revere n ce that k n ew n o bou n ds ,

yet I coul d n e v er persu ade myself to co n fide t o him th at eve n t

‘

which was s o Ofte n prese n t to my recollectio n but which I feared ,

the detail to a n oth e r would o n ly impres s more deeply .

M K rempe was n o t equ ally docile ; a n d i n my co n ditio n at th at

.

time o f almo st i n supportable se n sitive n es s his h arsh blu n t e n e o

, , ,

m i u m s gave me eve n more p ai n tha n the be n evole n t a pprob atio n

o f M Waldm a n
. .
—
D n the fellow !
”
cried he ; why M Clerv al “
, .
,

I as sure yo u he h as outstripped u s all Aye aye stare if you please ; .

, ,

but it i s n evertheles s true A you n gster who but a few ye ars ago
.
, ,

believed Cor n el ius A gripp a as firmly as the gospel has n o w s e t

.
,

h imself at the he ad of the u n ivers ity ; a n d if he i s n o t soo n pulled

”
dow n we sh all all be o u t o f cou n te n a n ce Aye aye co n ti n ued h e
,
.
, , ,

Ob servi n g my face expres s ive o f su ff eri n g M Fra n ke n stei n i s ,

“
.

modest ; a n excelle n t qu ality i n a you n g m a n You n g m e n s hould .

be d i ffi d e n t o f themselves you k n ow M Clerval ; I was myself

, , .

whe n you n g ; but that we ars o u t i n a very short time .

”

M K rempe h a d n o w comme n ced a n eulogy o n h imself which

. ,

h app i ly tur n ed the co n v ers atio n from a subj ect th at was so a n n oy

i n g to me .

Clerval w a s n o n atural philosopher H is imagi n a tio n was t o o .

v ivi d for the m i n uti ae o f scie n ce L a n guages

. were hi s pri n cip al
study ; a n d he sought by acquiri n g their eleme n ts to ope n a fiel d
, ,

fo r self i n structio
-
n o n h i s retur n to Ge n eva P ersi a n Arabic a n d .
, ,

H ebrew gai n ed hi s atte n tio n after he h ad m ade himself perfectly

m aster o f Greek a n d Lati n For my o wn p art i dle n es s h ad ever
.
,

bee n irksome to me ; a n d n o w th at I wished to fly from reflectio n ,

a n d h ated my former studies I felt great

, relief i n bei n g the fell o w
pup il with my frie n d a n d fou n d n o t o n ly i n structio n but co nsol a
,

tio n i n the works o f the O rie n tali sts Their mel a n choly i s soothi n g
.
,

a n d their j oy elevati n g to , a degree I n ever experie n ce d i n studyi n g

the authors o f a ny other cou n try Whe n you read their writi n gs
.
,

l ife a ppears to co n sist i n a warm s u n a n d a garde n o f roses i n t h e —

s miles a n d frow n s o f a fair e n emy a n d the fire th at co n sumes your
,

ow n he a rt H o
. w di ff ere n t from the m a n ly a n d heroi c a l p o e try o f
Gree ce a n d R ome .

Summ e r p a ssed aw ay i n t h e s e o ccup a t i o n s a n d my r e tur n to ,

 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T H E US .
55
'

Ge n e v a wa s fixed for the l atter e n d o f a utum n ; but bei n g d e l ay e d

b y several acci de n ts wi n ter a n d s n ow arrived the ro ads were
, ,

deemed imp as s able a n d my j our n ey wa s retarded u n til the e n sui n g

,

S p ri n g I fel t thi s del ay very severely ; for I lo n ged to see my n a

.

tive tow n a n d my bel oved frie n ds My retur n h ad o n ly bee n

, .

d el aye d s o lo n g from a n u n will i n g n es s to leave C lerval i n a stra n ge

p l ace before he h ad become acqu ai n ted with a ny of its i n h abita n t s .

The wi n ter ho wever was spe n t cheerfully ; a n d although the spri n g

, ,

w a s u n comm o n ly l a te whe n it c a m e its beauty c ompe n s ated for its

, ,

d il atori n es s .

T he m o n th o f M ay h ad a l re a dy comme n ced a n d I expected the ,

l e tter d aily wh ich was to fix the d ate of my dep arture whe n He n ry ,

prop o se d a pe de stri a n tour through the e n viro n s of I n golstadt th at ,

I m ight b i d a perso n al farewel l to the cou n try I h ad s o lo n g i n h a b

i te d
.
I accede d with ple asure to thi s prop ositio n I was fo n d o f :

exerci se a n d Clerval h ad always bee n my favorite comp a n io n i n

,

th e ramble s o f th i s n atu r e th at I h a d tak e n amo n g the sce n e s i n my

n ative cou n try .

We p as s e d a fort n ight i n these perambul atio n s my health a n d :

sp irits h ad l o n g bee n restored a n d they gai n ed additio n al stre n gth ,

from th e s alubriou s air I b reathed the n atural i n cide n ts o f o u r ,

p rogres s a n d th e co n vers atio n o f my frie n d S tudy h ad before

, .

secl ude d me from the i n tercourse O f my fellow cre atures a n d r e n -

,

dere d me u n soci al ; but C lerval called forth the better feel i n gs o f

my he art ; he agai n taught m e t o love the aspect of n at u re a n d the ,

Cheerfu l faces o f chil dre n E xcelle n t frie n d ! how s i n cerely di d you

.

l ove m e a n d e n de avor to elevate my mi n d u n ti l it was o n a level

, ,

with your o wn A selfish pursuit h ad cramped a n d n arrowed me

.

u n ti l you r ge n tle n e s s a n d a ff ectio n warmed a n d ope n ed my se n ses ;

I becam e the s ame h appy creature who a few years ago lovi n g a n d , ,

bel ove d by a l l h ad n o s orrow o r care Whe n h appy i n a n im ate

,
.
,

n ature h ad the p ower of bestowi n g o n me the mo st delightful s e n

s ati o n s
. A sere n e s ky a n d verd a n t field s filled me with e c s t a s v
,
.

Th e p rese n t se as o n was i n deed divi n e ; the flowers of S pri n g

bl oomed i n the hedges wh ile those of summer were already i n bud
,
:

I was u n di sturbed by th ou ghts which duri n g the pr e cedi n g ye ar h ad

p res se d up o n me n otwith sta n di n g my e n d e a v o rs to throw them o ff
, ,

with a n i n vi n cibl e burde n .

H e n ry rej oice d i n my gayety a n d s i n cerely symp athized i n my ,

feel i n gs : he exerted him self to amuse me wh ile he expres sed the ,

se n s atio n s th at fil le d h is s oul T h e r e s o u r c e s o f hi s mi n d o n thi s

.
‘

occasio n wer e tru ly asto n i s hi n g : h i s co n v ers atio n was full o f i m

 FR AN KE NST E I N OR ,

a g i n ati o n
, ery ofte n i n imitatio n of the P ers i a n a n d Arabi c
and v ,

writers he i n v e n ted tales o f wo n derful fa n cy a n d p as sio n At

, .

other times he repeated my favorite poems or drew me out i n to ,

argume n ts which he supported with great i n ge n uity

, .

We retur n ed to o u r college o n a Su n d ay after n oo n the peas a n ts :

were d a n ci n g a n d every o n e we met appeared gay a n d h appy M y

, .

o wn spirits were high a n d I bou n ded alo n g with feel i n gs o f u n b r i

,

d l e d j oy a n d h il arity .

CHAP TE R VI .

N my retur n I fo u n d the followi n g letter from my father

. ,

V FR AN K E N S T EI N
“
To . .

M Y D EA R VI CT O R — You h ave probably waited imp atie n tly for a

,

letter to fix the date of your retur n to u s ; a n d I was at first tempted

to write o n ly a few li n es merely me n tio n i n g the d ay o n which I
,

shoul d expect you But th at woul d be a cruel ki n d n es s a n d I d are

.
,

n o t do it . But wh at woul d be your surpri se my s o n whe n you ex , ,

p e c t e d a h appy a n d gay welcome to behold o n the co n trary tears , , ,

a n d wretched n ess ! A n d how Victor c a n I rel ate your m isfortu n e ?

, ,

Ab se n ce ca n n ot h ave re n dered you callous to our j oys a n d griefs ;

a n d how sh all I i n flict p ai n o n a n ab se n t chil d ? I wish to prep are
you for the woful n ews but I k n ow it i s impo ssible ; eve n n o w
,

your eye skims over the p age to seek the words which are to c o n ,

vey to you the horrible tidi n gs .

William i s dead ! that sweet chil d whose smiles delighted a n d ,

wa rmed my heart ; who wa s s o ge n tle yet so gay ! Victor h e i s ,

murdered !
“
I wil l n o t attempt to co n sole you ; but I will simply rel ate t h e
circum sta n ces of the tra n s actio n .

Last Thurs day (M ay 7t h ) I my n iece a n d your two brothers , , , ,

we n t to walk i n P l a i n p a l a i s The eve n i n g was warm a n d sere n e

.
,

a n d we prolo n ged our walk farther th a n u su al It was already du sk .

before we thought of retur n i n g ; a n d the n we discovered th at Wi l

li am a n d E r n e st who h ad go n e o n before were n o t to be fou n d
, , .

We accordi n gly rested o n a seat u n til they should retur n P rese n tly .

E r n e st came a n d i n quired if we h ad see n hi s brother : he s aid th at

,

they h a d b e e n pl ayi n g together , th a t Willi a m h a d r u n aw ay to h i de

 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S .

57

h i m self a n d th a t h e v ai n ly s ought for him a n d a fte rw a rd s w a it e d

, ,

for h i m a l o n g tim e but th at he di d n o t retu r n , .

Th i s accou n t rather al arme d u s a n d we co n ti n ued to se a rch for ,

h i m u n til n ight fell whe n E l iz abeth co nj ectured th a t he might h ave

,

ret u r n ed to the hou se H e was n o t there We retur n ed agai n with .

.

torche s for I coul d n o t re st whe n I though t th at my sweet b o y h ad

l o st h im self a n d was expo se d to al l the cl amp s a n d dews o f n ight
, .

E lizabeth al s o su ffere d extreme a n gui s h About five i n the mor n .

i n g I di s cove red my l ovely b oy whom the n ight before I h ad see

n ,

blo o m i g a n d acti v e i n he alth stretched o n the gras s l ivi d a n d

n
,

m oti o le s s th e p ri n t o f th e murderer s fi n ger w a s o n h i s n eck

n .
.

H e w a s co n veye d home a n d the a n gui s h th at was vi sible o n my

“
,

cou te a n ce b etraye d th e secret to E liz abeth Sh e was very e ar

n n .

n e s t to s e e th e corp se At first I attempte d to pr e ve n t her ; but S he

.

p ers i ste d a n d e n teri n g the room where it l ay h astily exami n e d

, ,

the n eck o f t h e victim a n d cl asp i n g her h a n d s e xcl aimed O God , , , ,

I h a ve m urdere d my d arl i n g i n fa n t !
“
S h e fai n ted a n d was re stored with extreme d i fli c u l ty Whe n
, .

s h e agai n l ive d it w as o n ly to weep a n d s igh

, S he tol d me th a t .

th at s ame eve n i n g Wi l li am h ad te ase d her to let h im wear a very

v a l u ab l e m i n i ature th at s he p os ses sed of your mother The p icture .

i s go n e a n d was doub tles s the temptatio n wh ich urged the mur

,

d e rer to th e dee d We h ave n o trace o f him at prese n t although

.
,

o u r e xertio n s to di scover h i m are u n rem itted ; but they will n o t

re store my belove d Wi l l i am .

“
C om e de are st Victor ; you alo n e c a n co n sole E lizabeth S h e
, .

we e p s co n ti n u ally a n d a ccuse s herself u nj u stly as the cau se o f h i s

,

de a th ; her word s p ierce my he art We are al l u n h appy ; but wi l l .

n o t th a t b e a n ad ditio n al m otive for you my s o n to return a n d b e , ,

our comforter ? Your de ar m other ! Al as Victor ! I n o w s ay , ,

th a n k Go d s h e di d n o t l i v e to wit n es s the cruel m i s e rable de ath of ,

her you n ge st d arli n g !

C ome Victor ; n o t b roo di n g thoughts o f ve n ge a n ce agai n st the
,

a s s as s i n b ut w ith feel i n gs of p e ace a n d ge n tle n es s th at wi ll heal

, ,

i n ste a d o f festeri n g the wou n d s of ou r m i n ds E n ter the house o f .

mour n i n g my frie n d but with ki n d n es s a n d a ffectio n for those wh o

, ,

love y o u a n d n o t with h atred fo r your e n em ies

,
.

“
Your a ffe ctio n a te a n d a ffi i c te d fa ther ,

A L P HO N S E FR AN K E N S T E I N .

G e n e v a, M ay 1 2t h, 17

C ler v al h ad watche d my c ou n t e n a n ce as I re a d th i s lett e r

, wh o ,

wa s s urpri sed t o ob s e r v e t h e d e sp a i r th a t su cce e d e d t o the j oy I a t

5 8 FR A N KE NS T E I N OR ,

first e xpr e s s e d o n receivi n g n ews from my frie n ds I t hr e w t h e l e t .

t e r o n t h e t a ble a n d co v ered my face with my h a n ds

, .

“
My de ar Fra n ke n stei n e xcl aimed H e n ry whe n he percei v ed
, ,

me weep with bitter n es s are you a lways t o b e u nh appy ? My

,
“

de ar frie n d wh at h as h app e n ed ?
,
”

I motio n ed to h im to take up the letter , while I w a lk e d up a n d

dow n the room i n the extremest agitatio n Te ars al so gushed from .

the eyes o f C lerval as he re ad the accou n t o f my m isfortu n e

,
.

I c a n o ff er yo u n o co n sol atio n my frie n d s aid he ; your di s

, ,
” “

a s ter i s irrep arable Wh at do you i n te n d to do ? ”

.

To go i n sta n tly to Ge n eva : come with me He n ry to o rder th e , ,

horses .

D uri n g our walk C lerv a l e n de avored to raise my sp irits

, H e di d .

n o t do th i s by commo n topics o f co n sol atio n Those m axims o f .

the Stoics th at death was n o evil a n d th at the mi n d o f m a n ought

, ,

t o be superior to de sp a ir o n the eter n al abse n ce o f a beloved Object ,

ought n o t to be urged E ve n C ato wept over the de ad body o f hi s

.

br other .

C lerv a l spoke thu s a s we hurried through the streets ; the words

impres sed them selves o n my mi n d a n d I remembered them after ,

wards i n my solitude But n o w as soo n as the horses a rrived I

.
, ,

hurried i n to a cabriole a n d b a de farewell to my frie n d

, .

My j our n ey was very mel a n choly At first I wi s hed to hurry o n .

,

for I lo n ged to co n sole a n d symp athize with my loved a n d sorrow

i n g frie n d s ; but whe n I dre w n ear my n ative tow n I sl acke n ed my ,

progres s I coul d h ardly sustai n the multitude of feeli n gs th at

.

crowded i n to my mi n d I p as sed through sce n e s fa m ili ar to my

.

youth but which I h ad n o t see n for n e arly s ix years H ow altered

,
.

every thi n g might be duri n g th at time ! O n e s u dde n a n d desolati n g

c h a n ge h ad take n place ; but a thous a n d l ittle circu msta n ces m ight
h ave by degrees worked other alteratio n s which although they , ,

were do n e more tra n quilly might n o t be the le s s deci s ive Fe ar

, .

overcame me ; I d are d n o t adva n ce dread i n g a thou s a n d n ame ,

les s evils th at m ade me tremble although I was u n able to defi n e

,

them .

I remai n ed two d ays at Laus a n n e i n thi s p a i n ful s tate o f m i n d, .

I co n templ ated the l ake : the waters were p l acid ; all arou n d wa s
c a lm a n d the s n o wy mou n tai n s the pal aces of n ature were n o t
,
“ ”
,

c h a n ged By degrees the calm a n d he ave n ly s ce n e restored me

.
,

a n d I co n ti n ued my j our n ey towar d s Ge n eva .

T he ro ad r a n by the S ide of the l ake which b e c a me n a rrower a s I ,

a ppro a ched my n a tiv e t ow n I disco ve re d m ore d i sti n ctly t h e bl ack

.
 TH E M O DER N PR O ME T H E US .
59
si d e s o f J u r a a n d the brigh t summ it o f M o n t Bl a n c ; I wept l i k e a
,

ch i l d : D e ar mou n tai n s ! my o wn be autiful l ake ! h o w do you

“

welcome your w a n derer ? Your summits are cle ar ; the s k a n d

y
l a ke are blue a n d p l acid I s thi s to p rog n o stic a te pe a ce o r to mo c k
.
,

a t my u n h app i n e s s ?
”

I fe ar m y frie n d th a t I s h al l re n der myself tediou s by dwel l i n g

, ,

o n these p rel im i n a ry circum sta n ce s but they were d ays f com

; o

p a r a t i v e h app i n es s a n d I th i n k o f them with ple asure

, My cou n try .
,

my bel ove d cou n try ! wh o but a n a tive c a n tel l the delight I too k
i n agai n b e hol di n g thy str e a m s thy mou n t a i n s a n d more th a n , , ,

a l l thy l o v ely l ake

, .

Yet a s I d rew n e arer home grief a n d fe ar a gai n overcame me

, , .

N ight al s o clo se d a rou n d ; a n d whe n I coul d h ardly s e e the d ark

m ou n tai n s I felt sti l l more gloomi ly T h e pictur e appeare d a va st
, .

a n d d im s ce n e o f e v i l a n d I fores aw ob scurely th at I was des ti n ed

,

t o become the mo st wretched of hum a n bei n gs Al as ! I prophe s ied .

truly , a n d faile d o n ly i n o n e s i n gle circum sta nc e — th at i n all t h e , ,

m i sery I i m agi n e d a n d dr e aded I did n o t co n ceive the hu n dredth ,

p art of the a n gui s h th at I was de sti n e d to e n dure .

It was completely d ark whe n I arrived i n the e n viro n s of Ge n ev a ;

th e gate s o f the tow n were alre ady s hut ; a n d I was obliged to p as s
th e n ight at Sechero n a vill age h alf a le ague to t h e e ast of the city
, .

T h e sky w a s sere n e ; a n d as I was u n able to re st I resolve d to v i s it

, ,

th e spot where my poor Will i am h ad bee n m urdere d As I coul d .

n o t p as s through the tow n I was obl iged to cros s the l ake i n a bo at

to arrive at P l a i n p a l a i s D uri n g thi s s hort v oyage I s aw the light

.

n i n g s pl ayi n g o n th e summ it o f M o n t B l a n c i n the mo st beautifu l

figure s The storm appe are d to appro ach rapi dly ; a n d o n l a n di n g

.
, ,

I asce n ded a l ow h ill th at I m ight ob serve its p rogre s s It adva n ce d ;

,
.

th e h e ave n s were cl ouded a n d I soo n felt the rai n comi n g slowly i n

,

l arge drop s b u t i t s v iole n ce quickly i n cre ased

,
.

I qu itte d my se at a n d walke d o n although the dark ne s s a n d ,

storm i n cre ased every m i n ute a n d the thu n der burst with a terrifi c ,

cras h over my he ad It was echoed from S al eve the Juras a n d t h e

.
, ,

Alp s of S avoy ; vivi d fl as he s of l ight n i n g d azzled my eye s i l l u m i ,

n a t i n g the l ake m aki n g it appe ar l ike a vast s heet o f fire ; the n for
,

an i n s ta n t every thi n g seemed o f a p itchy d ark n es s u n til the eye ,

recovere d i tself from the p rece di n g flash T he storm as i s ofte n .

,

th e case i n Switzerl a n d appe a red at o n ce i n v ariou s p arts o f th e

,

he ave n s The mo st viole n t storm hu n g exac tly n orth of the tow n

. ,

o v er th a t p art o f th e l ak e wh ich lie s betwee n the prom o n tory of

B e l r i ve a n d the v ill a ge o f Cpo e t A n oth e r s t orm e n l ighte
.
n ed Jur a
6O F R A N KE NS T E I N OR ,

with fa i n t fl a she s ; a n d a n other dark e n e d a n d s om e tim e s d i sclosed

the M ole a peaked mou n tai n to the east o f the l a ke
, .

While I watched the storm s o beautiful yet terrific I wa n dere d , ,

o n with a h asty step Thi s n oble war i n the s ky elevated my sp irits ;

.

I cl asped my h a n d s a n d excl aimed aloud Wil li am de ar a n gel ! ,

“
,

thi s is thy fu n eral thi s thy dirge ! , As I s ai d these word s I per ”

,

c e i v e d a figure which stole from behi n d a clump of trees n e ar m e

I stood fixed gazi n g i n te n tly I could n o t be mi st ake n A flas h of

, : .

l ight n i n g illumi n ated the obj ect a n d discovered its sh ape p l ai n ly ,

to me ; its giga n tic stature a n d t h e deformity o f its aspect m ore

, ,

hi deous th a n belo n gs to hum a n ity i n sta n tly i n formed me th at it ,

'

wa s the wretch the filthy demo n to whom I h ad give n life Wh at

,
.

did he there ? Coul d he be (I shuddered at the co n ceptio n ) th e

murderer of my brother ? No soo n er di d th at i de a cros s my i m
a g i n a t i o n th a n I became co n vi n ced o f its tr u th ; my teeth ch attered ,

a n d I was forced to lea n agai n st a tree for support The figur e .

p asse d me quickly a n d I lost it i n the gloom Nothi n g i n hum a n

, .

sh ape coul d h ave destroyed th at fair chil d He was the murderer ! .

I coul d n o t doubt it The mere prese n ce of the i de a wa s a n irre

.

s i s t i b l e proof o f the fact I thought of purs u i n g the devil ; but it

.

woul d h ave bee n i n vai n for a n other flash di scovered h i m to m e

,

h a n gi n g amo n g the rocks of the n e arly perpe n dicul ar asce n t of

M ou n t S al eve a hill th at bou n d s P l a i n p a l a i s o n the south He
, .

soo n reached the summit a n d dis appeared .

I rem ai n ed motio n les s The thu n der ce ased ; but t h e rai n still
.

co n ti n ued a n d the sce n e was e n veloped i n impe n etrable d ark n es s

, .

I re volved i n my m i n d the eve n ts which I h ad u n til n o w sought to

forget ; the whole trai n o f my progress to wards the cre atio n ; the
a ppe ara n ce of the work o f my o w n h a n ds al ive at my bedsi de ; its

dep arture T wo ye ars h ad n o w el ap sed S i n ce the n ight o n wh ich

.

h e first received life ; a n d was this hi s first crime ? Al as I h ad ,

tur n ed loose i n to the wo rl d a depraved wretch whose del ight was ,

i n c ar n age a n d misery ; h ad he n o t murdere d my b roth er ?

NO o n e c a n co n ceive the a n gui sh I su ffered duri n g the remai n der
o f the n ight which I spe n t cold a n d wet i n the ope n air
, B ut I di d .

n o t feel the i n co n ve n ie n ce of the weather ; my i m agi n atio n was

busy i n sce n es o f evil a n d desp air I co n sidered the bei n g .

whom I h ad cas t amo n g m a n ki n d a n d e n dowed with the will ,

a n d power to e ffect purposes of horror such as the deed wh ich ,

he h ad n o w do n e n early i n the light of my o wn v amp ire my o wn

, ,

spiri t l e t loos e fr o m the gr a ve a n d forced to d e stroy a l l th a t wa s

,

de a r t o me .
 TH E M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S . 61

D ay d a w n e d a n d I directed my step s to wards th e tow n The

, .

g a te s were ope n a n d I h aste n ed to my father s house M y first

,
’
.

th ought was t o di s co v er wh at I k n ew of the murder e r a n d ca u se ,

i n s ta n t pu rsu it to b e m ade But I p au sed whe n I reflecte d o n the .

s tory th at I h ad to tel l A bei n g whom I myself h a d formed .

,

a n d e n dued with l ife h ad met m e at m id n ight amo n g the precip ice s

,

o f a n i n acce s s ibl e m ou n tai n I remembere d al so the n ervo us feve r .

with wh ich I h ad b ee n seize d j u st at the time th at I d ated my cre a

tio n a n d which woul d gi v e a n air Of del iriu m t o a tale otherwise
,

s o improb ab le I wel l k n ew th at if a n y other h ad commu n icated

.

s uch a rel ati o n t o me I s houl d h a ve looke d upo n i t a s the ravi n gs,

o f i n s a n ity Be s i des the str a n ge n a ture o f the a n im al would elud e

.
,

a l l pu rs u it e v e n if I were s o far credite d a s to p e rsu ade my rel atives

,

t o com me n ce it Be si de s o f wh at u se woul d be pursu it ? Wh o

.
,

c oul d arrest a cre a ture cap ab le o f scal i n g the o v erh a n gi n g s ide s o f

M ou n t S al eve ? T hes e refle ctio n s dete rm i n ed me a n d I res o l v e d t o ,

r e m a i n s ile n t .

It w a s ab out fi v e i n t h e mor n i n g whe n I e n ter e d my fa ther s ’

h ou se I tol d the serva n ts n o t to d isturb the fa m ily a n d we n t i n to

.
,

t h e l ib r a ry to a tte n d their u su al hour of ri si n g .

S ix ye ars h a d el a p se d p a s sed as a dre am but fo r o n e i n delible ,

tr a ce ; a n d I stoo d i n th e s a me pl ace where I h a d l ast embraced my

fa ther b efore my dep artur e for I n gol stadt Beloved a n d respecte d
,
.

p are n t ! H e s ti l l rem ai n e d to me I g azed o n the p icture o f my

'

m other whi ch stoo d over the m a n tel piece It w a s a n hi storical

,
-
.

subj ect p ai n t e d a t my father s de s ire a n d represe n te d C aroli n e

,
’
,

B e a ufort i n a n a go n y o f de sp ai r k n eel i n g by the c o fli n o f her de a d

fa ther H er g a rb was ru stic a n d her cheek p ale ; but there was a n
.
,

a i r o f di g n ity a n d be auty th at h a rdly permitted the se n time n t of ,

p ity B elow thi s p i cture w a s a m i n i ature o f Wil li am a n d my tears

. ,

flow e d whe n I looked upo n it While I was thu s e n gaged E r n est .

e n tere d : he h a d he a rd me a rrive a n d h aste n ed to welcome m,

e .

He exp res sed a sorrowful deligh t to see me Welcome my de arest .

,

Victor s a i d h e
”
,
Ah ! I wi s h you h ad c ome thr e e mo n th s a g o
.
“
,

and the n y o u woul d h a v e fou n d u s a l l j oyou s a n d del ighted But .

we a e r n o w u n h a ppy a n d I am afrai d te ars,

i n ste ad o f smi le s wil l‘

be your w e l c om e O u r father looks . s o sorrowful : thi s dre adful

e ve n t se e m s to h a ve rev i ved i n h i s m i n d h i s grief a t the death o f
”
m a mm a P oor E l i z ab e th a l s o s q u te i c o s l bl
. i i n n o a e E r st beg
n e a n .

to weep as h e s a i d th e se words .

“
Do n ot
”
s ai d I ,
wel c om e m e thu ,
s ;
“
try t o b e mor e c alm ,

th at I m ay n o t b e a b s o lut e ly m i s e r a bl e t h e mome n t I e n ter my

62 F R AN KE NS T E I N OR ,

fa th e r s h o u s e a fte r s o lo n g a n ab s e n c e B ut tell m e h o w do e s
’
.
, ,

my fa ther support h i s mi sfortu n e s ; a n d h o w i s my poo r E li z a

beth ? ”

“
S he i n deed r e quire s co n sol atio n : s h e a ccuse d herself o f h avi n g
c a used the death o f my brother a n d th at m ade her v ery wretched ,

B u t si n ce the murderer h a s bee n di sco v ered

“
The murdere r d iscovered ! Good God ! h o w c a n th at be wh o ?

c oul d attempt to pursue him ? It i s impos sible : o n e might as wel l

attempt to o v ert ak e the wi n d s o r co n fi n e a mou n tai n stream w ith
,

a str a w .

“
I do n o t k n ow wh at you mea n ; b ut we we re al l very u n h appy
whe n s h e was di scovered No o n e woul d believe it at first a n d
.
,

eve n n o w E l iz abeth w il l n o t be co n vi n ced n otwith sta n di n g all the ,

e v ide n ce I n deed who woul d credit th at Justi n e M oritz who w a s

.
,

s o ami able a n d fo n d o f a l l the family c oul d al l at o n ce become s o

, ,

e xtremely wicked ?
”

“
Justi n e M oritz ! P oor poor girl i s s h e the accuse d ? But it i s
, ,

wro n gfully ; every o n e k n ows th at ; n o o n e b e l ieves it surely , ,

E r n est ? ”

“
NO o n e di d at first ; but several circumsta n ces came o u t th a t ,

h ave almost forced co n v ictio n upo n u s ; a n d her o wn beh avior h a s

bee n s o co n fused a s to ad d to the evi de n ce o f facts a weight th at , ,

I fe a r le aves n o hope for doubt B ut s h e will be tried to d ay a n d

,
.
-
,

you will the n he ar all ”

.

He rel a ted th at the mor n i n g upo n which the murder o f poor

Willi am h ad bee n di scovered Justi n e h ad bee n take n ill a n d c o n
, ,

fi n ed to her bed ; a n d after Several d ays o n e of the serva n ts h ap

, ,

pe n i n g to exami n e the app arel s h e h a d wor n o n the n ight of the

murder h ad discovered i n her pocket the picture Of my mother
, ,

which h ad bee n j udged to be the temptatio n of the murderer T h e .

serva n t i n st a n tly showed it to o n e o f the others wh o without s ay , ,

i n g a word t o a ny o f the family we n t to a m agistrate a n d up o n , , ,

the ir dep os itio n Justi n e was apprehe n ded O n bei n g ch arged with
,
.

the fact the poor girl co n firmed the suspicio n i n a gre at measu r e
,

by her extreme co n fusio n of m a n n er .

Th i s was a stra n ge tale but it did n o t sh ake my faith ; a n d I

,

repl ied ear n estly You are all mistake n ; I k n ow the murderer
,
“
.

”
Justi n e poor good Justi n e i s i n n oce n t
, ,
.

At that i n sta n t my father e n tered I s aw u n h a ppi n es s d e eply .

i mpressed o n his cou n te n a n ce but he e n de a v ore d to welcome m e

,

cheerfully ; a n d after we h a d exch a n ged our mour n ful greeti n g ,

woul d h ave i n tr o duce d som e oth e r top i c th a n th a t o f o u r d i s a st e r ,

 TH E M O DER N PR O ME T HE U S . 63

h ad no t E r n e st excl aimed Good God p a p a ! Vi ctor s ays th a t h e ,

“
,

k n ows wh o was the mu rderer o f poor Willi am .

“
We d o a l s o u n fortu n ately rep l ied my father ; for i n deed I
, ,
“

h ad rather h ave b ee n for e v er ig n ora n t th a n h a ve di scovere d s o

much de p ravity a n d i n grati tude i n o n e I v alued s o highly ‘

.
”

“
M y dear father you are mi stake n ; Justi n e i s i n n oce n t
,
”
.

If s h e i s Go d forbi d th at s he s houl d s u ff er as gui lty S he i s

, .

to b e trie d t o d ay a n d I hop e I S i n ce r e ly hop e th a t S he will b e

-
, , ,

acqu itted .

Th i s S peech c a lmed me I was firmly c o n vi n ced i n my o wn .

m i n d th at Justi n e a n d i n dee d every hum a n bei n g was guiltles s of

, ,

th i s murder I h ad n o fe ar therefore th a t a n y circum sta n ti al

.
, ,

evi de n ce coul d b e b rought forward stro n g e n ough to co n vict her ;

an d , i n th i s as su ra n ce I calmed myself expecti n g the tri a l with
, ,

e ager n e s s bu t without p rog n o sti cati n g a n evi l result

, .

We w e re soo n j oi n ed by E lizabeth Time h ad m ade great alter a .

ti o n s i n her form s i n ce I l ast be hel d her S ix ye ars before she h ad .

b ee n a p retty goo d humore d girl whom every o n e l oved a n d

,
-
,

care s sed S h e was n o w a wom a n i n stature a n d expres s io n o f

.
’

cou n te n a n ce wh i ch was u n commo n ly l ovely A n ope n a n d cap a

,
.

c i o u s forehe ad gave i n di catio n s o f a goo d u n dersta n di n g j oi n ed to ,

gre at fra n k n e s s of d i spo sitio n H er eye s were h azel a n d expres .

,

s ive O f m il d n e s s n o w through rece n t a fli i c t i o n all ied to s ad n es s

,
.

H er h ai r wa s Of a rich d ark a ubur n her complexio n fai r a n d her , ,

figure S l ight a n d gracef u l S he welcome d me with the gre atest .

a ff ectio n Your arrival my de ar cou s i n s ai d s h e fill s me ” “

.
, , ,

w i th hop e You perh ap s will fi n d some me a n s to j u s tify my poor

.

gu iltle s s Ju sti n e Al as ! who i s s afe if s h e be co n victe d o f crime ?

.
,

I rely o n her i n n oce n ce as certai n ly a s I d o upo n my o wn O ur .

m i sfortu n e i s doub ly h ard to u s ; we h ave n o t o n ly lo st th at lovely

d arl i n g b oy bu t th i s poor girl wh om I s i n cerely love i s to be tor n
, , ,

away eve n by a worse fa te If s h e i s co n dem n e d I n e ve r S h all .

,

k n ow j oy m ore But s he wil l n o t I am sure s h e will n o t ; a n d the n

.
,

I sh a ll b e h a ppy a g a i n eve n after the s a d de ath o f my l ittle Wil

,

l i am .

“ S h e i s i n n oc e n t my E l i z abeth s ai d I ,
a n d th at sh al l b e , ,
“

proved ; fe a r n oth i n g but let you r sp iri ts be cheered by the as sur

,
”
a n ce of h er a cq uittal .

“
Ho w n ki d you are ! e ve ry o n e el s e bel ieve s i n her guilt a n d ,

th at m ade m e wretched ; for I k ew th at itn w a s imp os sible a n d t o :

s e e every o n e el se p rej u d i ce d i n s o de adl y m a er re de ed

a n n n r m e ,

hopele s s a n d de sp a iri n g ”
S h e wept . .
64 FR A N KE NST E I N OR ,

Sweet n i e ce s ai d my father
, dry your te ars If s h e i s a s
,
“
.
,

o u believe i n n oce n t rely the ju stice f j udges n d the

y , o n , o o u r a ,

a ctivity with wh ich I sh a ll pr e v e n t t h e slight e st s h a d ow o f a

p r

t i a l i ty .

C HA P T E R VI I .

E p a s sed few s a d hours u n til eleve n o clock whe n t h e tri al

a ,
’
,

was to comme n ce My father a n d the rest o f the family

.

b ei n g obliged to atte n d as wit n esses I accomp a n ied them to the ,

c ourt D uri n g t he whole o f thi s wretched mockery o f j ustice I

.
,

su ffered l ivi n g torture It was to be deci ded whether the result of

.
,

my curio sity a n d l awles s devices woul d cause the death o f two of

my fello w bei n gs o n e a smili n g b abe ful l o f j oy a n d i n n oce n ce ;
-
: ,

the other far more dreadfully murdered with every aggravatio n of ,

i n famy th at coul d m ake the murder memorable i n horror Ju sti n e .

a l so was a girl of merit a n d posse s sed qual ities which promised to

,

r e n der her life h appy : n o w all wa s to be obl iterated i n a n i g n o

m i n ious grave ; a n d I the c au se ! A thous a n d times rather woul d I
h ave co n fesse d myself guilty o f the crime ascribed to Justi n e ; but
I was ab se n t whe n i t wa s committed a n d such a decl aratio n would ,

h ave bee n co n sidered as the ravi n gs o f a m adm a n a n d woul d n o t ,

h a ve ex culp ated her who su ffered through me .

The appe a ra n ce o f Ju s t i n e was calm S he wa s dres sed i n mour n .

i n g ; a n d her cou n te n a n ce always e n gagi n g was re n dered by the

, , ,

solem n ity of her feeli n gs exqui sitely beautiful Yet s h e appe ared
, .

co n fide n t i n i n n oce n ce a n d did n o t tremble although gazed o n

, ,

a n d execrated by thous a n ds ; for all the ki n d n es s which her be auty

might otherwis e h ave excited was obliterated i n the m i n d s o f the

,

spectators by the imagi n atio n of the e n ormity s h e was supposed to

h a ve committed S he was tra n quil yet her tra n quillity was evi
.
,

d e n t ly co n str a i n ed ; a n d as her co n fusio n had be fore bee n add u ced

a s a proof o f her guilt s h e worked up her mi n d to a n appeara n ce
,

O f courag e Whe n S he e n tered th e court s h e threw h e r eyes rou n d

.
,

i t a n d q uickly discover e d where we were seated

, A te ar s e emed to .

dim h e r eye whe n s h e s aw u s ; but s h e q uickly r e co v e re d h e rself ,

a n d a look o f sorr o wful a ff ectio n seem e d t o a tt e st h e r utt e r guilt

l e s s n es s .

The tr i a l b e g a n ; a n d a ft e r t h e a d vo c a te a g ai n s t h e r h a d s t ate d
 T HE M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S . 65

th e ch a rge se ve r a l wit n es se s were c a lled Se ve r a l s tr a n ge fa cts

, .

c ombi n e d ag a i n st her wh ich m ight h a ve st a gg e red a n y o n e wh o

,

h a d n o t such p roof o f her i n n oce n ce a s I h ad S h e h ad bee n o u t .

the whole of the n ight o n which t h e mu rder h ad bee n committed ,

a n d toward s mor n i n g h a d bee n perceive d by a m arket wom a n n o t -

fa r from the sp ot wher e t h e body o f the murdered child h a d bee n

fou n d The wom a n a sked her wh at she di d ther e ; but s h e looked
.

very s tra n gely a n d o n ly retur n ed a co n fus e d a n d u n i n telligible

,

a n swer S he retur n ed to t h e hou se about eight o clock ; a n d whe n ’

.

o n e i n quire d where s h e h ad p as sed the n ight s he replied th at s h e , ,

h a d bee n looki n g for the child a n d dem a n ded e ar n estly i f a n y , ,

th i n g h ad bee n he ard co n cer n i n g him Whe n show n the b o dy s h e .

,

fe l l i n to viole n t hysterics a n d ke p t her bed for several days The

,
.

p icture w as the n p ro duced wh ich the serva n t h ad fou n d i n her ,

p ocket ; a n d whe n E liz abeth i n a falteri n g voice prove d th at it , ,

was the s ame which a n hour before the chil d h ad b ee n mi s sed s h e

, ,

h a d p l ace d rou n d h i s n e ck a murmur o f horro r a n d i n dig n atio n,

fille d th e court .

Justi n e was calle d o n for her defe n ce As the tri al h ad p ro .

c e e d e d her cou n te n a n ce h ad altered

, Surpri s e sorrow a n d m isery .
, , ,

were s tro n gly expres sed S ometimes s h e struggled with her tears ;
.

b ut whe n s h e was des ire d to plead she collected her powers a n d , ,

sp oke i n a n audible although vari able voice .

Go d k n ows s h e s ai d how e n tirely I am i n n oc e n t But I do

,
”
,
“
.

n o t prete n d th a t my p rotestatio n s s hould acquit me I rest m y :

i n n oce n ce o n a pl ai n a n d s imple expl a n atio n o f the facts which

h ave bee n a dduced agai n st me ; a n d I hope the ch aracter I h ave
a lways bor n e will i n cl i n e my j udge s to a favorable i n terp retatio n ,
”
where a n y circumsta n ce appe ars doubtful o r su sp iciou s .

S he the n rel ate d th at by the permi s sio n o f E liz a beth s h e h ad

, ,

p a s se d the eve n i n g o f the n i ght o n which the murder h ad bee n '

c omm itted a t the hous e o f a n au n t a t C he n e a v ill age s itu ated at

, ,

a bout a league from Ge n ev a O n her retur n a t about n i n e o clock

’
.
, ,

s he met a m a n who a sked her if she h a d see n a n y thi n g of the chil d

,

who was los t S he was a l a rme d by th i s a ccou n t a n d p as se d several

.
,

hours i n looki n g for h im whe n the gate s o f Ge n e v a were s hut a n d

, ,

s he wa s f or ce d to rem ai n several hours o f the n ight i n a b ar n b e

l o n gi n g t o a c o tt a ge bei n g u n will i n g to cal l up the i n h ab ita n ts to
,
,

whom s h e w a s wel l k n ow n U n able to res t o r sleep s h e q u itted . ,

‘

her asylum e a rly th at s h e m ight e n d e a vor to fi n d my b rother If

,
.

S he h ad go n e n e a r t h e spot where hi s body l ay it was withou t her ,

k n o wledg e T h at s h e h a d bee n b ewildere d whe questio ed b y

.
n n
66 FR AN KE NST E I N OR ,

th e m a rk e t wom a n wa s n o t surp risi n g s i n ce s h e h a d p a s s e d a

-
, ,

sle e ple s s n ight a n d t h e fa te o f poor Willi am wa s ye t u n ce rt a i n

, .

C o n cer n i n g the picture s h e could give n o accou n t .

“
I k n ow co n ti n ued the u nh appy v ictim
, how he av ily a n d ,
“

fa t a lly thi s o n e circumst a n ce weighs agai n st me b u t I h ave n o ,

power o f expl a i n i n g it ; a n d whe n I h ave expre ssed my utter

ig n ora n ce I am o n ly left to co nj ecture co n cer n i n g the prob abil itie s
,

by which it might h ave bee n placed i n my pocket But here al so I .

am checked I believe th at I h ave n o e n emy o n earth a n d n o n e

.
,

surely woul d h ave bee n s o wicked as to destroy me wa n to n ly D i d .

the murderer pl ace it there ? I k n ow o f n o opportu n ity a fforded

him for s o doi n g ; o r if I h a d why shoul d he h av e stole n the j ewel , ,

t o p art with it s o soo n ?

I comm it my cause to the ju stice o f my j udges yet I s e e n o ,

room for hope I beg permis sio n to h ave a few wit n esses exami n ed
.

co n cer n i n g my ch aracter ; a n d if their testimo ny sh all n o t over

weigh my supposed guilt I must be co n dem n ed although I would , ,

pledge my s alvatio n o n my i n n oce n ce ”

.

Several w i t n esses were called who had k n ow n her for m a ny ,

years a n d they spoke well of her ; but fear a n d h atred of the crime
, ,

o f which they suppo sed her guilty re n dered them timorous a n d , ,

u n wil li n g to come for ward E lizabeth s a w eve n thi s l ast resource .

,

her excelle n t d ispositio n s a n d irrepro achable co n duct about to fail ,

the although v iole n tly agit a ted s h e desire d per ,

mis sio n to addres s the court .

“
I am s aid s h e
,
”
the cousi n of the u n h appy child who wa s
,
“

murdered o r rather hi s S ister for I wa s educated by a n d h ave

, ,

lived w ith h i s p are n ts ever si n ce a n d eve n lo n g before his death .

It m ay therefore be j udged i n dece n t i n me to come for ward o n

thi s occasio n ; but whe n I s e e a fellow creature about to peris h -

through the cowardice o f her prete n ded frie n ds I wish to be allowed ,

to speak that I m ay s ay wh at I k n ow of her ch aracter I am wel l

,
.

a c q u a i n t e d w i t h the accused I h ave lived i n the s ame hou se wit h

'

her at o n e time for five a n d at a n other for n e arly two years

, , .

D uri n g all th at period she appeared to me the mo st amiable a n d

b e n evole n t o f hum a n creatures She n ursed M adame Fra n ke n stei n .
,

my au n t i n her l ast ill n es s with the greatest a ff ectio n a n d care ;

,

a n d a fterwards atte n ded her o wn mother duri n g a tedious ill n e s s ,

i n a m a n n er th at excited the admiratio n o f all who k n ew her .

A fter wh ich S he agai n l ived i n my u n cle s house where s h e wa s

’
,

belo v ed by a l l the family S he w a s warmly attach e d to the child .

wh o i s n o w d e a d a n d ac ted towards him like a most a ff ectio n ate

,
 HE PR O ME T H E U S 67
‘

T I M OD E R N .

m o th e r . Fo rmy o wn p a r t I d o n o t hesitate t o s ay th at n o twi t h

, , ,

s ta n di n g a l l the e v ide n ce pr o duce d ag a i n st her I b eliev e a n d rely ,

o n her per fect i n n oce n c e She h a d n o tempt a tio n fo r such a n

.

a ctio n : a s to t h e b auble o n which the chief proof rests if s h e h a d ,

e a r n estly des i re d i t I shoul d h a v e willi n gly gi ve n it t o her ; s o

,

much d o I e st e e m a n d v a lue her ”

.

E x c elle n t E liz abeth ! A murmur o f approb a ti o n wa s he a rd ; but

it w a s excit e d by her ge n e rou s i n terfere n ce a n d n o t i n fa v o r o f ,
‘

poor Ju sti n e o n whom the public i n dig n atio n wa s tur n e d with r e

,

n ewe d v iole n ce ch argi n g her with the bl a ck e st i n gratitude

, S he .

herself wept a s E l i z abeth spoke but she di d n o t a n swer M y o wn , .

a gitatio n a n d a n guis h w a s extrem e duri n g the whole tri al I be .

l i e v e d i n her i n n oc e n ce ; I k n ew it Coul d the demo n wh o h ad (I .

,
'

di d n o t fo r a m i n ute doubt ) murdered my brother a l so i n hi s hell ,

i s h sp ort h a v e b e trayed the i n n oce n t t o de ath a n d ig n om i n y ? I

coul d n o t sustai n the horror o f my s itu a tio n ; a n d whe n I percei v ed
th at the popul ar voice a n d the c ou n te n a n ce s o f the j udges h a d
, ,

a lre ady co n dem n ed my u n h appy victim I rushed o u t o f the cour t ,

i n ago n y . T h e t o rture s o f the accused did n o t equ a l mi n e ; s h e wa s

sust a i n ed by i n n oce n ce a n d the fa n gs o f r e morse tore my boso m
, ,

a n d woul d n o t forego their hol d .

I p a s sed a n ight o f u n m i n gled wretched n e s s I n t h e m or n i n g I .

we n t to the court ; my lip s a n d thro at were p arched I dare d n o t .

a s k the fa tal qu e stio n ; but I w a s k n ow n a n d the O ffi c er gue ssed t h e ,

c a u se o f my vi sit The b a llots h a d bee n throw n ; they were al l

.

b l a ck a n d Justi n e wa s co n d e m n ed
, .

I c a n n ot prete n d to describe wh a t I the n fel t I h ad before e xp e .

r i e n c e d s e n s atio n s o f h orror ; a n d I h ave e n de a v ored to bestow

u po n them adequ ate expres sio n s but words ca n n ot co n vey a n ide a ,

o f t h e he art sicke n i n g de sp a i r th at I the n e n dured

-
The perso n t o .

whom I a ddres sed myself added that Ju st i n e h ad a lready co n fe ss e d ,

her gu ilt . Th at evide n ce he ob served wa s h ard ly required i n

“ ”
, ,
“

s o gl ar i n g a c a se but I am gl ad o f it ; a n d i n deed n o n e o f o u r
, , ,

j u dge s l ik e t o co n dem n a cr i mi n al upo n circumst a n ti a l ev i de n ce b e ,

i t e v e r s o de c is i v e
”
.

Whe n I r e tur n ed home E li z abeth e agerly dem a n d e d the result

,
.

My cou si n replie d I it i s decide d a s yo u m ay h a ve expected ;

”
, ,
“

a l l j udge s h a d r a ther th at t e n i n n oce n t shoul d su ff e r th a n th at o ne ,

g uil ty shoul d e s c ape But s h e.h a s c o n fes sed

”
.

T hi s w a s a dire blow t o poor E li z ab e th who h a d relied with fi r m ,

n e s s u po n Ju sti n e s i n n o c e n ce Al as ! s a i d s h e
”
h o w sh all I
’ “ “
.
,

e ve r a g a i n b e l i e v e i n hum a n b e n e v ol e n c e ? Just i n e whom I l o ve d ,

 6
( 8 F R AN KE NST E I N OR ,

and e s te e m ed a s my s i ste r h o w coul d s h e put o n thos e sm i l e s o f ,

i n n o c e n ce o n ly to betr ay ? her mild eyes s e em e d i n cap able o f a n

y
s e v e rity o r ill humor a n d e t s h-
e has committed murder ”
y , a .

S oo n after we he a rd th a t the p o or victim h ad expressed a w i s h to

s e e my cous i n My fa ther wished her n o t t o go ; but s aid th a t h e
.

left it to he r o wn judgme n t a n d feeli n gs to decide .

Yes s ai d E liz abeth I will go although s h e i s guilty ; a n d

“
, ,
“
,

y o u Victor , sh a ll a ccomp , a n y me : I ca n n ot go a lo n e The id e a .

o f thi s visit was torture to me yet I could n o t refuse

, .

We e n tered the gloomy priso n chamber a n d beheld Justi n e s i t -

,

ti n g o n some str aw at the fu rther e n d ; her h a n ds were m a n acled

, ,

a n d her head rested o n her k n ees She rose o n seei n g u s e n ter ; .

a n d whe n we were left alo n e with her s h e threw hers e lf at the fe e t ,

o f E lizabeth weepi n g bitterly , My cous i n wept also .

“
O h Justi n e ! s a id s h e why did you rob me o f my l a st co n so
,
”
,
“

l a tio n ? I relied o n your i n n oce n ce ; a n d although I wa s the n v ery

wretched I w a s n o t s o miserable as I am n o w
, .
”

“
A n d do yo u a l so belie v e that I am s o v ery v ery wicked ? D o ,

u al so j oi n with my e n emies to c ru sh me ? Her voice was

”
y o s u ffo

c a t e d with sob s .

“
R i se my poor girl s a id E liza b eth why do you k n eel if you
, , ,
“
,

a r e i n n oce n t ? I am n o t o n e o f your e n emies ; I believed you guilt

le s s n otwithsta n di n g every evide n ce u n til I heard th a t yo u h ad
‘

, ,
‘

y ourself decl ared your guilt Th at report you s a y i s false ; a n d be .

, ,

a s sured de ar Justi n e that n othi n g c a n sh ake my co n fide n ce i n o u

, , y
fo r a mome n t but your o wn co n fes sio n
”
, .

“
I did co n fess ; but I co n fes sed a lie I co n fes sed th at I migh t .
,

Obtai n absolutio n ; but n o w that falsehood lies heavier at my heart

th a n all my other si n s The God o f He ave n forgive me ! E ve r
'

s i n ce I was co n dem n ed my co n fes sor h a s besieged me ; he thre a t

'

e n ed a n d me n a ced u n til I almost bega n to thi n k th a t I was the

,

mo n ster th at he s aid I was H e threate n ed excommu n icatio n a n d .

hell fi r e i n my l a st mome n ts if I co n ti n ued ob durate D ear l ady

-
,
.
,

I h ad n o n e t o s u p p o r t me ; all looked o n me a s a wretch doomed to

'

ig n omi n y a n d per ditio n What coul d I do I n a n evil hour I s u b

P . .

”
s cribed to a lie ; a n d n o w o n ly am I truly miserable .

She p a used weep i n g a n d the n co n ti n ued

, I though t with ,
“

horror my sweet l ady th a t you should believe your Justi n e whom

, , ,

your bles sed au n t h ad s o highly ho n ored a n d whom you loved w a s , ,

a c re a tur e c ap a ble o f a crim e which n o n e but the de v il h ims e lf

c o u ld h a v e p e rpet r a ted D e ar Willi am ! de a re st bl e s sed c hil d ! I

.
,

s o o n sh a l l se e yo u a g a i n i n he a v e n wh e re we sh a ll al l b e h a ppy ; ,
 TH E M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S . 69

a nd th at co n sol e s me , goi n g as I a m to su ff e r i g n omi n y and

de a th .

O h Jus t i n e ! forgive me
,
h avi n g for o n e mo me n t distru ste d
fo r

y o u . Why di d you co n fe s s ? But d o n o t mour n my de a r girl ; I ,

will everywher e procl aim your i n n oc e n ce a n d force bel ief Yet ,

.

you mu st die ; you my pl ayfellow my comp a n io n my more th a n

, , ,

s ister I n ever c a n survi v e s o horrible a mi sfortu n e

. .
”

“
D e ar swe e t E l iz a beth do n o t weep You ought to rais e me
, , .

with th oughts o f a better l ife a n d ele v ate me from the petty cares ,

o f th i s worl d o f i nj u stice a n d strife D O yo u n o t excelle n t frie n d .

, ,

d ri v e m e to desp air ”
.

“
I wi ll try to comfort yo u ; but thi s I fe ar i s a n e vil too de e p , ,

a n d p oig n a n t to admit o f co n s ol atio n for ther e i s n o hope Yet ,

.

H e ave n b les s thee my de a rest Justi n e with resig n atio n a n d a c o n

, , ,

fi d e n c e el evate d beyo n d thi s world O h ! h ow I h ate its s hows a n d .

m o ckeries ! whe n o n e cre ature i s murder e d a n other i s imme di ately ,

‘

deprived o f l i fe i n a sl ow torturi n g m a n n er ; the n the executio n ers

, ,

their h a n d s yet reeki n g with the blood o f i n n oce n ce bel ieve th at ,

they h a v e do n e a gre at deed They call th i s r e t r i bu t i on H ateful . .

n a me ! Whe n th at word i s pro n ou n ced I k n ow gre ater a n d mor e ,

.

horri d pu n i shme n ts a r e goi n g to be i n flicte d th a n the gloomie st ty

r a n t h a s e v er i n v e n te d to s ati ate hi s utmost reve n g e Yet thi s i s .

n o t co n sol atio n for you my Justi n e u n les s i n deed th at you m ay

, ,

glory i n escap i n g from so m i serable a d e n A l as ! I woul d I were i n .

pe ace with my au n t a n d my l ovely Willi am escaped from a worl d

’
,

wh ich i s h ateful to me a n d the v i s ages of m e n which I ab hor

'
,
”
.

Justi n e smile d l a n gui dly T h i s de a r l ady i s desp air a n d n o t

.
“
, , ,

resig n atio n I mu st n o t le ar n t h e les so n th at you woul d te ach me

. .

Talk o f somethi n g el s e somethi n g th at wi ll bri n g p eace a n d n o t

, ,

i n crease o f m i sery .

D uri n g the c o n vers a tio n I h ad retire d to a cor n e r o f the pri so n

room where I coul d co n ce al the horrid a n gu i sh th a t po s ses sed me !
,

D esp a i r ! wh o dared talk o f th at ? The p oor v i c fi m who o n th e ,

m orrow was to p as s the dre ary bou n d ary betwee n l ife a n d de ath ,

felt n o t as I did s u ch deep a n d b itter ago n y I g n as hed my teet h

, ,
.
,

a n d grou n d th em together utteri n g a gro a n th at came from my i ,

mo st soul Justi n e started Whe n s h e s a w who it was s h e a p

. .
,

p r o a c h e d me a n d s
,
ai d D e ar s i r you are very
,
ki n d to vis it m e ;
“
,
”
y o u , I hope do n o
, t b el ie v e th at I am gui lty .

I coul d n o t a n swer No Justi n e s aid E liz abeth ; he i s more

.
, ,
“

c o n vi n ced o f your i n n oce n ce th a n I was ; for e v e n whe n h e he a rd

th a t you h a d co n fe s sed he d i d n o t credit it ,
”
.
7 O FR A N KE NS T E I N OR ,

“
I t ruly th a n k him
th e s e l a st mom e n t s I fe e l t h e s i n ce res t
. In
grat i tude to wards those wh o th i n k o f m e with ki n d n e s s Ho w .

sweet i s the a ffectio n o f others to such a w retch a s I am ! It r e

in pe ace n o w that my i n n o ce n ce i s a c k n owledge d by yo u d e ar l a dy

, , ,

a n d your cous i n
”
.

Thu s the poor s u fferer tried to comfort others a n d herself S he .

i n deed gai n ed the resig n atio n s h e desired But I the true mur :
,

derer fel t the n ever dyi n g wor m alive i n my bosom which allowed
,
-
,

Of n o hope or co n sol atio n E liz abeth al so wept a n d wa s u n happy ;.

,

but hers also wa s the misery o f i n n oce n ce which like a cloud th at , ,

p as ses o v er the fair moo n for a while hides but ca n n ot tar n ish , , ,

its bright n es s A n guish a n d desp air h ad pe n etrated i n to the core

.

Of my heart ; I bore a hell withi n m e which n othi n g could e xt i n ,

guish We stayed several hours with Ju sti n e ; a n d it was with

.

gre a t di ffi culty th at E lizabeth coul d tear herself away I wish .

“
,

c ried s h e th at I were to die with yo u ; I ca n n ot l ive i n this worl d

“
,

o f mi sery .

Justi n e as sumed a n a i r o f cheerful n es s while s h e with di fficulty ,

r epres sed her bitter tears S he embraced E lizabeth a n d s aid i n a

.
, ,

v oice o f h alf suppr e s sed emotio n Fare well sweet lady dearest
- “
, , ,

E lizabeth my beloved a n d o n ly frie n d ; m ay Heave n i n its bou n ty

,

bles s a n d preser v e you ; m ay thi s be the l ast misfortu n e th at yo u

will ever su ff er Live a n d be h appy a n d m ake others s o
.
, ,

A s we retur n ed E lizabeth s aid You k n ow n o t my dear Victor

, , , ,

h o w much I am relieved n o w th at I trust i n the i n n oce n ce o f this

,

u n fortu n ate girl I n ever coul d agai n h ave k n ow n p e a c e i f I h ad

.
, ‘

bee n deceived i n my reli a n ce o n her Fo r the mome n t th at I did .

believe her guilty I felt a n a n gui sh that I coul d n o t h ave lo n g s u s

,

N o w my heart i s lighte n ed The i n n o c e n t s u ffe r s ; but s h e

’

tai ne d . .

whom I thought am iable a n d good has n o t betrayed t h e trust I

reposed i n her a n d I a m co n soled ,
.

Ami able cous i n ! such were your thoughts mil d a n d ge n tle a s ,

—
your o wn dear eye s a n d voice But I I was a wre tch a n d n o n e .
,

e ve r c o n c e i v ed o f the mis e ry th a t I the n e n dur e d .

 T H E M O DER N PR O ME T HE U S .
7
1

C H A P TE R VIII .

O T HI N G i s
N mor e p a i n ful t o the hum a n m i n d t h a n a fte r the
feel i n gs h av e b e e n worked up by a quic k succes s io n o f eve n ts
, ,

t h e de a d calm n es s o f i n a ctio n a n d certai n ty which follows a n d de ,

p rives the s oul b o th Of hope a n d fe a r Justi n e died ; s h e rested ; .

a n d I w a s ali v e The blood flowed freely i n my vei n s but a weight

.
,

o f de sp a i r a n d remorse pre s se d o n my he art wh ich n oth i n g could ,

r e move S le e p fled from my eyes ; I wa n dere d l ike a n evil sp irit

.
,

fo r I h ad comm itted deed s o f mi schief beyo n d descriptio n horri ble ,

a n d m or e much more (I persu aded myself ) was yet behi n d ! Yet

, ,

my he a rt o ve r fl o we d with ki n d n es s a n d the love o f virtue I h ad .

begu n l ife with b e n evole n t i n te n tio n s a n d th irsted for the mome n t

,

whe n I s houl d put them i n practice a n d m ake myself useful to my ,

fellow bei n gs
-
N o w all w a s bl a sted ; i n ste a d o f th at sere n ity o f
. !

c o n scie n c e wh ich allowed me to look b ack upo n the p ast with

,

self s atisfactio n a n d from the n ce to gather promise o f n e w hopes

-
, ,

I wa s s e ized by r e morse a n d the se n se o f guilt which hurrie d me ,

a way to a hell of i n te n se torture s such a s n o l a n guage c a n

,

d e s cr i b e .

T hi s st a te o f m i n d prey e d upo n my he alth wh i c h h a d e n tirely ,

«

r e covere d from the first s hock it h ad su stai n ed I s hu n n ed the face .

Of m a n ; al l sou n d o f j o y a n d compl ace n cy wa s torture to m e ; soli

tude was my o n ly c o n sol atio n deep d ark de ath like so l itude
, , ,
-

My fa ther observed with p ai n the alteratio n perceptible i n my d i s

p o sitio n a n d h ab its a n d e n de a vored to re aso n with me o n the folly
,

o f givi n g way t o immo derate grief D o you th i n k Vict o r s ai d

“ ”
.
, ,

he th at I d o n o t suffer al so ? N o o n e coul d love a ch il d more

,
“

th a n I love d your brother (te ars came i n to h i s eyes as he spoke )

”

but i s it n o t a duty to the survivors th at we s houl d refrai n from ,

a ugme n ti n g their u n h app i n es s by a n appe a r a n ce o f immoderate

grief ? It i s a l so a duty owe d to yourself ; fo r exce s sive sorrow pre

v e n ts improveme n t o r e nj oyme n t o r eve n the d isch a rge o f d a ily
,

u seful n es s without wh i ch n o m a n i s fit for society

”
.
,

Th i s advice a lthough good was totally i n applicable to my cas e ;

, ,

I shoul d h av e bee n the first to h ide my grief a n d co n sole my ,

fri e n d s i f r e morse h a d n o t mi n gled its b itter n e s s with my other

,

s e n s a ti o n s N o w I coul d o n ly a n swe r my father with a look o f

.

d e sp a ir a n d e n deavor t o h ide myself from h i s view

,
.

A bout thi s time we retire d t o o u r hou se a t B e l r i v e Th is ch a nge .

 72 FR AN KE NST E I N O R ,

wa s particul arly agre e able to me The shutti n g of the gat e s regu .

l a r ly at t e n o clock a n d the impossibility o f rem a i n i n g o n the l ake

’
,

after th at hour h a d re n dere d our reside n ce withi n the wall s of

,

Ge n eva very irksome to me I was n o w free O fte n after the rest

. .
,

o f the family h ad retired for the n ight I took the bo at a n d pass ed , ,

ma n y hours upo n the water Sometimes with my s ails s e t I wa s

.
, ,

carried by the wi n d a n d sometimes after rowi n g i n to the m id dle

, ,

of the l ake I left the boat to pursue its o wn course a n d gave way
, ,

to my o wn mi serable reflectio n s I wa s ofte n tempted whe n all .

,

wa s at pe a ce arou n d me a n d I the o n ly u n quie t thi n g th at w a n

,

dered restles s i n a scen e s o beautiful a n d heave n ly if I except some ,

b at or the frogs whose h arsh a n d i n terrupted croaki n g was heard

, ,

o n ly whe n I approached the shore — Ofte n I s ay I w a s tempted to

, , ,

plu n ge i n to the sile n t l ake that the waters might close over me a n d
,

my cal amities for ever But I was restrai n ed whe n I thought of

.
,

the heroic a n d su fferi n g E lizabeth whom I te n derly loved a n d , ,

wh ose existe n ce was bou n d up i n mi n e I thought al so o f my .

father a n d survivi n g brother : shoul d I by my b ase desertio n l eave

,

them exposed a n d u n protected to the m alice o f the fie n d whom I

let loose amo n g them ?
At these mome n ts I wept bitterly a n d wished th at peace woul d ,

re v i sit my mi n d o n ly th at I might a fford them co n sol atio n a n d h ap

p i ness . But th at coul d n o t be R emorse exti
. n guished every hope .

I h ad bee n the author O f u n alterable evil s ; a n d I l ived i n d aily fear ,

lest the mo n ster whom I h a d created should perpet uate some n e w

wicked n es s I h ad a n obscure feeli n g that all was n o t over a n d
.
,

th at he would still commit some sig n al crime which by its e n ormity ,

should almo st e ff ace the recollectio n o f the p ast There was always .

s cope fo r fear s o lo n g as a n y thi n g I loved rem ai n ed behi n d My

,
.

abhorre n ce of this fie n d ca n n ot be co n ceived Whe n I thought of

”

him I g n ashed my teeth my eyes became i n flamed a n d I arde n tly

, , ,

wished to exti n gui sh that life which I h ad so thoughtles sly bestowed .

Whe n I reflected o n h is crimes a n d m al ice my h atred a n d reve n ge ,

burst all bou n ds of moderatio n I woul d h av e made a pilgrimage .

to the highest peak o f the A n des could I whe n there h ave p r e c i p i , , ,

t a t e d him to their b ase I wi shed t o s e e him agai n that I might

.
,

wreak the utmost exte n t of a n ger o n hi s he ad a n d ave n ge the ,

deaths o f William a n d Justi n e .

O ur hou se was the house o f mour n i n g M y father s he alth w a s .

’

deeply sh ake n by the horror o f rece n t eve n ts E liz abeth wa s s a d .

a n d despo n di n g ; s h e n o lo n ger took delight i n her ordi n ary oc e n

a t i o n s ; a l l pl e a sur e s e em e d t o her s a crilege tow a rds t h e dead ;

p
 TH E M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S .
73

t r al wo e a n d te a rs she the n thought was th e just tribute s h e

e e n

sh oul d p ay to i n n oce n ce s o bl asted a n d destroyed S he wa s n o .

l o n ger th at h appy cre ature who i n e arlier youth w a n dered with m e

,

o n the b a n ks of the l ake a n d talked with ecstasy o f o u r future pros

,

pe e ts S he h ad become grave a n d ofte n co n versed o n t h e i n c o n

.
,

s ta nc
y of fortu n e a n,d the i n stability o f h um a n life .

“
Whe n I reflect my de ar cou si n s ai d s h e o n the mi serabl e
, ,
”
,
“

de ath of Ju sti n e M oritz I n o lo n ger s e e the worl d a n d its works a s

,

they before appe ared to me Before I loo k ed upo n the accou n ts o f

'

.
,

vice a n d i nj u stice th at I re ad i n books o r heard from others a s

, ,

tales o f a n cie n t d ays o r im agi n ary evil s ; a t le ast they were remote
, ,

a n d more fam il i ar to re aso n th a n to the im agi n atio n but n o w mi s :

ery h a s come h ome a n d m e n appe ar to me as m on sters thirsti n g

,

for e ach other s blood Yet I am certai n ly u nj ust E verybody

’
. .

bel ieve d th at p oor girl to be guilty ; a n d if s h e coul d h ave commit

t e d th e crime for which s h e su ff ered assuredly s h e would h ave bee n ,

the m o st dep r a v ed o f hum a n cre ature s For the s ake of a few .

j ewel s to h ave murdere d the s o n of her be n efactor a n d frie n d a ,

chi ld whom s he h ad n ursed from its b irth a n d appe ared to love a s ,

if it h ad bee n her o w n ! I coul d n o t c o n s e n t t o the death o f a ny '

h um a n bei n g ; but certai n ly I s houl d h ave though t such a creature

u n fit t o re m ai n i n the society o f m e n Yet s h e was i n n oce n t ; you .

a r e of the s ame Op i n io n a n d th at co n firm s me

, Al as ! Victor whe n .
,

fa l sehoo d c a n look s o like the truth who c a n as sure them selves o f ,

certai n h app i n es s ? I feel as if I were walki n g o n the edge O f a

p recip i ce toward s which thou s a n d s are crowdi n g a n d e n de avori n g
'

, ,
i

to plu n ge me i n to t he abys s Willi am a n d Justi n e were as s as si n .

a ted , a n d the murderer e scape s ! he walks about the world free and ,

perh ap s respected But eve n if I were co n dem n ed to su ff er o n th e

.

sca ffol d for the s a me crimes I woul d n o t ch a n ge pl aces with such a

,

wretch ”
.

I li ste n e d to thi s dis course with the extremest ago n y I n o t i n .

,

deed but i n e ffect was the true murderer E l izab e th read my a n

, ,
.

gui s h i n my cou n te n a n ce a n d ki n dly taki n g my h a n d s aid My

, ,
“

deare s t cou s i n you mu st cal m yourself These eve n ts h a v e a ff ected

,
.

me Go d k n ows how deeply ; but I am n o t s o wretched as you a r e

,
.

T here i s a n expres sio n of desp air a n d sometimes of reve n ge i n , ,

your cou n te n a n ce th at m ake s me tremble B e calm my de ar Vic

,
.
,

tor ; I woul d s acrifice my life to your pe ace We surely sh all b e .

h appy : quiet i n o u r n ative cou n try a n d n o t mi n gl i n g i n the world , ,

”
W h at c a n di sturb o u r tra n qu il lity ?

S h e s h e d te a rs a s s he s a i d thi s d istrusti n g t h e very sol a c e th a t

,
 F R A N KE NS T E I N OR ,

sh e ga v e ; but at the s ame time s h e smi led th a t s h e m ight c h a s e ,

a way the fie n d th at lurked i n my heart My father who s a w i n t h e .

,

u n happi n es s th at was p ai n ted i n my face o n ly a n ex a ggeratio n o f

th at sorrow which I might n a turally feel thought a n amuseme n t ,

s uited to my taste woul d be the best mea n s o f resto ri n g me to my

wo n ted sere n ity It was from this cause th at he h ad removed t o

.

the cou n try a n d i n duced by the s ame motive he n o w proposed

, , ,

th at we shoul d all m ake a n excursio n to the valley o f the Ch a mo

n ix . I h ad bee n there before but E lizabeth a n d E r n est n ever h ad ; ,

a n d both h ad ofte n expressed a n e ar n est desire to see the sce n ery

o f the pl ace which h ad bee n described to them as so wo n derful

,

a n d subli me Accordi n gly we dep arted from Ge n eva o n thi s tour

‘

about the middle of the mo n th o f A ugust n early two mo n th s after ,

the death o f Ju s t i n e .

The weather was u n commo n ly fi n e ; a n d if m i n e h a d bee n a

sorrow to be ch ased away by a n y fleeti n g circum sta n ce thi s excur ,

sio n woul d certai n ly h ave h ad the e ffect i n te n ded by my father .

As it was I was somewhat i n terested i n the sce n e ; i t sometimes

,

lulled although it coul d n o t exti n gui sh my grief D uri n g the first

,
.

d ay we travelled i n a carriage I n the mor n i n g we h ad see n the .

mou n tai n s at a dista n ce towards which we gradually adva n ced ; ,

We perceived th at the valley through which we wou n d a n d which ,

w a s forme d by the river Arve whose course we followed closed i n , ,

upo n u s by degrees ; a n d whe n the s u n h ad s e t we beheld im m e n se ,

mou n tai n s a n d precipices over h a n gi n g us o n every side a n d hear d ,

the sou n d o f the river rag i n g a mo n g rocks a n d the d a shi n g o f ,

waterfalls arou n d .

The n ext day we pursued our j our n ey upo n mules ; a n d as we

a sce n ded still higher the valley as sumed a more m ag n ifice n t a n d
,

asto n i shi n g character R ui n ed castle s h a n gi n g o n the precip ices

.

o f pi n y mou n tai n s ; the impetuous Arve a n d cottages every here ,

a n d there peepi n g forth from amo n g the trees formed a sce n e o f ,

s i n gul ar beauty B ut it was augme n ted a n d re n dered subl ime by

.

the m ighty Alp s whose white a n d S hi n i n g pyramids a n d domes

,

towered above all as belo n gi n g to a n other earth the h abitatio n s

, ,

Of a n other race of bei n gs .

We p assed the bridge of P elissier where the ravi n e which the '
, ,

river forms ope n ed before u s a n d we bega n to asce n d the mou n tai n

, ,

th at overh a n gs it Soo n after we e n tered the valley of Ch amo

.

nix . T his valley is more wo n derful a n d sublime but n o t s o beauti ,

ful a n d p icturesque as th at of S e r v o x through which we h ad j u st ,

as sed T h e high and s n o wy mou n t a i n s wer e i t s immedi a t e

p .
 T HE M O DER N PR O ME TH E U S
,
.
75
b o u n d a ri e s ; b ut we s a w n o mor e r u i n ed c a stle s a n d fe rtile fiel ds .

I m me n se gl aciers appro a ched the ro ad ; we he a rd the rumbli n g

t hu n der of fa ll i n g a v a l a n che a n d m arked the sm o ke o f i t s
th e ,

p as s a ge M o n t Bl a n c the sup reme a n d m ag n ifice n t M o n t B l a n c

.
, ,

r a ised itsel f from the s urrou n di n g a g u z l l es a n d i ts treme n dous ’

z
'

d o me o v erlooke d the v a l ley .

D uri n g th i s j our n ey I s ometimes j oi n ed E lizabeth a n d exerted

, ,

myself to p oi n t o u t t o her the v a rious be auties o f the sce n e I .

Ofte n su ff ered my mul e to l ag beh i n d a n d i n dulge d i n the m isery ,

o f reflectio n At other times I sp u rre d o n the a n im a l before my

.

comp a n io n s th a t I m ight forge t th e m the worl d a n d more th a n

, , , ,

a l l myself
, Whe n at a di sta n ce I a l ighted a n d t hrew myself o n
.
, ,

the gras s weigh e d dow n by horror a n d desp a ir At eight i n the

, .

e ve n i n g I arrive d at C h amo n ix My father a n d E lizabeth were.

very much fatigued ; E r n est wh o accomp a n ied us was del ighted , , ,

a n d i n h igh S p irits the o n ly circum st a n ce th a t detracted from h i s

:

ple asure was t h e south wi n d a n d t h e r a i n it seemed to p rom ise for,

th e n ext d ay .

We retired e a rly to o u r ap artme n ts but n o t to sleep ; at le a st I ,

di d n o t I rem a i n e d m a n y hours at the wi n dow watchi n g the p alli d

.
,

l ight n i n g th at pl aye d above M o n t Bl a n c a n d li ste n i n g to the r u sh ,

i n g o f t h e A r ve whi c h r a n b e low my wi n d o w
,
.

C HA P T E R IX .

HE ne xt d ay , c o n tr a ry to the p rog n o sticatio n s gui de of o ur ,

w a s fi n e although ,
cl ouded We vi s ited the source . o f the
A r v e i r o n a n d rode ab out the val ley u n til eve n i n g
,
These subl ime .

and m g
a n ifice n t sce n e s a ff orded me the gre atest co n sol atio n th at I
was c a p a ble o f receivi n g They elevated me from al l little n es s o f
.

feeli n g ; a n d although they did n o t remove my grief th ey subdued ,

an d tr an q uilli z ed it In some degree

. a l so they div e rted my m i n d
, ,

from t h e thoughts o v er wh ich it h ad broo ded for the l ast mo n t h .

I retur n ed i n the eve n i n g fa t g i u e d b u t les s u h appy

,
n a n d c o
,
n
‘

v ers e d with my family with m ore cheerful n es s th a n h ad bee n my

c us t o m for s ome t i me M y fa ther wa s ple a sed a n d E li z abeth o ve r
. ,
76 F R AN KE NST E I N OR ,

j oyed . My de a r cous i n s a id s h e yo u s e e wh a t h app i ne s s yo u

“
, ,
“

di ff us e whe n you are h appy ; do n o t rel ap se a g a i n ! ”

The followi n g mor n i n g the rai n poured dow n i n torre n ts a nd ,

thick mists hid the summits of the mou n tai n s The rai n depres se d .

me ; my o l d feeli n gs recu rred a n d I was miserable I k n ew how ,

.

di s appoi n ted my father would be at thi s sudde n ch a n ge a n d I ,

wished to avoid him u n til I h ad recovered myself s o far as to be

e n abled to co n ceal those feel i n gs th a t overpowered me I k n ew .

th at they would r e m a i n t h a t d ay at the i n n ; a n d as I h ad ever

'

i n u red myself to rai n moi sture a n d cold I resolved to go alo n e to

, , ,

the summit of M o n t a n v e r t I r e m e mb e r e d t h e e ffect th at the View

.

of the t r e m e n d du s a n d ever movi n g gl acier h ad produced upo n my -

'

mi n d whe n I first s aw it It h ad th en filled me with a Sublime .

ecstasy that gave wi n gs to the soul a n d allowed it to soar from the ,

obscure worl d to l ight a n d j oy The sight of the awful a n d m aj estic .

i n n ature h ad i n deed always the e ff ect of solem n izi n g my mi n d ,

a n d causi n g me to forget the p assi n g cares o f l ife I determi n ed to .

go alo n e for I was wel l acqu ai n ted with the p ath a n d the prese n c e
, ,

o f a n other would destroy the solem n gra n deur of the sce n e .

The asce n t i s precipitou s but the p ath i s cut i n to co n ti n u al a n d ,

short wi n di n gs which e n able you to surmou n t the perpe n dicul arity

,

of the mou n tai n It i s a sce n e t e r r i fi c a l ly desol ate I n a thou

. .

s a n d sp o ts the traces O f the wi n ter aval a n che m ay be perceived ,

where tree s lie broke n a n d strewed o n the grou n d ; some e n tirely

destroyed others be n t lea n i n g upo n the j utti n g rocks of the mou n
, ,

tai n o r tra n sversely upo n other trees The p ath as you asce n d
,
.
,

higher i s i n tersected by ravi n es of s n ow dow n which sto n es c o n

, ,

t i n u a l ly roll from above ; o n e o f them is p articul arly da n gerous as ,

the slightest sou n d such as eve n speaki n g i n a loud voice produce s

, ,

a co n cuss io n of air su ffi cie n t to draw destructio n upo n the head of

the S peaker The pi n es are n o t tall or lu xuri a n t but they are
.
,

sombre a n d add a n air of severity to the sce n e I looked o n the

,
.
'

valley be n eath ; vast mists were risi n g from the rivers which r a n
through it a n d curli n g i n thick wreath s arou n d the Opposite mou n
,

tai n s whose sum m its were hid i n the u n iform clouds while rai n
, ,

poured from the d ark s ky a n d added to the mel a n choly impres sio n ,

I received from the objects arou n d me Al as ! why does m a n boast .

of S e n sibilities superior to those app are n t i n the brute ; it o n ly

re n ders them more n eces sary bei n gs If our impul ses were c o n .

fi n e d to hu n ger thirst a n d desi re we might be n early free ; but

, . ,

now we are moved by every wi n d th at blows a n d a ch a n ce word o r ,

s ce n e th at th a t word m ay co n vey to u s .
 TH E M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S .
77
We re s t a dr e am has p ower t o p o is on Sl e ep .

We r is e o n e wan d ri ng t h o ugh t p ollut e s the day

’
.

We fee l co ncei ve o r r e as o n ; l augh o r w e e p

, , , ,

E mb race fon d woe o r ca s t o u r car e s away ,

s am e ; f b i t j y s o w
I t i s the o r, e o or rr o ,

T h e p at h o f i t d e p t u e s ti ll i f e e
s ar r s r .

Man s y e st day may n b e l i ke hi m o

’
er
’
e er s rr o w
N o ugh t m y endu e b t mutab i l ity
a
” r u .

It w a s n e a rly n oo n w he n I a rrive d at the top o f the a sc e n t For .

some time I s a t up o n the rock th a t overlooks the s e a o f ice A mi s t .

covere d both th at a n d the surrou n di n g mou n tai n s P rese n tly a

‘

,
.

b reeze di s s ip ated the clou d a n d I desce n ded upo n the gl acier The , .

surfa ce i s v ery u n eve n ri s i n g like the wave s of a troubled s e a

, ,

desce n di ng low a n d i n terspersed by rifts th at si n k deep The fiel d

, .

o f I c e i s a l mo st a league i n width but I spe n t n early two ho u rs i n ,

c ro s si n g it The Oppo site mou n tai n i s a b are perpe n dicul ar rock

. .

From the s ide where I n o w stood M o n t a n v e r t was exactly oppo site ,

a t the di sta n ce o f a league ; a n d above it rose M o n t B l a n c i n awful ,

m aj esty I rem ai n ed i n a reces s of the rock gazi n g o n this wo n der

.
,

fu l a n d stupe n dou s sce n e The s e a o r rather the vast river o f ice

.
, ,

wou n d amo n g i ts depe n de n t mou n tai n s whose a e ri al summits ,

h u n g o v er its recesses Their icy a n d glitteri n g pe aks sho n e i n

.

t h e su n l ight o v er the cloud s My heart wh ich was before sorro w .

,

ful n o w swelled with somethi n g like j o y ; I excl aimed

, Wa n der
i n g spirits if ye i n deed wa n der a n d do n o t rest i n you r n arrow
, ,

beds all ow me this fai n t h app i n es s o r take me a s your c omp a n io n

, , ,

a way from the j oys O f li fe

”
.

A s I s ai d thi s I sudde n ly beheld the fig u re o f a m a n a t some

, ,

di st a n ce a d v a n c m g toward s me with superhum a n speed

, He .

b ou n ded o v e r the crevice s o f the ice amo n g which I h ad walked ,

with cautio n ; hi s st a ture al so a s he approached seemed to exceed , ,

th at o f m a n .

I wa s trouble d : a mi st came over my eyes a n d I felt a fai n t n es s ,

s e ize me ; but I wa s quickly restored by the col d gale of the mou n

‘

tai n s I perce i ved as the sh a pe came n e arer (sight treme n dous

.
,

a n d a b h o r r e d l) th at it was the wretch whom I h ad created I

,
.

tremb le d with r a ge a n d horror resolvi n g to wait hi s appro ach a n d , ,

the n close with h im i n mortal comb a t H e appro ached ; h i s cou n .

t e n a n c e besp ok e bitter a n guish comb i n ed with di sd ai n a n d m alig ,

n i ty whil e i t s u n e arthly u gl i n es s re n dere d it almost too horrible for

,

hum a n ey e s But I scarcely ob served th i s ; a n ger a n d h atred h ad at

.

first depri v e d m e o f uttera n ce a n d I recovered o n ly to overwhelm ,

him with word s expres sive o f furious detestatio n a n d co n tempt .

78 F R AN KE NST E I N OR ,

D evil I e xcl a i med d o yo u d a re a ppro a c h me ? a n d d o yo u

! ,

n o t fear the fierce v e n g e a n ce o f my arm wre a ked o n your m iser a bl e

he ad ? Be go n e v ile i n sect ! o r rather stay that I m ay trample yo u

, ,

t o dust ! a n d o h th at I coul d with the exti n ctio n o f your miser a bl e

, , ,

e xi ste n ce restore those v ictims whom yo u h a ve s o di abol i cally

,

murdered ! ”

“
I expected thi s receptio n s aid the demo n All m e n h at e , .
“

the wretched ; h o w t h e n must I h e h ated who am miserable beyo n d

'

a l l livi n g thi n gs ! Ye t you my creator detest a n d S pur n me thy

t
, , ,

creature to whom thou art bou n d by tie s o n ly dissoluble by the

'

a n n i hil atio n o f o n e o f us You p u rpose to kill me H ow d are yo u

. .

sport thus with life ? D o your duty towards me a n d I will d o ,

mi n e toward s you a n d the rest of m a n ki n d If yo u w il l comply .

with my co n ditio n s I will leave them a n d you at peace ; but if yo u

,

refuse I will gl u t the m aw o f death u n til it b e s atisfied with th e

, ,

blood of your remai n i n g frie n ds ”

.

Abhorred mo n st er ! fie n d th at thou art ! the tortures o f hell a r e

t o o mil d a ve n ge an ce for thy crimes Wretched devi l ! you r e .

proach me with your cre atio n ; come o n the n that I m ay exti n gui sh ,

the sp ark which I s o n egl ige n tly bestowed ”

.

My rage was w i t h bu t bou n ds ; I spra n g o n him impelled by all t h e ,

fe e l i n gs which c a n arm o n e bei n g agai n st the existe n ce Of a n other .

He easily eluded me a n d s aid , ,

“
Be c al m ! I e n treat you to hear me before you give ve n t t o ,

your h atred o n my devoted head H ave I n o t su ff ered e n ough .

,

th a t yo u seek to i n cre ase my misery ? Life although it m ay o n ly ,

be a n accumul atio n o f a nguis h i s dear to me a n d I will defe n d it , , .

R emember thou h ast m ade me more powerful tha n thyself ; my

,

height i s superior to thi n e ; my joi n ts m ore supple But I will n o t .

be tempted to s e t myself i n Oppositio n to thee I a m thy cre ature .

,

a n d I will be eve n mild a n d docile to my n atural lord a n d ki n g i f ,

thou wilt also perform thy p art the which thou owest me O h , .
,

Fra n ke n stei n be n o t equitable to every other a n d trample upo n m e

, ,

a lo n e to whom thy j ustice a n d eve n thy cleme n cy a n d a ff ect i o n i s

, , ,

mo st due R emember th at I a m thy creature I ought to be thy

.
, ,
:

Adam ; but I am rather the falle n a n gel whom thou d r i ve s t from ,

j o y for n o mi sdeed E verywhere I s e e bli ss from

. which I alo ne ,

am irrevocably excluded I was be n evole n t a n d good ; mi sery m ad e

.

m e a fie n d M ake me h appy a n d I shall agai n be virtuous

.
, .
”

“
Bego n e ! I will n o t he a r you There c a n be n o commu n ity .

betwee n yo u a n d me ; we a r e e n emies Bego n e o r l e t u s try o u r .

,
”
stre n gth i n a fight i n wh i c h o n e must fa ll,
.
 TH E M O DER N PR O ME T H E US .
79
Ho w c a n I m ove thee ? Wi ll e n treaties c a us e thee to tur n a no

fa vorable eye up o n thy creature who implores thy good n es s a n d ,

c omp assio n ? Believe me Fra n ke n stei n : I was be n evol e n t ; my ,

soul glowed with love a n d hum a n ity : but am I n o t alo n e mi serably ,

alo n e ? You my cre a tor a bhor me ; wh at hope c a n I gather from

, ,

your fellow cre ature s wh o o we me n othi n g ? They spur n a n d h ate

-
,

me The desert m ou n t a i n s a n d dreary gl aciers are my refuge I

.
.

h ave wa n dered here m a n y d ays ; t h e cave s o f ice which I o n ly d o ,

n o t fe ar a r e a dwell i n g to me a n d the o n ly o n e which m a n does n o t

, ,

grudge These ble ak skie s I h ail for they are ki n der to me th a n

.
,

your fellow bei n gs If the multitude o f m a n ki n d k n ew o f my

-
.

exi ste n ce they woul d do a s you do a n d arm the mselves for my

, ,

destructio n S h all I n o t the n h ate them who abhor me ? I will

.

keep n o term s with my e n emie s I am miser able a n d they sh a ll .

,

s h are my wretched n es s Yet it i s i n your power to recompe n se me .

,

a n d del iver the m fro m an evi l wh ich it o n ly remai n s for you t o

m ake s o gre at th at n o t o n l y you a n d you r family b ut thous a n ds

, ,

o f others s h al l be swallowed up i n the whirlwi n d s o f its rage

, .

Let your comp a s sio n be moved a n d do n o t disd ai n me Liste n t o , .

my tale w h e n you h ave he ard th at ab a n do n o r commi serate me

:
, ,

as you s h al l j udge th at I deserve But he ar me The guilty are . .

allowed by hum a n l aws bloody as th ey m ay be to spe ak i n their

, , ,

o w n defe n ce before they are c o n dem n e d , Liste n to me Fra n ke n .

,

stei n You accuse me of murder ; a n d yet yo u would with a s atis

.
‘

fi e d co n scie n ce destroy yo ur o wn cre ature O h prai se the eter n al

, .
,

j ustice of m a n ! Yet I ask you n o t to S p are me liste n to me ; a n d :

the n if you c a n a n d if you will destroy the work of your h a n ds

, , ,
.
”

“
Why do you call to my remembra n ce circum sta n ces o f which I
shu dder to reflect th at I h ave bee n the mi serable origi n a n d author ?
Cursed be the d ay abhorred devil i n which you first s a w light ! , ,

Cursed (although I curse myself ) be the h a n d s th at formed you !

You h ave m ade me wretched beyo n d expres sio n You h ave left me .

n o power to co n sider whether I am j u st to you o r n o t Bego n e ! .

relieve me from the s ight of your deteste d form .

”

“
Thu s I rel ieve thee my creator he s a id a n d pl ace d h i s h ated
”
, , ,

h a n d before my eyes wh ich I flu n g from me with viole n ce ; thu s ,

“

I take from thee a s ight wh ich you ab hor Still thou ca n st liste n .

to me a n d gra n t me thy comp as s io n By the vi rtues th at I o n ce

,
.

po sses sed I dem a n d th i s from yo u Hear my tale ; it i s lo n g a n d

,
.

stra n ge a n d the temper a ture of this pl ace i s n o t fitti n g to you r

,

fi n e se n s atio n s ; come to the b u t upo n the mou n tai n The s u n i s .

yet high i n the he a v e n s ; b e fore it des ce n ds to h ide itself behi n d

8o F R AN KE NST E I N OR ,

y o n s nowy precipices a n d illumi n ate a n other world you will h ave

, ,

heard my story a n d c a n decide O n yo u it rests w hether I quit

, .
,

for ever the n eigh b orhood o f m a n a n d lead a h armles s life o r b e , ,

come a scourge to your fellow creatures a n d the a uthor o f your -

,

o wn speedy rui n
”
.

As he s aid this he led the way acros s the ice : I followed My

, .

heart wa s full a n d I did n o t a n swer him ; but a s I proceeded I

, , ,

weighed the various argume n ts that he h ad u sed a n d determi n ed ,

at least to liste n to h is tale I was p artly urge d by curios ity a n d

.
,

comp as sio n co n firmed my reso lutio n I h ad hitherto suppo sed .

h im to be the murderer of my brother a n d I e agerly sought a c o n ,

fi r m a t i o n o r de n i al of this opi n io n For the first time also I felt .

, ,

wh at the dutie s O f a creator towards hi s creature were a n d th at I ,

ought to re n der him h appy before I compl ai n ed of hi s wicked n es s .

These motives urged me to comply with his dem a n d We cros sed .

the ice therefore a n d asce n ded the opposite rock The air was
, , .

c ol d a n d the rai n agai n bega n to desce n d we e n tered the hut the

, : ,

fie n d with a n air of exultatio n I with a he avy heart a n d depressed ,

S p irits But I co n se n ted to li ste n ; a n d seati n g myself by the fire

.
,

which my odiou s comp a n io n h ad lighted he thus bega n hi s t a le , .

CHA P T E R X .

T i s with co n siderable di ffi culty th at I remember the origi n al

era of my bei n g all the eve n ts o f that period appe ar co n fused
:

a n d i n disti n ct A stra n ge multiplicity o f se n s atio n s seized me a n d

.
,

I s aw felt heard a n d smelt at the s ame time ; a n d i t was i n deed

, , , , , ,

a lo n g time before I lear n ed to disti n guish betwee n the operatio n s

Of my various se n ses By degrees I remember a stro n ger l ight
.
, ,

pressed upo n my n erves so th at I was obliged to shut my eye s

, .

D ark n es s the n came over me a n d troubled me ; but h ardly h ad I,

felt th i s whe n b y ope n i n g my eyes a s I n o w suppose the light

, , , ,

p o ured i n upo n me agai n I walked a n d I believe desce n ded ; but

.
, , ,

I prese n tly fou n d a great alteratio n i n my se n s atio n s Before d ark .

,

a n d Op aque bod ies had surrou n ded me imper v ious t o my touch o r ,

sight ; but I n o w fou n d that I could wa n der o n a t l iberty with n o ,

obst a cles which I could n o t e ither surm o u n t o r av o i d T h e light .

 TH E M O DER N PR O ME TH E U S . SI

b e c a m e m ore mor e Oppres s iv e to me ; a n d t h e he a t w e a ryi n g

and ,

m e a s I walked I sought a pl ace where I coul d rec e i ve sh a de Th i s

'

, .

wa s the forest n e ar I n gol stadt ; a n d here I l a y by the s ide o f a brook

r e s ti n g from my fatigue u n til I felt torme n ted by hu n ger a n d thirst
, .

T h i s rou sed m e from my n e a rly dorm a n t state a n d I a te some ber ,

ries wh ich I fou n d h a n gi n g o n the tree s o r lyi n g o n the grou n d , .

I sl aked m y th irst a t the brook ; a n d the n lyi n g dow n wa s o ve rcome , ,

by sleep .

“
It was d a rk whe n I a wo k e ; I felt col d a lso a n d h alf frighte n ed ,
-
,

a s it were i n sti n ctiv e ly fi n di n g myself s o de sol ate , Before I h ad .

q u itted your ap artm e n t o n a s e n s a tio n o f col d I h ad covere d my

, ,

s e l f with s om e cloth e s ; but th e se were i n su ffi cie n t to secure me from

the dews o f n ight I was a poor helples s m i serable wretch ; I
.
, ,

k n e w a n d coul d disti n gui s h n othi n g ; but feeli n g p ai n i n vade me ,

o n a ll s ides I s a t dow n a n d wept

, .

S oo n a ge n tle l ight stole over the he ave n s a n d ga v e m e a s e n ,

s a tio n o f ple asure I st a rted up a n d behel d a radi a n t form ri se

.
,

from a mo n g the trees I ga z e d with a ki n d o f wo n d e r It moved

. .

s lowly but it e n lighte n ed my p ath ; a n d I a g a i n we n t o u t i n se arch

,

o f berri e s I w as stil l col d whe n u n der o n e o f the tree s I fou n d a

.
,

huge clo ak with wh ich I covered myself a n d s a t dow n up o n the

, ,

grou n d NO di sti n ct i d e as occup ied my mi n d ; al l was co n fused

. .

I felt l ight a n d hu n ger a n d thirs t a n d d ark n es s ; i n n umerabl e

s ou n d s ru n g i n my ears a n d o n all S i des various sce n ts s aluted
,

m e : the o n ly obj ect th at I coul d di sti n guis h w a s the bright moo n ,

a n d I fixe d my eye s o n th at with ple asure .

S everal ch a n ges o f d ay a n d n ight p as sed a n d th e o r b o f n ight ,

h a d gre a tly les se n ed whe n I bega n t o di sti n gui sh my se n s atio n s

,

from e ach other I gradually s aw pl ai n ly the cle ar stream th at sup

.

p lied me with dri n k a n d the tre e s th at sh aded me with thei r foli age
,
.

I wa s del ighte d whe n I first di scovere d th at a pleas a n t sou n d which ,

Ofte n s alute d my e ars procee ded from the thro ats of the l ittle
,

wi n ged a n im al s who h ad ofte n i n tercepted t h e l ight from my eyes .

I bega n al s o t o Ob serve with gre ate r accuracy the form s th at sur

, ,

rou n ded m e a n d to pe rceiv e the bou n d a ries o f the radi a n t r oof o f

,

light wh ich ca n op ied m e Sometime s I tried t o imitate the ple as .

a n t so n gs o f the bi rds but w a s u n able S o metime s I wis hed to

,
.

expres s m y se n s atio n s i n my o wn mode but the u n couth a n d i n ar

t i c u l a t e sou n d s wh i ch broke from m e fright e n e d m
,

e i n t o s il e n ce

aga i n.

“
The moo n h ad di s appe a red from th e n ight a n d a gai n with a , ,

l e s s e n ed form s howed itself wh ile I stil l rem a i n ed i n th e for e s t

, , . .

6
82 F R AN KE NST E I N OR ,

My
'

s a ti o n s h a d by thi s time become di sti n ct a n d my mi nd r e

s en , , ,

c e i v e d e v ery d ay additio n al ideas My eyes became ac customed t o .

the light a n d to perceive obj ects i n th eir right forms ; I disti n

,

g u i s h e d the i n sect from the herb a n d by degrees o n e herb from , , ,

a n other I fou n d that the sp arrow uttered n o n e but h ars h n otes

.
,

wh ile those o f the bl ackbird a n d thru sh were sweet a n d e n tici n g .

“
O n e d ay whe n I was oppres sed by cold I fou n d a fire which
, ,

h ad bee n left by some wa n deri n g beggars a n d w a s overcome with ,

delight at the warmth I experie n ced from it I n my j oy I thrust my .

h a n d i n to the live embers but quickly drew it o u t agai n with a cry

,
,

o f p ai n H ow stra n ge I thought th at the s ame cause should pro

.
, ,

duce s u ch opposite e ffects ! I exam i n ed the m ateri al s o f the fire ,

a n d to my j oy fou n d i t to be composed of wood I quickly collected .

s ome b ra n che s ; but they were wet a n d woul d n o t bur n I wa s ,

.

p ai n ed at thi s a n d s at still watchi n g the Operatio n o f the fire

’

,
.

The wet woo d which I had pl aced n e ar the heat dried a n d itsel f ,

became i n flamed I reflected o n thi s ; a n d by touch i n g the variou s

.
,

bra n ches I discovere d the cause a n d busied myself i n collecti n g a

, ,

3 gre at qua n tity o f wood th at I might dry it a n d h ave a ple n tiful

, ,

s upply o f fire Whe n n ight came o n a n d brought s leep with it I

.
, ,

was i n the g re atest fear lest my fire sh oul d be exti n guished I c o v .

e red it careful ly with dry wood a n d leaves a n d pl a c ed wet bra n ches ,

upo n it ; a n d the n spreadi n g my clo ak I l ay o n the gro u n d a n d

, , ,

su n k i n to sleep .

It was mor n i n g whe n I awoke a n d my first care was t o visit the ,

fire I u nco vered it a n d a ge n tle breeze quick ly fa n n ed it i n to a

. .
, !

flame I obser v ed thi s al so , a n d co n trived a fa n of bra n ches which

.
,

roused the embers whe n they were n e arly exti n g u i shed Whe n .

n ight came agai n I fou n d with pleasure th at the fire gave light a s
, , ,

well a s he at ; a n d th at the d iscovery of thi s eleme n t was u seful to

me i n my food ; for I fou n d some of the o ff al s th at the travellers
h ad l e ft h ad bee n ro asted a n d tasted much more s avory tha n the ,

b e r r i e s I gathered from the trees I tried therefore to dress my

‘

.
, ,

food i n the s ame m a n n er pl a ci n g it o n th e l ive embers I fou n d

, .

th at the be r rie s were spoiled by thi s operatio n a n d the n ut s a n d ,

roots much improved .

Fo od however became scarce ; a n d I ofte n spe n t the whole d ay

'

, ,

se arch i n g i n vai n for a few acor n s to as su age the p a n gs of hu n ger .

Whe n I fou nd this I resolved to quit the pl ace th at I h ad hitherto

!

i n h abited to seek for o n e w here the few wa n ts I expe rie n ced would
,

b e m o re e as ily s atisfied I n th i s emigratio n I exceedi n gly l ame n ted

.
,

h
t e loss O f i t h e fi r e whi c h I h ad Obtai n ed through a ccide n t a n d ,
 TH E M O DER N PR O ME T H E U S . 83

kn e w not repro duce it I gave se v eral hours t o t h e s e r i o u s

h o w to
’

co n s i der a tio n o f thi s di ffi culty ; but I wa s obl iged t o re l i n qu i sh a l l

a tt e mpts t o supply it ; a n d wr a ppi n g myself up i n my clo ak I , ,

s truck a cros s the woo d toward s the setti n g s u n I p a s sed thr e e .

d ays i n th e se r a mbles a n d at le n gth di scovered t h e ope n cou n try

, .

A gre at fall Of s n ow h ad take n pl ace the n ight before a n d t h e fi e ld s ,

were o f o n e u n iform wh ite ; the appe ara n ce was disco n sol ate a n d I ,

fou n d my feet c h ill e d by the col d d amp sub st a n ce th a t c o v ere d t h e

grou n d .

“
It wa s a b out seve n i n the mor n i n g a n d I l o n g e d t o Ob ta i n food ,

a n d sh e lter ; a t le n gth I perceiv e d a sm al l hut o n a ri s i n g grou n d , ,

which h a d doubtles s b e e n bui lt for t h e co n v e n i e n ce o f s ome s hep

h e rd Thi s wa s a n e w S i gh t to m e ; a n d I ex a m i n ed t h e s tructure
.

with gre a t curiosity Fi n di n g the door op e n I e n te r e d A n O l d

.
, .

m a n s a t i n it n ear a fire over which he wa s prep a ri n g h i s br e akfast

, ,
‘

H e tur n e d o n he a ri n g a n oise ; a n d perceivi n g me s hrieked lou dl y , , ,

an d
q,uitti n g the hut r a n acros s the fields with a sp e ed o f which
,

h i s debil itated form h a rdly appeared cap able Hi s appear a n ce .

,

di ffere n t from a n y I h ad ever before see n a n d hi s flight s om e wh a t , ,

surpri sed me But I was e n ch a n ted by the a ppe ara n ce o f the hut
.

here the s n o w a n d rai n coul d n o t pe n etrate ; the grou n d wa s d ry ;

a n d it pre se n te d t o me the n as exqui s ite a n d divi n e a retreat a s

P a n demo n ium appeare d to t h e demo n s o f h ell after their su ff eri n g s

i n the l ake o f fire I greedily devoured the rem n a n ts o f the s hep
.

h erd s bre akfa st which co n s isted Of bre ad cheese m ilk a n d wi n e ;

’
, , , ,

the l atter however I did n o t like O vercome by fa tigu e I l ay dow n

, ,
.
,

a mo n g some straw a n d fell asleep ,

.

It was n oo n whe n I awoke ; a n d allured by t h e w a rmth o f t h e ,

s u n which s ho n e brightly o n the white grou n d I determ i n ed to r e

, ,

comm e n ce my tra v el s ; a n d dep ositi n g the rem ai n s o f the pe a s a n t s

,
’

b reakfa st i n a wallet I fo u n d I p roceeded acro s s the fiel ds fo r s e v ,

er a l h ours u n til at su n set I arr i ved at a vill age Ho w m iraculou s

,
.

d i d thi s appe a r ! the huts the n e a ter cottage s a n d stately hous e s

, , ,

e n gage d m y a dmi ratio n by tur n s The v eget ables i n the garde n s

'

.
,

t h e m ilk a n d chee se th a t I s a w pl a ced at the wi n dow s o f s ome o f

the cottage s a llured my appetite O n e o f the b e st o f these I e n
,
.

t e r e d ; but I h a d h a rdly pl aced my fo ot w i thi n the d oor before t h e ,

chil dre n s hriek e d a n d o n e o f the wome n fai n ted T h e wh ole v i l

,
.

l a ge wa s rous e d ; som e fle d some att a cked me u n til grievou sly , , ,

b rui sed by sto n e s and m a n y other ki n d s o f mi s sile we a po n s I e s ,

c a p e d t o the ope n c ou n try a n d fe arful ly took refuge i n a l o w ho ve l

, ,

q u i te b a r e a n d m ak i n g a wre t ch e d a p p e a r a n ce afte r t h e p a l ace s I

,
 84 a F R AN KE NS T E I N OR ,

h ad b e h e ld ll a ge T hi s hov el howe v er j oi n e d a co ttage

i n th e
. vi .
, ,
.

o f a n e at a n d ple as a n t a ppe a r a n ce ; but afte r my l a te de a rly bought ,

experie n ce I d a r e d n o t e n ter it
, My pl a ce o f refuge wa s co n str u cted .

o f woo d but s o l o w t h a t I could with d i ffi culty s i t upright i n it

, ,
.

N O wood however wa s pl a ced o n the earth which formed the floor

, , , ,

b u t it was dry ; a n d a lthough the wi n d e n tere d it by i n n umer a bl e

c hi n ks I fou n d it a n agreeable asylum from the s n ow a n d r a i n
,
.

“
H ere the n I retreated a n d l ay dow n h appy to h ave fou n d a , , .

s helter however mi serable from the i n cl eme n cy Of the se a so n a n d

, , ,

still more from the barb arity o f m a n .

“
As soo n as mor n i n g d aw n ed I crept fro m my ke n n el th a t I , ,

m i g h t y i e w the adj ace n t cottage a n d discover if I coul d rem a i n i n ,

the habitat i o n I h ad fou n d It wa s situ ated aga i n st the b ack o f the .

c ottage a n d s urro u n ded o n the sides which were exposed by a pig

,

st a n d a clear poo l o f water O n e part w a s ope n a n d by th at I

y .
,

.
had crept i n ; but n o w I covered e v ery cre v i ce by which I m ight b e
perceived with sto n es a n d wood yet i n such a m a n n er th a t I might ,

move them o n occas io n to p as s o u t all the l ight I e nj oyed c a m e :

through the s ty a n d th at was su fficie n t for me

, .

H avi n g thus a rra n ged my dwelli n g a n d carpeted it wi th cle a n ,

s tr aw I retired ; for I s aw the figure o f a m a n at a dista n ce , a n d I

,

remembered t o o wel l my treatme n t t h e n ight before to trust myself ,

i n hi s power I h ad first ho wever provi ded for my suste n a n ce for

.
, ,

th at d ay by a loaf o f coarse bread which I purloi n ed a n d a cup

, , ,

with which I coul d dri n k more co n v e n ie n tly th a n from my h a n d

.
, ,

o f the pure water which flowed by my retreat The floor was a lit .

tle raised s o th at it was kept per fectly dry a n d by its vici n ity to t h e
, ,

c him n ey o f the cottage it was tolerably warm .

“
Bei n g thus provided I resol v ed to reside i n this hovel u n til
, ,

s omethi n g should occur which might alter my de termi n atio n It .

w a s i n deed a p a radise comp ared to the ble a k forest

,
— my for mer resi ,

d e n ce —, the rai n dropp i n g bra n che s a n d d a n k e a rth I ate my

-
, .

bre akfast with pleasure a n d was about to remove a pl a n k to p r o

,

cure myself a l ittle water whe n I heard a step a n d looki n g throug h

, , ,

a sm all chi n k I beheld a you n g creature with a p a il o n her head

.
, , ,

p a s s i n g before my hovel The girl wa s you n g a n d o f ge n tle de .

mea n or u n like wh at I h ave si n ce fou n d cottagers a n d fa rm serva nt s

,
-

t o be . Yet s h e wa s mea n ly dres sed a co arse blue petti co a t a n d a ,

l i n e n j a cket bei n g her o nly garb ; her fair h ai r wa s pl aited but n o t ,

a dor n e d ; s h e looked p atie n t yet s a d

.
I lost sight o f her ; a n d i n , .

about a q u a rter o f a n h our s h e retur n ed beari n g the p ail which , ,

w a s n o wp a r tly filled wi th mi lk A s s h e walke d al o n g se e mi n gly . .

,
 TH E MO D E R N PR O MET HE U S .

i n c ommod ed b y the b urde n a you n g m a n met h e r ¢wh o s e c o u n te '

'

, ,

n a n ce expres se d a deeper despo n de n ce U tteri n g a few s ou n d s wit h .

a n a i r o f mel a n choly he took the p ail from her he a d a n d bore i t t o

:

, ,

the cottage h im s e lf S he followed a n d they di s appe a red P re s

.
, .

e n tly I s aw th e you n g m a n ag a i n with some tool s i n h i s h a n d , ,

cros s the fiel d beh i n d the cottage ; a n d the girl wa s al so bu sied ,

sometime s i n the h ou se a n d sometimes i n the y a rd , .

O n exam i n i n g my little dwell i n g I fou n d th a t o n e o f the wi n ,

dows Of the cottage h ad formerly occup ied a p art of it but t h e ‘

,

p a n e s h ad bee n filled up with wood I n o n e o f these was a sm al l .

a n d al mo st impercep tible ch i n k through which the eye could j us t ,

pe n etrate Through thi s crevice a sm al l room w a s vi sible white

.
, ,
.

washe d a n d cle a n but very b are o f fur n iture I n o n e cor n er n e a r

,
.
,

a sm al l fire s a t a n Ol d m a n le a n i n g h i s he ad o n h i s h a n d s i n a d i s
, ,

c o n sol ate attitude The you n g girl was occupied i n arra n gi n g t h e

.

c ottage ; but prese n tly s h e took somethi n g o u t o f a drawer which ,

e mpl oyed her h a n ds a n d s h e s at dow n bes ide the o l d m a n w h o

, , ,

t a ki n g up a n i n strume n t bega n t o pl ay a n d to produce sou n ds, , ,

sweeter th a n the voice o f the thrus h or the n ighti n gale It w a s a .

lovely sight eve n t o me poor wretch ! wh o h ad n ever behel d augh t

, ,

beautiful before Th e silver h air a n d be n e v ole n t cou n te n a n ce o f

.

the age d cott a ger w o n my revere n ce ; wh ile the ge n tle ma n n ers o f

the girl e n ticed my love He pl ayed a sweet mour n fu l air which I .
,
‘

perceived drew te ars from the eyes o f hi s am i able comp a n io n o f ,

w hich the o l d m a n too k n o n otice u n t i l s h e sobbed audibly ; h e ,

the n p ro n ou n ce d a few sou n d s a n d t h e fair creature leavi n g h e r , ,

work k n elt at h i s feet H e r a i sed her a n d s miled with such ki n d

,
.
,

n e s s a n d a ff ectio n th at I felt se n s atio n s o f a pecul i ar a n d over

,

p oweri n g n a ture they were a mixture Of p a i n a n d ple asure such a s

: ,

I h ad n ever before experie n ced e ither from hu n ger o r cold warmt h , ,

o r food ; a n d I with drew from the wi n dow u n ab le to be a r thes e ,

em otio n s .

“
S oo n after thi s the you n g m a n retur n ed be a ri n g o n h i s shoul ,

ders a l o ad of wood The girl met him at the door helped to r e

.
,

lieve hi m o f h i s burde n a n d taki n g som e o f the fuel i n to the , ,

cottage pl a ce d it o n the fire ; th e n s h e a n d the youth we n t ap art

,

i n to a n ook o f the cottage a n d h e sh owed her a l arge loaf a n d a ,

p iece o f c hee se S he seemed p le ased ; a n d we n t i n to the garde n

.

for some roots a n d pl a n ts which s h e pl aced i n water a n d the n , ,

up o n the fire S he after ward s c o n ti n ued her work while the you n g
.
,

m a n we n t i n to the garde n a n d app e ared bu sily employed ,

I n d i g
gi n g a n d pull i n g up r o o ts A ft e r h e h a d b e e n emp loyed thus a bo ut
.
 86 FRANK E N ST E I N on,

an hou r th e yo u n g wom a n jo i n e d him a n d they e n te re d th e co tt age

, ,

t ogeth e r .

The o l d m a n h ad i n t h e me a n time bee n pe ns iv e ; but o n t h e

, , ,

a pp e ara n ce o f h i s compa n io n s he assumed a more cheerful a i r a n d

, ,

th ey s a t dow n to e a t The meal w a s quickly desp atched The

.
'

you n g wom a n was agai n occup ied i n arra n gi n g the cottage ; the
o l d m a n walk e d before the cottage i n the s u n for a few mi n utes
,

le a n i n g o n the a r m o f the youth Nothi n g could exceed i n beauty.

the co n trast betwee n these two excelle n t cre ature s O n e wa s o l d .

,

with silver h airs a n d a cou n te n a n ce beami n g with be n evole n ce a n d

l ove : the you n ger w a s slight a n d graceful i n his figure a n d h i s fe a ,

tures were moulded with the fi n est symmetry ; yet his eyes a n d atti
tude expressed the utmost s ad n e ss a n d despo n de n cy The o l d m an .

re tur n ed to t h e cottage ; a n d the youth with tool s di ffere n t fro m ,

those h e h ad used i n t h e mor n i n g directe d h i s steps a cross th e ,

fi el ds.

Night q u ickly shut i n ; but to my extrem e wo n der I fou n d th at

, ,

the cottagers h a d a mea n s o f prolo n gi n g l ight by the u s e o f tapers

‘

, ,

a n d w a s delighted t o fi n d that the setti n g o f the s u n did n o t put a n

,

e n d t o the pleasur e I e xperie n ced i n watchi n g my hum a n n eighbors .

I n the e v e n i n g t h e you n g girl a n d her comp a n io n were employed

,

i n v ariou s occup atio n s which I did n o t u n derst a n d ; a n d the o l d

m a n agai n took up the i n strume n t wh ich produced t h e divi n e
s ou n d s th a t h ad e n ch a n ted me i n the mor n i n g S o soo n as he h a d .

fi n i shed the youth bega n n o t to pl ay but to utter sou n ds th a t were

, , ,

mo n oto n ous a n d n either resembli n g the harmo ny o f the old ma n s

,
’

i n strume n t n o r the so n gs o f the birds : I s i n ce fou n d that he read

a loud but a t th a t time I k n ew n othi n g o f the scie n ce o f word s or
,

letters .

The fami ly a fter h a vi n g bee n thu s occupied for a short tim e

, ,

exti n gui sh e d th e ir lights a n d retired a s I co nject u re d to re st

, , , .

C H APT E R X I .

LAY o n my straw but I coul d n o t sleep I thought o f the

, .

occurre n ce s of the d ay Wh at chiefly struck me was t h e ge n tle

.

m a n n ers o f these people ; a n d I lo n ge d to j oi n them b u t d ared n o t , .

I remembered t o o well the treatme n t I had su ff ered the n ight be fore

from the b a rb a r o us v illa g ers a n d resolved wh atever course o f c o n
, ,
 TH E M O D ER N PR O ME TH EU S . 87

d u ct I might here a fter thi n k it righ t to pursue th a t for the pre s e n t ,

I woul d rem ai n qu ietly my hovel watchi n g a n d e n de a v ori n g to

in , ,

di s cover the m otive s wh ich i n flue n ced their actio n s .

“
The cottagers aro se the n ext mor n i n g before the s u n The .

you n g wom a n a rra n ged the cottage a n d p rep ared the food ; a n d the ,

youth dep a rte d a fter the firs t me al .

“
Thi s d ay wa s p asse d i n the s ame routi n e as th at which preceded
it. The you n g m a n was co n sta n tly em p loyed o u t o f doors a n d the ,

girl i n v ariou s l a boriou s occupatio n s withi n The o l d m a n whom . .

,

I s oo n perceived to be bl i n d employed hi s lei sure hours o n h i s ,

i n strum en t o r i n co n templ a ti o n
, Nothi n g coul d e xceed the lov e
.

a n d r e spect which the you n ger c ott a gers exhibite d towards their
v e n erable comp a n io n They performed toward s h im every little
.

o ffi ce o f affectio n a n d duty with ge n tle n es s ; a n d he re warde d the m

by h i s be n evole n t sm ile s .

“
They were n o t e n tirely h a ppy The you n g m a n a n d h i s c o m .

p a n i o n ofte n we n t ap art a n d appe are d to weep I s a w n o cause

,
.

for their u n h appi n e s s ; but I was deeply aff ected by it If such .

lovely cre a tures were m iserable it wa s les s stra n ge th a t I a n i m , ,

perfect a n d sol it a ry bei n g s houl d be wretched Yet why were

, .

these ge n tle bei n gs u n h appy ? They pos ses sed a del ightful house
( fo r s uch it was i n my eyes ) a n d every luxury ,; they h ad a fire to
warm them whe n chi ll a n d del icious v ia n ds whe n hu n gry ; they
,

were dre s se d i n e xcelle n t clothes ; a n d stil l more they e nj oyed o n e , ,

a n other s comp a n y a n d speech i n terch a n gi n g e ach d ay looks o f

’
,

a ffectio n a n d ki n d n es s Wh at d id their te ars imply ? D i d they

.

re ally expres s p ai n ? I was at first u n able to s olve these questio n s ;

b ut perpetu al atte n ti o n a n d time expl ai n ed t o me m a ny appe a r
, ,

a n c e s wh i ch were at first e n igm atic .

“
A co n si derable perio d el ap s ed before I d i scovered o n e o f the
c a u se s o f the u n e as i n es s o f thi s ami able fam ily it was poverty ; :

a n d they s u ff ered th at evi l i n a very di stres s i n g degree Thei r

'

n ouri s hme n t co n s isted e n tirely of the vegetables of thei r garde n ,

a n d the m ilk o f o n e cow th at gave very little duri n g the wi n ter

, ,

w he n its m ast e rs coul d s carcely procure food t o support it They .

ofte n I believe su ff ere d the p a n gs o f hu n ger very poig n a n tly

, , ,

e speci a lly the two you n ger cottagers ; for s ever a l times they pl ace d
food before t h e o l d m a n whe n they reserv e d n o n e for them
,

s elve s .

“
Th i s tr a i t o f ki n d n es s moved me se n s ibly I h ad bee n a c .

cu stomed duri n g the n ight to steal a p art o f their store for my

, ,

o w n c o n s umptio n ; but whe n I fou n d th at i n doi n g thi s I i n flicte d

88 FRA NK E N S T E I N oR
'

p a i n o n the cott a gers I a bstai n ed a n d s a ti sfied mys elf with b e rri es

, , ,

n uts a n d roots which I g a thered from a n eighbori n g wood

, , .

“
I d iscovered also a n other mea n s through which I wa s e n abled
to a s sist their l abors I fou n d that the youth spe n t a great p art o f
.

e ach d ay i n collecti n g wood for the family fire ; a n d duri n g t h e '

n ight I ofte n took his tool s the u se o f which I quickly discovered

, , ,

a n d brought home firi n g su ffi cie n t for the co n s u mptio n o f sever a l

d ays .

“
I re member th at the first time I di d thi s the you n g wom a n
, , , ,

whe n s h e ope n ed the door i n the mor n i n g appeared greatly ,

asto n ished o n seei n g a gre at pi le o f wood o n the outside S h e .

uttered some words i n a loud voice a n d the youth j oi n ed h e r , ,

wh o also expressed surpri se I observed with pleasure that he did .

, ,

n o t g o to the forest th at d ay but spe n t it i n rep a iri n g the cottage , ,

a n d cultivati n g the garde n .

By degrees I m ade a disco v ery o f still gre a ter mome n t I fou n d .

t h at these people pos ses sed a method o f commu n icati n g their ex

e r l e n c e a n d feel i n gs to o n e a n other by articul ate sou n ds I per
p .

c e i v e d t h a t t h e word s they spoke produced either pleasure o r p ai n

‘

smiles o r s ad n es s i n the mi n ds a n d cou n te n a n c e s o f the hearers

, .

Thi s wa s i n d e ed a godlike scie n ce a n d I arde n tly desired to b e ,

come acqu ai n ted with it But I was b afil e d i n every attempt I m ad e .

for thi s purpose T he ir p ro n u n ci atio n w a s quick ; a n d the word s

.

they uttered n o t h avi n g a ny a pp are n t co n n ectio n with visibl e

,

obj ects I was u n able to discover a ny clew by which I could u n ravel

,

the mystery o f their refere n ce By great applicatio n however .

, ,

a n d after h avi n g rem ai n e d duri n g the sp ace o f several revolutio n s

o f the moo n i n my hovel I discovered the n ames th at were give n ,

to some o f t h e most famili ar obj ects of di scourse I lear n ed a n d :

applied the words fi r e mi l k b r e a d a n d w o o d I le ar n ed al so the

, , , .

n ame s o f the cottagers themselves The youth a n d h i s compa n io n .

h ad e ach o f them several n ames but the o l d m a n h ad o n ly o n e , ,

which was f a t /z e r The girl was called s i s te r o r A g a r/1 a a n d the

.

youth F e l i x br at /t e r or s on I ca n n ot describe the delight I felt

, , .

whe n I le ar n ed the ideas appropri ated to e ach o f these sou n ds a n d ,

was able to pro n ou n ce them I disti n gui shed several other word s .
,

without bei n g able as yet t o u n derst a n d o r a pp ly them ; such a s

ood , d e a r es t , u n fia fi
pj y
g
.

I spe n t the wi n ter i n thi s m a n n er The ge n tle m a n n ers a n d

“ .

be a uty o f the cottagers greatly e n deared them t o me whe n th ey :

were u n h appy I felt depressed ; whe n they rej oice d I symp athized
, ,

h
in t e ir j oys I s a w few hum
. a n bei n gs beside them ; a n d if a ny
 TH E M O D ER N PR O ME TH EU S . 89

ot her h a pp en ed t o e nter the cott a ge th e ir h ars h m a n n ers a n d rude

,

g a i t o n ly e n h a n ce d to me t h e sup e rior accompl i shme n ts o f my

fri e n d s .T he o l d m a n I coul d p e rce i ve ofte n e n de a vored to e n
, ,

c ou rage h i s ch il d re n a s sometime s I fou n d th a t he c alled them to

, ,

c ast o ff thei r m e la n choly He woul d talk i n a cheerful acce n t with

.
,

a n expr e s s io n o f good n e s s th at bestowed pleasur e eve n upo n me .

Agath a li ste n e d wi th respect her eye s sometime s filled with te ars

, ,

wh ich s h e e n de a v ored t o wipe a way u n perce i v ed ; but I ge n erally

fou n d th a t her c ou n te n a n ce a n d to n e were more cheerful after h a v
i n g l i st e n ed to the exhort a tio n s of h e r father It wa s n o t thu s with
.

Feli x . H e w a s a lways the s add e st o f the group ; a n d eve n to my ,

u n p racti sed se n ses h e appe a re d t o h ave su ffered mor e deeply th a n

,

h i s frie n d s . But if hi s cou n te n a n ce were more sorrowful h i s voice

, ,

wa s m ore cheerful th a n th a t o f hi s s i ster e speci ally whe n h e a d ,

dres se d the o l d m a n .

I coul d me n tio n i n n umerable i n sta n ce s wh ich a lthough s light , , ,

m arked the d isp os itio n s o f th e s e am i able cottagers I n the m id st .

o f p overty a n d w a n t Fel ix carried with ple asure to h i s si ster the

,

firs t l it t le wh ite flower th a t peeped o u t from be n eath the s n owy

grou n d E arly i n the m or n i n g before s h e h a d rise n he cleared
.
, ,

a way the s n ow th a t ob structed h e r p a th to the milk hou se drew -

,

water from the wel l a n d b rought the wood from the o u t h ouse
,
-
,

where to hi s perpetu a l asto n i shme n t he fou n d h i s store alway s

, ,

r e p le n i she d by a n i n vi s ible h a n d I n the d ay I believe he worke d

.
, ,

s ometimes fo r a n eighbori n g farmer because he ofte n we n t forth , ,

a n d d i d n o t retu r n u n til d i n n er yet brought n o woo d with h i m

, .

A t other times he worked i n the garde n ; but a s there was littl e t o ,

d o i n the fro sty se a so n he re ad t o the o l d m a n a n d Agath a

'
.
,

“
T hi s re a di n g h ad puzzle d me extremely at fi rst ; but by de ,

gre es I d i scov e red th at he utt e red m a n y o f the s ame s ou n d s whe n

,

h e r e ad a s whe n he talk ed I co nj ectured therefore th at he fou n d

.
, ,

o n the p aper sig n s fo r sp e e ch which he u n derstoo d a n d I arde n tly ,

l o n ged to c omprehe n d these al so ; but h o w w a s t h at pos sible ,

whe n I d i d n o t eve n u n dersta n d the sou n d s fo r which they stood

a s s ig n s ? I improved however
,
se n ,sibly i n thi s scie n ce but n o t ,

s u fli c i e n t ly t o follow up a n y k i n d o f co n vers a tio n although I ,

a ppl i e d my whole mi n d to the e n de a v or : for I e asily perceived ,

h
t a t
,
although I e agerly lo n ged t o di scover mysel f t o the cottage r s ,

I ought n o t to m ake the attempt u n til I h ad first become m aster o f

t hei r l a n gu age ; wh ich k n owledge m ight e n able me to m ake the m
ov erloo k the deform ity o f my figure ; for with thi s also t h e c o n t r a s t

p pe r e t u a l ly pr e s e n t e d t o my ey e s h a d m a d e m e a c q u a i n t e d .
9 0 F RANK E N S T E I N OR ,

I h a d a dmired th e perfect forms of my cottagers — their gr a ce , ,

b e a uty a n d delicate complexio n s ; but how was I terrifi e d whe n I

, .

v iewed myself i n a tra n spare n t pool ! At first I started b ack u n abl e ,

to believe that it was i n deed I who was reflected i n t h e mirror ;

a n d whe n I became fully co n vi n ced that I w a s i n reality the mo n ster

th at I am I was filled with the bitterest se n satio n s o f despo n de n ce

,

a n d m o r t i fi c a ti o n Al as ! I did n o t yet e n tirely k n ow the fatal

.

e ff ects of this miserable deformity .

As the s u n became warmer a n d the light o f day lo n ger the

“ “

, ,

s n ow va n ished a n d I beheld the bare trees a n d the bl ack earth

,
.

From this time Felix was more employed ; a n d the heart movi n g -

i n dicatio n s o f impe n di n g fami n e di sappeared Their food as I .

,

afterwards fou n d was coarse b ut it w a s wholesome ; a n d they pro

, ,

cured a su ffi cie n cy of i t Several n e w ki n ds o f pl a n ts spru n g up i n

.

the garde n which they dres sed ; a n d these sig n s o f comfort i n

,

creased daily as the seaso n adva n ced .

The old m a n le a n i n g o n his s o n walked each d ay a t n oo n

“
, , ,

whe n it did n o t rai n a s I fou n d it was called whe n the heave n s

,

poured forth its waters Thi s freque n tly took place ; but a high .

W i n d quickly dried the earth a n d the seaso n became far more ,

p le as a n t th a n it h ad bee n .

My mode o f life i n my hovel was u n iform D uri n g the mor n

“
.

i n g I atte n ded the motio n s of the cottagers ; a n d whe n they were

dispersed i n various occupatio n s I slept the remai n der o f the d ay ,
:

was spe n t i n observi n g my frie n ds Whe n they h ad retired to rest .

,

if there was a n y moo n or the n ight was star light I we n t i n to the

,
-
,

woods a n d collected my o wn food a n d fuel for the cottage Whe n

,
.

I retur n ed as ofte n as it was n ecess ary I clear ed their p ath from

,

the s n ow a n d performed those o ffices that I h ad see n do n e by

,

Felix I afterward s fou n d th at these labors performed by a n i n

. ,

v i sible h a n d greatly asto n ished them ; a n d o n ce or twice I he ard

,

them o n these occasio n s utter the words g o o d sp i r i t w on d e rf u l ;

, , ,

but I did n o t the n u n dersta n d the s ig n ificatio n of these terms .

“
My thoughts n o w became more active a n d I lo n ged to discover ,

the motives a n d feeli n gs of these lovely creatures ; I was i n quis itive

t o k n ow why Felix appeared s o mi serable a n d Agatha s o s a d I , .

th o ught (fool ish wretch th at it might be i n my power to restore

h appi n es s to these deservi n g people Whe n I S lept or was abse n t .
, ,

the forms of the ve n erable bli n d father the ge n tle Agatha a n d the , ,

excelle n t Felix fli t te d before me I loo k ed upo n them as superior

,
.

bei n gs who would be the arbiters o f my future desti n y I formed

,
.

in my imagi n a tio n a thous a n d p ictures o f pres e n ti n g myself to

 TH E M OD ER N PR O ME TH E US .
9 1

th e m , and thei r receptio n o f me I im a gi n ed th a t they woul d b e .

d i sgu st e d u n ti l by my ge n tle deme a n or a n d co n c i l i ati n g words I

, ,

s h o ul d first w i n thei r fa vor a n d aft e rward s their love , .

These thoughts exhi l a r a te d me a n d led me to a pply with fresh ,

‘

a rdo r to the acqu iri n g the art o f l a n gu age My orga n s were i n .

dee d h ars h but supp le ; a n d a lthough my voice w a s very u n like

, ,

the soft mu sic o f their to n e s yet I pro n ou n ced such word s as I

,

u n derstoo d with tolerable e a se I t was a s the a s s a n d the l ap dog ;

, .
-

yet su rely th e ge n tl e a s s wh os e i n te n tio n s w e re a ffectio n ate a l

, ,

though h i s m a n n ers w e re rud e deserved b e tte r tr e a tme n t th a n blow s

,

a n d execrat i o n .

“
The p le a s a n t s howers a n d ge n i a l w a rmth o f spri n g gre atly
a ltere d the aspe c t Of the e arth M e n who before thi s ch a n ge .
,

s eem e d to h a ve bee n h i d i n cave s di spersed them selves a n d were , ,

e mployed i I v a r i o u s arts o f cultiv a tio n The bird s s a n g i n mo r e

‘ .

cheerful n ote s a n d the leave s bega n to bud forth o n the trees

, .

Happy h appy e a rth ! fit h a bitatio n for gods which s o short a

, , ,

time before wa s ble ak d amp a n d u n wholesome My spirit s were

, , ,
.

elevated by t h e e n ch a n ti n g appe ara n ce o f n ature ; the p ast wa s

bl otte d from my memory the p rese n t w a s tra n quil a n d the future
, ,

gil d e d by b righ t r ays o f hope a n d a n ticip a tio n s o f j o y

, .

C H APT E R X II .

N O W h a st e n m ore m ovi n g p art o f my story I S h a ll

to th e .

r e l ate ev e n ts th at impre s sed me with feeli n gs wh ich from wh a t ,

I w a s h a v e m a de me wh a t I am
,
.

“
Sp ri n g a dv a n ce d rap id ly ; the we ather bec a m e fi n e a n d t h e ,

s k ie s cl oudles s It surpri se d me th at wh a t before was desert a n d

.
,

gl oomy s houl d n o w bloom with the mo st beautiful flo wers a n d

verdure My se n ses were gratified a n d refreshed by a thous a n d
.

sce n ts Of del ight a n d a thou s a n d s ights o f be auty

,
.

“
It was o n o n e Of these d ays whe n my cottagers periodically ,

re sted from 1abor — the o l d m a n pl ayed o n h i s guitar a n d the

, ,

ch il dre n l i ste n e d t o him — I observed th at the cou n te n a n ce of Feli x

,

was mel a n choly beyo n d exp res s io n : he sighed freque n tly ; a n d

O n ce hi s fathe r p au se d i n h i s mu sic a n d I co nj ectured by h i s m a n ,

n e r th a t he i n q uired the c a u se o f hi s s o n s sorrow Felix repl ied i n ’

.
9 2 FRAN KE N S T E I N OR ,

a c he erful a cce n t a n d the Old m a n wa s r e co mme n c m g h i s m u s ic

, ,

whe n some o n e t a p p e d a t the door

‘

It wa s a l ady o n horseback a ccomp a n ied by a c ou n trym a n a s a ,

guide The l ady was dressed i n a dark suit a n d covere d with a

.
,

thick bl ack v eil Agatha asked a questio n ; to which the stra n ger
.

o n ly replied by pro n ou n ci n g i n a sweet acce n t the n ame o f Felix , ,

.

He r voice was musical but u n like that o f either o f my frie n ds O n

, .

heari n g this word Felix came u p h astily to the l ady ; who whe n
, ,

s h e s a w him threw up her veil a n d I beheld a cou n te n a n ce Of

, ,

a n gelic beauty a n d expressio n H er hair of a shi n i n g rave n black .

,

a n d curiously braided ; her eyes were d ark but ge n tle although , ,

a n imated ; her features o f a regul ar proportio n a n d her complexio n ,

wo n drously fair each cheek ti n ged with a lovely ti n t

, .

“
Felix s e emed ravished with delight whe n he s aw h e r every ,

tr a i t o f sorrow va n i shed from hi s face a n d it i n sta n tly gxp r e s s e d a ,

degree o f ecstatic j oy Of which I coul d h ardly have believe d i t

,

c ap able ; his eyes sp arkled a s his cheek fl u shed with pleasur e ; a n d ,

a t th at mome n t I thought him a s beautiful as the stra n ger She .

a ppeared a ffected by di ffere n t feeli n gs ; wipi n g a few tears from her

lovely eyes s h e held out her h a n d to Felix who kissed i t r a p t u r

, ,

O u s ly, a n d called her as well as I coul d di sti n guish hi s sweet

, ,

Arabia n She did n o t appear to u n dersta n d him but smiled He

.
, .

a ssi sted her to dis m ou n t a n d di smiss i n g her guide co n ducted her

, , ,

i n to the cottage Some co n vers atio n took pl ace betwee n h im a n d

.

h i s father ; a n d the you n g stra n ger k n elt at the Old m a n s feet a n d

’
,

would h ave kissed h i s h a n d but he raised her a n d embraced her , ,

a ff ectio n ately .

“
I soo n perceived th at although the stra n ger uttered articul ate
, ,

s ou n ds , a n d appeared to have a l a n guage o f her o w n s h e wa s ,

n either u n derstood by n o r herself u n derstood the cottagers

, They , .

m ade m a ny sig n s which I did n o t comprehe n d ; but I s aw that her

prese n ce di ff used glad n es s through the cottage dispelli n g their ,

s o rrow as the s u n dissipates the m or n i n g mi sts Felix seeme d .

peculi arly h appy a n d with smiles o f delight welcomed his Arabi a n

, .

Agatha the ever ge n tle Agatha kissed the h a n d s o f the lovely

,
-
,

s tra n ger ; a n d poi n ti n g to her brother made sig n s which appeare d

'

, ,

to me to mea n that he h ad bee n sorrowful u n til s h e came Som e .

hours passed thu s while they by their cou n te n a n ces expres sed j oy
, , , ,

the cause o f which I did n o t comprehe n d P rese n tly I fou n d by .

,

the fr e que n t recurre n ce o f o n e sou n d which the stra n ger repe ated
a fter them th at s
,
h e w a s e n deavori n g to lear n their l a n guage ; a n d
the idea i n st a n tly occurred to me th a t I should m ake u s e o f t h e ,
 TH E M O D E R N P R O ME TH EU S .
93

sa me i n struct i o n s to
the s a me e n d The str a nger le a r n ed about .

t we n ty word s at t h e first le sso n ; mo st Of the m i n deed were thos e

wh ich I h ad before u n derstood but I profited by the o t hers , .

“
A s n ight c a me o n Agath a a n d the Arabi a n retired e a rly
, .

Whe n they sep arated Fel ix kis sed the h a n d o f the str a n g e r a n d
, ,

s a id Goo d n ight sweet S a fi e H e s a t up much lo n ger co n vers i n g ’

-
.
, , ,

wi t h h i s father ; a n d by the freque n t repetitio n o f her n ame I c o n

, ,

e c t u r e d th at their lovely g u e st was the subj ect o f their co n vers a

j
tio n I a rde n tly de s ire d to u n dersta n d them a n d be n t every faculty
.
,

toward s th a t purpose but fou n d i t utterly impos sible

, .

“
T he n ext m or n i n g F e lix we n t o u t t o h i s work ; a n d after t h e ,

u su al occup atio n s Of Agath a were fi n i shed the Ar a bi a n s a t at t h e ,

feet o f th e o l d m a n an d taki n g hi s gui tar pl ay e d some airs s o e u

, , ,

t r a n c i n g l y be a utiful th at they at o n ce drew tears o f sorrow a n d

,

delight from my eyes She s a n g a n d her voice flowed i n a rich

'

.
,

c ade n ce swelli n g o r dyi n g away l ike a n ighti n gale o f the woods

, ‘
, .

Whe n S h e h ad fi n is hed she gave the guitar t o Agath a who at , ,

first decl i n e d it S he pl ayed a sim p le air a n d her v oice a c c o m p a

.
,

n i e d it i n sweet acce n ts but u n l ike the wo n drou s st r ai n o f the

,

stra n ger The Ol d m a n appe a red e n raptured a n d s a id some word s

.
, ,

wh ich Agath a e n de a vor e d to expl ai n to S a fi e a n d by which he a p ,

e r e d to wi s h to e xpre s s th a t s h e bestow e d o n h im the gre a t e s t

p a

del ight by her mus i c .

“
Th e d ays n o w p a s sed as p e ace ably a s before with t h e s ole alter a ,

ti o n th at j oy h ad take n the pl a ce o f s ad n ess i n the cou n te n a n ce s o f

,

my frie n ds S a fi e was a lways gay a n d h appy ; s h e a n d I improved

.

r a p i d ly i n the k n owledge o f l a n gu age s o th at i n two mo n th s I b e ,

g a n to comprehe n d most o f the word s uttered by my protectors .

“
I n the me a n whil e al so the bl ack grou n d was c ov ered with herb ,

a ge , a n d the gree n b a n ks i n tersperse d with i n n umerabl e flo wers ,

sweet to the sc e n t a n d the e ye s stars o f p ale radi a n ce amo n g t h e ,

moo n l ight wood s ; the s u n became warmer the n ights clear a n d ,

b almy ; a n d my n octur n al r a mbles were a n extreme pleasure t o me ,

a l th ough they wer e co n s iderably shorte n e d by the l ate setti n g a n d

e arly ri s i n g o f the s u n ; fo r I n e v er ve n tured abro a d duri n g d ay

l ight fe arful o f meeti n g with the s ame tre atme n t a s I h a d formerly
,

e n dured i n the first vil l a ge which I e n tered .

My d ays w e r e spe n t i n clo se a tte n tio n th a t I might more spee d

i ly m aster t h e l a n gu age ; a n d I m ay boast th at I impro v ed mor e
r a pidly th a n the Ar a bi a n wh o u n derstood v ery little a n d co n vers e d
, ,

(
i n broke n acce n ts while I compr e h e n ded a n d could imit a t e a lmos t
,

e v e ry w o rd th a t w a s sp oke n .
94 FRA NK E N S TE I N OR ,

While I impro v e d i n speech I al so lear n ed the scie n ce o f lette r s , ,

a s it wa s taught t o the stra n ger ; a n d thi s Ope n ed before me a wid e

field for wo n der a n d delight .

The book from which Felix i n structed S a fie wa s Vol n ey s R ui n s ’

o f E mpires I should n o t h ave u n derstood the purport o f this book

’
.
,

h ad n o t Felix i n readi n g it give n very mi n ute expl a n atio n s He

, ,
.

h a d chose n this work he s aid because the decl amatory s tyle w a s

, ,

framed i n imitatio n o f the e aster n authors Through thi s work I .

Obtai n ed a cursory k n owledge o f history a n d a view o f the several ,

e mpires at pre se n t exi sti n g i n the worl d ; it gave me a n i n sight i n to

the m a n n ers gover n me n ts a n d religio n s of the di ff ere n t n atio n s Of

, ,

the earth I heard o f the slothful As iatics ; o f th e stupe n dou s

.

ge n iu s a n d me n tal a ctivity o f the Grecia n s ; o f the wars a n d

wo n derful virtue o f the early R om a n s o f their subseque n t dege n ,

c ratio n ,o f the decli n e o f that mighty empire ; o f c hivalry C hri s ,

t i a n i ty a n d ki n gs
, I heard o f the di scovery o f the America n
.

hemi sphere a n d wept with S afi e over t h e h apl e s s fate of i ts origi n al

,

i n habita n ts .

These wo n derful n arratio n s i n spired me with stra n ge feel i n gs .

Was m a n i n deed at o n ce s o powerful s o virtuous a n d mag n ifice n t

, , , , ,

yet s o vicious a n d b ase ? He appe ared at o n e time a mere scio n o f

evil pri n ciple a n d at a n other as al l that c a n be co n ceived Of n obl e
,

a n d godlike To be a great a n d virtuous m a n appeared the highes t

.

ho n or th at c a n befall a se n sitive bei n g ; to be base a n d vicious a s ,

m a n y o n record h ave bee n appeared the lowest degradatio n a c o n, ,

ditio n more abject tha n that o f the bli n d mole o r h armles s worm .

For a lo n g time I could n o t co n ceive how o n e m a n c ould g o forth

to murder hi s fellow o r e ve n why there were l aws a n d gover n
,

me n ts ; but whe n I heard details of vice a n d bloodshed my wo n de r ,

ceased a n d I hurried away with disgust a n d loathi n g

, .

“
E very co n vers atio n o f the cottagers n o w Ope n ed n e w wo n der s
to me While I l i ste n ed to the i n structio n s which Fel ix bestowed
.

upo n the Arabi a n the stra n ge system Of hum a n society was ex

,

pl ai n ed to me I heard o f the divi sio n O f property of imme n s e

.
'

we alth a n d squalid poverty ; of ra n k desce n t a n d n oble blood , , .

“
The wor d s i n duced me to tur n toward s myself I lear n ed th at .

the possessio n s most esteemed by your fellow creatures were high -

a n d u n sullied desce n t u n ited with riche s A m a n might be r e specte d .

with o n ly o n e o f these acquisitio n s ; but without either h e wa s c o n

s i d e r e d except i n very rare i n st a n ce s a s a vagabo n d a n d a sl av e
, , ,

doomed to w a ste h i s powers fo r the profit o f the chose n few A n d .

wh a t was I ? O f my cre a tio n a n d cre a t o r I was absolut e ly i g no r a n t ;

 T HE M O D ER N P R O ME T H E US .
5

bu t I k n ew th at I pos ses sed mo n ey n o frie n ds n o ki n d o f prop

no , ,

e r ty . I was besides e n dowed with a figure hideously d eformed

, ,

a n d loathsom e ; I was n o t eve n O f the s ame n ature as m a n I wa s .

more agile th a n they a n d coul d sub sist upo n coarser d iet ; I bore
,

the extremes o f heat a n d col d with les s i nj ury t o my frame ; my

stature far exceede d theirs Whe n I looked arou n d I s a w a n d .
,

heard of n o n e l ike me W a s I the n a mo n ster a blot upo n t h e

.
,

e arth from wh ich al l m e n fled a n d whom all m e n disow n ed ?

, ,

“
I ca n n ot de scribe to you the ago ny that these reflectio n s i n fli c ted
upo n m e ; I trie d to di spel them but sorro w o n ly i n creased with ,

k n owledge O h th at I h ad for ever rem ai n ed i n my n ative woo d

.
, ,

n o r k n ow n o r felt beyo n d the se n s atio n s of hu n ger thirst a n d heat ! , ,

“
O f wh at a stra n ge n ature i s k n owledge ! It cli n gs to the mi n d ,

whe n it h a s o n ce seized o n it like a l iche n o n the rock I wi shed ,

.

sometimes to sh ake O ff all thought a n d feel i n g ; but I lear n ed th a t

the e was but o n e me a n s to overcome the se n s atio n of p ai n a n d
r
,

th a t was death a state which I fe ared yet di d n o t u n dersta n d I

, ,
.

adm ired virtue a n d good feeli n gs a n d loved the ge n tle m a n n ers ,

a n d ami able qu a li tie s of my cottagers ; but I was shut out from i n

t e r c o u r s e with them except through me a n s w hich I obtai n ed by

,

ste alth whe n I was u n see n a n d u n k n ow n a n d which rather i n

, ,

cre ased th a n s ati sfied the des ire I h ad o f becomi n g o n e amo n g my

fel lows The ge n tle word s o f Agath a a n d the a n im ated smiles o f
.
,

the ch armi n g Arabi a n were n o t for me The m ild exhortatio n s of

,
.

t h e Ol d m a n a n d the lively co n vers at io n Of the loved Felix , were

,

n o t for me M i serable u n h appy wretch !

.
,

“
O ther les so n s were impres se d upo n me eve n more deeply I .

he ard of the di ff ere n ce of sexes ; o f the bi rt h a n d growth o f chil

dre n ; how the father do ate d o n th e smiles of the i n fa n t a n d the ,

l ively s allies o f the older child ; how al l the l i fe a n d cares o f the

mother were wrapped up i n the precious c h arge ; h o w the mi n d of
youth exp a n ded a n d ga i n ed k n owledge ; o f brother s ister a n d all , ,

th e various rel a tio n sh ip s which b i n d o n e huma n bei n g to a n other

i n mutu al bo n d s .

“
But w h ere were my frie n ds a n d rel atio n s ? NO father h ad
watche d my i n fa n t d ays n o m other h ad bles sed me wi th smi les a n d
,

caresses ; or if they h ad al l my p ast life was n o w a blot a bl i n d

, , ,

vaca n cy i n wh ich I di sti n gui shed n othi n g From my e arliest r e .

.

m e m b r a n c e I h a d bee n a s I the n was i n height a n d proportio n I .

h a d n ever yet se e n a bei n g resembli n g me o r wh o cl aime d a n y ,

i n tercourse with me Wh at wa s I ? T he q uestio n agai n recurred

. ,

t o b e a n s wered o n ly w i th gro a n s .
9 6 FRANK E N S T E I N OR ,

I will soo n expl ai n to wh a t these feeli n gs te n d e d ; but allow m e

no w to retur n to the cott a gers whose story excited i n me such v a ri ,

o u s feel i n gs of i n dig n atio n delight a n d wo n der but which al l ter

, , ,

m i n a t e d i n additio n al love a n d revere n ce for my prot e ctors (fo r s o I

l o ve d i n a n i n n o ce n t h a lf p a i n ful s e lf de ce it t o c al l th e m)
, ,
- -
.

C H APTE R X III .

O ME time el apsed before I lear n ed the hi story my frie n ds of .

It was o n e which could n ot fail to impres s itself deeply o n

my mi n d u n foldi n g as it did a n umber o f circum sta n ces each i n ter
,

e sti n g a n d wo n derful to o n e s o utterly i n experie n ced as I was .

“
The n ame o f the old m a n w a s D e Lacey He was desce n ded .

from a good family i n Fra n ce where he h ad l ived for m a n y ye ars i n

,

afflue n ce respected by his superiors a n d beloved by h i s equ als

, ,
‘

H i s s o n was bred i n the service o f hi s cou n try ; a n d Agatha h ad

ra n ked with l adies o f the highest disti n ctio n A few mo n th s before .

my arrival they h ad l ived i n a l arge a n d luxurious city called P aris

, , ,

surrou n ded by frie n ds a n d posses sed Of e v ery e nj oyme n t which

,

VI r t u e refi n eme n t o f i n tellect o r taste a ccomp a n ied by a moderat e

, , ,

fortu n e co u l d a ff ord
, .

“
The father of S a fi e h ad bee n the cause o f their rui n H e was a .

Turkish merch a n t a n d h a d i n habited P aris for m a n y years whe n

, , ,

fo r some re aso n which I coul d n o t lear n he becam e Ob n oxiou s to ,

the gover n me n t He was seized a n d cast i n to priso n the very day

.

that S a fi e arrived from Co n sta n ti n ople to j oi n h im He was tried .

,

a n d co n dem n ed to death The i njustice of his se n te n ce wa s very

.

flagr a n t ; all P aris was i n dig n a n t ; a n d it was j udged th at h i s reli

gio n a n d we alth rather tha n the crime alleged agai n st hi m h a d
, ,

bee n the cause o f hi s co n dem n ati o n .

“ Fel ix h ad bee n prese n t at the tri al his horror i dig at o

; a n d n n i n

We re u n c o n trollable whe n he he ard the deci sio n o f the court He

, .

m ade a t that mome n t a solem n vow to deliv e r h im a n d the n

, , ,

looke d a rou n d for the mea n s After m a n y fruitles s attempts to . .

gai n a dmitta n ce to the priso n he fou n d a stro n gly grated wi n dow ,

i n a n u n gu a rded part o f the buildi n g wh ich lighted the du n geo n o f

the u n fortu n a te M a hometa n ; who loaded with ch a i n s w a i t e d i n , ,

desp a ir th e ex e cuti o n o f th e b arb arous s e n te nce .

 T HE M OD ER N P RO ME TH EU S .
97

Fe l i x s ited th e gr a te a t n ight a n d m ade k n o wn to t h e p r i so ne r

vi ,

h i s i n te n tio n s i n h i s fa v or T he Turk am azed a n d delighted e u

.
, ,

d e a v o r e d t o k i n dl e the z e a l o f h i s deli v erer by promi ses Of rew a rd

a n d wealth Fel ix rejected h i s O ffers with co n tempt ; ye t whe n he
.

s aw the lov e ly S a fi e wh o was a llowed t o visit her fath e r a n d who

, , ,

b y her gestures expr e s s e d h e r lively gr a titude the youth c oul d n o t

, ,

h e lp o w n i n g t o h i s o wn mi n d th a t t h e captive p o ss e s s e d a treasure
,

w hich w oul d fully rew a rd h i s toil a n d h a z a rd .

“
Th e T urk q ui ck ly p e rceived the imp re s si o n th a t h i s d aughter
h a d m a de o n the he a rt o f F e l ix a n d e n de a vo red t o secure him more
,

e n t i r e ly i n h i s i n t e r e sts by t h e prom i s e o f her h a n d i n m a rri age s o ,

s oo n a s he s houl d b e c o n veyed t o a pl ace o f s afety Felix was too .

d e licat e t o acc ept th i s O ffer ; ye t he look ed forward to the pr ob a

b i l i ty o f th a t e v e n t a s t o the co n summ atio n o f hi s h a pp i n es s .

“
D uri n g the e n su i n g d ays while the prep aratio n s were goi n g for
,

w a rd fo r the es c a p e o f the merch a n t the ze al o f F e l ix was warmed ,

by se v er a l letters th a t he recei v ed from th i s lovely girl who fou n d ,

m e a n s to expr e s s h e r thoughts i n the l a n gu a ge o f her lover by the

aid o f a n o l d m a n a serv a n t o f her father s wh o u n derstood
,
’

Fr e n ch S he th a n k ed him i n the m o st arde n t te rms fo r h i s i n

.

t e n d e d ser v i ce s t o w a rd s h e r fa ther ; a n d a t t h e s am e tim e s h e ge n tly

deplored h e r o wn fa te .

I h ave Cop i e s o f t h e s e l e tt e rs ; fo r I fou n d m e a n s duri n g my ,

r e s i de n ce i n the ho v el t o pro cure the impleme n ts o f writi n g ; a n d

,

the l e tt e rs were Ofte n i n the h a n ds o f Felix o r Agath a Be fo re I .

dep a rt I wil l gi v e them to yo u : they will pro v e the truth o f my

,

tal e ; but at pr e s e n t a s t h e s u n i s al re ady far decli n e d I sh a l l o n ly

‘

, ,

h a v e time t o rep e at the sub sta n ce o f them t o yo u .

S a fi e r e l ated th a t her mother w a s a Chri sti a n A rab se i z e d a n d ,

m a de a sl ave by t h e T urks ; r e comme n ded by her be auty s h e h a d ,

wo n th e he art o f t h e father o f S a fl e wh o m a rried her ,

T h e you n g .

girl spoke i n h igh a n d e n thu s i astic term s o f her mother who bor n , ,

in fr e e dom spur n, e d t h e b o n d age to whi c h s h e was n o w reduced .

S h e i n structed her d a ugh te r i n the t e n e ts o f her rel igio n a n d taught ,

h e to
r a spi r e t o high e r p ow e rs o f i n tellect a n d a n i,n depe n de n ce of
S pirit forbidde n t o t h e fem a l e followers o f M a homet Thi s l ady
,
.

die d ; but her les s o n s w e re i n del ib ly impres se d o n the mi n d o f S a fi e ,

wh o s icke ne d a t t h e pr o sp e ct o f a g a i n retur n i n g to Asi a a n d the ,

b ei n g immured w i t hi n the w a ll s Of a h a rem allowed o n ly to occupy ,

h e rself with pu e r i le a museme n ts ill suited t o t h e temper o f her

,

so ul now a
,
ccustome d to g ar n d i de as a n d a n oble emul ati o n fo r v i r

tu e . T he pro sp e ct of marryi n g a C h ris t i a n a n d remai n i

,
n g i n a
9 8 FRA NK E N S T E I N OR ,

c ou n try where wom e n we re a llowed t o t ak e a r an k i n s o c i e ty wa s ,

e n c h a n ti n g to her .

“
The d ay for the executio n o f t h e Turk wa s fix e d ; but the n igh t ,

pre v iou s to it he h ad quitted priso n a n d before mor n i n g w a s dis

, ,

ta n t m a n y leagues from P aris Felix had procured p as sports i n the

.

n ame of hi s father s i ster a n d him self H e h ad previously com

, , .

m u n i c a t e d his pl a n to the former who aided the deceit by quitti n g ,

hi s hou se u n der the prete n ce o f a j our n ey a n d c o n ce aled himself

, , ,

with h i s d aughter i n a n Ob scure p art o f P ari s

, .

“
Fel ix co n ducted the fugiti v es through Fra n ce t o Lyo n s a n d ,

acros s M o n t Ce n i s to Leghor n where the merch a n t h ad decided to

,

wait a favorable Opportu n ity o f p as si n g i n to som e p a r t o f th e

T urkish domi n io n s .

S a fi e re solved to rem ai n with her father u n til the mome n t o f h i s

dep arture before which time the Turk re n ewed hi s promise that
,

s h e shoul d be u n ited to hi s deli v e rer ; a n d Felix remai n ed with

them i n expec t atio n o f that eve n t ; a n d i n th e mea n time he e m

j oyed the society o f the Arabi a n who exhibited toward s him t h e ,

simple st a n d te n derest a ff ectio n They co n versed with o n e a n other

.

through the mea n s o f a n i n terpreter a n d sometimes with the i n ter ,

r e t a t i o n Of looks ; a n d S a fi e s a n g to him the di v i n e a irs o f h e r

p
n a tive cou n try .

“
The Turk allowed this i n tim a cy to take pl a c e a n d e n cour a ged ,

the hopes o f the youthful lovers whil e i n hi s heart he h ad formed ,

far other pl a n s H e loathed the ide a th at hi s daughter should b e

.

u n ited to a Chri sti a n ; but he feared the rese n tme n t O f Felix if he

shoul d appear lukewarm ; for he k n ew that he w a s still i n the p o wer
o f h i s del iverer if he shoul d choose to betray him to the Itali a n
,

state which they i n h abited He revolved a thous a n d pl a n s by which

.

he s hould be e n abled to prolo n g the deceit u n til it might be n o

lo n ger n eces s ary a n d secretly to take h i s d aughter with him whe n
,

he dep arted H i s pl a n s were gre a tly faci litated by the n ews which
.

arrived from P ari s .

“
The gover n me n t o f Fra n ce were greatly e n rage d at t h e escap e
o f their victim a n d sp ared n o p ai n s to detect a n d pu n i sh h i s de
,

l i ve r e r
. The plot Of Felix was quickly discovered a n d D e L acey ,

a n d Agath a were throw n i nto priso n The n ews reached Felix a n d .

,

roused him from hi s dream of pleasure Hi s bli n d a n d aged father .

,

a n d hi s ge n tle si ster l ay i n a n oisome du n geo n wh ile he e nj oyed

, ,

the free air a n d the society of her whom he loved Th i s ide a wa s

, .

torture to him He quickly arra n ged with the Turk that if the l at
.
,

te r should fi n d a fa v orable opportu n ity for escape befor e Fel i xcou ld

 TH E M OD ER N P RO ME T H EU S .
99

re tur n t o Italy S a fi e shoul d r e m ai n a s a boarder a t a c o n v e n t a t

,

Leghor n ; a n d the n quitti n g the lovely Arabi a n h e h a ste n ed to

, ,

P a ri s a n d deli v e re d h im self u p t o the ve n gea n ce Of t h e l aw h O p i n g

, ,

t o free D e L a c e y a n d Ag a th a by th i s proceedi n g .

“
He di d n o t succeed They rem ai n ed co n fi n ed for five mo n th s
.

before the tri al took p l ace ; the result o f which deprived them o f
their fortu n e a n d c o n dem n ed them to perpetu a l exile from th e ir
,

n ati v e cou n try .

“
They fou n d a miser a ble a sylum i n t h e c ottage i n Germ a n y ,

where I d iscovered them Felix soo n lear n ed th at the tre acherou s .

T urk fo r whom he a n d his fami ly e n dured such u n he ard O f Op p r e s

,
-

s io n o n disco v eri n g th at h i s deliverer wa s thu s reduced to po v erty

,

a n d impote n ce b e came a tr a itor to good feeli n g a n d ho n or a n d h a d

, ,

qu itted Italy with h i s d aughter i n sulti n gly se n di n g Fel ix a p itta n c e ,

o f mo n ey t o a i d him a s he s a id i n som e pl a n o f future m a i n

, ,

te n a n c e .

“
S uch were the e ve n ts th at preyed o n the heart o f Felix a n d ,

re n dered him whe n I first s aw him the most m iserable o f his fam
, ,

ily He coul d h ave e n dured po ve rty a n d whe n th is di stres s h a d

.
, ,

bee n the meed o f hi s virtue he would h ave gloried i n it ; but the ,

i n gratitu de o f the Turk a n d th e los s o f h is beloved S a fie were , ,

misfortu n es more bitter a n d irrep arable The arr i v al o f the Ar a bi a n .

n o w i n fused n e w l ife i n to hi s soul .

“
Whe n th e n ews reached Leghor n th at Felix wa s d e p rived o f ,

h i s wealth a n d ra n k the merch a n t comm a n ded h i s d aughter t o

,

thi n k n o more o f her lo ver but p rep a re to retur n with him to her ,

n ati v e cou n try The ge n erous n ature o f S a fie w a s outraged by thi s

.

c omm a n d ; she attempte d to exp ostul ate with her father but he left ,

her a n grily reiterati n g hi s tyra n n ical m a n d ate

,
.

“
A few d ays after the Turk e n tere d hi s d aughter s ap artme n t
,
’
,

a n d told her h astily th at he h ad re aso n to bel ieve th at h i s res ide n c e

,

a t Leghor n had bee n d ivulged a n d th at he should speedily be ,

del i ve red up to the Fre n ch gover n me n t ; he h a d co n sequ e n tly , ,

hired a ve s sel t o co n v ey him to C o n sta n ti n ople for which city he ,

shoul d s ail i n a few hours H e i n te n ded to le ave hi s d aughter .

u n der the c a re o f a co n fide n ti a l s e rv a n t t o follow at her leisure ,

with the gre a ter p a rt o f hi s property wh ich h a d n o t yet arrived a t ,

Legho r n .

“
Whe n a l o n e S a fi e resolved i n h e r o wn mi n d the pl a n o f c o n
,

duct th a t it woul d become h e r t o purs u e i n thi s emerge n cy A .

re side n ce i n Turkey wa s a bhorre n t to her ; her religio n a n d fe e l

i n gs we r e a lik e a d v er s e t o i t By some p apers Of h e r fa th e r s wh i ch
.
’
,
I oo FRA NK E N S T E I N OR ,

fe ll i n to h e r h a n ds s h e h e a rd o f the spot wh e re h e th e n re s i d e d
, .

S h e h e sitated som e time but at le n gth S h e formed her determi n a ,

tio n Taki n g with h e r some jewel s that belo n ged t o her a n d a

.
,

sm a ll s u m o f m o n ey s h e q uitte d Italy with a n atte n d a n t a n ati ve

, , ,

Of Leghor n but wh o u n derstood the commo n l a n guage o f Turkey

, ,

a n d dep arted for G e rm a n y .

“
S he arrived i n s a fety a t a tow n about t we nt y leagues from t h e
c o ttage o f D e L a cey whe n her atte n da n t fell d a n gerously ill ,
.

S a fi e n ursed her with most de v oted a ffectio n ; but the poor girl
l

d ied a n d t h e A r a b i a n was left alo n e u n a cquai n ted with the l a n

, ,

guage o f the cou n try a n d utterly ig n ora n t o f the customs o f the

,

world She fell however i n to good ha n ds T he Italia n had

.
, , .

me n tio n ed t h e n ame Of the spot fo r which they we re bou n d ; a n d

a fter her de a th the woma n o f the house i n which they h ad lived
,

took c a re th a t S a fie s h o uld a rri v e i n s a fe ty a t t h e c o tt age o f h e r '

l o ve r .

C H APT E R X IV .

U C Hwa s hi story o f my beloved cottagers It impres sed

th e
S me deeply I lear n ed from the views O f social life which it
.

.
,

developed to admire their virtues a n d deprecate the vices o f m a n

, ,

ki n d .

“
A s ye t I lo o k ed upo n crime as a dista n t evil ; be n evole n ce a n d
ge n erosity we re ever prese n t before me i n citi n g withi n me a des i re ,

t o become a n a ctor i n the busy sce n e where s o m a n y admirabl e

qu a litie s were c a ll e d forth a n d displ ayed ; but i n givi n g a n accou n t ,

o f the progr e s s o f my i n tellect I must n o t om it a circumsta n ce ,

which occurred i n the beg i n n i n g o f the mo n th o f Augu st o f the

s a me year .

“
O n e n ight duri n g my ac customed vis it to the n eighbori n g
,

wood where I collected my o wn food a n d brought home firi n g for

, ,

my protectors I fou n d o n the grou n d a leather n port m a n teau c o n

, ,

t a i n i n g se ver a l a rt i cles o f dres s a n d some books I eagerly seized .

t h e prize a n d r e tur n ed with it to the hovel

,
Fortu n ately the books .

were writte n i n the l a n gua ge the eleme n ts o f wh ich I h a d a cquired

at t e h co tt a ge ; th e y co n si sted o f P aradise Lost a volum e o f
‘
,
’

P lutarch s Li s d h Sorrows f Werter T h e pos ses s i o n

’ ’
‘
v e
’
a n t e ,
o .
 T HE M OD ER N PR O ME TH EU S . 10 1

Of th e s e pl e asur e s g a v e m e extreme delight ; I n o w co n ti n u a l ly

s tud ied a n d exerci s ed my mi n d up o n these h i s to ries while my ,

frie n ds wer e employed i n their ordi n ary occup a tio n s .

“
I c a n h ardly d e scrib e to yo u the e ffe c t o f these books They '

produced i n me a n i n fi n ity o f n e w i m age s a n d feel i n gs th at some ,

times raised me t o ecstasy but more freque n tly su n k me i n to the

,

lowest dej ectio n I n the S orrows o f Werter bes ides the i n tere st
.
,
’

Of its simple a n d aff ecti n g story s o m a n y Op i n io n s are ca n vas sed , ,

a n d s o m a n y l ights throw n upo n wh at h ad hitherto bee n t o me

Ob scure subjects th a t I fou n d i n it a n ev e r e n di n g so u rce o f s p e c u

,
-

l atio n a n d a sto n i shme n t The ge n tle a n d d o mestic m a n n ers de

.

scribed comb i n ed with lofty se n time n ts a n d feel i n gs w h ich h ad

, ,

fo r their Object somethi n g o u t o f self accorded well with my e xp e : ,

r i e n c e amo n g my protectors a n d with the wa n ts wh ich were fo r

,

e ver al ive i n my o wn bo som But I thought Werter h imself a .

m ore d ivi n e bei n g th a n I h ad ever behel d o r im a gi n ed ; hi s ch ar -I

a cter co n tai n ed n o p rete n s io n but it su n k deep The disqu is itio n s

, .

upo n death a n d suicide were calcul ated t o fill me with wo n der I .

di d n o t prete n d t o e n ter i n to t h e merits o f the case yet I i n cl i n ed ,

towards the O p i n i o n s o f the hero who se exti n ctio n I wept without

'

, ,

preci sely u n dersta n di n g it .

A s I read however I a ppl ied much p e r s o n a lly t o my o w n feel

, ,

i n gs a n d co n ditio n I fou n d myself simil ar to yet at the s ame tim e

.
,

stra n gely u n l ike the bei n gs co n cer n i n g whom I read a n d to who s e

,
‘

c o n vers atio n I was a li ste n er I symp athized with a n d p artly.

,

u n derstood them but I was u n i n formed i n m i n d ; I was depe n de n t

,

o n n one a n d rel ated to n o n e T he p ath o f my dep arture wa s ‘

.
,

free a n d ther e was n o n e to l ame n t my a n n ihil atio n My perso n

,
’
.

wa s h ideou s a n d my Stature giga n tic wh a t did thi s mea n ? W h o

,
:

wa s I ? Wh at w a s I ? Whe n ce di d I come ? Wh a t was my desti

n a tio n ? These q uestio n s co n ti n u ally recurred but I was u n able t o ,

solve them .

“
The volume Of P lut a rch s L i v es which I posses sed c o n
‘ ’ ’
,

t a i n e d the hi stories Of the first fou n ders o f the a n cie n t republics .

Thi s book h ad a far di ff ere n t e ff ect upo n me from the S orrows o f

Werter I lear n ed from W e r t e r s im agi n atio n s despo n de n cy a n d
.
’ ’

gloom : but P lutarch taugh t m e h igh thoughts ; he elevated me

a bo v e the wretched sp here o f my o w n reflectio n s to admire a n d
’

lo v e the heroes o f p ast age s M a n y thi n gs I read surp as sed my.

u n derst a n di n g a n d experie n ce I h ad a v ery co n fu sed k n o wledge .

o f ki n gdoms wide exte n ts o f cou n try mighty rivers a n d bou n dles s

, , ,

s e a s B u t I wa s perfectly u n acq u a i n te d with tow n s a n d l arge

.
I oz F RA NK E N S T E I N OR ,

a ssembl a ge s o f me n T h e c ott a ge o f my p ro te ct o rs h a d bee n the

.

o n ly school i n wh ich I h ad studie d hum a n n a ture ; but thi s book

d e v eloped n e w a n d mightier sce n es o f actio n I re a d o f m e n c o n .

cer n ed i n public a ff airs gover n i n g o r m as s acri n g their spe c ies .

I felt the greatest ardor for virtue rise with i n me a n d a b horre n ce ,

for vice as far as I u n derstood the sig n ificatio n o f those terms

, ,

r el ative as they were a s I applied th e m to pleasure a n d p ai n alo n e

, ,
.

I n duce d by these feeli n gs I w a s o f course led t o admire peaceable,

l awgivers Numa Solo n a n d Lycurgus i n prefere n ce to R omulus

, , , ,

a n d Theseus The patri arch al l ives of my protectors caused these

.

impres sio n s to take a firm hold o n my mi n d ; perh a p s if my first ,

i n troductio n to hum a n ity h ad bee n m ade by a you n g sol dier bur n ,

i n g for glory a n d S l aughter I s hould h av e b ee n imbued with di ffer ,

e n t se n satio n s .

But P aradi se Lost excited di ffere n t a n d far deeper emotio n s

‘ ’
.

I re ad it as I h ad read the other volumes which h a d falle n i n to my

,

h a n ds as a true hi story It moved every fe eli n g o f wo n der a n d

, .

a we th at the p icture o f a n om n ipote n t God warri n g with his cre a

tures w a s cap abl e o f exciti n g I Ofte n rem arked the several sit u a .

tio n s as their simil a rity struck me t o my o wn Like Adam I was

,
.
,

c re ated app a re n tly u n ited by n o li n k to a ny oth e r bei n g i n exist

,

e n ce ; but hi s state was fa r di ff ere n t from mi n e i n every other

r espect H e h ad come forth from the h a n ds o f God a perfect crea
.

ture h appy a n d prosperous guarded by the especial care o f his

, ,

Cre ator ; he was allowed to co n verse with a n d acquire k n owledge ,

from bei n gs o f a superior n ature

, but I wa s wr e tc h e d h e l p l e s s ,
.
,

a n d alo n e M a n y times I co n sidered S ata n as the fitter emblem O f

.

my co n ditio n ; for Ofte n like him whe n I viewed the bliss of my , ,

protectors the bitte r gal l o f e n vy rose with i n me

, .

“
A n other circumsta n ce stre n gthe n ed a n d co n firmed these feel
i n gs Soo n after my arrival i n the hovel I discovered some papers
.
,

i n the pocket of the dres s which I had take n from your laboratory .

A t first I had n eglected them ; but n o w that I was able to decipher

the ch aracters i n which they were writte n I bega n to study them ,

with dilige n ce It was your jour n al Of the four mo n th s that pre

.

ceded my creatio n You mi n utely described i n these p apers every

.

step you took i n the progres s of your work ; thi s hi story was m i n
gled with accou n ts of domestic occurre n ces You doubtles s r e c o l .
, ,

lect these p apers Here they are E very th i n g i s rel ated i n them
. .

which bears refere n ce to my accursed origi n ; the whole detail o f

'

that series o f disgusti n g circumsta n ces which produced it i s set i n

view ; the mi n ut e st descriptio n of my odious a n d lo athsome perso n
 T HE M OD E R N P RO ME TH EU S .
3
10

is g i v e n i n l a n gu a ge wh i c h p a i n ted your o wn h o rrors a n d r e n

, ,

d ered m i n e i n e ff a ce a ble I sicke n ed a s I re a d

. Ha teful d ay whe n .

I rec e i ve d life ! I excl aimed i n ago n y Cursed creator ! Why did .

y o u form a mo n st e r s o hideou s th a t eve n

y o u tur n ed from me i n

d i sgu st ? Go d i n p i ty m ad e m a n beautiful a n d alluri n g after h i s ,

o w n im age ; but my form i s a filthy type o f yours more horrid ,

from its very re s e mbl a n ce S a ta n h ad hi s compa n io n s fellow

.
,

d e vil s t o a dm ir e a n d e n cour a ge him ; but I am solitary a n d de

,

tested .
’

Thes e wer e t h e refle ctio n s o f my hours o f de spo n de n cy a n d sol i

tude ; but wh e n I co n templ ated t h e v irtues o f the cottagers their
, ,
‘

a mi able a n d be n evole n t di spositio n s I persu aded myself th at whe n , , ,

they shoul d b e com e acqu ai n ted with my admiratio n o f thei r virtues ,

they wou l d comp a s sio n ate me a n d o v erlook my perso n al deform ity

, .

C oul d they tur n from their door o n e however mo n s t r o u s wh o s o , ,

l i c i t e d their comp as s io n a n d frie n d ship ? I resol v ed a t le a st n o t t o , ,

d esp air but i n e v ery w ay to fit myself for a n i n terview with them

,

wh ich woul d decide my fate I postpo n e d thi s a ttempt for s om e

.

m o n th s lo n ger ; fo r the importa n ce attached to its succes s i n spired

m e with a dre ad l e st I shoul d fail Besid e s I fou n d th a t my u n der
.
,

sta n di n g improved s o much with every d ay s e xperie n ce th at I was ’

,

u n will i n g to comme n c e thi s u n dertaki n g u n til a few more mo n ths

s houl d h ave added t o my wisdom .

Se v eral ch a n ges i n the me a n time took pl ace i n the cottage

, , .

T he pre se n ce o f S a fi e di ff u sed h appi n es s amo n g i ts i n h ab ita n ts ;

a n d I also fou n d th at a great e r degree o f ple n ty reig n ed there .

Felix a n d Agath a spe n t more time i n amu seme n t a n d co n vers atio n ,

a n d were as si sted i n their l abors by serv a n ts They did n o t appear .

rich but were co n te n ted a n d h appy ; thei r feeli n gs were sere n e a n d

,

peaceful while mi n e became every d ay more tumultuous I n crease

,
.

o f k n owledge o n ly d iscovered to me more clearly what a wretched

o utcast I w a s I cheri shed hope it i s true ; but it va n i shed whe n I

.
, ,

behel d my perso n reflected i n water o r my s h adow i n the moo n ,

s h i n e eve n as th a t frail im age a n d th at i n co n sta n t sh ade

,
.

“
I e n de avor e d to cru sh these fears a n d t o fortify myself for the ,

tri a l which i n a few mo n th s I resol ve d to u n d e rgo ; a n d sometimes

I allowed my thoughts u n checked by reaso n to r a mble i n the field s
, ,

o f P ar a d ise a n d d a red t o fa n cy a mi a b le a n d lovely cre ature s s ym

,

p a t h i z in
g with my feel i n gs a n d ch e e ri n g my gloom ; their a n gel i c
c ou n te n a n ces b re a the d smile s o f co n sol atio n But it was all a .

d re am : n o E v e soothed my sorrows o r s h ared my thoughts ; I was ,

al o n e I rememb e re d Ad am s supplicati o n t o hi s Cre a tor ; b u t

’
.
10 4 FRA NK E N S T E I N OR ,

wh e re wa s m i n e ? h e h a d a b a n do n e d me a n d i n th e bitte r ne s s o f , ,

my h e a rt I cursed him , .

Au tum n p ass e d thus I s aw with surpris e a n d grief the le av e s

.
, ,

d e cay a n d fall a n d n ature agai n assume t h e b a rre n a n d bleak ap

,

r a n c e it h ad wor n whe n I first beh e ld the woods a n d l ovely

p e a

moo n Yet I did n o t heed the bleak n es s o f t h e weather ; I wa s

.

better fitted by my co n formatio n for t h e e n dura n ce of cold tha n

heat But my chief delights were the sight o f the flowers the b irds
.
, ,

a n d all the gay apparel Of summer whe n those deserted me I

; ,

tur n ed with more atte n tio n toward s the cottagers Their h appi n ess .

wa s n o t decreased by the ab se n ce o f summ e r They loved a n d .

,

sympathized with o n e a n other ; a n d their j oys depe n di n g o n e a ch

, ,

other were n o t i n terru pted by the casualties that took pl ace arou n d
,

them The more I s aw o f them the greater be c ame my desire t o

.
,

cl aim their protectio n a n d ki n d n es s ; my heart year n ed to be k n ow n

a n d loved by these amiable creatures t o s e e their sweet looks :

tur n ed tow a rds me with a ffectio n was the utmost limit o f my ambi
tio n I dared n o t thi n k that they would tur n them from me with
.

disdai n a n d horror The poor th at stopped at their door were n e er

.
’

drive n aw ay I asked it i s true fo r greater treasures th a n a little

.
,
'

food o r rest : I required ki n d n es s a n d symp a thy ; but I did n o t b e

lie v e myself utterly u n worthy o f it ,
.

“
T he wi n ter adva n ced a n d a n e n tire r e v olutio n o f the se a so n s
,

h a d take n pl ace si n ce I awoke i n to li fe My atte n tio n at thi s time .

, ,

wa s solely directe d towards my pl a n o f i n troduci n g myself i n to t h e

cottage o f my protectors I revolved projects ; but th a t o n which I .

fi n ally fixed wa s to e n ter the dwelli n g whe n the bli n d o l d m a n

,

should be alo n e I h a d s a gacity e n ough to disco v er that the u n

.
,

n a tural hideous n ess o f my perso n was the c hief Object o f horror

with those who h a d formerly beheld me My voice although .

,

harsh h ad n othi n g terrible i n it ; I thought therefore th at if i n

, , , ,

the abse n ce o f h i s childre n I could gai n the good will a n d medi a ,

-

tio n of the Ol d D e Lacey I might by h i s mea n s be t o lerated by , , ,

my you n ger protectors .

O n e d ay whe n the s u n sho n e o n the red leave s th a t strewed the

,

grou n d a n d di ffused cheerful n ess although it de n ied warmth S a fi e

, , , ,

Agatha a n d Felix dep arted o n a lo n g cou n try walk a n d the Ol d

, ,

m a n at hi s o w n desire was left alo n e i n the cottage

, , Whe n hi s .

childre n had dep arted he took up his guitar a n d pl ayed several

, ,

mour n ful but sweet airs more sweet a n d mour n ful th a n I h ad eve r
,

he a rd him pl ay before At first h i s c ou n te n a n ce wa s illum i n ated

.

w ith ple a sure but a s he co n,

ti n ued thoughtful
,
n e ss a n d s ad n es s ,
 TH E M OD ER N P RO ME TH EU S . 10
5

s u cce e d e d ; a t l e n gth l ayi n g a side the i n strum e n t h e s a t ab sorb e d

, ,

i n refle c tio n .

“
M y heart be a t q uick ; thi s wa s the hour a n d mome n t o f tri a l ,

which wou l d deci de my h opes o r real ize my fears T he serva n t s , .

were go n e to a n eighbori n g fa ir All w a s S ile n t i n a n d arou n d the .

cottage : it was a n excelle n t Opportu n ity ; yet whe n I proceeded to ,

e xecute my pl a n my limb s failed me a n d I su n k t o the grou n d

, , .

Agai n I rose ; a n d exerti n g a l l the firm n es s o f which I was m aster

, ,

remo v ed th e pl a n ks which I h a d pl aced before my hovel to co n ceal

my retre a t The fresh ai r revived me a n d wit h re n ewed determi n a
.
, ,

t i o n I appro ached the door o f their cott a g e

, .

“
I k n ocked W h o i s there ? s ai d the o l d m a n
. C ome i n ’
, .
’

I e n tered ; P a rdo n thi s i n trusio n s ai d I I am a tr a veller i n

‘
,
’
,

wa n t o f a l ittle rest ; yo u woul d greatly oblige me if yo u woul d a l ,

l o w m e to rem ai n a few mi n utes before the fire

’
.

‘
E n ter s aid D e L acey ; a n d I wil l try i n wh at m a n n er I c a n
,
’

r el ie v e your wa n ts ; but u n fortu n ately my chil dre n are from home ,

, ,

a n d a s I am b li n d I a m a fr a i d I sh all fi n d it di ffi cult t o procure food

, ,
-

fo r you
’
.

“
D O n o t trouble yourself my ki n d host ; I h a v e food : i t i s
‘
,

warmth a n d rest o n ly th at I n e e d .
’

“
I s a t dow n a n d a sile n ce e n sued I k n ew th a t e very mi n ute
,
.

wa s p re ciou s to me yet I rem ai n ed irresolute i n wh at m a n n er t o

,

c omme n ce the i n terview ; whe n the Old m a n addressed me :

By your l a n gu age stra n ger I suppose yo u are my c ou n trym a n ;
, ,

a r e yo u Fre n ch ?
’

N o ; but I was educated by a Fre n ch fa mily a n d u n dersta n d

‘
,

t h a t l a n gu age o n ly I a m n o w goi n g to cl aim the protectio n Of

.

so m e frie n ds whom I s i n cerely love a n d o f whose fav or I h a v e

, ,

some hopes .
’

Are thes e G e rm a n s ? ’

No they a r e Fre n ch But let u s ch a n ge the subj ect I a m a n

,
. .

u n fortu n ate a n d deserted cre ature ; I lo o k a rou n d a n d h ave n o rel a ,

tio n o r frie n d upo n e arth These ami able people to whom I g o .

h ave n ever see n me a n d k n ow little of me I am ful l o f fe a rs ; for

,
.
,

if I fai l there I am a n outcast i n the worl d for e v er

,
.
’

D o n o t desp air
‘
T o be frie n dles s i s i n deed to be u n fortu n ate ;
.

but the he arts o f m e n whe n u n prejudiced by a n y Obviou s s elf ,

i n terest ,
are f u l l o f brotherly love a n d ch arity R ely therefore .
, ,

o n your hop e s ; a n d if the se frie n d s a r e

,
goo d a n d am i a ble do n ot ,

d e sp air
’

—
.

T h e y ar e k i n d they a r e t h e m o st e x ce ll e n t c re at u re s i n th e
‘
 1 06 FRANK E N S T E I N OR,

world ; but u n fortu n a tely they a re prejudiced a g a i n st me I h ave

, , .

good dispositio n s ; my life h a s bee n hitherto h armles s a n d i n , ,

s ome degree be n efici al ; but a fatal prej udice clouds their eyes
, ,

a n d where they ought t o s e e a feeli n g a n d ki n d frie n d they behold ,

On ly a detestable mo n st e r .
’

‘
Th at i s i n deed u n fortu n ate ; but if yo u a r e really bl ameless , ,

c a n n ot you u n deceive them ? ’

‘
I am about to u n dertake th at task ; a n d it i s o n that accou n t
th at I feel s o m a n y overwhelmi n g terrors I te n derly lo v e these .

frie n ds ; I have u n k n ow n to them bee n for m a n y mo n th s i n the

, ,

h abits o f daily ki n d n es s towards them ; but they believ e that I

wish to i nj ure them a n d it i s that prej udice which I wish to ov e r
,

c ome .
’

Where do these frie n ds reside ? ’

Near this spot .

’

The old m a n p aus e d a n d the n co n ti n ued If you will u n , ,

r e serv edly co n fide to me the p articul a rs o f your tale I m ay perhaps ,

be o f u s e i n u n deceivi n g them I am bli n d a n d c a n n ot j udge o f .

,

your cou n te n an ce but there is somethi n g i n your words which

'

persu ades me th at you are si n cere I am poor a n d a n exile ; but it .

,

will a fford me true ple a sure to be i n a n y way ser v iceable to a huma n

cre ature .
’

‘
E xcelle n t m a n ! I tha n k you a n d accept your ge n erous o ffer , .

You raise me from the dust by this ki n d n es s ; a n d I trust that by , ,

your ai d I sh al l n o t be drive n from the society a n d symp athy o f

,

your fellow creatures -

.
’

Heave n forbid ! eve n if you were really crimi n al ; for that c a n

o n ly drive you to desperatio n a n d n o t i n stigate yo u to virtue I , .

also am u n fortu n ate ; I a n d my family h ave bee n co n dem n ed ,

a lthough i n n oce n t : judge therefore if I do n o t feel for your m is

, ,

fortu n es
”
.

‘
How c a n I th a n k yo u my best a n d o n ly be n efactor ? From ,

your l ip s first h ave I he ard the voice Of ki n d n es s directed towards

me ; I shall be for ever grateful ; a n d your prese n t huma n ity as
sures me of succes s with those frie n ds whom I am o n the po i n t o f
m e eti n g .
’

‘
M ay I k n ow the n ames a n d reside n ce o f those frie n ds ? ’

I paused This I thought was the mome n t of decisio n which

.
, , ,

wa s t o rob me of or bestow h appi n es s o n me for ever

, I struggled , .

v a i n ly for firm n es s su ffi cie n t to a n swer him but the e ff ort destroyed ,

a ll my remai n i n g stre n gth ; I s a n k o n the ch air a n d sobbed aloud , .

A t th a t mo me n t I he a rd t h e step s o f my you nger protectors I h ad .

 TH E M OD ER N PR O ME TH E US . 10
7

no t a mom e n t to l o s e ; b u t s e izi n g the h a n d o f t h e o l d m a n I c ried

, , ,
‘
N o w i s t h e tim e ! s a ve a n d pro t ect me ! Y o u a n d your family a r e
the frie n d s whom I s e e k D O n o t yo u desert me i n th e h o ur o f
.

tri al ! ’

‘
Great Go d ! ex cl a imed the o l d m a n wh o a r e yo u ?
’
,
‘ ’

“
At th at i n st a n t the cottage door was ope n ed a n d Fel ix S a fi e , , ,

a n d Agath a e n tered W h o c a n describe their horror a n d co n ste r

.

n atio n O n beholdi n g me ? A gath a fai n ted ; a n d S a fi e u n able to ,

a tte n d to her frie n d ru shed o u t o f the cottage

, Fel ix d arted for .

w ard a n d with s uper n atural force tore me from h i s father to whose

, ,

k n ee s I clu n g I n a tra n sport o f fury he dashed me to the grou n d

.
, ,

a n d struck m e v iole n tly with a stick I could h ave tor n him limb .

from l imb a s the lio n re n d s the a n telope But my heart s a n k with

, .

i n me a s with bitter s ick n es s a n d I refrai n ed I s aw him o n t h e

,
.

p oi n t o f repe a ti n g hi s blow whe n o v ercome by p ai n a n d a n guis h

, , ,

I quitted the cottage a n d i n the ge n er a l tumult escaped u n pe r

,

c e i v e d to my ho v e l .

C H APT E R XV .

UR S E D , cursed cre ator ! Why di d I l ive ? Why n th at , I

i n sta n t d id I n o t exti n guis h the S p ark o f existe n ce which

,

y o u h ad s o wa n to n ly bestowed ? I k n ow n o t ; desp air had n o t ye t

take n pos ses sio n of me ; my feel i n gs were those of rage a n d reve n ge .

I coul d with pleasure h ave des troye d the cottage a n d its i n h abita n ts ,

a n d h ave glutted myself with their s hrieks a n d mi sery .

“
Whe n n ight came I quitted my retre at a n d wa n dered i n the
, ,

wood ; a n d n o w n o lo n ger restrai n ed by the fear o f discovery I

, ,

gave ve n t to my a n gui s h i n fearful howli n gs I was like a wild .

beast th at h ad broke n the toil s ; destroyi n g the Obj ects th at O h

structed m e a n d ra n gi n g through the wood with a stag like swift
,
-

n es s . O h ! wh at a miser a ble n ight I p as sed ! the col d stars sh o n e

i n mock e ry a n d the b are trees w a ved their bra n che s above me
,

nO w a n d the n the s weet v oice o f a bird burst forth amidst the

u n ivers al still n es s All s ave I were at rest or i n e nj oyme n t I
.
, ,
: ,

l i k e the a r c h fi e n d bore a hel l withi n me ; a n d fi n di n g myself u n

, ,

s ymp athized with wished to te a r up the trees S pre ad h avoc a n d ,

,

d estructio n a rou n d me a n d the n t o h a v e s

,
a t d o w n a n d e nj oyed t h e

rui n .
1 08 F RA NK E N S T E I N OR ,

“
But thi s wa s a luxury o f s e n s a tio n th at co ul d n o t e n dure ; I '

b ecame fatigued with ex c es s o f bod i ly e xertio n a n d s a n k o n t h e ,

d amp gras s i n the sick impote n ce o f des p air There was n o n e .

amo n g the myri ads o f m e n that exi sted who would p ity or assist
me ; a n d should I feel ki n d n es s tow a rds my e n e mies ? No : from
th at mome n t I declared everl asti n g war a gai n st the species a n d , ,

more th a n all agai n st him wh o h ad formed me a n d se n t me forth

,

to thi s i n supportable misery .

“
The s u n rose ; I heard the v oices o f m e n a n d k n ew th at it wa s ,

impossible to retur n t o my retre at duri n g th at d ay Accordi n gly .

I hi d myself i n some thick u n derwood determi n i n g to devote t h e ,

e n sui n g hours to reflectio n o n my situatio n .

“
The pleasa n t su n shi n e a n d the pure air o f d ay restored me to
, ,

s ome degree of tra n quillity ; and whe n I co n sidere d wh at h a d

,

p as sed at the cottage I could n o t help believi n g th at I h ad bee n

,

t o o hasty i n my co n clusio n s I had certai n ly acted imprude n tly

. ;

It w a s appare n t that my co n vers atio n h ad i n terested the father i n

my beh alf a n d I was a fool i n h avi n g exposed my perso n to the
,

horror o f hi s childre n I ought to h ave famili arized the Old D e

L
.

acey to me a n d by degrees h ave discovered myself to the rest o f

,

hi s family whe n they shoul d h av e bee n prepared for my approach

, .

But I did n o t believe my errors to be irretrievable ; a n d after ,

much co n sideratio n I resolved to retur n to the cottage see k the

, ,

Ol d m a n a n d by my represe n tatio n s wi n him to my p arty

, .

These thoughts calmed me an d i n the after n oo n I s a n k i n to a ,

profou n d sleep ; but the fever o f my blood di d n o t allow me to be

v isited by peaceful dreams The horrible sce n e o f the precedi n g
.

day was for ever acti n g before my eyes ; the females were flyi n g ,

a n d the e n raged Felix teari n g me from h i s father s feet I awoke ’

.

exh austed ; a n d fi n di n g th at it was already n ight crept forth from

, ,

my hidi n g pl ace a n d we n t i n search o f food

-
,
.

Whe n my hu n ger w as appeased I directed my step s toward ,

the well k n ow n p ath th at co n ducted to the cottage All there was

-
.

a t peace I c r e p t i n t o my hovel a n d remai n ed i n s ile n t expectatio n

'

.
,

Of the accustomed hour whe n the family aro se That hour past .
,

the s un mou n ted high i n the heave n s but the cottagers did n o t ,

a ppear . I trembled viole n tly apprehe n di n g some dreadful mis

,

fortu n e The i n side O f the cottage was dark a n d I heard n o mo

. ,

tio n ; I ca n n ot describe the ago n y o f thi s suspe n se .

“
P rese n tly two cou n tryme n passed by ; but p au si n g n e a r th e ,

cottage they e n tered i n to co n vers atio n u si n g v iole n t gesticul a

,
,

tio n s ; but I did n o t u n dersta n d wh a t they s a i d a s they spo k e t h e ,

 T HE M OD ER N PR O ME TH EU S . I 09

l a n gu a ge o f th e cou n t ry whi c h d i ffere d from th a t o f my prote ctors

, .

S o o n a fter how e ve r Felix appro a ched with a n o ther m a n : I wa s

, ,

s urpri sed a s I k n e w th a t he h a d n o t quitt e d the cottage th a t mor n

,

i n g a n d waite d a n xiously to di scover from h i s discours e the

, , ,

me a n i n g o f thes e u n u su a l appe a r a n c e s .

‘
D o you c o n sid e r s ai d h i s comp a n io n to him ,
’
th a t yo u will ,
‘

b e obliged t o p ay thr e e mo n th s r e n t a n d to lose the produce o f ’

,

your g a rde n ? I do n o t wi sh to t ake a ny u n fair a dva n tage a n d I ,

beg therefore th a t you wil l t ak e som e d ays to co n s i der o f your

,

det e rmi n atio n .

’

It i s utterly u seles s re plied Fel ix we c a n n e ver agai n i n h abit

,
’
,

your cottage The l ife o f my father i s i n the gre a test d a n ger owi n g
.
,

t o the dre a dful circumsta n ce th at I h a v e rel ated My wife a n d s i s .

ter will n ever recover their horror I e n treat yo u n o t to re aso n .

with m e a n y more T ake pos ses sio n o f your te n eme n t a n d let me

.
,

fly from thi s pl a ce
’
.

Fel ix trembled viole n tly a s h e s a id this He a n d hi s comp a n io n .

e n tere d th e cott a ge i n which they rem ai n ed for a few mi n utes a n d

, ,

the n dep arted I n e ver s aw a ny Of the family of D e Lac ey more

. .

I co n ti n ued for the rem a i n der of the d ay i n my hovel i n a state

Of utte r a n d stupid desp a ir My protectors h a d departed a n d h a d .
,

broke n th e o n ly li n k th at hel d me to the world Fo r the first time .

the feel i n gs o f reve n ge a n d h a tred fill e d my bosom a n d I d id n o t ,

strive to co n trol them ; but allowi n g myself t o be bor n e away by ,

the stream I be n t my mi n d towards i nj ury a n d death Whe n I

,
.

thought o f my frie n ds o f the m ild voice o f D e L a cey the ge n tle

, ,

e y e s o f Agath a a n d the exqui sit e beauty o f the Arabi a n

, thes e ,

thoughts v a n ished a n d a gus h o f tears somewh at s oothed me But

,
.
,

a g a i n wh e n I r e fle c t e d th a t they h ad spur n ed a n d deserted m e a n

, ,

ger retur n ed a r a ge o f a n ger ; a n d u n able to i nj ure a n y thi n g

, ,

hum a n I tur n ed my fury towards i n a n im a te Objects A S n ight

,
.

a dva n ce d I pl aced a v a riety o f combusti ble s arou n d the cottage ;

,

a n d a fter h a v i n g destroy e d e v ery vestige o f cultivatio n i n the gar

,

d e n I w a it e d with forc ed i mp a ti e n c e u n til th e moo h a d su n k to

,
n , ,

c o mme n c e my op e r a tio n s .

A s the n i ght a d v a n ced a fierce w i n d a ros e from t h e woods a n d , ,

q uickly di sp e rsed the cloud s th a t h ad loitere d i n the he a ve n s ; the

bl ast t o r e a l o n g lik e a mighty a val a n che a n d pro duced a ki n d o f
'

i n s a n ity i n my sp irits th a t burst a l l bou n d s o f re a so n a n d r e fl e c

,

ti o n . I l ighted the dry br a n ch o f a tr e e a n d d a n ced with fury ,

a rou n d the de v ot e d cott a ge my eyes stil l fixed o n the wester n hori ,

z o n the edg e o f wh i c h t h e m o o n n e a rly touch e d

,
A p art o f its o rb .
 I 10 FRANK E N S T E I N OR ,

wa s l e n gth hi d a n d I w a ved my br a n d ; i t su n k a n d with a loud

at , ,

s c re a m I fired t h e straw a n d he a th a n d bushes which I h a d col

l e c te d The wi n d fa n n e d the fire a n d the cottage wa s quickly e n

.
,

v e l o e d by the flames which clu n g to i t a n d licked it with their

p ,
.

forked a n d destroyi n g to n gues .

“
A S soo n as I was co n v i n ced th a t n o a ssist a n ce could s a ve a ny
p art o f the h abitatio n I quitted the sce n e a n d sought fo r refuge i n
, ,

the woods .

“
A n d n o w with the worl d before me whither s houl d I b e n d my
, ,

step s ? I resolved to fly far from the sce n e o f my mi sfortu n es ; but

to me h ated a n d despi sed every cou n try must be equ ally horrible
, , .

At le n gth the thought of you cros sed my mi n d I lear n ed from .

your p apers that yo u were my father my creator ; a n d to whom ,

could I apply with more fit n e s s tha n to him who h a d give n me life ?

Amo n g the les so n s th at Felix h ad bestowed upo n S a fi e geography ,

h ad n o t bee n omitted ; I h a d lear n ed from these the rel ative situa

tio n s of the di ff ere n t cou n tries Of the earth You h ad me n tio n ed .

Ge n eva as the n ame of your n ative tow n ; a n d tow a rds thi s p lace I
resolved to proceed .

“
But how wa s I to direct myself I k n ew th a t I must travel i n a
south westerly directio n to reach my desti n atio n ; but the s u n w a s
-

my o n ly guide I did n o t k n ow the n ames o f the tow n s that I wa s

.

to p as s through n o r could I ask i n formatio n from a s i n gle hum a n

,

bei n g ; but I did n o t desp air From you o n ly could I hope for s u c .

cor although towards you I felt n o se n time n t but that o f hatred

, .

U n feeli n g heartless creator ! you had e n dowed me with perceptio n s

,

a n d p as sio n s a n d the n cast me abroad a n Object for the scor n a n d

, ,

horror o f m a n ki n d But o n you o n ly had I a ny cl aim for p ity a n d

.

redress a n d from you I d e te r m i n e d t o seek th a t j ustice which I

,

vai n ly attempted to gai n from a ny other bei n g that wor e the hum a n
form .

My tra v els w e re lo n g a n d the su fferi n gs I e n dured i n te n se It

,
.

w a s l ate i n autum n whe n I quitted the district where I had s o lo n g

resided I travelled o n ly at n ight fe arful o f e n cou n teri n g the vi s
.
,
0
age o f a huma n bei n g Nature decayed arou n d me a n d the s u n .
,

became heatles s ; rai n a n d s n ow poured arou n d me ; mighty rivers

were froze n ; the surface of the earth was h ard a n d chill a n d bare ,

a n d I fou n d n o shelter O h e a rth ! how O fte n did I imprecate cur

.
,

s e s o n the cause o f my bei n g ! The m il d n es s Of my n atu re h ad

fled a n d a l l withi n me was tur n ed to gall a n d b itter n ess The
,
.

n earer I a pproached to your h abitatio n the more deeply did I feel ,

h
t e spirit Of r e v e n g e e n ki n dl e d i n my h e a rt S n o w fell a n d t h e .
,
 T HE M O D ER N PR O ME TH E US . III

w a ters w e r e h a rde n ed but I r e sted n o t A few i n cide n ts n o w a n d

, .

the n directed me a n d I pos ses sed a m ap o f t h e c ou n try ; b ut I Ofte n

,

w a n dered wi de from my p ath T he ago n y o f my feeli n gs a llowe d .

me n o re spite ; n o i n ci de n t occurre d from which my r a g e a n d m i s

e r y coul d n o t e xtract their food ; but a circumsta n ce th a t h app e n e d

whe n I arrived o n the co n fi n e s Of Switzerl a n d whe n the s u n h a d ,

recovered its w a rmth a n d the e a rth agai n bega n to look gree n , ,

co n firmed i n a n e speci a l m a n n er the bitter n e s s a n d horror o f my

feel i n gs .

I ge n er a lly rested duri n g the d ay a n d t r av elled o n ly whe n I wa s ,

secu red by n ight from the view Of m a n O n e mor n i n g howe v er .

, ,

fi n di n g th at my p ath l ay through a deep woo d I ve n tured t o c o n ,

t i n u e my j our n ey after the s u n h ad rise n ; the d ay which was o n e ,

o f the first o f spri n g che e red eve n me by the loveli n e s s o f i ts s u n

,

s h i n e a n d the b a lmi n es s o f the a i r I felt emotio n s o f ge n tle n e s s .

a n d ple a sure th a t h ad lo n g appe are d de a d revi v e withi n me H alf , .

su rpri sed by the n o v elty o f these s e n s a tio n s I a llowed myself to b e ,

bor n e away by them ; a n d forgetti n g my sol itude a n d deformity , ,

d ared to be h a ppy S oft tears agai n bedewed my che e ks a n d I

.
,

eve n rai sed my hum i d eyes with th a n kful n es s tow a rds the bles sed
s u n wh ich bestowed such j oy upo n m e
, .

“
I co n ti n ued t o wi n d am o n g the p ath s o f the wood u n til I cam e ,

t o i t s bou n d ary which was skirted by a deep a n d rap i d river i n to

, ,

which m a n y Of t h e tr e es be n t their bra n ches n o w buddi n g with th e ,

fresh sp ri n g Here I p a used n o t exactly k n owi n g wh at p ath t o

.
,

pursue whe n I heard the sou n d o f v oices th a t i n duced me to c o n

, ,

ce a l myself un der the sh ade o f a cypres s I w a s scarce ly h i d whe n .

,

a you n g girl ca me ru n n i n g toward s the s pot where I was co n cealed ,

l a ughi n g as if S h e r a n from some o n e i n sport S h e co n ti n ued her .

course alo n g the precipitous s i des o f the river whe n sudde n ly her ,

fo o t sl ipp ed a n d s h e fell i n to the rapi d s tre am I rushed from my

, .

h i di n g pl ace a n d with extreme l ab or from the force o f the curre n t

-
, , ,

s a ve d her a n d dragged her to shore S he wa s se n seless ; a n d I

,
.

e n de avored by e v ery mea n s i n my power to re store a n im a tio n

, , ,

whe n I was su dde n ly i n terrupte d by the appr o ach o f a ru stic wh o ,

was prob ably the perso n from wh om s h e h ad pl ayfully fled O n .

seei n g me h e d arte d towa rd s me a n d te ari n g the girl from my

, , ,

a rms h a ste n ed toward s the d e eper p arts o f t h e wood I followe d

, .

speedily I h ardly k n ew why ; but whe n the m a n s aw m e draw n e a r

, , ,

he a i m ed a gu n wh i ch h e c a rried at my b ody a n d fired I su n k to

, , ,
.

t h e grou n d a n d my i nj ur e r w i th i n c re a s e d s wift n e s s e sc a ped i n t o

, , ,

t h e wood .
IIz F RA NK E N S T E I N OR ,

T hi s wa s th e n the r ew a rd
, , my b e ne v ol e n ce ! I h ad s av ed a of

h uma n b e i n g from d e structio n a n d a s a r e c ompe n se I n o w writh e d , , ,

u n der the p ai n Of a w o u n d which sh a tter e d t h e fles h a n d bo n e , .

The feel i n gs o f ki n d n es s a n d ge n tle n es s which I h ad e n tert a i n e d ,

b ut a few mome n ts before g av e pl ace t o hellis h rage a n d g n ashi n g

,

o f teeth I n fl a me d by p ai n I vowed eter n al h atred a n d ve n ge a n c e

.
,

t o all m a n ki nd But the ago ny o f my wou n d overcame me : my

.

pul ses p aused a n d I fai n ted , .

“
Fo r som e weeks I led a miserable life i n the woods e n deavori n g ,

t o cur e t h e wou n d which I h ad received The b all h ad e n tered my .

s houlder a n d I k n ew n o t whether it h ad remai n ed there o r p assed

,

through ; a t a ny rate I h ad n o mea n s o f extracti n g it My su ffer

,
.

i n gs were augme n ted also by the Oppress ive se n se of the i njustic e

a n d i n gr a titude o f their i n flictio n My daily v ows rose for reve n ge .
,

such a s woul d a lo n e compe n s ate for the o utr a ges a n d a n guish I h ad

e n dured .

“
After som e w e e ks my wou n d he a led a n d I co n ti n ued my j our ,

n ey . T h e l a bors I e n dured were n o lo n ger to be alle v i ated by t h e

bright s u n o r ge n tle breezes o f S pri n g : all j oy was but a mockery ,

which i n sult e d my desol ate state a n d made me feel more p a i n fully ,

t hat I wa s n o t m ad e fo r the e nj oyme n t o f pleasure .

But my toil s n o w drew n ear a close ; a n d two mo n th s from th i s ,

time I r e a ched the e n v iro n s o f Ge n ev a

,
.

“
It wa s e v e n i n g whe n I a rri v ed a n d I retired to a hidi n g pl ace ,
-

a mo n g the fields th at surrou n d it to meditate i n wh a t ma n n er I ,

s houl d a pply t o y o u I was Oppressed by fatigue a n d hu n ger a n d

.
,

fa r t o o u n happy to e nj oy the ge n tle breezes of eve n i n g or the pros ,

p e e t Of the s u n setti n g behi n d the stupe n dous mou n tai n s i ura .

“
At this time a s light S leep rel ie v ed me from the p ai n o f r e fle c
tio n which wa s disturbed by the appro ach o f a beautiful child
, ,

who c a me ru n n i n g i n to the reces s I had chose n with a l l the

sporti v e n es s o f i n fa n cy Sudde n ly as I gazed o n h im a n ide a
.
, ,

seized m e th at this little creature was u n prej udiced a n d h a d li ved

, ,

t o o S hort a tim e t o h a v e imbibed a horror o f deformity If ther e .

,

fore I could s e ize him a n d edu c ate him as my comp a n io n a n d

, ,

fr i e n d I shoul d n o t be s o d e solate i n this peopled e arth

,
.

“
U rged by thi s impulse I seized o n the boy as he p assed a n d , ,

dre w him t o ward s me A s s oo n a s he behel d my form he pl aced

.
,

h i s h a n ds b e for e h i s ey e s a n d utter e d a shrill scre a m : I dr e w h i s

h a n d fo rc ibly fr o m hi s face a n d s aid Child what i s th e me a n i n g
, ,
‘
,

o f th is ? I do n o t i n te n d to hurt you ; liste n to me

L
’
.

He s truggl e d vi ole n tly e t me go h e cr i e d ; m o n s te r ! u gly

.
‘
,
’ ‘
 T HE M OD E R N P RO ME T H EU S . II
3

wr e tch ! yo u wi sh to e at me ,
te ar me to p i e ce s ; yo u a r e a n and .

o gre ; let me g o o r I will t e ll my p ap a ’

, .

“ ‘
B o y you w i l l n e ve r s e e you r fa ther a gai n ;
,
y o u mu s t c o me

w i th me .
’

H ideous mo n ster ! l e t m e go ; my p a p a i s a Sy n di c ; h e i s M .

Fra n ke n s tei n ; h e woul d pu n i s h yo u Y o u d a re n o t keep me . .

’

Fra n ke n stei n ! you belo n g the n t o my e n emy to h im tow a rds ,

whom I h a ve swor n e te r n al reve n ge ; you S h all b e my first v ictim .

’

“
Th e ch il d stil l struggled a n d l o aded me with ep ithets which ,

carried desp air to my he art : I grasped h i s thro at to s ile n ce him ,

a n d i n a mome n t he l ay de ad at my feet .

“
I gaze d o n my v ictim a n d my he a rt swelled w ith exultatio n
,

a n d hel li s h triump h : cl a pp i n g my h a n ds I excl aimed I too c a n , ,

‘
, ,

create desol atio n : my e n emy i s n o t impreg n able ; thi s de ath will

c arry desp air to him a n d a thou s a n d o th e r m iseries s h a ll torm e n t
,

a n d destroy h im
’
.

“
As I fixed my eyes o n the child I s aw som e thi n g glitteri n g o n ,

h i s bre ast I took it ; it was a portrait of a mo st lo v ely wom a n

. .

I n sp ite of my m alig n ity it softe n ed a n d attracted me ,Fo r a few .

mome n ts I gazed with del ight o n her d ark eye s fri n ged by de ep ,

l ashes a n d her lovely lip s ; but prese n tly my rage retur n ed I r e

,
:

membered th at I was for ever depri v ed o f the delights th at such

b eautiful cre a tures coul d bestow ; a n d th at s h e whose resembl a n ce
I co n templ ate d would i n regardi n g me h ave ch a n ged th at air o f
, ,

d ivi n e be n ig n ity to o n e expres s ive o f di sgust a n d a ffright .

Ca n you wo n der th at such thoughts tra n sported me with r a ge ?

I o n ly wo n der th at at th at mome n t i n stead o f ve n ti n g my se n s a
, , ,

tio n s i n excl am atio n s a n d ago n y I di d n o t rush amo n g m a n ki n d , ,

a n d perish i n the attempt to de stroy them .

“
Wh ile I was overcome by these feel i n gs I l e ft t h e S pot where I ,

h ad committe d the murder a n d was seeki n g a more secluded hidi n g ,

p l ace whe n I perceived a you n g wom a n p as s i n g n ear me S he

, .

w a s you n g ; n o t i n deed s o beau tiful as her whose p ortr a it I held

, , ,

but of a n agree able aspect a n d blo om i n g i n the l ovel i n e s s of youth

,

a n d he alth Here I th ought i s o n e o f those who se smile s a r e

.
, ,

bestowed o n all but me ; she s h al l n o t esc a p e : th a n ks to the les so n s

of Felix a n d the s a n gui n ary l aws o f m a n I h av e le a r n e d how to
, ,

work m i schief I appro ache d her u n perceived a n d pl a ce d the por

.
,

trait securely i n o n e of the fold s O f h e r dres s .

F o r some d ays I h au n te d the spot wher e th e s e th i n gs h a d take n

pl ace ; sometimes wi s hi n g to s e e you sometime s resolved to quit t h e ,

worl d a n d its m i series fo r ever At le n gth I w a n dered tow a rd these .

8
I I
4
. FRA NK E N S T E I N OR,

m o u n t a i n s a n d h a v e r a n ged through their i mme n s e re ces ses c o n

, ,

s umed by a bur n i n g p ass io n which you alo n e c a n gratify We .

m ay n o t p a rt u n til you h av e promised to comply with my requisi

tio n I a m alo n e an d miserable m a n will n o t as soci ate with me ;
.
,
:

but o n e as deformed a n d horrible as myself would n o t de n y herself to

me My compa n io n must be o f the s ame sp e c i e s a n d h ave th e
.
,
”
S a me defe cts T hi s b e i n g yo u must c re a te
. .

C H APTE R ! VI .

H E bei n g fi n i shed spe aki n g a n d fixed h i s loo k s upo n me i n ,

expectatio n O f a reply But I wa s bewildered perplexed a n d .

, ,

u n able to arra n ge my ideas su fficie n tly t o u n dersta n d the full exte n t

o f hi s propositio n He co n ti n ued .

You mu st create a female for me with whom I c a n live i n t h e ,

i n tercha n ge o f those symp athies n eces s ary for my bei n g This “

.

o u alo n e c a n do ; a n d I dem a n d it as a right which you must n o t

y
refuse ”
.

The l atter p art o f hi s tale h ad ki n dled a n ew i n me th e a n ger that

h ad died away while he n arrated hi s peacefu l life amo n g the cot
tagers a n d as he s ai d this I could n o lo n ger suppres s the rage that
, , ,

bur n ed withi n me .

“
I d o refuse it I replied ; a n d n o torture sh all ever extort a
,
“

co n se n t from me You may re n der me the most miserable o f me n

.
,

but you s h all n ever m ake me b ase i n my o wn eyes S h all I create .

a n other like yourself whose j oi n t wicked n es s m igh t desolate th e

,

worl d ? Bego n e ! I h ave a n swered you ; you m ay torture me but I ,

will n ever co n se n t .

“
You are i n the wro n g replied the fie n d ; and i n stead of
, ,

threate n i n g I co n te n t to reaso n with you I am m al iciou s because

, .

I am miserable ; am I n o t shu n n ed a n d h ated by all m a n ki n d ?

Yo u my creator would tear me to pieces a n d triumph ; remem
, , ,

b e r that a n d tel l me why I should p ity m a n more th a n m a n pities

,

me ? You would n o t certai n ly call it murder if you could pre

, , ,

c i p i t a t e me i n to o n e o f those ice rifts a n d destroy my frame the -

, ,

work o f your o wn h a n ds Shall I respect the m a n whe n he c o n.

,

t e m n s me ? Let him live with me i n the i n terch a n ge o f ki n d n ess ,

a n d i n ste a d o f i njury I would be stow e v ery be n efit upo n h im with

, , ,
 T HE M O D E R N PR O ME T H E US . I I
S

t e a rs o f gratitude at h i s accepta n ce But th at c a n n ot be ; the .

hu m a n se n se s are i n surmou n table b arriers to o u r u n io n Yet .

mi n e sh all n o t be the submi s s io n o f abj ect sl avery I will re ve n ge .

m y i nj uries : if I c a n n ot i n sp ire l ove I wi l l cau se fe ar ; a n d ch iefly ,

toward s yo u my a rch e n emy becau se my cre ator do I swear i n

,
-
, ,

exti n guish able h atre d H ave a care I will work at your d e s t r u c

. :

tio n n o r fi n i sh u n til I desol ate your he art so th at you cu rs e t h e

, ,

hour Of y o ur b irth ”
.

A fie n di s h rage a n im ated h im as he s ai d thi s ; h i s face w a s

wri n kled i n to co n tortio n s t o o horrible for hum a n eyes to behol d
but p rese n tly he calme d h im self a n d proceeded ,
.

“
I i n te n de d to re aso n Th i s p as sio n i s detrime n tal to me ; for
.

o u do n o t reflect th at you are the caus e o f its exces s If

y a n
y .

bei n g felt em otio n s o f be n evole n ce towards me I shoul d retur n ,

them a n hu n dred a n d a n hu n dre d fol d for th at o n e c fe a tu r e s :

’

s ake I woul d m ake peace with the whole ki n d ! But I n o w i n dulg e

,

i n dream s o f bli s s th at c a n n ot be re alized Wh at I ask o f you i s .

reaso n able a n d moderate ; I dema n d a creature of a n other s e x but ,

a s hideou s as myself the gratificatio n is sm all but it i s all th at I

: ,

c a n receive and it S h al l co n te n t me It i s true we S h al l b e

, .
,

mo n sters cut o ff from al l the world ; but o n that accou n t we sh al l

,

be more attached to o n e a n other O ur l ives will n o t be h a ppy b u t .

'

they wil l be h armless a n d free from the m i sery I n o w feel O

, .

my creator m ake me h appy ; let me feel gratitude towards you for

,

o n e be n efit ! Let me see th at I excite the symp a thy o f some exist .

i n g thi g ; do n o t de y m e my reque st ? ”
n n

I was moved I s huddered whe n I thought o f t h e pos sible c o n

.

seque n ces of my co n se n t ; but I felt th at there was some j ustice i n

h is argume n t H i s tale a n d the feeli n gs he n o w expressed proved
.
, ,

h im to be a cre a ture Of fi n e se n s at io n s ; a n d did I not as h is m ake r , ,

o we h im a l l the p o rtio n o f h app i n es s th at it wa s i n my power t o

bestow ? H e s aw my ch a n ge o f feel i n g a n d co n ti n ued ,

“
If yo u c o n se n t n either you n o r a n y other hum a n bei n g sh al l
,

e v er s e e u s agai n : I wil l g o to the v ast wild s of South Americ a .

My foo d i s n o t th a t of m a n ; I do n o t destroy the l amb a n d the kid ,

t o glut my appetite ; acor n s a n d berries a fford me su ffi cie n t n ouri sh

me n t My comp a n io n wi ll be o f the s ame n ature as myself a n d
.
,

w i ll be co n te n t with the s a me fare We sh al l m ake o u r be d of drie d .

l e aves ; the s u n will sh i n e o n u s as o n m a n a n d will ripe n our food ,

.

T he picture I p rese n t to you i s pe aceful a n d hum a n a n d you mu s t ,

feel th a t yo u coul d de n y it o n ly i n the w a n to n n es s Of power a n d

c ru e lty P itil e s s a s yo u h a v e b e e n tow a rd s me I n o w s e e c omp a s
.
,
II6 FRA NK E N S T E I N OR ,

s io n y o u r e ye s ; l e t me seize th e fa v orabl e m o m e n t a n d p e rs u a d e
in ,

y o u t o promise wh a t I s o a rd e n tly desir e .

“
You propose replied I to fly from the h a bit a t io n s o f m a n
, ,
“
,

to dwell i n those wilds where the be asts o f the fiel d wil l be your
o n ly comp a n io n s How c a n you who lo n g for the lo v e a n d sym
.
,
.

p athy o f m a n persevere i n this exile ? Y o u wil l retur n a n d agai n

, ,

seek their ki n d n es s a n d you will meet with their detestatio n ; your

,

evil p as s io n s will be re n e wed a n d yo u will the n h a v e a comp a n io n

,

to aid you i n the task o f destructio n Thi s m ay n o t be : cease to .

a rgue the poi n t fo r I ca n n ot co n se n t

,
.

Ho w i n co n sta n t are your feeli n gs ! But a mom e n t a go you were

moved by my represe n tatio n s a n d why do you ag a i n h arde n your ,

self to my compl ai n ts ? I swear to you by the earth which I i n ,

habit a n d by you th at made me that with the comp a n io n you

, , ,

bestow I will quit the n eighborhood o f m a n a n d dwel l as it may

, , ,

ch a n ce i n the most s avage of pl aces My evil p as sio n s will h ave

,
.

fled for I sh all meet with sy mpathy ; my l ife will fl o w quietly away
, ,

i n my dyi n g mome n ts I shall n o t curse my m aker

”
and , ,
.

Hi s word s h ad a stra n ge e ffect upo n me I comp as sio n ated him .

,

a n d sometimes felt a wish to co n sole him ; but whe n I looked upo n ,

him whe n I s aw the filthy m as s th at moved a n d talked my heart

, ,

sicke n ed a n d my feel i n gs were altered to those o f horror a n d h a

,

t re d .I tried to stifle these se n s atio n s ; I thought th at as I could , ,

n o t symp athize with him I h ad n o right to withhol d from him

,

the sm all portio n Of happi n es s which was yet i n my p ower to

bestow .

You swear I s a id to be h armles s ; but h a v e yo u n o t already

, ,
“

S how n a degree o f m al ice th at S hould re aso n ably m ake me distrust

you ? M ay n o t eve n this be a fei n t th at will i n crease your triumph
by a ff ordi n g a wider scope for your reve n ge ? ”

H ow i s this ? I thought I h ad moved your comp a s sio n a n d yet ,

you stil l refuse to bestow o n me the o n ly be n efit th at c a n softe n my

he art a n d re n der me h armless If I have n o ties a n d n o a ff ectio n s
,
.
,

hatred a n d vice must be my portio n : the lo v e o f a n other will de

stroy the cause of my crimes a n d I shall become a thi n g of whose ,

existe n ce every o n e will be ig n ora n t My vices are the chi ldre n of .

a forced solitude th at I abhor ; a n d my virtues will n ecess arily arise

whe n I live i n commu n io n with a n equal I sh all feel the a ff ectio n s .

of a se n sitive bei n g a n d become li n ked to t h e ch a i n Of existe n ce

,

a n d eve n ts from which I am n o w excluded

,
.

I p a used some ti me to reflect o n all he h ad rel ate d a n d t h e v a ri ,

ous argume n ts which he h ad empl o yed I thought Of the promise .

 TH E M O D ER N P RO ME TH EU S . 1 1
7

of v ir tu e s whi ch h e h ad displ ayed o n the ope n i n g o f ms exi ste n ce

‘

a n d the sub se ue n t bl ight o f al l ki n dly feel i n g by t h e lo a thi n g a n d

q
s cor n which hi s protectors h ad m a n ifested t o ward s h im Hi s power .

a n d th re a ts were n o t omitted i n my calcul atio n s : a cre ature who

coul d exist i n the ice c a ves o f the gl aciers a n d hide himself from
-
,

pursuit amo n g the ridge s o f i n a cces sible precipices was a bei n g ,

pos ses s i n g facu ltie s it woul d be v ai n to cope with After a lo n g .

p a use of reflectio n I co n cluded t h at the j u stice due both to h im a n d

,

my fellow cre atures dem a n ded o f me th a t I should c omply with h i s

-

r e que st Tur n i n g t o h im therefore I s aid

.
, ,

“
I co n se n t to your dem a n d o n your solem n o a th to quit E urope ,

fo r ever a n d every other pl ace i n the n eighborhood o f m a n a s soo n

, ,

a s I s h all deliver i n to your h a n d s a fem ale wh o will a ccomp a n y o

y u

i n your exile
”
.

I swear he c ried by the s u n a n d by the blue s ky o f hea v e n

”
, ,
“
, ,

th a t if yo u gra n t my pr ayer while they exi st yo u sh all n e v er behol d ,

m e agai n D ep a rt t o your home a n d comm e n ce your l abors : I

.
,

sh al l watch their progre s s with u n utter able a n xiety ; a n d fe ar n o t

but th at whe n yo u are re a dy I sh all appe a r ”
.

S ayi n g th i s he sudde n ly quitted me fearful perh a p s o f a ny

, , , ,

ch a n ge i n my se n time n ts I s aw h im d e sce n d the mou n tai n with .

gre ater speed th a n t h e flight o f a n e agle a n d qu i ck ly lost h i m ,

a mo n g the u n dul atio n s o f the s e a o f i c e .

Hi s tale h ad occup ied the whole d ay ; a n d the s u n wa s upo n t h e

ver g e o f the h O l l Z O Il whe n he dep arted I k n ew th at I ought to
‘
.

h aste n my desce n t toward s the valley as I shoul d soo n be e n c o m ,

p a s sed i n d ark n es s ; but my he art was he avy a n d my step s S low .

The l abor o f wi n di n g a mo n g the l ittle p ath s o f the mou n tai n s a n d ,

fixi n g my feet firmly as I adva n ced perplexed me occupied a s I w a s , ,

by the emotio n s which the occurre n ces o f the d ay h ad produced .

Night was far adva n ced whe n I c a me to the h alf way resti n g pl ace
,
- -
,

a n d se ated myself be side the fou n tai n The stars sho n e at i n ter .

v a l s as the cloud s p assed from over them ; the d ark p i n es rose b e

,

fore me an d every here a n d t h e r e a broke n tree l ay o n the grou n d

,
/

it was a sce n e o f wo n derful solem n ity a n d stirred stra n ge thoughts ,

withi n me I wept bitterly ; a n d cl asp i n g my h a n d s i n ago n y I

. , ,

excl aimed O stars a n d cloud s a n d wi n ds ye are a l l about t o

,
“
'

mock m e : if ye re ally p ity me cru s h se n s atio n a n d memory ; l e t ,

me become as n ought ; but if n o t dep art dep a rt a n d le ave me i n , , ,

d a rk n es s ”
.

T h e se wer e wil d a n d mi serable thoughts ; but I c a n n ot describ e :

t o yo u h o w the e ter n a l twi n k l i n g o f t h e stars weighed up o n me a n d ,

r18 F RA NK E N S T E I N OR ,

how I li ste n ed to e v e ry bl a st o f w i n d a s i f it we re a dull ugly S i ro cco

, ,

o n its way to co n sume me .

M or n i n g d aw n e d before I arri v ed at the vill age o f Ch a mo n ix ;

‘

but my prese n ce so haggard a n d str a n ge h ardly calmed the fears

, ,

o f my family who had w a ited the whole n ight i n a n xious expect a

,

tio n of my retur n .

T h e followi n g d ay we ret u r n ed to Ge n e v a The i n te n tio n of my .

father i n comi n g h ad bee n to divert my mi n d a n d to restore my lost ,

tra n quillity ; but the medici n e had bee n fatal A n d u n able to a c .

,

cou n t for the excess o f mi sery I appeared to su ffer he h aste n ed to ,

retur n home hopi n g the quie t a n d mo n oto n y o f a domestic life

,

would by degrees allevi ate my su fferi n gs from wh atever cause they ,

might S pri n g .

For myself I was p assive i n all their arra n geme n ts ; a n d the ge n

,

tle a ff ectio n of my beloved E lizabeth was i n adequate to draw me

from the depth o f my desp air The promi se I h ad made to t h e .

demo n weighed upo n my mi n d like D a n te s iro n cowl o n the heads ,

’

o f the hell ish hypocrites All my pleasures of e arth a nd s ky pa s sed

.

before me like a dream a n d th at thought o n ly had to me the reality

,

o f l ife Ca n you wo n der that sometimes a ki n d o f i n sa n ity pos

.

ses sed me or th at I s a w co n ti n ually about me a multitude O f filthy

,

a n im al s i n flic ti n g o n me i n cess a n t torture that ofte n extorted

, ,

scream s a n d bitter groa n s ?

By degrees however these feeli n gs became calmed I e n tered
, , .

a gai n i n to the every day sce n e o f life if n o t with i n terest a t le a st

-
, ,

with s o m e degree o f tra n q uillity .

C H APTE R XVII .

after d ay week after week passed away o n my r etur n to

, ,

Ge n eva ; a n d I could n o t collect the courage to recomme n ce my

work I feared the ve n gea n ce of the disappoi n ted fie n d yet I was
.
,

u n able to overcome my repug n a n ce to the task wh ich was e nj oi n ed

me I fou n d that I coul d n o t compose a fem ale without agai n
.

devoti n g several mo n th s to profou n d study a n d l aborious disqui si

tio n I had heard of some discoveries h avi n g bee n m ade by a n
.

E n glish philosopher the k n owledge of which was m aterial to my

,

succes s a n d I sometimes thought of obtai n i n g my father s co n se n t

,
’
 T HE M OD E R N P RO ME TH EU S . I I
9

to vi sit E n gl a n d for thi s purpose ; b ut I clu n g to e v e ry prete n ce o f

d el ay a n d coul d n o t re solve to i n terrup t my retur n i n g tr a n quill i ty
, .

M y he alth which h ad hitherto decl i n ed was n o w much restored ;

, ,

a n d my spirits whe n u n checked by the memory Of my u n h appy

,

p romi se rose prop ortio n ably My father s aw th i s ch a n ge with

, .
.

ple asure a n d he t u r n ed h i s thoughts towards the best metho d o f

,

eradicati n g the rem ai n s O f my mel a n choly which every n o w a n d ,

the n woul d retur n by fits a n d with a devouri n g bl ack n es s ove rcast ,

the approach i n g su n s hi n e At these mome n ts I took refuge i n the .

m o st perfect s ol itude I p as sed whole d ays o n the l a k e alo n e i n a

.

little b o at watchi n g the clou ds a n d l iste n i n g to the rippli n g of the

, ,

waves s ile n t a n d l i stles s But the fres h air a n d bright s u n seldom

, .

failed t o restore me t o som e degree o f compos ure ; a n d o n my

.

retur n I m e t the s alutatio n s o f my frie n d s with a re adier sm ile a n d

,

a more cheerful he a rt .

It was after my retur n from o n e o f these r a mbl e s th at my fa th e r ,

c alli n g me aside thu s ad dressed me ,

I am h appy to rem ark my dear s o n th at yo u h ave resumed , ,

your for m er pleasures a n d seem to be retur n i n g to yourself A n d yet

, .

o u are still u n h appy a n d stil l avoi d o u r society For some time

y , .

I was l o st i n co nj ecture as to th e cause Of th is but yesterday a n ,

i de a struck me ; a n d if it i s well fou n ded I co nj ure you to a v ow it

, , .

R eserve o n such a poi n t woul d be n o t o n ly useles s but draw dow n ,

treble m isery o n u s all ”

.

I trembled viole n tly a t thi s exordium a n d my father co n ti n ued , ,

I co n fes s my s o n th at I h ave always looked forw ard to your

, ,

m arri age with you r cous i n as the tie o f our domestic comfort a n d ,

the stay O f my decli n i n g years You were attached to e ach other .

from your earl ie st i n fa n cy ; you stu die d together a n d appe ared i n , ,

di spositio n s a n d taste s e n tirely suite d to o n e a n other But s o ,

.

b li n d i s the experie n ce o f m a n th at wh at I co n ceived to be the best ,

a s si sta n ts to m pl a n m ay h ave e n tirely de stroyed it You per

y .
,

h ap s regard her as you r s ister without a n y wish th at S he m ight

, ,

become your W ife N ay you m ay h av e met with a n other whom

.
,

o u m ay love ; a n d co n sideri n g yourself as bou n d i n ho n or to you r

y ,

cou si n th i s struggle m ay occasio n the poig n a n t mi sery wh ich you

,

a ppe ar to feel
”
.

My dear father r e a s sure yourself I lo v e my cou si n te n derly

,
- .

a n d S i n cerely I n ever s aw a n y wom a n who excited as E lizabeth

.
,

does my warme st adm iratio n a n d a ff ectio n M y future hope s

,
.
.

a n d prospects a r e e n tir e ly bou n d up i n t h e expectatio n o f our

”
u nl o n .
1 20 F RA NK E N S T E I N OR ,

T he xpressio n o f your se n time n ts o n thi s subject my de a r

e ,

V i ct o r gives me more ple asure tha n I h ave fo r some time e xp e

,

rie nce d . If yo u feel thi s we sh all as suredly be h a ppy howe ver

, ,

prese n t eve n ts m ay cast a gloom over u s But it i s thi s gloom .

,

which appears to h ave take n s o stro ng a hol d of your m i n d th at I ,

wi sh to dis sip ate Tell me therefore whether you obj ect to a n

.
, ,

immedi ate solem n izatio n o f the m arri age We h ave bee n u n fo r .

t u n a t e a n d rece n t eve n ts h ave draw n u s from th at every d ay tra n

,
-

quillity befitti n g my years a n d i n fi r m i t i e s You are you n ger ; yet I .

do n o t suppose p os ses sed a s you are o f a compete n t fortu n e that

, , , ,

a n e a rly m arri age woul d at all i n terfere with a n future pla n s f

y o

ho n or a n d util ity th at you m ay have formed D o n o t suppose .

,

however th at I wish to dict a te h appi n es s to yo u o r th at a del ay o n

, ,

your p art wo u l d cause me a n y seriou s u n eas i n ess I n terpret my .

words with ca n dor a nd a n swer me I co njure you with co n fide n ce

, , ,

a n d s i n cerity
”
.

I l iste n ed to my father i n S ile n ce a n d rem ai n ed for some time ,

i n cap able o f O fferi n g a ny reply I revolved rapidly i n my mi n d a .

multitude o f thoughts a n d e n de avored to arrive at some co n clusio n

, .

Al as ! t o m e th e ide a of a n immediate u n io n with my cousi n wa s

l

o n e o f horror a n d dism ay I was bou n d by a solem n promise

.
,

wh ich I h ad n o t yet fulfilled a n d dared n o t b reak ; o r if I did , , ,

wh at m a n ifold miseries m ight n o t im pe n d over me a n d my devoted

family ! Could I e n ter i n to a festival with thi s deadly weight yet
h a n g i n g rou n d my n eck a n d bowi n g me to the grou n d ? I must
,

perform my e n gageme n t a n d let the mo n ster dep art with his mate
, ,

before I allowed myself to e nj oy the deli ght Of a u n io n from which

I expected peace .

I remembered also the n eces sity imposed upo n me o f either

jour n eyi n g to E n gl a n d o r e n teri n g i n to a lo n g correspo n de n ce
,

with those philosophers of that cou n try whose k n owledge a n d ,

discoveries were o f i n dispe n s able u s e to me i n my prese n t u n der

taki n g The l atter method O f Obtai n i n g the desired i n tellige n ce
.

wa s dil atory a n d u n s ati sfactory bes ides a n y vari atio n was agree : ,

a ble to me a n d I was delighted with the idea O f spe n di n g a year or

,

t wo i n ch a n ge O f sce n e a n d variety of occup atio n i n ab se n ce from ,

my family ; duri n g which period some eve n t migh t h appe n which

would restore me to them i n peace a n d h appi n es s : my promise
might be fulfilled a n d the mo n ster h ave dep arted ; or some acci
,

de n t might occur to destroy him a n d put a n e n d t o my sl a v ery for ,

e v er
.

T h e s e feel i n gs di ctat e d my a n swer to my fa th e r I expres sed a .

 T HE M O D ER N PR OME TH EU S . I ZI

w i sh t o v i s it E n gl a n d ; but c o n ce a l i n g t h e true re a so n s o f thi s

,

request I clothe d my d e sire s u n der the gui s e o f w i shi n g to trav el

,

a n d s e e the worl d b e for e I s a t dow n fo r life withi n t h e w a ll s o f my

n ati v e tow n .

I urge d my e n tre a ty with e a r n est n es s a n d my father was easily ,

i n duced t o comply ; for a more i n dulge n t a n d les s dictatori al p are n t

did n o t exi st upo n e a rth O ur pl a n wa s soo n arra n ged I s houl d
. .

travel to Strasburg wh e re C lerval woul d j oi n m e S ome S hort

, .

ti me woul d be spe n t i n the tow n s o f H oll a n d a n d our pri n cip al ,

stay woul d b e i n E n gl a n d We should retur n by Fra n ce ; a n d it

.

wa s agree d th at the tour s houl d occupy the sp a ce o f two ye ars .

I
M y father ple a sed himself with the reflectio n th at my u n io n with ,

E l izabeth S hould take pl ace immedi ately o n my retur n to Ge n eva .

These two y e ars s aid he will p as s swiftly a n d it will be the

”
, ,
“
,

l ast del ay th at wil l Oppose itself to your h appi n es s A n d i n deed .

, ,

I e a r n estly des ire th at peri o d to arrive whe n we sh all all be u n ited , ,

a n d n either hope s n o r fe a rs arise to di sturb o u r do mestic c a lm

”
.

“
I am co n te n t I replied
”
, with your arra n geme n t By th a t
,
“
.

tim e we sh all both h a v e become wiser a n d I hope h appier th a n we , ,

a t prese n t are
”
I sighed ; but my father k i n dly forbore to questio n
.

me further co n cer n i n g the cause o f my dejectio n H e hoped th a t .

n e w sce n es ,a n d the a mu seme n t o f tr a vell i n g woul d restore my ,

tr a n qu ill ity .

I n o w m ade a rr a n geme n ts for my j our n ey ; but o n e feel i n g

h au n ted me wh ich filled me with fear a n d agitatio n D uri n g my
, .

a b se n ce I s houl d le ave my frie n ds u n co n scio u s of the exi ste n ce o f

their e n emy a n d u n protected from hi s attacks exasperated as he

, ,

might be by my dep arture But he h ad prom ised to follow m e .

wherever I might go ; a n d woul d he n o t accomp a n y me to E n g

l a n d ? Thi s im agi n ati o n was dreadful i n itself but soothi n g i n as , ,

much a s i t supposed the s afety Of my frie n ds I was ago n ized with .

the i de a o f the pos s ib ility th at the reverse o f this migh t h appe n .

But through the whole perio d duri n g which I was the sl a ve of my

creature I allowed myself to be gover n ed by the impul ses of the
,

mome n t ; a n d my prese n t se n s atio n s stro n gly i n tim ated th at the

fie n d woul d follow me a n d exempt my fam ily from the d a n ger o f
,

h i s m ach i n a tio n s .

It was i n t h e l atter e n d o f A ugust th at I dep arted to p as s two .

,

ye a rs o f exile E liz abeth approved o f the rea so n s o f my dep artur e

. ,

a n d o n ly regretted th at S h e h ad n o t the s ame opportu n itie s of e n

l a r g i n g h e r experie n ce a n d cultivati n g her u n dersta n di n g

,
She .

w e p t h o w e ve r a s s h e b a d e m e fa r e well a n d e n treated m e to r e tur n

, , ,
I 22 FRANK E N S T E I N OR ,

happy a n d tra n quil We all s a id S he depe n d up o n yo u ; a nd

.
“
, ,
“

if you are miserable wh at must be our feeli n gs ? ,

”

I threw myself i n to the carri age that was to co n vey m e away ,

hardly k n owi n g whither I was goi n g a n d careles s of wh at was ,

p as si n g arou n d I remembered o n ly a n d it was with a b itter a n

.
,

gui sh that I reflected o n it to order that my chemical i n strume n ts ,

S hould be p acked to go with me ; for I resolved to fulfil my promi se

while abro ad a n d retur n if possible a free m a n Filled with
, , ,
.

dreary m a g I n a t i o n s I passed through m a n y beautiful a n d m ajestic

I ,

sce n es ; but my eyes were fixed a n d u n observi n g I co u ld o n ly .

thi n k of the bour n of my travel s a n d the work which was to o c ,

c u p y me while they e n dured .

After some d ays spe n t i n li stles s i n dole n ce duri n g which I trav ,

e r s e d m a n y leagues I arrived at Strasburg where I waited two

, ,

d ays for Clerval He came Al as how great was the co n trast b e

. .
,

twee n u s ! He was alive to every n e w sce n e ; j oyful whe n he s aw

the be auties of the setti n g s u n a n d more h appy whe n he beheld it ,

rise a n d recomme n ce a n e w day H e poi n ted out to me the shift

,
.

i n g colors of the l a n dscape a n d the appeara n ces of the s ky This , .

“

i s what it i s to live he cried ; n o w I e nj oy existe n ce ! But you

”
,
“
,

my dear Fra n ke n stei n wherefore are you despo n di n g a n d sorrow

,

ful ? I n truth I w a s Occupied by gloomy thoughts a n d n either

, ,

s aw the desce n t of the eve n i n g star n o r the gol de n su n rise reflected ,

i n the R hi n e A n d you my frie n d would be far more amused with

.
, ,

the jour n al of Clerval who Observed the sce n ery with a n eye of ,

feeli n g a n d delight tha n to l iste n to my reflectio n s I a miserable

,
.
,

wretch h au n ted by a curse th at shut up every ave n ue to e nj oyme n t

,
.

We had agreed to desce n d the R hi n e i n a boat from Strasburg

to R otterdam whe n ce we might take shipp i n g for Lo n do n D ur
,
.

i n g this voyage we p assed by m a n y willowy isl a n ds a n d s a w s e v

, ,

eral beautiful to wn s We staid a day at M a n heim a n d o n the fifth

.
, ,

from our departure from Strasburg arrived at M aye n ce The , .

course o f the R hi n e below the M aye n ce beco mes much more p i c tu r

esque The river desce n d s rapidly a n d wi n ds betwee n hills n o t
.
, ,

high but steep a n d of beautiful forms We s a w m a n y rui n ed c a s

, ,
.

tles sta n di n g o n the edges of precipices surrou n ded by bl ack woods , ,

h igh a n d i n acces sible This p art of the R hi n e i n deed prese n ts a

.
, ,

si n gul arly variegated l a n dscape I n o n e spot you view rugged h ills .

,

rui n ed castles overlooki n g treme n dous precipices with the d ark

, ,

R hi n e rushi n g be n e ath ; a n d o n t h e s u d d e n tur n of a promo n tory ,

‘

flourishi n g vi n eyards with gree n slopi n g ba n ks a n d a me a n d e r i n g

, ,

riv e r a n d populous t o w n s o c cupy t h e s c e ne

, , .
 T HE M OD ER N P RO ME TH EU S . 12
3

We t r av e lle d time o f the vi n tage a n d he ard t h e s o n g o f the

at th e ,

l a bor e rs a s we glided do wn the stre am E ve n I depres sed i n mi n d

, .
, ,

a n d my sp irits c o n ti n u a lly agi tate d by gloomy feeli n gs e v e n I wa s

,

ple ased I l ay at the bottom o f the bo at a n d as I gazed o n t h e

.
, ,

cl oudles s b l u e sky I seeme d to dri n k i n a tra n quillity to which I

,

h ad lo n g bee n a stra n ger A n d if the se were my se n s atio n s who

.
,

c a n describe tho se o f H e n ry ? H e felt as if he h ad bee n tra n sported

to Fairy l a n d a n d e nj oyed a h app i n es s sel dom taste d by m a n
-
, I .
“

h ave see n he s aid the mo st be autifu l sce n es of my o wn cou n try ;

”
, ,

I h ave v i s ite d the l akes o f Lucer n e a n d U ri where the s n owy mou n ,

tai n s de sce n d almos t perpe n dicul arly to the water c asti n g bl ack a n d ,

impe n etrabl e s h ades which woul d cause a gloomy a n d mour n ful

,

a ppe ara n ce were it n o t for the m o st verd a n t i sl a n ds th a t relieve the

,

eye by their g ay appeara n ce ; I h a v e see n thi s l ake agitate d by a

tempe st whe n the wi n d tore up wh i rlwi n d s o f water a n d g a ve you
, ,

a n i de a o f wh at the water spout must be o n the gre at ocea n a n d

-
,

the w a ve s d as h with fury the b ase o f the mou n tai n w h ere the prie st ,

a n d hi s m istre s s were o v erwhelmed by a n aval a n che a n d where ,

their dyi n g voices are s till s ai d to be heard ami d the p au ses o f the
n ightly wi n d ; I h ave see n the mou n tai n s o f L a Val ais a n d the ,

P ays de Vau d but th i s cou n try Victor please s me more th a n all

: , ,

tho se wo n ders The mou n tai n s o f Switzerl a n d are more m aj estic

.

a n d stra n ge ; but there i s a ch arm i n the b a n ks o f this divi n e river ,

th at I n ever before s aw equalled Look at th at castle which over .

h a n gs y o n precip ice ; a n d al so th at o n the i sl a n d almost co n cealed ,

amo n g the fol i age of those lovely trees ; a n d n o w th at group o f

l aborers comi n g from amo n g their vi n es ; a n d th at vill age h alf hi d
, ,
-

i n the reces s of the mou n tai n O h surely the S pirit th at i n h ab its

.
, ,

a n d gu ards this pl ace h as a sou l more i n h armo n y with m a n th a n ,

those who pile the gl acier or retire to the i n acces s ible peaks o f t h e
,
”
m ou n tai n s O f our o wn cou n try .

C lerval ! b eloved frie n d ! eve n n o w it delights me to record your

word s a n d to dw ell o n the praise of which you a r e s o emi n e n tly
,

deservi n g H e was a bei n g formed i n the very poetry o f

.
“

H i s wil d a n d e n thusiasti c i m agi n atio n was ch aste n ed by the se n si

b i l i ty Of hi s he art H i s soul o v e r fl o we d with arde n t a ffectio n s a n d
.
,

h i s frie n d s hip was o f th at devoted a n d wo n drou s n ature th at the

w orl dly mi n de d te ach u s to look for o n ly i n the im agi n atio n But .

ve h um a symp athie s were su i cie t s ati sfy h i s e age

'

e n n n o t ff n t o r .

m i n d The sce n ery Of exter n a l n ature which others regard o n ly

. ,

w ith admiratio n he loved with ,ardor :

L e igh H unt s R i m i ni
’
.
I2 4 F RANK E N S T E I N OR ,

s o unding cataract
T he
Haunted hi m l ike a pass i n ; th t ll ock o e a r ,

T he m o untai n an d the d e p and g l o o m y w o od

, e ,

Th e ir co l o s and th i fo ms we e th en to him
r e r r , r

A n a pp et i te ; a f e l i ng n d a l o ve
e , a ,

That had no ne e d o f a m te cha m re o r r ,

By th ugh t suppl ied o any i nte est

o , r r

Unb rrowe d f m the eye

o ro
” i“
.

A nd where does he n o w exi st ? I S thi s ge n tle a n d lo ve ly b e i ng

lo st for e v er ? H as thi s mi n d s o replete with i deas imagi n atio n s
, , ,

fa n ciful a n d mag n ifice n t which formed a world whose existe n ce

,

depe n ded o n the life o f its cre ator ; h as thi s m i n d perished ? D oes
it n o w o n ly exi st i n my memory ? N o it i s n o t thus ; your form s o , ,

divi n ely wrought a n d beami n g with beauty h as decayed but your

, , ,

S pirit still vi sits a n d co n soles your u n h appy frie n d .

P ardo n this gush O f sorrow ; these i n e ffectu a l words a r e but a

slight tribute to the u n exampled worth of He n ry but they soothe ,

my he a rt overflowi n g with the a n guish whi c h h i s remembra n ce

,

c reates . I will proceed with my tale .

Beyo n d Colog n e we desce n ded to the pl ai n s o f Holl a n d ; a n d we

resolved t o post the remai n der o f o u r way ; fo r the wi n d wa s c o n
t r a ry a n d the stream o f the river was too ge n tle to aid u s
, .

O ur j our n ey here lost the i n terest ari s i n g from beautiful sce n ery ;
but we arrived i n a few d ays at R otterdam whe n ce we proceeded by ,

s e a to E n gl a n d It was o n a clear mor n i n g i n the l atter days of

.
,

D ecember that I first s a w the wh ite cli ff s o f Britai n The ba n ks

,
.

of the Th ames prese n ted a n e w sce n e ; they were flat but fertile , ,

a n d a lmost every tow n wa s m arked by the remembra n ce of some

story We s aw Tilbury Fort a n d remembered the Sp a n is h armada ;

.
,

Gravese n d Woolwich a n d Gree n wich pl aces which I h a d heard of

, , ,

e ve n i n m y cou n try .

At le n gth we s aw the n umerous steeples o f Lo n do n S t P a ul s , .

’

to weri n g abo v e all a n d the Tower famed i n E n gli sh history

, .

3“ Wordswort h s ’
T i ntern Abb y e
 T HE M OD E R N P RO ME T H E US D2
.
5

C H A P T E R X V III .

OND ON wa s our pre se n t poi n t o f re st ; we determ i n e d to re

m ai n sever a l m o n th s i n thi s wo n derful a n d celebr a ted city
C ler v a l d e s ired the i n tercourse of the m e n Of ge n ius a n d tale n t wh o
flouri shed a t th i s time ; but thi s wa s with me a se co n d ary object
I w a s pri n cip ally occupied with the mea n s o f Obt a i n i n g the i n fo r
m atio n n ece s s a ry for the completio n Of my promise a n d quickly ,

availed myself Of the letters o f i n troducti o n th a t I h ad brought with

me addre s s e d to the most di sti n gui shed n a tur a l philosophers
, .

If thi s j our n ey h a d take n pl ace duri n g my days o f stu dy a n d h ap

p i n e s s it ,wou l d h ave a ff orded m e i n expres sible p le asure But a .

b light h ad come o ve r my exi ste n ce a n d I o n ly v i sited these people

,

for the s ake o f the i n fo rm a tio n they might give m e o n t h e subje c t

i n wh ich my i n terest was s o terribly profou n d Comp a n y wa s irk
.

s ome to me ; whe n alo n e I coul d fil l my m i n d with the sights o f

,

he ave n a n d e a rth ; the voice of He n ry soothed me a n d I coul d thu s ,

che at myself i n t o a tra n s itory pe ace But bu sy u n i n teresti n g j oy

.
, ,

Ou s fa ce s brought b ack de sp air to my heart I s aw a n i ns u r m o u n t a

.

ble b arrier pl aced betwee n me a n d my fellow m e n ; thi s b arrier wa s

-

sealed with the blood of Willi am a n d Justi n e ; a n d to reflect o n t h e

eve n ts co n n ected with those n ames filled my soul with a n guis h
,
.

But i n C lerval I s aw the im age o f my former self ; he was i n qui s i

ti ve a n d a n xiou s to gai n experie n ce a n d i n structio n T h e di ff e r
,
.

e n ce o f m a n n ers wh ich he ob served was to hi m a n i n exh a ustibl e

source o f i n structio n a n d amuseme n t H e was fo r e v er busy ; a n d
.

the o n ly check to h i s e nj oyme n ts was my s orrowful a n d dej ected

m ie n I tried t o c o n ce al thi s as much as po s sibl e th at I might
.
,

n o t deb ar him from the pleasure s n atural to o n e wh o was e n teri n g

o n a n e w sce n e o f life u n di sturbed by a n y care o r bitter reflectio n

,
.

I ofte n refu sed to accomp a n y him allegi n g a n other e n gagem e n t

, ,

th at I m ight rem a i n a lo n e . I n o w al so beg a n t o collect the

m ateri al s n ece s s ary for my n e w cre atio n a n d thi s wa s to me l i ke
,

the torture o f s i n gle drop s of water co n ti n u ally fa lli n g o n the he a d .

E very thought th at w a s devoted t o it was a n extreme a n gui sh a n d ,

every word th at I spoke i n a llu sio n to it c a used my lip s to qui v er

, ,

a n d my he a r t to p al itat e
p .

After p as s i n g some mo n th s i n Lo n do n we r e cg i v e d a lett e r from

,

a perso n i n Scotl a n d who h ad formerly be

,
e n o u r v i sitor at Ge ev
n a .

H e m en tio n ed th e be a uti e s o f h i s n a ti v e c ou n try a n d asked us if

,
1 26 F RA N KE NS T E I N ; OR ,

tho s e were n o t s u fli c i e n t allureme n ts to i n duce u s t o prolo n g o u r

j our n e y a s fa r n orth a s P erth where he r e sided C lerval eagerly
,
.

desired to accept th is i n vitatio n ; a n d I a lthough I abhorred so ciet y , ,

wi shed to view agai n the mou n tai n s a n d stream s a n d all the ,

wo n drou s works with which N a ture ador n s her chose n dwelli n g

pl aces .

We h ad a rrived i n E n gl a n d at the begi n n i n g Of Ja n u ary a n d i t ,

wa s n o w February We accord i n gly determi n ed to comme n ce our

.

j ou r n ey tow a rds the n orth at the exp iratio n o f a n other mo n th I n .

thi s expeditio n we did n o t i n te n d to follow the gre at road to E di n

burgh but to vi sit Wi n d sor O xford M atlock a n d the Cumberla n d
, , , ,

l akes resolvi n g to arrive at the completio n o f thi s tour about the

I p acked my chemical i n stru m
,

e n d o f July . e n ts a n d the material s ,

I h ad c ollected resolvi n g to fi n ish my l abors i n some Ob scure n ook

,

i n t he n orther n highl a n ds of Scotl a n d .

We quitted Lo n do n o n the 2 7t h of M ar ch a n d rem ai n ed a fe w ,

d ays at Wi n dsor rambli n g i n its be autiful forest Thi s wa s a n e w

, .

sce n e to u s mou n tai n eers ; the m ajestic oaks t h e qu a n tity o f game , ,

a n d the herds o f stately deer were all n ovelties t o u s,

.

From t h e n ce we proceeded to O xford As we en tered th is city .

,

our mi n ds were filled with the remembra n ce o f the eve n ts t h a t had

bee n tra n s acted there more th a n a ce n tury a n d a h alf before It .

wa s here th at C h arles I h ad collected hi s forces

. This city h ad .

rem ai n ed faithful to him after the whole n atio n h ad fors ake n h i s

,

cause to joi n the sta n dard Of p arli ame n t a n d liberty The memory .

of that u n fortu n ate ki n g a n d h i s comp a n io n s the ami able Falk

, ,

l a n d the i n sole n t Gower hi s quee n a n d s o n gave a peculi a r

, , , ,

i n terest to every p art of the city wh ich they might be supposed t o

,

h ave i n h abited The spirit of elder d ays fou n d a dwelli n g here

.
,

a n d we delighted t o trace its footstep s If these feel i n gs h ad n o t .

fou n d a n im agi n ary gratificatio n the appear a n ce O f the city had

,

yet i n itself su ffi cie n t beauty to Obtai n o u r admiratio n The .

college s are a n cie n t a n d picturesque ; the streets are almost mag

n i fi c e n t ; a n d the lovely Isis which flows beside it through meadows
,

o f exqui site verdure i s spre ad forth i n to a pl acid exp a n se of w aters

, ,

which reflects its m ajestic assembl age O f towers a n d sp ires a n d

domes im b osomed amo n g aged tree s .

I e nj oyed thi s sce n e ; a n d yet my e nj oyme n t was imbittered bo th

by the mem o ry of the p ast a n d the a n ticipatio n o f the futur e I
was formed fo r peaceful h appi n es s D uri n g m
, .

y youthful .d ays d i s ,

co n te n t n ever v i sited my mi n d ; a n d if I wa s ever o v ercome by

e mz u z, the S ight o f wh a t i s be a utiful i n n a ture o r th e study o f what
’

,
 TH E M O D ER N PR O ME TH EU S . 12
7

is ex cell e n t a n d sublime i n the p roductio n s o f m a n c ould a lways ,

i n tere st my h e art a n d commu n icate el asticity t o my sp irits

, But I .

a m a b l asted tr e e ; the bolt h a s e n tered my s oul : a n d I felt the n

th at I s hould sur v ive to exhibit wh at I s h all soo n cease to be

,
— a ,

m i serable spectacle of wr e ck e d hum a n ity p iti able t o oth e rs a n d , ,

abhorre n t to myself .

We p as sed a co n s iderable period at O xford r a mbl i n g am o n g its ,

e n viro n s a n d e n de a vori n g to ide n tify every spot which m ight

,

rel ate to the m o st a n im ati n g epoch o f E n gl i sh hi story O ur l ittle .

voyages Of di scovery were ofte n prolo n ged by the succes si v e Obj ects
th at pre se n ted them selves We vi s ited the tomb o f the illustriou s
.

H a mp de n a n d the fiel d o n which th at p atriot fell For a mome n t

, .

my sou l was elevated from its debasi n g a n d miserabl e fe ars to c o n

templ ate the di v i n e i deas o f l iberty a n d self s a c r i fi c e Of which these -
,

s ights were the mo n ume n ts a n d th e remembra n ces Fo r a n i n sta n t .

I d ared to sh ake O ff my ch ai n s a n d look arou n d me with a free

,

a n d l ofty sp irit ; but the i ro n h ad e ate n i n to my flesh an d I s a nk ,

agai n trembli n g a n d hopeles s i n to my mi serable self

, , .

We left O xford with regret a n d proceeded to M atlock which wa s

, ,

o u r n ext pl ace Of re st The cou n try i n the n eighborhood O f thi s

.

v ill age re semble d to a gre ater degree the sce n ery o f Switzerl a n d ;
, ,

b ut every th i n g i s o n a lower scale a n d the gree n h ill s wa n t the

,

crow n o f d ista n t white Alp s w hich always atte n d o n the pi n y

,

m ou n t a i n s o f my n ative cou n try We vi sited the wo n drou s cave

.
,

a n d the l ittle cab i n ets o f n atur a l hi story where the curios ities are ,

d isposed o f i n the s ame m a n n er as i n the collectio n s at S e r v o x a n d

C hamo n ix The l atte r n ame m ade m e tremble whe n pro n ou n ced
.
,

by He n ry ; a n d I haste n ed to quit M atlock with which th at terribl e ,

sce n e wa s thu s as soci ated .

From D erby s till j our n eyi n g n orthward we p a ssed t wo mo n th s ,

i n Cumberl a n d a n d We stmorel a n d I coul d n o w almost fa n cy

.

myself amo n g the Swi s s m ou n tai n s The l ittle p atches o f s n o w .

which yet li n gered o n the n orther n S ide s Of the mou n tai n s the ,

l akes a n d the d ashi n g of the rocky s tre ams were al l famil i ar a n d

, ,

de ar S ights t o me Here al s o we m ade some acqu ai n ta n ce s wh o

.
,

almo s t co n trive d t o che at me i n to h appi n es s The delight o f C ler .

v a l was prop ortio n ably gre a ter th a n mi n e ; hi s mi n d exp a n ded i n

the comp a n y o f m e n o f tale n t a n d he fou n d i n hi s o wn n ature

,

greater cap ac i ti e s a n d resources th a n he could h ave im agi n ed h im

self t o h ave pos ses sed wh ile h e as soci ate d with h i s i n feriors I .
“

c oul d p as s my life here s ai d he to me ; a n d amo n g thes e mou n

”
,
“

”
t a i n s I s houl d s c a r ce ly regret S wi t z e rl a n d a n d t h e R hi n e .
 F RAN KE NS T E I N OR ,

Bu t h e fou n d th at a tr av ell e r s l i fe i s o n e t h a t i n clu d e s mu c h p a i n

’

a mi d its e nj oyme n ts Hi s feeli n gs a r e fo r ev e r o n the stretch ; a n d

.

whe n he begi n s t o si n k i n to r e p ose he fi n ds himself obliged to ,

quit th at o n whi c h he rests i n pleasure fo r somethi n g n e w whi c h ,

a gai n e n gages h i s a tte n tio n a n d which al so he fors akes for other ,

n ovelties .

We h ad scarcely v is ited the various l akes o f Cumberl a n d a n d

Westmorel a n d a n d co n ceived a n a ff ectio n for some of the i n
,

h abita n ts whe n the period o f our appoi n tme n t with o u r Scotch

,

frie n d approached a n d we left them to travel o n For my o wn

, .

p a rt I was n o t sorry I h ad n o w n eglected my promi se for some

.

time a n d I feared the e ff ects o f the demo n s dis app oi n tme n t He

,
’
.

might remai n i n Switzerl a n d a n d wreak h i s ve n gea n ce o n my ,

relatives This idea pursued me a n d torme n ted me at e v ery mo

.
,

me n t from which I might otherwise h ave s n atched repose a n d peace .

I waited for my letters with feverish imp atie n ce ; if they were

del aye d I w a s m iserable a n d overcome by a thous a n d fears ; a n d
, ,

whe n they arrived a n d I s aw the superscriptio n o f E lizabeth o r my

,

fa ther I h ardly dared to read a n d ascertai n my fate Sometimes I

, .

thought th at the fie n d followed me a n d might expedite my remis s ,

n es s by murderi n g my comp a n io n Whe n these thoughts pos .

ses sed me I would n o t quit He n ry for a mome n t but followed h im

, ,

as h i s s hadow to protect him from the fa n cied rage o f his destroyer

,
.

I felt as if I had committed some great crime the co n scious n ess of ,

which h au n ted me I wa s guiltless but I h ad i n dee d draw n a hor

.
,

rible curse upo n my head as mortal a s th at o f crime , .

I visited E di n burgh with l a n guid eyes a n d mi n d ; a n d yet that

city might h ave i n terested the most u n fortu n ate bei n g Clerval did .

n o t like i t s o well as O xford ; for the a n tiquity of the l a tter city was

m ore pleasi n g to him But the beauty a n d regul arity o f the n e w

.

tow n of E di n burgh i t s roma n tic castle a n d its e n viro n s the most

, , ,

del ightful i n the world A rthur s Seat St Ber n a rd s Well a n d the

,
’
, .
’

P e n tla n d H ills compe n s ated him for the ch a n ge a n d filled him with
, ,

cheerful n es s a n d admiratio n But I was imp atie n t t o arrive at the .

termi n atio n of my j our n ey .

We left E di n burgh i n a week p asse d through Coup ar St A n , ,

.

drews a n d alo n g the b a n ks of the Tay to P erth where o u r frie n ds

, , ,

e xpected u s B ut I was i n n o mood to l augh a n d talk with stra n

.

gers o r e n ter i n to their feel i n gs o r pl a n s with the good humor ex

,

e c t e d from a guest ; a n d accordi n gly I tol d C l e rv a l th a t I wished

p
t o m ake the tour of Scotl a n d alo n e D o you s ai d I e nj oy
” “ “
.
, ,

yourself a n d l e t thi s be o u r re n dez v ous I m ay be a bs e n t a m o n th

,
. .
 T HE M OD ER N PR O ME TH EU S
'

. I2
9

or two ; b ut i n terfere with my motio n s I e n tre a t yo u : le a ve

do no t ,

m e to peace a n d solitude for a s hort tim e ; a n d whe n I retur n I ,

h ope it will be with a l ighte r h e a r t more co n g e n i a l to yo ur o wn ,

t e mper ”
.

H e n ry wished to di ssu ade m e ; but seei n g me be n t o n thi s pl a n , ,

c eased to remo n strat e H e e n tre ated me t o write Ofte n

. I h ad .
“

rather be with yo u he s aid i n your sol itary rambles tha n with

,
”
,
“
,

thes e Scotch people whom I do n o t k n ow : h aste n the n my de a r

, , ,

frie n d to retur n th at I m ay agai n feel myself somewh at a t home

, , ,

which I ca n n ot d o i n your a b se n ce ”
.

H a v i n g p arted from my frie n d I determi n e d to v i sit some remote ,

S pot of S cotl a n d a n d fi n i sh my work i n solitude I d i d n o t doubt

, .

b ut th at the mo n st e r followed me a n d woul d discover h im self to ,

me whe n I shoul d h a v e fi n i sh e d th at he might receive h i s c o m ,

p a n io n .

With thi s resolutio n I tra ve rsed t h e n orther n highl a n ds a n d fixed

, ,

o n o n e Of the remotest O r k n eys a s the sce n e o f my l abors It was .

a pl ace fitted fo r such a w o rk bei n g h a rdly mor e th a n a rock whose , ,

h igh s ide s were co n ti n u ally be a te n upo n by the waves The soil .

wa s b arre n sc a rcely a ff ordi n g p asture fo r a few m iserable c ows a n d

, ,

o atme al for its i n h abita n ts wh ich co n sisted o f five perso n s whos e , ,

gau n t a n d scr a ggy l imb s gave toke n s o f their miserable fa r e Ve g e .

tables a n d bre a d whe n they i n dulged i n such luxuries a n d e v e n

, ,

fres h w a ter were to be pro cure d from t h e m a i n l a n d which wa s

, ,

a bout five m iles dista n t .

O n the whole i sl a n d there were bu t thre e mis e r a bl e huts a n d o n e ,

o f these was v aca n t whe n I a rrived Thi s I hired It co n t a i n ed . .

but two room s a n d these exh ibited al l the squal id n es s o f the most
,

mi serable pe n ury T h e th atch h ad falle n i n the wall s were u n p l a s

.
,

t e r e d a n d the door was o ff its h i n ges

,
I order e d it t o be rep aired .
,

bought some fur n iture a n d took pos ses sio n ; a n i n cide n t which
,

would doubtles s h a ve occ a s io n ed some surprise h ad n o t all t h e

, , ,

se n se s of the cottagers bee n be n umbed by w a n t a n d squ al id poverty .

As it was I l i v ed u n g a z e d at a n d u n molested h ardly th a nk ed for

, ,

the pitta n ce of food a n d clothe s which I g a ve ; s o mu c h do e s su ff er

‘

i n g blu n t eve n the co a rsest se n s a tio n s o f m e n .

I n th is retre at I de v o ted the mor n i n g to l a b o r ; b u t i n t h e e v e n i n g ,

whe n the w e a th e r p e rmitted I walked o n the s to ny b e a c h of the , ,

s e a t o l ist e n t o the w a ve s a s they r o ared a n d d a shed at my feet

,
It .

was a mo n oto n ou s yet e v er ch a n gi n g sce n e I t h o ught o f Switz e r

-
.

l a n d ; it was far d i ff er e n t from th is desol a t e a n d app al li n g l a n d

s ca p e Its hi ll s a r e covered with vi n e s a n d its cott a ges a r e s c atter e d
. ,

9
 1
'

3 0 F R AN KE NS T E I N OR ,

h ck ly i n th e pl a i n s I t s fa i r l akes reflect a blu e a n d ge n tle s ky ;

t i .

a n d whe n troubled by the wi n ds their tumult i s but a s the pl ay o f

, ,

a l i v e ly i n fa n t whe n compared to the roar i n gs o f the gi a n t ocea n

,
.

I n thi s ma n n er I distributed my occup atio n s whe n I first arrived ;

but as I proceeded i n my l abor it became every d ay more horrible
, ,

a n d irksome to me Sometimes I could n o t prevail o n myself to

.

e n ter my l aboratory for several d ays ; a n d at other times I toiled

d ay a n d n ight i n order to complete my work It wa s i n deed a .

’

, ,

filthy process i n which I was e n gaged D uri n g my first experime n t .

,

a ki n d of e n thusiastic fre n zy h ad bli n ded me to the horror o f my

employme n t ; my mi n d w a s i n te n tly fixed o n the sequel o f my l abor ,

a n d my eyes were shut to the horror of my proceedi n gs But n o w .

'

I we n t to it i n c old blood a n d my heart ofte n sicke n e d a t the work

,

Of my h a n d s .

Thus situated employed i n the most detestable occup atio n i m

, ,

me r s e d i n a solitude where n othi n g coul d for a n i n sta n t call my

atte n tio n from the actual sce n e i n which I wa s e n gaged my spirits ,

became u n equal ; I grew restless a n d n ervous E very mome n t I .

feared to meet my persecutor Sometimes I s a t with my eyes fixed

.

o n the grou n d feari n g to raise them lest they should e n cou n ter the
,

, Obj ect which I s o much dreaded to behold I feared to wa n der from .

the sight o f my fell ow creatures lest whe n alo n e h e S hould come t o

-
,

cl aim h i s comp a n io n .

I n the mea n time I worked o n a n d my l abor wa s already c o n s i d

,

e r a b l y adva n ced . I looked towards its completio n with a tremulous

a n d eager hope which I d ared n o t trust myself t o questio n
, but ,

which w a s i n termixed with Obscure forebod i n gs o f e v il th at m a d e ,

my h e a rt sick e n i n my bosom .

C H APTE R X I X .

SAT o n e eve n i n g i n my l aboratory ; t h e s u n h a d s e t a n d the

I moo n was j ust ris i n g from the s e a ; I had n o t s u fli c i e n t light for ,

my employme n t a n d I remai n ed idle i n a pause o f co n s ideration

,

O f whether I should leave my l a bor for the n ight o r h aste n i ts c o n

‘

-
,

c l u s i o n by a n u n remitti n g atte n tio n to it A S I s at a tra i n o f r e

.
,

fl e c t i o n occurred t o me wh ich led m e t o co n sider the e fi e c t s o f w h at

'

I wa s n o w doi n g T hre e years before I wa s e n g a ge d i n the same

.
,
 TH E M OD E R N PR O ME TH EU S . 1
3 1

m a n ne r , h ad creat e d a fie n d who se u n p a rallel e d b a rb a r i ty h a d

and

desol a ted my heart a n d filled it for ever with the bittere st remors e
, .

I wa s n o w about t o form a n other bei n g o f who se dispositio n s I wa s

.
,

a l ike ig n ora n t ; s h e m I h t become t e n thou s a n d time s more m al ig

g
n a n t th a n her m ate a n d del ight for its o wn s ake i n murder a n d
, , ,

wretch e d n e s s He h ad swor n to quit the n eighborhood of m a n

.

a n d hide h im self i n de serts

; but S h e h ad n o t ; a n d S he wh o i n all ,

prob ability was to become a thi n ki n g a n d reaso n i n g a n im al m i g ht ,

r e fu se t o comply with a comp act m ade before her creatio n They .

.

m ight eve n h ate e ac h other ; the c reature who alre ady l ived loathed ,

h i s o wn deformity ; a n d might he n o t co n ceive a greater abhorre n c e

fo r it whe n it came before h i s eye s i n the fem ale form ? S he al s o
migh t tur n with disgu st from him to the superior be auty O f m a n ; S h e
m ight quit him a n d he be agai n alo n e exasper a ted by the fres h
, ,

provocatio n o f bei n g deserted by o n e o f h i s o wn species .

E ve n if they were to le a ve E urope a n d i n h abit the deserts o f t h e

-
,

n e w worl d yet o n e o f the first results Of tho s e symp ath ie s for which
,

the demo n th irsted woul d be chi ldre n a n d a race Of devil s woul d b e ,

p rop a gated upo n the e a rth wh o might m ake the v ery existe n ce o f
,

the s p e c I e s of m a n a c o n d itio n precario u s a n d full o f terror Ha d

'

I a right fo r my o wn be n efit to i n flict thi s curse upo n everl asti n g

, ,

g e n e ratio n s ? I h ad before bee n mo v ed by the sophi sms o f the b e

i n g I h ad cre ated ; I h ad bee n struck se n seles s by hi s fie n di s h
thre a ts ; but n o w fo r the first time the wicked n e s s o f my promi s e
, ,

burs t up o n me ; I shuddere d t o th i n k th at future ages might curs e

me a s thei r pest wh o se selfi sh n es s h ad n o t he sit a te d t o buy its o wn
,

pe a ce a t the p rice perh ap s Of t h e exi ste n ce o f the whole hum a n

, ,

r a ce .

I trembled a n d my he art fa iled withi n me ; whe n o n looki n g u p

, , ,

I s aw by the light o f the moo n the demo n at the caseme n t A ,

.

gh astly gri n wri n kled h i s lip s a s he gazed o n me where I s a t ful ,

filli n g the task which he h ad allotted to me Ye s : he h ad followe d .

me i n my trav e l s ; he h ad loitered i n fore sts hi d him self i n cave s , ,

o r take n refuge i n wide a n d desert he aths ; a n d he n o w c a me t o

m ark my progres s a n d cl aim the fulfilme n t o f my pro mise

,
.

A s I l ooked o n him hi s cou n te n a n ce expresse d the utmost exte n t

,

Of m al ice a n d tre achery I thought with a se n s a tio n o f m ad n e s s

.

O n my p romi se Of cre ati n g a n other like to him a n d trembli n g with , ,

p as sio n tore to piece s the thi n g o n which I wa s e n gaged T h e

,
.

wretch s aw m e destroy the cre a ture o n whose future exi s te n ce he

d epe n ded for h a pp i n e s s a n d with a howl Of de v il is h desp a ir a nd
, ,

r e ve n ge wit hdr e w
, .
I3 2 F RAN KE NS T E I N ; OR ,

I left th e r o o m a n d l o ck i n g th e d o o r m ad e a s o l e m n vo w i n my
, , ,

o wn h e a rt n e v er t o resu me my l a bors ; a n d th e n with trem b li n g ,

s tep s I sought my o wn a p artme n t

, I was a lo n e ; n o n e were n e ar .

me to di s sip ate th e glo o m a n d rel ie ve me fr o m the s ick e n i n g o p

,

p r e s sio n Of the most terrible reveries .

Several hours p a s s ed a nd I rem ai n ed n e a r my wi n dow g a zi n g o n

, ,

the s e a ; it was almost motio n les s fo r the wi n ds were hu shed a n d , ,

all n ature reposed u n der the eye o f the quiet moo n A few fi s h i n g .

ves sel s alo ne specked the wate r a n d n o w a n d the n the ge n tl e ,

breeze wafted the sou n d of v oices a s the fisherme n called to o n e ,

a n other I felt the s ile n ce a lthough I was h ardly co n scious o f its

.
,

extreme profu n dity u n til my ear wa s sudd e n ly a rrested by t h e

,

p addli n g o f o ars n e a r th e shore a n d a perso n l a n d e d clos e to my ,

house .

I n a few mi n utes a fter I he a rd t h e c r e a k i n g o f my door a s if

, ,

some o n e e n de avore d to Ope n it softly I trembled from head to . .

foot I felt a prese n time n t o f wh o it wa s a n d wished to rouse o n e

: ,

o f the peas a n ts who dwe l t i n a cottage n o t fa r from m i n e ; b u t I

was overcome by the se n s a tio n o f helpless n ess — s o Ofte n fe lt i n ,

frightful dreams whe n you i n vai n e n de a vor t o fly from a n impe n d

,

i n g d a n ger a n d was r ooted to the spot

,
.

P rese n tly I h e a rd the sou n d o f footstep s a l o n g the p a s s age ; t h e

door ope n ed a n d the wretch whom I dre a ded appeared Shutti n g
,
.

the door he approached me a n d s aid i n a smothered voice

, , , ,

“
Y o u h ave destroyed the work which you bega n ; what i s it yo u
i n te n d ? D O you dare to bre ak your promise ? I h ave e n dured toil
a n d misery ; I left Switzerl a n d with you ; I crept alo n g the S hores

o f the R hi n e a mo n g its willow isl a n ds a n d over the s u mmits of its

, ,

h ills I h ave dwelt m a ny mo n th s i n the heath s o f E n gl a n d a n d

.
,

amo n g the deserts of Scotl a n d I have e n dured i n calcul able fatigu e .

a n d cold a n d hu n ger ; do you dare destroy my hopes ?

”

“
Bego n e ! I d o break my promise : n ever will I cre a t e a n oth e r
l ike yourself equal i n deformity a n d wicked n e ss
,
.

Sl ave I before reaso n ed with yo u but yo u h av e proved yourself

, ,

u nworthy o f my co n desce n sio n R emember th at I h ave power ; .

you believ e yourself mi serable but I c a n m ake yo u s o wretched th a t ,

t he light o f day will be h ateful to yo u Y o u a r e my cre a tor b u t I .

,
”
a m your master ; obey !

T h e hour o f my we ak n ess i s p a st a n d the perio d o f y o u r pow e r ,

i s a rrived Your threats ca n n ot move me to d o a n act o f wick e d

.

n es s ; b ut they c o n firm me i n a resolutio n o f n o t c re ati n g you a

'

comp a n io n i n v i ce Sh a ll I i n cool blo o d s e t lo o s e up o n t h e e a rth

.
, ,
 T H E M OD E R N P RO ME TH E U S . 1
33

a d e m o n who s e d e light i s i n de ath a n d wretche d n es s ? B ego n e ! I

,
'

a m firm a n d your word s w i ll o n ly exasperate my rag e

, .

T h e m o n ster s aw my determi n a tio n i n my face a n d g n a s hed hi s ,

teeth i n the impo te n ce o f a n ger S h all e a ch m a n cried he fi n d

”
.
“
, ,
“

a wi fe for h i s bosom a n d e ach bea st h ave hi s m ate and

, I be alo n e ?
,

I h ad feeli n gs o f a ff ectio n a n d they were requited by detestatio n ,

a n d scor n M a n you m ay h ate ; but beware ! your hours wil l p as s

.
, ,

i n dread a n d mi sery a n d soo n the bolt wi ll fal l which mu st ravis h

,

fr o m yo u you r h appi n es s for ever Are you to be h appy while I .

,

grovel i n the i n te n sity o f my wretched n es s ? Y o u c a n bl ast my

other p as sio s ; but re v e n ge rem ai n s
n — re v e n ge he n ceforth de arer , ,

th a n light o r food ! I m ay die ; but first yo u my tyra n t a n d tor ,

me n tor sh all curse the s u n th at gazes On your mi sery Beware ;

, .

fo r I am fe arle ss a n d therefore powerful , I will watch with t h e .

wil i n e s s o f a s n ake th at I m ay sti n g WI t h its ve n om M a n you

, .
,

sh al l repe n t o f the i nj uries you i n flict .

“
D evil ce ase ; a n d do n o t poi so n the air with these sou n d s o f
,

m a l ice I h ave decl ared my resolutio n to you a n d I am n o cow a r d

.
,

t o be n d be n e ath word s Leave me I am i n exorable ”

. : .

“
It i s well I go ; but remember I sh all be with you o n your
.
,

w e ddi n g n ight -
.

I started forw a rd a n d excl aimed Vill ai n ! before yo u S ign my

, ,
“

de ath warra n t be s ure th at yo u are yourself s afe

-
,
”
.

I woul d h ave seized h im ; but h e eluded me a n d quitted the ho u s e ,

with p recip itatio n : i n a few mome n ts I s a w him i n h i s bo at which ,

s hot a cros s the waters with a n arrowy swift n ess a n d was soo n lost ,

a mi d the waves .

All was agai n S ile n t ; but hi s words ru n g i n my e ars I bur n ed .

with ra g e to pursue the murderer o f my pe ace a n d precipitate him ,

i n to the ocea n I walked up a n d dow n my room h astily a n d per

.

t u r b e d while my im agi n atio n co nj ured up a thou s a n d im age s to

,

torme n t a n d sti n g me Why h ad I n o t followed h im a n d clo se d .

,

with him i n mortal strife ? But I h ad su ffered him to dep art a n d ,

he h ad directed h i s cours e toward the m ai n l a n d I shud dered to .

thi n k wh o m ight be the n ext victim s acrificed to h i s i n s ati ate r e

v e n ge. A n d the n I thought agai n o f hi s words ! w i l l be w i t fi ,

y o u on
y o u r we d d u
g u
gfi t
”
T h at the n was the perio d fo r the ful
z
'

-
z .
, ,

fi l m e n t o f my desti n y I n th a t hour I shoul d die a n d at o n ce s a t

.
,

i s fy a n d exti n gui sh hi s m al ice The pro spect did n o t m o v e me t o .

fe a r ; yet wh e n I thought o f my beloved E l izabeth — o f her te ars ,

a nd e n dles s sorrow whe n S he S houl d fi n d her l over S O b arb aro u sly

,

s n a tch e d from her — tears t h e first I h a d shed for m a n y mo n th s

, , ,
13
4 F R A N K E NS T E I N ; OR ,

s tre a m e d from my ey e s a n d I re s o l ve d n o t to fa ll b e fo re my e ne my
,

without a bitter struggl e .

T he n ight p assed a w ay a n d th e s u n rose fr o m t h e o c e a n ; m ,y

feeli n gs became calmer if it m ay be called calm n es s whe n the v i o
, ,

le n ce of r a ge si n ks i n to the depth of desp air I left the house the .

,

horri d sce n e o f the l a st n ight s co n te n tio n a n d walked o n the beach ’

o f the s e a which I almost regarded as a n i n superable b arrier b e

,

twee n me a n d my fellow creatures ; n ay a wish that such S hould -

,

prove the fact stole acros s me I desired that I might p as s my life .

O n th at b arre n rock wearily it i s true but u n i n terrupted by a n

, y , ,

sudde n shock of misery If I retur n ed it was to be sacrificed or to .

, ,

s e e those whom I most loved die u n der the gr a sp o f a demo n whom

I h ad myself created .

I walked about the i sle like a restless spectre sep arated from al l ,

i t loved a n d miserable i n the sep aratio n

, Whe n it became n oo n .
,

a n d the s u n rose h igher I l ay dow n o n the gras s a n d was over , ,

powered by a deep sl e ep I h ad bee n awake the whole of the p r e .

cedi n g n ight my n erves were agitated a n d my eyes i n flamed by

: ,

watchi n g a n d m isery The sleep i n to which I n o w su n k r e

.

freshed m e ; a n d whe n I awoke I agai n felt as if I belo n ged to a ,

race of hum a n bei n gs like myself a n d I bega n to reflect up o n wh at ,

h ad p as sed with greater composure ; yet still the words of the fie n d

r u n g i n my ears like a death k n ell they appeared like a dream yet -
, ,

disti n ct a n d oppres sive as a re ality .

The s u n had far de sce n ded a n d I still s a t o n the shore s atisfyi n g , ,

my appetite wh ich h ad become rave n ous with a n oate n cake whe n

, , ,

I s aw a fi s h i n g boat l a n d clo se to me a n d o n e of the m e n brought

-
,

me a p acket ; it co n tai n ed letters from Ge n eva a n d o n e from Cler ,

val e n tre ati n g me to joi n him He s aid th at n e arly a ye ar had

,
.

el ap sed si n ce we h ad quitted Switzerl a n d a n d Fra n ce was yet u n ,

visited He e n treated me therefore to leave my sol itary isle a n d

.
, , ,

meet him at P erth i n a week from that time whe n we might

, ,

arra n ge the pl a n o f o u r future proceedi n gs This letter i n a degree .

recalled me to l i fe a n d I determi n ed to quit my i sl a n d at the expir a

,

tio n of two d ays .

Yet before I dep arted there was a task to perform o n which I

, , ,

s h u ddered to reflect I must pack my chemical i n strume n ts ; a n d

:

fo r th at purpose I must e n ter the room which h ad bee n the sce n e

o f my odious work a n d I must h a n dle those ute n sil s the s ight of
, ,

which was sicke n i n g to me The n ext mor n i n g at d aybreak I .

, ,

summo n ed su ffi cie n t courage a n d u n locked the d oor of my l abor a ,

tory The remai n s o f the h alf fi n i s h e d creature whom I h ad d e

.
-
,
 TH E M OD ERN P RO ME T H EU S . 13
5

r ye d l ay s c att e re d o n th e fl oor a n d I a lm o s t fe lt a s if I h a d
st o , ,

m a n gl ed the livi n g fles h o f a hum a n bei n g I p a used t o colle c t .

myself a n d the n e n tered t h e ch a mber With trembli n g h a n d I c o n

,
.

v e ye d the i n strume n t s o u t o f the room ; but I reflected th at I ought

n o t to le a v e the rel ics o f my work to excite t h e horror a n d su spicio n

o f the peas a n ts a n d I a c cordi n gly put them i n to a basket with a

, ,

gr e a t qu a n tity o f sto n es a n d l ayi n g them up determi n ed to throw

, , ,

them i n to t h e s e a th at v ery n ight ; a n d i n the me a n time I s a t

u po n the be ach e mployed i n cle a n i n g a n d a rr a n gi n g my chemical
,

a pp ar a tu s .

N oth i n g could b e mor e c omplete th a n the a lterati on that h ad

t a ke n pl ace i n my feeli n gs s i n ce the n ight o f the a ppeara n ce o f t h e
demo n I h ad before r e g a rde d my promi se with a gloomy desp air
.
,

a s a thi n g t h at with wh a tever co n seque n ces mu st be fulfilled ; but

, ,

I n o w felt a s if a film h a d bee n take n from before my eyes a n d th at ,

I fo r the first tim e s aw cl e a rly The ide a o f re n ewi n g my l ab ors

, , .

d id n o t for o n e i n sta n t occur to me ; the threat I h ad he a rd weighed

o n my thoughts b u t I di d n o t reflect th at a volu n tary a c t of mi n e
'

coul d avert it I h a d resolved i n my o wn m i n d th a t t o cre a t e

.
,

a n other l ike the fie n d I h ad first m a de woul d be a n act o f the b a ses t

a n d mo st atrociou s selfish n es s ; a n d I b a n i shed from my mi n d

e v ery thought th at co ul d lead to a di ff eren t co n clus io n .

Betwee n two a n d three i n the mor n i n g the moo n ro se ; a n d I ,

the n putti n g my b asket abo ard a little S ki ff s ailed o u t about four

, ,

m iles from the s hore The s ce n e wa s p e rfectly solit a ry : a few

.

b o ats were retur n i n g toward s l a n d but I s ailed away fro m them , .

I felt as if I wa s about the com m is s io n o f a dr e adful crime a nd ,

a v oide d with s hu d deri n g a n xiety a n y e n cou n ter with my fellow

cre a tures At o n e time the moo n wh ich h ad before bee n cl e ar

.
, ,

was sudde n ly o v erspre a d by a thick cloud a n d I took adva n tage o f ,

the mome n t o f d ark n es s a n d cast my b a sket i n to the s e a ; I liste n ed

,

t o the gurgl i n g sou n d as it su n k a n d the n s ailed away from the ,

s p ot . The sky be c ame clouded ; but the air w a s pure although ,

c hilled by th e n orth e ast breeze th at was the n ri s i n g But it r e

-
.

fre s he d me a n d filled me with such agre e able se n s a tio n s th at I

, ,

r e sol ve d to p rolo n g my st a y o n the water a n d fixi n g the rud d e r , ,

i n a direct p os itio n s t retche d myself at the bottom o f the bo at

,
.

C louds h i d the moo n every th i n g was ob scure a n d I he ard o n ly

, ,

the sou n d o f the bo at a s i ts keel cut through the w a ves ; the mur
mur lulle d m e a n d i n a S hort ti me I slept sou n dly
,
.

I d o n o t k n ow h o w lo n g I rem ai n ed i n thi s s ituatio n but whe n I ,

a wo k e I fou n d th a t the s u n h ad a lre a dy mou n ted c o n s i derably .

1
3 6 F RAN KE NS T E I N OR ,

T h e wi n d wa s h i gh a n d th e w ave s co n t i n u a lly thre a te n e d the s afety

,

o f my l i ttl e ski ff I fou n d that the wi n d wa s n orth east a n d mus t ‘

.
-
,

h a v e dri ve n me fa r from th e coast from which I h a d emb arked .

I e n de a v ored to ch a n ge my course but quickly fou n d that i f I ag a i n ,

m ade the attempt the boat would be i n sta n tly filled with water .

Thus situ ated my o n ly resource was to drive before the wi n d

, .

I co n fes s th at I felt a fe w se n s a tio n s o f terror I h ad n o compass .

with me a n d was s o little acquai n ted with t h e geography of this

,

p art Of the worl d th at the s u n was O f little be n efit to me I might .

be drive n i n to the wide Atl a n tic a n d feel all the tortures of s t a r v a

,

tio n o r be swallowed up i n the immeasurable waters that roared

,

a n d bu ffeted arou n d me I h ad alre ady bee n o u t m a n y hour s a n d

.
,

felt the torme n t of a bur n i n g thirst a prelude to my other su ffer ,

i n gs I looked o n the he ave n s which were covered by clouds th a t

.
,

fle w before the wi n d o n ly to be replaced by others : I looked upo n

—
the s e a i t w a s to be my grave Fie n d I excl aimed your
”
.
“
, ,
“

t a sk i s already fulfil le d ! ”
I thought Of E liz abeth o f my father , ,

a n d of Cler v al ; a n d su n k i n to a reverie S O d esp airi n g a n d fright

'

ful th a t eve n n o w whe n the sce n e is o n the p o i n t o f closi n g before

, ,

me for ever I shudder to reflect o n it

,
.

Some hours p as sed thu s ; but by degrees a s t h e s u n decli n ed ,

towards the horizo n the wi n d died away i n to a ge n tle breeze

, ,

a n d the s e a became free from breakers But these gave pl ace to a .

h e avy swe ll ; I felt s ick a n d h ardly able to hold the rudder whe n
, ,

sudde n ly I s aw a li n e o f high l a n d towards the south .

Although spe n t as I was by fatigue a n d the dreadful su spe n se I

, , ,

e n dured for several hours thi s sudde n certai n ty o f life rushed lik e
,

a flood o f warm joy to my he a rt a n d tears gu shed from my eyes , .

H ow mutable are o u r feel i n gs a n d how stra n ge i s th at cli n gi n g

,

love we h ave of life e ve n i n the exces s o f misery ! I co n structed

,

a n other s ail with a p art of my dres s a n d eagerly steered m y C OL l r SC

‘

towards the l a n d It h ad a wil d a n d rocky appeara n ce ; but as I

.
,

approached n earer I e asily perceived the tr a ce s o f cultivatio n

, .

I s a w v essel s n e ar the S hore a n d fou n d myself sudde n ly tra n s

,

ported b ack to the n eighborhood of civilized m a n I eagerly traced .

the wi n di n gs of the l a n d a n d h ailed a steeple wh ich I at le n gth

,

s a w i s sui n g from behi n d a small promo n tory As I was i n a state .

o f extreme debility I resolved to s ai l directly t ow a rds the tow n a s

,

a pl a c e where I coul d most easily pro c ure n ouri shme n t For .

t u n a te ly I h ad mo n ey with me As I tur n ed the promo n tory I

.
,

percei ved a small n eat tow n a n d a good harbor which I e n tered , ,

my h e a rt b o u n di n g with j oy a t my most u n e xp e ct e d e s c ape A s I .

 T HE M OD ER N PR O ME THE U S . I
37

wa s o ccup i e d
fixi n g the bo at a n d a rra n gi n g th e s a i l s se v eral
in ,

peopl e crowded toward s the spot They seemed v ery much sur .

prised a t my appe a ra n ce ; but i n ste ad o f o ff eri n g me a ny a s si st

,

a n ce whi spered together with gesture s th at at a ny other time

,

m ight h ave pro duced i n m e a sl ight se n s atio n o f al arm As i t .

was I merely rem arked th a t they spoke E n gli sh ; a n d I therefore

,

addressed them i n th a t l a n guage My good frie n d s s aid I will

:
,
”
,

you be s o ki n d as t o tel l me the n a me o f thi s t ow n a n d i n form me ,

where I a m ? ”

“
You wil l k n ow th at soo n e n ough repl ied a m a n with a gru ff ,

v oic e .M ayb e you are come t o a pl ace th at will n o t pro v e much

“

t o your taste but yo u will n o t b e co n sulted a s t o your q uarters I ,

promi s e yo u .

I wa s exceedi n gly surprised o n re ceivi n g s o rude a n a n swer from

a stra n ger ; a n d I was al so disco n certed o n perceivi n g the frow n i n g

a n d a n gry cou n te n a n ce s o f h i s comp a n io n s Why do you a n swer “

.

me s o roughly ? ”
I repl ied : surely it i s n o t the custom o f E n g
l i s h m e n t o receive str a n gers s o i n ho spitably
”
.

“
I d o n o t k n ow s a i d t h e m a n wh at the cu stom o f the E n gli sh
”
, ,

m ay be ; but it i s the cu stom o f t h e Iri sh t o h ate vill ai n s .

Whi l e thi s stra n ge di alogue co n ti n ued I perceived the crowd ,

r a p idly i n cre ase d T heir face s expres sed a m ixture o f cu r iosity

.

a n d a n ger which a n n oyed a n d i n some degree al armed me I

, , .

i n q uired the way to the i n n ; but n o o n e replied I the n moved .

fo rw a rd a n d a murmuri n g sou n d arose from the crowd as they

,

fol lowed a n d surrou n ded m e ; whe n a n ill looki n g m a n approach -

,

i n g tappe d m e o n t h e shoulder a n d s a id C ome s i r you mu st “

, , , , ,

follow me to M r K i rwi n s to gi v e a n a cco u n t o f yourself

.
’
.

Who i s M r K ir wi n ? Why am I t o give a n a ccou n t o f myself

.

”
I s n o t th i s a free cou n try ?
“
Aye s i r free e n ough for ho n est fol k s M r K irwi n i s a m agis
, ,
. .

tr a te a n d you a r e t o give a n accou n t o f the de a th of a ge n tlem a n

,

w h o w a s fou n d murd e red here l ast n ight .

T h i s a n swer startled me ; but I prese n tly recovered myself I .

was i n n oce n t ; th at coul d e as ily be p roved a ccordi n gly I fol lowed :

my co n ductor i n s ile n ce a n d was led to o n e o f the best hou ses i n

,

the tow n I was ready to si n k from fatigue a n d hu n ger ; but bei n g

.
,

s urrou n ded by a crowd I thought i t pol itic to rou se all my stre n gth
, ,

th at n o physical deb il ity m ight be co n strued i n to a pp rehe n sio n or

c o n sciou s guilt Little di d I the n expect the c a l amity th at was i n a
.

fe w mome n ts to overwhelm me a n d ext i n guis h i n horror ,a nd

d e s p a ir a ll fe a r o f ig n o m i ny a n d d e a t h .
1
3 8 F R A N KE NS TE I N ; OR ,

I must p a us e h e re ; it re q uire s a l l my forti tu d e to r e c a ll th e

fo r
me mory o f the frightful e ve nts which I am abou t to r e l ate i n pro p er ,
'

d e t a il t o my r e coll e c t i o n
, .

C H APTE R XX .

WA S soo n i n troduced i n to the prese n ce o f the magistr a te a n

I O l d be n e vole n t m a n with calm a n d mil d m an n ers He looked
, .
,

u po n me however W I t h some degree o f severity a n d the n t u r n i n g

, , , ,

towards my co n ductors he asked who appeared a s wit n esses o n

,

thi s occasio n .

About hal f a doze n m e n c a me forward ; a n d o n e b e i n g selected

by the m agistrate he deposed that he h ad bee n o u t fishi n g the
, ,

n ight before with h i s s o n a n d brother i n l aw D a n iel Nuge n t whe n - -

, , ,

about te n o clock they observed a stro n g n ortherly bl ast risi n g

’
, ,

a n d they accordi n gly put i n for port It was a very dark n ight a s .
,

the moo n had n o t yet rise n ; they did n o t l a n d at the harbor but , ,

as they h ad b e e n a c c u s to m e d at a creek about two miles below He

O

.
,

walked o n first carryi n g a p art o f the fishi n g t ackle a n d h i s com

, ,

p a n io n s followed him at som e dista n ce As he was proceedi n g ‘

alo n g the s a n ds he struck hi s foot agai n st somethi n g a n d fell all

, ,

hi s le n gth o n the grou n d H is compa n io n s came up to as sist him ;

.

a n d by the light of their l a n ter n they fou n d that he h ad falle n o n

, ,

the body of a m a n who was to al l appeara n ce dead .

Their first suppos itio n was that it was the corpse of some perso n ,

who h ad bee n drow n ed a n d wa s t h r o wn o n shore by the waves ;

,
‘

but upo n exami n atio n they fou n d that the clothes were n o t wet
, , ,

a n d eve n th at the body w a s n o t the n cold They i n sta n tly carried .

it to the cottage o f a n ol d wom a n n ear the spot a n d e n deavored , ,

but i n vai n to restore it to l ife He appeared to be a h a n dsome

,
.

you n g m a n about five a n d twe n ty years o f age H e h ad app are n tly

,
.

bee n stra n gled for there was n o S ig n o f a ny viole n ce except the

, ,

bl ack m ark O f fi n g e r s o n h i s n e ck
~
.

The first p art of this depositio n did n o t i n the least i n teres t me ,

but whe n the m ark of the fi n gers was me n tio n ed I remembered the ,

murder o f my brother a n d felt myself extremely agitated ; my

,

l i mbs trembled a n d a mi s t c a me o ver my eyes wh i ch obl iged me

,
‘

t o l e a n o n a c h a ir fo r supp o r t T h e m agis t r ate o b s e rved me with

.
 TH E M OD E R N P RO ME TH EU S . 1
39

a ke e n e ye , and o f c ourse dr e w an u n fa v or abl e a ugury fr o m my

m a n n er .

The s o n co n firmed the father s ac c ou n t : but whe n D a n i e l Nuge n t ’

wa s called he sw o re po s itively th at j ust before the fal l o f h i s com

, , ,

p a n io n he s a w a bo at with a S i n gle m a n i n it at a short dista n ce

, , ,

from the s hore ; a n d a s far as he coul d j udge by the light o f a few

,

stars it wa s th e s ame bo at i n which I h ad j u st l a n ded

, .

A wom a n deposed th at S he l ived n ear the beach a n d was sta n d

, ,

i n g at the door o f her cottage waiti n g for the retur n o f the fi s h e r ,

m e n ab out a n hour before s h e he ard o f the d iscovery o f the body

, ,

w he n sh e s a w a bo at with o n ly o n e m a n i n it push O ff from th at

, ,

p a rt o f the S hore where the corp se was afte r ward s fou n d .

A n other wom a n co n firmed the accou n t Of the fisherm a n h avi n g

b rought the bo dy i n to her hou se ; it was n o t col d They put it i n to .

a bed a n d rubbe d it ; a n d D a n iel we n t to the tow n for a n a o t h

, p
e c a r y b ut l ife wa s quite go n e
,
.

S everal other m e n were exami n ed co n cer n i n g my l a n di n g ; a n d

they agreed th at with the stro n g n orth wi n d th at h ad arise n dur
, ,

i n g the n ight it was very prob able th at I h ad be ate n about for m a ny

,

hours a n d h ad bee n obliged to retur n n e arly to the s ame spot from

,

whi ch I h a d dep arted Bes ides they Ob served th at it appe ared th at

.
,

I h ad b rought the body from a n other pl ace a n d it was likely th at , , ,

a s I d id n o t appe ar to k n o w the shore I might h ave put i n to the ,

h arbor ig n ora n t o f the d ista n ce o f the tow n o f

, from t h e pl ac e
where I h ad depo s ite d the corpse .

M r K irwi n o n he ari n g thi s evide n ce de s ired th at I s houl d be

.
, ,

t ake n i n to the room where the body l ay for i n terme n t th at it migh t ,

b e ob serve d wh at e ffect the S ight of it would produce upo n me .

Thi s ide a w a s p rob a bly sugge sted by t h e extreme agitatio n I h ad

e x hib ited whe n the mo de of the murder h ad bee n described I was .

a ccordi n gly co n ducted by the m agistrate a n d several other p e r

,

s o n s to the i n n I coul d n o t help bei n g struck by the stra n ge

,
.

coi n cide n ces th at h ad take n pl ace duri n g thi s eve n tful n ight ; but ,

k n owi n g th at I h ad bee n co n vers i n g with several perso n s i n the

'

i sl a n d I h ad i n h abited about the time th at the body h ad bee n fou n d ,

I was perfectly tra n quil as to the co n seque n ces of the a ff air .

I e n tere d the room wh ere th e corpse l ay a n d was led u p to the ,

co ffi n H ow c a n I de scribe my se n s atio n s o n behol di n g it ? I feel

.

yet p arche d with horror n o r c a n I reflect o n th at terrible mome n t

,

without s hudderi n g a n d ago n y th a t fai n tly remi n ds me of the ,

a n gui s h of the recog n i t io n T h e t ri al the prese n ce o f the m agis

. ,

t r a t e a n d wi t n es s e s p a s s e d l i k e a dr e a m fr o m my m e mory wh e n I
, ,
I 4O F RA NK E NS T E I N OR ,

w the l i fel e s s form o f He n ry C l e r v a l s t re tch e d b e for e me I

'

sa .

g a sped for bre a th ; a n d thro wi n g myself o n the body I excl aimed

, , ,

H a v e my murderous m a chi n atio n s depri ved you a l so my dearest ,

He n ry o f life ? Two I h a ve alre a dy destroyed ; other victim s await

,

their desti n y : but you Clerval my frie n d my be n efactor

, ,
”
, ,

The hum a n fr a me could n o lo n ger support the ago n izi n g su ffer

i n g that I e n dured a n d I was carried o u t o f the room i n stro n g
,

co n vulsio n s .

~
A fever succeeded to thi s I l ay fo r two mo n th s o n the p oi n t o f
.

death ; my rav i n gs as I afterward s heard were frightful ; I called

, ,

myself murderer o f Will i am o f Justi n e a n d of Clerval Some 3 , , .

-
'

times I e n tre ated my atte n da n ts to as si st me i n the destruc t io n of

the fie n d by whom I was torme n ted ; a n d at others I felt the , ,

fi n gers o f the mo n s ter graspi n g my n eck a n d I scre amed aloud ,

with ago n y a n d terror Fortu n ately as I S poke my n ative l a n

.
,

guage M r K irwi n alo n e u n derstood me ; but my gestures a n d b itter

, .

c ries were su ffi cie n t to a ff right the other wit n es ses .

Why did I n o t die ? M ore miserable th a n m a n ever was before ,

why did I n o t si n k i n to forgetful n es s a n d res t ? D eath s n atches

a way m a n y bloomi n g childre n the o n ly hopes o f their doati n g
,

p are n ts : how m a n y brides a n d youthful lovers h ave bee n o n e day

i n the bloom of health a n d hope a n d the n ext a prey for worms ,

a n d the decay o f the tomb ! O f wh at m ateri al s was I m ade th at I ,

coul d thu s resist s o m a n y S hocks which like the tur n i n g o f t h e , ,

wheel co n ti n u ally re n ewed the torture ?

,

But I was doomed to live ; a n d i n two mo n ths fou n d myself a s , ,

awaki n g from a dream i n a priso n stretched o n a wretched bed , ,

surrou n ded by gaolers tur n keys bolts a n d all the mi serable

, , ,

a pparatus of a du n geo n It was mor n i n g I remember whe n I

.
, ,

thus awoke to u n dersta n di n g : I h ad forgotte n the p articul ars o f

wh at h ad h appe n ed a n d o n ly felt as if some great m isfortu n e h ad
,

sudde n ly overwhelmed me ; but whe n I looked arou n d a n d s a w the ,

b arred wi n dows a n d the squ alid n es s o f the room i n which I wa s

, ,

all flashed acros s my memory a n d I groa n ed bitterly ,

.

This sou n d disturbed a n old wom a n who wa s sleepi n g I n a chair

beside me She wa s a hired n urse the wife o f o n e of the tur n keys
.
, ,

a n d her cou n te n a n ce expres sed all those b ad qu al ities which ofte n

ch a racterize that cl as s The l i n es of her face were h ard a n d rude

.
,

l ike those o f perso n s accustomed to s e e without symp athizi n g i n

S i ghts of m isery Her to n e expre s se d her e n tire i n di ff ere n ce ; s h e
.

a ddres sed me i n E n glish a n d the v oi c e,st r uck me a s o n e th a t I h a d

he a rd duri n g my su fferi n gs
 TH E M OD E R N P RO ME T H EU S . 1
4
1

A r e yo u b e tt e r n o w s i r ? s a i d s h e
, .

I rep lied i n the s a m e l a n guage with a fe e bl e v o i ce , I b e lie v e I ,

“

a m ; but if it be a l l true if i n deed I did n o t dre a m I a m s o rry th a t

, ,

I a m still al i v e to fe e l thi s misery a n d horror ”

.

”
“
Fo r th at m atter repl ied the o l d wom a n if yo u me a n a b out
, ,
“

t h e ge n tlem a n yo u murdered I believe th at it wer e better for you if

,

o u were de a d for I fa n cy it will go h ard with but will b e

y , y o u ; y o u

h u n g wh e n the n e xt ses sio n s come o n H owever th a t s n o n e o f my .

,
’

b u s i n es s I am se n t t o n urse yo u a n d get yo u well ; I do my ,

d uty with a s a fe c o n s ci e n ce ; it w e r e we l l if e ve rybody di d t h e

s a me ”
.

I tur n e d with l o a thi n g from the wom a n wh o co ul d utte r s o u n fe e l

i n g a speech to a p e rso n ju s t s a ved o n t h e v e ry e dg e o f de ath ; but,

I felt l a n gui d a n d u n able t o reflect o n al l th a t h ad p as sed T h e

, .

whole serie s o f my l ife a ppe ared t o me a s a dr e a m ; I sometime s

doubte d if i n deed it were a l l true fo r it n e ve r pr e s e n te d i ts e lf to my
,

m i n d with the force o f re al ity .

A s the im age s th a t flo ated before me be c a m e m o r e d i sti n ct I grew ,

fe veri s h ; a d ark n es s p res sed arou n d me ; n o o n e wa s n e ar me wh o

s oothe d me with the ge n tle v oice o f love ; n o de a r h a n d supported

me The phys i c i a n c a m e a n d prescrib e d medi c i n e s a n d the Ol d

.
,

wom a n prep ared them for me ; but utter careles s n es s wa s v is ible i n

the first a n d the expres sio n o f b rutal ity wa s stro n gly m a rk ed i n the
,

v i s age o f the seco n d W h o coul d be i n tereste d i n t h e fa t e o f a mu r

.

d e rer but the h a n gm a n wh o woul d gai n hi s fee ?

T hese were my firs t reflectio n s ; but I soo n le a r n e d th a t M r K ir .

wi n h a d show n me e xtreme ki n d n e s s H e h ad c a u s e d the best room

.

i n the pri s o n to be p rep are d for me ; ( wretched i n deed w a s the best ! )

a n d it was he wh o h ad pro v i ded a physici a n a n d a n urse It i s true .
,

h e sel dom cam e t o s e e me ; for although he a rde n tly des ir e d to r e

,

l i e ve th e s u fferi n gs o f e v ery hum a n cre ature he did n o t wi s h to b e ,

p re s e n t a t the a go n ie s a n d m i s erable r a vi n gs o f a murderer H e .

c a m e ther e fore somet i me s to s e e th a t I wa s n o t n e gl e cte d ; b u t h i s

, ,

v i s its w e re sh ort a n d a t l o n g i n terv a l s

,
.

One d ay ,
whe n I w a s gradu ally reco v er i n g I w a s s e a t e d i n ,a ch a ir ,

my eyes h a lf op e n a n d my cheeks l ivi d like thos e o f death : I wa s

,

o v ercome by gloom a n d m isery a n d ofte n r e flecte d I h a d b e tter see k

,

de a th th a n rem ai n mi ser a bly pe n t up o n ly t o b e let l oo se i n a world

r e p lete with wretche d n e s s A t o n e time I c o n s idered whether I
.

s houl d n o t d e cl are myself gui lty a n d su f f e,r t h e pe n a l ty o f the l aw ,

l e s s i n n oce n t th a n poor Ju sti n e h a d b e e n S uch were my thoughts . ,

he
w n th e o d or of my p
a a t r m e n t w a s ope n e d a n d M r K irwi n e n
,
.
I
4 2 F R ANK E NS T E I N OR ,

te r e d . Hi s cou n te n a n ce expressed symp a thy and comp as sio n ; h e

dr e w a chair clo se to mi ne a n d addres sed me i n , Fre n ch ,

“
I fe a r that this pl ace i s ve ry S hocki n g to yo u ; c a n I do a n y th i n g

t o make you more comfort a ble ?

”

I tha n k yo u ; but a l l th at yo u me n tio n i s n othi n g t o m e : o n t h e

whole earth there i s n o comfort wh ich I am cap able of receivi n g .

I k n ow that the sympathy o f a stra n ger c a n be but of l ittle r e

li e f to o n e bor n e dow n as you are by s o stra n ge a mi sfortu n e But .

you will I hope soo n quit thi s mel a n choly abode ; for doubtles s
, , , ,

evide n ce c a n e a sily be brought t o free yo u from the crimi n al

c harge
”
.

“
T h a t i s my l e ast co n cer n : I am by a course o f stra n ge eve n ts , ,

become the most miserable o f mortal s P ersecuted a n d tortured a s .

I a m a n d h ave bee n c a n de a t h be a ny evil to me ?

,
”

“
Nothi n g i n deed coul d be more u n fortu n ate a n d ago n i zi n g tha n
, ,

the str a n ge ch a n ces th at h ave l ately occurred You were throw n .

,

by some surpri si n g accide n t o n this shore re n ow n ed for its hosp i

, ,

tality ; seized immedi ately a n d ch arged with murder The first ,

.

sight th at w a s prese n ted to you r eyes wa s the body of your frie n d ,

murdered i n s o u n accou n table a m a n n er a n d pl aced as it were by , , ,

some fie n d acro s s your p a th .

”
.

A s M r K ir wi n s aid this n otwithsta n di n g t h e agitatio n I e n dured

.
,

o n this retrospect of my su ff eri n gs I al so felt co n s iderable surpri se ,

at the k n owledge he seemed to posses s co n cer n i n g me I suppose .

some a sto n ishme n t was exhibited i n my cou n te n a n ce ; for M r K ir .

w i n h aste n ed to s a y ,

It wa s n o t u n til a d ay o r two after your ill n es s th at I thought ,

o f exami n i n g your dress that I might discover some trace by which

,

I c ould se n d to your rel atio n s a n accou n t o f your mi sfortu n e a n d .

ill n ess I fou n d several letters a n d amo n g others o n e which I d i s

.
, , ,

co v ered from its comme n ceme n t to b e fr o m your father I i n sta n tly ‘

wrote to Ge n eva : n early two mo n ths h ave el ap sed s i n ce the dep art
ure o f my letter But you are i ll ; eve n n o w yo u tremble : you are
.

u n fit fo r agitatio n o f a ny ki n d ”
.

“
Thi s suspe n se i s a thous a n d times worse t ha n the most horrible
ev e n t : tell me what n e w sce n e o f death h a s bee n acted a n d whose ,
”
murder I am n o w to l ame n t .

“
Yo u r family i s perfectly well s aid M r K irwi n with ge n tle n es s ; ,
.
,

a n d some o n e a frie n d i s come to visit you ”

.
, ,

I k n ow n o t by wh at ch a i n o f thought the idea prese n ted itself ,

b ut it i n st a n tly d arted i n to my mi n d th at the murderer h ad come to

mo ck a t my m i s e ry a n d t a u n t me with t h e d e a th o f C ler v al a s a
, ,
 TH E M O D ER N PR O ME TH EU S .
43

n ew i n cit e me n tfor me to comply with hi s hel li sh d e sire s I p u t my .

h a n d before my eyes a n d cried out i n ago n y , ,

O h take him a way ! I ca n n ot s e e h im ; fo r G o d s s ak e do n o t

,
’
,

let him e n ter !

M r K i rwi n regarded me with a troubled cou n te n a n ce H e coul d
. .

n o t help regard i n g my excl am atio n as a p resumptio n o f my guilt , ,

a n d s aid i n rather a severe to n e

, ,

“
I s houl d h ave thought you n g m a n th a t the prese n ce o f your
, ,

father woul d h ave be e n w e l c ome i n ste a d o f i n sp iri n g such v iole n t

,

repug n a n ce .

M y father ! cried I wh ile e v e ry fe a ture a n d every muscle wa s

,

rel axed from a n gui s h t o ple asure I s my father i n deed come ? .

“
, ,

Ho w ki n d h o w v e ry ki n d ! But wh e re i s he ; why do e s he n o t h as
,
i
t e n to me ?
”

M y ch a n ge o f m a n n er surpri sed a n d ple ased the m a gistrate ; per

h ap s he thought th at my former excl am atio n w a s a mome n tary
retur n o f delirium a n d n o w he i n sta n tly resumed h i s former b e n e v o
,

le n ce He ro se a n d quitt e d the room with my n urse a n d i n a m o

.
,

me n t my father e n t e re d it .

Noth i n g at thi s mome n t coul d h a ve give n me greater pleasure

, ,

th a n the arrival o f my father I stretche d o u t my h a n d to him .

,

a n d cried ,

“
Are you the n s e a n d E lizabeth a n d E r n est ? ”

My father calmed m e with as sura n ces of their welfare a n d e n ,

d e a v o r e d by dwelli n g o n the se subj ects S O i n teresti n g to my he art

, ,

to rai se my desp o n di n g spirits ; but he soo n felt th at a pri so n c a n

n o t be the abod e o f cheerful n ess Wh at a pl ace i s thi s th at you “
.

i n h abit my s o n ! s ai d h e looki n g m o u r n fu l ly a t the b arred w i n

”
, , .

dows a n d wretched appe ara n ce o f the room Y o u travel led to “

seek h appi n e s s but a fatality seem s t o p ursu e yo u A n d poor

,
.

C lerval ”

The n ame o f my u n fortu n ate a n d murdered frie n d w a s a n agit a

tio n too gre at to be e n dure d i n my weak st a te ; I S hed te a rs .

“
Al as ! ye s my father repl ied I ; s ome desti n y o f the mo st
, ,
” “

horri d k fn d h a n gs over me a n d I mu st l ive t o fulfi l it o r s urely I

, ,
”
shoul d h av e d ied o n the c o fli n o f H e n ry .

We were n o t a llowed to co n verse for a ny le n gth o f time for the ,

precariou s state o f my he alth re n dered every precautio n n eces s ary

th at coul d i n sure tra n quillity M r K irwi n c a me i n a n d i n s isted
. .
,

th at my stre n gth shoul d n o t b e exh auste d by too m u ch exerti o n .

B ut the appeara n ce o f my fa ther w a s t o me l ik e th at o f my good

a n gel a n d I gr a du a lly r e c o v er e d my health
,
.
1
44 F RAN K E NS T E I N OR ,

A smy sick n es s q uitted me I wa s absorb e d b y a gloomy a n d bl ack

,

mel a n choly that n othi n g coul d dissip a t e The im age o f Clerv al

, .

wa s for ever before me gh astly a n d murdered , M ore th a n o n ce the .

a gitatio n i n to which these reflect i o n s threw me m ade my frie n ds

dread a d a n gerous rel apse Al a s ! why did they preserve so miser .

a ble a n d detested a life ? It was surely that I might fulfil my des

ti n y which i s n o w drawi ng to a close Soo n o h ! very soo n will
, .
, ,

dea th exti n guish these throbbi n gs a n d relieve me from the m ighty ,

weight of a n guish that bears me to the dust ; a n d i n executi n g the ,

a ward of j ustice I sh all si n k to rest

, The n the appeara n ce of death .

wa s dista n t although the wi sh was ever prese n t to my thou ghts ;

,

a n d I Ofte n s a t fo r hours motio n les s a n d speechless wishi n g for ,

O

s ome mighty re volutio n that might bury me a n d my d e s t r o ye r i n

i t s rui n s .

The seaso n o f th e assizes approach e d I had a lready be e n thre e

'

mo n th s i n priso n ; a n d a lthough I wa s still weak a n d i n co n ti n u al

, ,

d a n ger of a rel apse I was obliged to travel n early a hu n dre d miles

,

to the cou n ty tow n where the court was held M r K irwi n ch a rged
-
, . .

himself with e very care o f collecti n g wit n esses a n d arra n gi n g my ,

defe n ce I was sp a re d the di sgrace Of appeari n g publicly a s a

.

crimi n al as the case was n o t brought before the court that decides
,

o n life a n d death The gra n d jury rejected the bill o n its bei n g
.
,

proved that I was o n the O rk n ey Isl a n ds a t the hour the body of my

frie n d wa s fou n d a n d a fort n ight after my remov a l I wa s liberated
,

from pri so n .

My father wa s e n raptured o n fi n di n g me freed from the v ex a tio n s

Of a crimi n a l ch arge t h at I was agai n allowed to breathe the fresh
,

a tmosphere a n d allowed to retur n to my n a t iv e cou n try

,
I did n o t .

p articip ate i n these feel i n gs ; fo r to me the walls o f a du n geo n o r a

p al ace were alike h ateful The cup o f life wa s poiso n ed fo r e v er ;
.

a n d although t h e s u n sho n e upo n me as upo n the h appy a n d gay of ,

heart I s aw arou n d me n othi n g but a de n se a n d frightful d ark n ess

, ,

pe n etrated by n o light but the glimmer o f two eyes th a t gl ared

u po n me Sometimes they were the expressive eyes o f He n ry
.
,

l a n gui shi n g i n de ath the dark orbs n early co v ered by the l id s a n d

, .
,

t h e lo n g bl ack l ashes th a t fri n ged th e m ; sometimes it was the

w a tery clouded eyes o f the mo n ster a s I first s aw them i n my ,

c hamber o f I n gol stadt .

My father tried to awak e n i n me th e feeli n gs o f affectio n He .

t a lked o f Ge n eva — wh ich I S houl d s o o n v is it

,
— O f E lizabeth a n d ,

E r n e st ; but thes e words o n ly drew deep groa n s from me Som e .

tim e s i n de e d I felt a wish fo r happi ne s s ; a n d t hought with m e l a n

, , ,
 T HE M OD E R N P RO ME TH EU S . I
4S

c h o ly d e l ight my belov e d cous i n ; o r lo n ged w i th a de vouri n g

, of ,

ma l a d e d u p ays t o s e e o n ce mor e the bl ue l ake a n d r a p i d R ho n e

’

z , ,

th at h ad bee n s o de a r to m e i n e a rly chil dhood : b ut my ge n eral

s t a te o f feel i n g w a s a to r por i n wh ich a pri so n was a s welcome a ,

re s ide n ce as the divi n e st s ce n e i n n ature ; a n d th e se fi t s were S e l

d o m i n terrupted but by p aroxysm s o f a n gui s h a n d desp air
, At .

m ome n ts I ofte n e n deavore d to put a n e n d t o the existe n ce I

lo athed ; a n d it required u n ce asi n g a tte n d a n ce a n d v igil a n ce to r e
s trai n me from committi n g som dre adful a c t of viole n ce
e .

I remember a s I quitte d the p ris o n I heard o n e o f the m e n s ay

, , .

H e m ay be i n n oce n t o f the murder but he h as certai n ly a bad ,

c o n scie n ce These words str uck me A b ad co n scie n ce ! ye s

. .
,

s u rely I h ad o n e Wil li am Justi n e a n d Clerval h ad died thr o ugh

.
, ,

my i n fer n al m ach i n atio n s ; A n d whose de a th cried I “

i s to , ,
“

fi n i s h the tragedy ? Ah ! my father do n o t rem ai n i n thi s wretched ,

c ou n try ; take me where I m ay forget myself my e xi ste n ce a n d a ll , ,

th e worl d ”
.

My father e asily a cce ded to my desire ; a n d a fter h avi n g ta ke n ,

le ave o f M r K irwi n we h aste n ed to D ubl i n I felt as i f I wa s

.
, .

rel ieved from a he avy weight whe n the p acket s ailed with a fair ,

wi n d from Irel a n d a n d I h ad quit t ed for e v er t h e cou n try which h a d

,

b e e n to me the sce n e o f s o much misery .

It was m i d n ight M y father slept i n t h e cabi n ; a n d I l ay o n the

.

deck looki n g at the st a rs a n d li ste n i n g to the d as hi n g of the waves

, , .

I h aile d the d ark n es s th at s hu t I r el a n d from my S ight a n d my pul se ,

be a t with a fe v eris h j oy whe n I reflected I S hould soo n s e e Ge n eva

, .

T he p ast a ppe ared to me i n the l ight o f a frightful dream ; yet the

v e s sel i n wh ich I was the wi n d th at blew m e from the deteste d
,

S h ore of Irel a n d a n d the s e a which surrou n de d me told me t o o

, ,

forcibly th at I w a s d e ceived by n o vi sio n a n d th at C ler v al my , ,

frie n d a n d dearest comp a n io n h ad falle n a victim to me a n d the ,

m o n ster o f my cre atio n I rep as sed i n my memory my wh ole life ;

.
, ,

my quiet h appi n es s while resi di n g with my fam ily i n Ge n eva the ,

de ath o f my mother a n d my dep a rture for I n gol stadt I remem

,
.

bered s hud deri n g at the m a d e n thu si a sm th at hurried m e o n to the

creati o n Of my hi deou s e n emy , a n d I called to m i n d the n ight
duri n g wh ich h e first l i v e d I was u n abl e to pursue the trai n .

o f th ought ; a thou s a n d fe e l i n gs p res s e d up o n me a n d I wept ,

bitterly .

E ver S i n ce my re c o v e ry from the fever I h a d bee n i n t h e c u stom ,

of taki n g every n ight a sm all qu a n tity o f l aud a n um ; for it w a s b y

m e a n s o f th i s drug o n ly th a t I wa s e n abled to gai n the rest n e c e s
IO
 1
46 F RA N KE NS T E I N OR ,

s a ry fo r th e preser v a tio n o f li fe O ppres sed by th e recol lectio n o f

.

my v a rious mi sfortu n es I n o w took a double do se a n d soo n sl e pt

, ,

p rofou n dly B u t sleep did n o t a ff ord me resp ite from thought a n d

.

m isery ; my dream s prese n ted a thou s a n d obj ects th at scared me .

Toward s mor n i n g I was po s sessed by a ki n d of n ightm are ; I felt

the fi e n d s grasp o n my n eck a n d could n o t free myself from it ;
’

gro a n s a n d cries ru n g i n my e ars M y father who w a s watchi n g .

,

over me percei v i n g my restl ess n ess awoke me a n d p o i n ted to t h e

, , ,

port o f H olyh e a d which we were n o w e n teri n g

, .

C H APT E R XX I .

E h ad resolved n o t to go to Lo n do n but t o cros s the cou n try ,

to P ortsmouth a n d the n ce embark for H a v re I preferred

, .

th is pl a n pri n cip ally because I dreaded agai n to s e e those pl aces i n

,

which I h ad e njoyed a few mome n ts o f tra n quillity with my beloved

Clerval I thought with horror o f see i n g agai n those perso n s
.

whom we h ad Bee n accustomed to visit together a n d who might ,

m ake i n quiries co n cer n i n g a n eve n t the very remembra n ce of ,

whi c h m ade me agai n feel the p a n g I e n dured whe n I gazed o n hi s

l ifel es s form i n the i n n at
A s for m y father h i s desires a n d exertio n s were bou n ded to the
,

a gai n seein g me restored to health a n d peace o f mi n d H i s te n der .

n e s s a n d a tte n tio n s were u n remitti n g ; my grief a n d gloom we re

ob sti n ate b u t he would n o t desp air Sometimes he thought th at I

,
.

fe l t d e e pl y t h e d egradatio n of bei n g obliged to a n swer a charge o f

murder a n d he e n deavored to prove to me the futility of pride
, .

“
Al as ! m y f ather s aid I how little do you k n ow me ! Huma n
”
, ,

bei n gs their feel i ng s a n d p as sio n s would i n deed b e degraded if

, , ,

such a wretch as I fe lt pride Justi n e poor u n h ap py Ju sti n e was

.
, ,

as i n n oce n t as I a n d S he su ff ered the s ame ch arge ; s h e died for it ;

,

a n d I am the c a u s e o f th is : I murdered her

z Willi am Justi n e a n d .
, ,

He n ry ,
— they all died by my h a n ds ”
.

My father h ad oft e n d u ri n g my impriso n me n t he ard me m ake

, ,

t h e s am e assertio n ; whe n I thu s accused myself he sometimes ,

seemed to desire a n e xpl an atio n a n d at others he appeared to c o n ,

s ider it as caused by del irium a n d that duri n g my il l n es s some

, , ,

i d e a o f this ki n d h ad p r e s e n ted itself to my im agi n a tio n the r e ,

 TH E M O D ER N PR O ME TH EU S . 1
47

m e mb r a nce which I p reserved i n my co n valesce n ce I a voided

of .

expl a n atio n a n d m ai n tai n ed a co n ti n u al sile n ce co n cer n i n g th e

,

wretch I h ad created I h ad a feel i n g th at I S houl d be supposed .

m ad a n d thi s for eve r ch ai n ed my to n gue whe n I woul d h a v e give n

, ,

the whole worl d to h ave co n fide d the fatal secret .

U po n thi s occasio n my father s ai d with a n expres s io n of u n , ,

b ou n ded wo n der Wh at do you me a n Victor ? are you m ad ? M y

, ,

de ar s o n I e n tre at yo u n ever to m ake such a n assertio n

,
”
.

“
I am n o t m ad I cried e n ergetically ; the s u n a n d the heave n s
,
“
,

wh o h ave viewed my operatio n s c a n be ar wit n es s o f my truth I , .

am the as s as s i n of tho se most i n n oce n t victim s ; they died by my

m ach i n atio n s A thou s a n d times woul d I h ave S he d my o wn bloo d
.
,

drop by drop to h ave s aved their l ive s ; but I could n o t my father

, , ,

i n dee d I coul d n o t s acrifice the wh ole huma n race .

The co n clusio n of thi s speech co n vi n ced my father th at my ide a s

were dera n ged a n d he i n sta n tly cha n ged the subject o f our c o n
,

vers atio n a n d e n deavored to alter the course of my thoughts

,
.

H e wi shed as much as po s sible to obliterate the memory of t h e

, ,

sce n es th at h ad take n pl ace i n Irel a n d a n d n ever alluded to them , ,

O r su ff ere d m e to spe ak of my mi sfortu n es .

As time p as sed away I became more calm my m i sery h ad her ,

:

dwel li n g i n my heart but I n o lo n ger talked i n the s ame i n cohere n t

,

m a n n er of my o wn crime s ; su ffi cie n t for me was the co n sciou s n es s

o f them By the utmost self viole n ce I curbed the imperiou s voic e
.
-

Of wretched n es s which sometimes desired to decl are itself to the

,

wh ole worl d ; a n d my m a n n ers were calmer a n d more compose d

th a n they h ad e v er bee n S i n ce m y j our n ey to the s e a of ice .

We arrived a t H avre o n the 8 th of M ay a n d i n sta n tly proceede d ,

to P ari s where my father h ad some bu si n es s wh ich detai n ed u s a

, ,

few weeks I n thi s city I receive d the fol lowi n g letter from E li z a
.
,

b eth
“
To V I CT O R F R AN K E N S T EI N .

MY DE AR E S T F R IE N D It gave me the gre ate st pleasure to r e ,

c e i v e a letter from my u n cle d ate d a t P ari s : you are n o lo n ger at a

form id able d i sta n ce a n d I m ay hope to s e e you i n les s th a n a fort

,

n ight . M y p oor cou s i n how much you must h ave su ffered ! I expec t ,

to s e e you looki n g eve n more ill th a n whe n you quitted Ge n e v a .

T hi s wi n ter h as bee n p as se d mos t miserably tortured as I h ave bee n ,

by a n xiou s su spe n se ; yet I hope to s e e pe ace i n your cou t

n e n a n ce ,

an d to fi d
n th at y our he art i s n o t totally devoid Of comfort a n d
t r a n q ui llity .
 F R ANK E NS T E I N OR ,

Yet I fe a r th at th e s ame feeli n gs n o w e xist th a t ma d e y o u s o

m i serable a ye a r ago e v e n perh ap s augme n ted by time I would ,
-
.

n o t disturb you a t t hi s period wh e n S O m a n y m isfortu n es weigh ,

upo n yo u ; but a co n vers atio n th a t I h ad with my u n cle previous to

hi s dep arture re n ders some expl a n a tio n n eces s ary before we meet
, .

“
E xpl a n atio n ! you m ay pos sibly s ay ; what c a n E liz abeth h ave
to expl ai n ? If you re ally s ay this m y questio n s are a n swered a n d , ,

I h ave n o more to do tha n to S ig n myself your a ff ectio n ate cou s i n .

But yo u are dista n t from me a n d it i s pos s ible that you m ay dread , ,

a n d yet be ple ased with thi s expl a n atio n a n d i n a prob ab ility Of

; ,

this bei n g the case I dare n o t a n y lo n ger postpo n e writi n g wh at

, ,

duri n g your abse n ce I h ave Ofte n wished to expres s t o you but h ave , ,

n ever h ad the courage to begi n .

“
You wel l k n ow Victor th at o u r u n io n h ad b e e n the favorite
, ,

pl a n o f your p are n ts ever s i n ce o u r i n fa n cy We were tol d this .

whe n you n g a n d taught to look forward to it as a n eve n t that would

‘

certai n ly take pl ace We were a ff ectio n ate pl ay fellows duri n g .

-

chi l dhood a n d I believe dear a n d valued frie n d s to o n e a n other as

, , ,

we grew ol der But as brother a n d S ister Ofte n e n tertai n a lively

.

a ff ectio n towards each other without desiri n g a more i n tim ate ,

u n io n m ay n o t such al so be our c ase ? Tell me dearest Victor

, ,
.

A n swer me I co njure you by our mutu al h app i n e ss with s imple

, , ,

truth —
, D o you n o t love a n other ?
“
You h ave travelled ; you h ave S pe n t sever a l ye a rs of y o ur l i fe
a t I n go l stadt ; a n d I co n fe ss to you my frie n d th at whe n I s a w you , , ,

l ast autum n S O u n h appy flyi n g to solitude from the society of every , ,

creature I coul d n o t help s u pposi n g th at you might regret our c o n

,

n e c t i o n a n d believe yourself bou n d i n ho n or to fulfil the wishes o f

,

your p are n ts although they oppose d themselves to your i n cl i n a

,

tio n s But this i s fal se reaso n i n g I co n fes s to you my cousi n

. .
, ,

th at I love you a n d th at i n my airy dream s o f futurity yo u h ave

,

bee n my co n sta n t frie n d a n d comp a n io n But it i s your h app i n ess .

I desire as well as my o wn whe n I decl are to you th at o u r m arri age ,

would re n der me eter n ally m iserable u n les s it were the dictate o f ,

your o wn free choice E ve n n o w I weep to thi n k th at b or n e dow n .

, ,

as you are by the cruellest misfortu n e s you m ay stifle by the word , ,

k o u o r all hope of that love a n d h a ppi n es s which woul d al o n e r e

,

store you to yourself I who h a v e s o i n terested a n a ffectio n for .

,

y o u ,
m ay i n crease your m iseries te n fold by bei n g a n ob stacle t o ,

your wishes Ah Victor be assured that your cousi n a n d p l aym ate

.
, ,

h as too s i n cere a love for you n o t to be m a de mi ser a bl e by thi s sup

p ositio n Be h appy my frie n d ; a n d if you obey me i n thi s o n e
.
, ,
 T HE M O DER N P R O M E T H E US . I
49

re q uest r e m a i n s a ti sfied th a t n oth i n g

, on e a rth will h a v e pow e r to
i n terrup tmy tra n qui llity .

D O n o t let thi s lett er di sturb yo u ; d o n o t a n swer i t to morrow

“
-
,

o r the n ext d ay o r e v e n u n til you come if it will give you p ai n

, , .

My u n cle will se n d me n ews o f your h ealth ; a n d if I see but o n e

smile o n your l ip s whe n we meet occas io n ed by thi s o r a ny other ,

e xertio n of mi n e I S h a l l n ee d n o o ther h app i n ess

L
, .

EL I Z AB E T H A VE N Z A “
.

G e n e v a, M ay 1 8th, 17

T hi s letter rev i v ed in my memory wh at I h ad b efore forgotte n ,

the thre at o f th e fi e n d I w i l l he w i l e y ou o n y o u r w e d d i ng
,

mg/z zf ! Such w a s my se n te n ce a n d o n th at n ight wou ld the de

”
,

m o n employ e very art to destroy me a n d tear me from the gl imp s e ,

o f h app i n es s which promi sed p artly to co n sole my su fferi n gs On .

th at n ight he h ad determ i n e d t o co n summ ate hi s crime s by my

death Well be it s o ; a deadly struggle woul d the n as suredly take
.
,
'

pl ace i n wh ich if he was victoriou s I S hould be at pe ace a n d hi s

, , , ,

power over me be at a n e n d If he were va n qui shed I shoul d be a .

,

free m a n Al as ! wh at fr e e d o m ? s u c h as the pe a s a n t e nj oys whe n

‘

h i s fami ly h ave bee n m as s acred before hi s eyes hi s cottage bur n t , ,

h i s l a n d s l ai d waste a n d he i s tur n ed adrift homeles s pe n n iles s

, , , ,

a nd alo n e b ut free Such would be my l iberty except th at i n my

, .
,

E li z abeth I p os s e s sed a tre asure ; al as ! b al a n ced by those horror s

o f remorse a n d guilt which woul d pursue me u n til death , .

Sweet a n d belove d E liz abeth ! I re ad a n d r e re ad her letter a n d -

,

s ome softe n ed feel i n gs stole i n to my he art a n d d ared to wh i sper ,

p aradi si acal d re am s o f l ove a n d j oy ; but the apple w a s alre ady

e ate n a n d the a n gel s a r m b ared to drive me from al l h O p e Yet I
,
’
.

woul d die to m ake h e r h appy If the mo n ster executed h i s thre at .

,

de a th was i n e v itable ; yet agai n I co n s idered whether my m arri age , ,

woul d h aste n my fate My de structio n might i n deed arrive a fe w .

, ,

mo n th s soo n er ; but if my torturer S houl d su spect th at I p ostpo n e d

,

it i n flue n ced by hi s me n aces he woul d surely fi n d other a n d per

, , ,

h ap s more dre adful me a n s o f reve n ge H e h ad vowed t o be w i t /

,
. Ir

—
me o n my w e d d ug mlg lz z yet h e did n o t co n s ider th at threat as b i n d
'

z
‘

i n g h im to pe ace i n the me a n time ; for as if to S how me th at he ,

was n o t yet s a ti ated with blood he h ad murdered C lerval i m m e d i ,

a tely after the e n u n ci atio n o f hi s thre ats I r esolved therefore .

, ,

th at if my immedi ate u n io n with my cou si n woul d co n duce either

to her or my father s h app i n es s my ad v
’
ers a ry s desig n s agai n st my ,
’

l i fe s houl d n o t r e tard it a s i n gle h o ur .

1
5 0 F R ANK E NS T E I N OR ,

state o f mi n d I wro te to E l i z abeth My letter wa s c a lm

I n t h is
a n d a ff e c tio n ate I fear my beloved girl I s aid l ittle h appi
“ “
.
, , ,

n es s rem ai n s for u s o n earth yet all th at I m ay d ay e j oy i s

.

; o n e n

co n ce n tred i n yo u Ch ase away your idle fears ; to you alo n e do I

.

co n secrate my life a n d my e n deavors for co n te n tme n t I h ave o n e

, .

secret E lizabeth a dreadful o n e ; whe n revealed to you i t will chill

, , ,

your frame with horror a n d the n far from bei n g surpri sed at my , ,

m i sery yo u will o n ly wo n der th at I survive wh at I h ave e n dured

, .

I will co n fide this tale of m is ery a n d terror to you the d ay after our
m arr i age S hall take pl ace ; for my sweet cousi n there must be per , ,

fe c t co n fide n ce betwee n u s But u n til the n I co njure you do n o t .

, , ,
'

me n tio n or allu de to it Th is I most ear n estly e n tre at a n d I k n ow .

,

you will comply ”

.

I n about a week after the arriv a l o f E liz abeth s letter we retur n ed

’
,

t o Ge n eva My cous i n welcomed me with war m a ff ectio n ; yet tears

.

were i n her eyes as s h e behel d my em aciated frame a n d feverish

,

cheeks I s aw a ch a n ge i n her also She was thi n n er a n d h ad lost

. .
,

much of th at he ave n ly vivacity th at h ad before charmed me ; b u t

her ge n tle n es s a n d soft looks of comp as sio n m ade her a more fit
, ,

comp a n io n for o n e bl as ted a n d miserable as I was .

The tra n quillity which I n o w e nj oyed did n o t e n dure M e mory .

brought m ad n es s with it ; a n d whe n I thought o n wh at had p asse d ,

a re al i n s a n ity pos sessed me ; sometimes I was furious a n d bur n t ,

with rage sometimes low a n d despo n de n t I n either spoke n o r

,
.

looked but s a t motio n les s bewildered by the multitude of m iseries

, ,

th at overcame me .

E lizabeth alo n e h ad the power to draw me from these fi t s ; her

ge n tle voice would soothe me whe n tra n sported by p assio n a n d ,

i n sp ire me with huma n feeli n gs whe n su n k i n torpor S he wept .

with me a n d for me Whe n re aso n ret u r n ed s h e woul d remo n

,
.
,

strate a n d e n de avor to i n spire me with resig n atio n Ah ! it i s well

,
.

for t he u n fortu n ate to be resig n ed but for the guilty there is n o ,

pe ace The ago n ies of remorse poiso n the luxury there i s otherwise
.

sometimes fou n d i n i n dulgi n g the excess of grief .

Soo n after my arrival my father spoke of my immedi ate m arri age ,

with my cousi n I remai n ed S ile n t . .

”
H a v e you the n some other attachme n t ?
“
, ,

No n e o n earth I love E lizabeth a n d look forward t o our .

,

u n io n with delight Let the day therefore be fixed ; a n d o n it .

I will co n secr a te myself i n life o r death to the h app i n es s of my

‘

, ,

c ou si n .
”

My dear Vi ctor do n o t spe a k thus He a vy mi sfortu n es h a v e

“
,
.
 TH E M OD ER N PR O ME TH EU S .
5 1

b e fa lle n u s ; but let o n ly cl i n g c loser to wh a t rem a i n s a n d

uS ,

tra n sfer o u r love for those whom we h ave lo st t o those who ye t

l ive O ur circle will be sm all but b ou n d close by the tie s o f a ff e c
.
,

tio n a n d mutual m i sfortu n e A n d whe n time S h all h ave softe n ed

.

you r desp air n e w a n d de ar obj ects o f care will be bor n to repl ace
,

th o se o f whom we h ave bee n s o cruelly deprived .

”

S uch were the le s so n s o f my father But to me the remembra n ce .

o f the thre at retur n ed : n o r c a n you wo n der that om n ipote n t as , ,

the fie n d h ad yet bee n i n hi s deeds o f blood I shoul d almost regard ,

him as i n vi n c i ble ; an d th at whe n he h ad pro n ou n ced the words ,

I d l l be w t b y o u o n y o u r w e d d u g
'

z I should regard the

'

thre ate n e d fate as u n avoi d able But death was n o evil to me if the
.
,

los s o f E l iz abeth were b al a n ced with it ; a n d I therefore with a ,

co n te n ted a n d e v e n cheerful cou n te n a n ce agreed with my father , ,

th at if my cous i n woul d co n se n t the ceremo n y should take pl ace i n

t e n d ays a n d thu s put as I i m
,

, agi n ed the seal to my fate

, , .

Gre at Go d ! if for o n e i n sta n t I h ad thought o f wh at might be the

hell i s h i n te n tio n o f my fie n d ish advers ary I would rather h ave ,

b a n i s hed myself for ever from my n ative cou n try a n d wa n dered a ,

frie n dles s outcast over the e arth th a n h ave co n se n ted to thi s ,

mi serable m arri age But a s if pos ses sed of m agic powers the
.
, ,

m o n ster h ad bl i n ded me to h i s re al i n te n tio n s ; a n d whe n I thought

th at I prep are d o n ly my o wn death I h a ste n ed th at o f a far dearer
,

v ictim .

As the period fixed for o u r m arri age drew n e arer whether from ,

cowardice o r a prophetic feel i n g I felt my heart s i n k withi n me ,

.

B ut I co n ce ale d my feeli n gs by a n appe ara n ce of h il arity th at ,

broug h t s mil es a n d j oy to the cou n te n a n ce of my father but h ardly ,

deceive d the ever watchful a n d n icer eye of E lizabeth S he looked

-
.

forward to o u r u n io n with pl acid co n te n tme n t n o t u n m i n gled with ,

a little fear which p ast mi sfortu n es h ad impressed th at wh at n o w

, ,

a ppe ared certai n a n d ta n gible h appi n es s might soo n di ss ip ate i n to

a n airy dre am a n d le ave n o trace but deep a n d everlasti n g regret

,
.

P rep aratio n s were m ade for the eve n t ; co n gratul atory v i sits were
received ; a n d al l wore a sm ili n g appeara n ce I s hut up as well as .
,

I coul d i n my o wn heart the a n xiety th at preyed there a n d e n tered

, ,

with seemi n g e ar n est n es s i n to the p l a n s o f my father although ,

they migh t o n ly serve as the decoratio n s o f my tragedy A house .

was purch ased for u s n e w Colog n y by which we should e nj oy t h e ,

p le asure s of the cou n try a n d yet be s o n e ar Ge n eva as to s e e my

,

f ather every d ay ; who wo u l d s till reside withi n the wall s for t h e ,

b e n e fit o f E r n est th at he might follow h i s s tudies at the schools

,
.
1
5 2 F RAN KE NS T E I N OR ,

I n th e me a n t i me I too k e v ery prec a utio n t o d e fe n d my p e rso n ,

,

i n c a se the fie n d should ope n ly attack me I c a rried pi stol s a n d a .

d a gger co n sta n tly about me a n d was ever o n the watch t o p reve n t

,

artifice ; a n d by these mea n s gai n ed a greater degree of tra n quillity .

I n deed as the period approached the thre at appe ared more a s a

, ,

delusio n n o t to be regarded as worthy to disturb my peace while

, ,

the happi n es s I hoped for i n my m arri age wo re a greater appear

a n ce of certai n ty as the d ay fixed for i t s solem n izatio n drew n eare r
, ,

a n d I heard it co n ti n ually spoke n o f as a n occurre n ce which n o

accide n t could pos sibly preve n t .

E lizabeth seemed h appy ; my tra n quil demea n or co n tributed

gre atly to calm her mi n d But o n the d ay that was to fulfil my .

wi shes a n d my desti n y she was mel a n choly a n d a prese n time n t of

, ,

e v il pervaded her ; a n d perh ap s also S he thought o f the dreadful

secret which I had promised to reveal to her the followi n g d ay .

My father was i n the mea n time overj oyed a n d i n the bustle of , ,

prep aratio n o n ly Obser ve d i n the mel a n choly o f h i s n iece the

,

d i fli de n c e o f a bride .

After the ceremo n y wa s performed a l arge p arty assembled at ,

my father s ; but it was agreed th at E liz abeth a n d I should p as s t h e

’

a fter n oo n a n d n ight at E vi a n a n d retur n to Colog ny the n ext mor n

,

i ng . As the d ay wa s fair a n d t h e wi n d fav orable we resolved t o

, ,

go by water .

Those were the l ast mome n ts o f my life duri n g wh ich I e nj oyed

the feel i n g o f h appi n e ss We p assed rapidly alo n g the s u n wa s
. :

hot but we were sheltered from its rays by a ki n d o f ca n opy while

‘

, ,

we e nj oyed the be auty o f the sce n e sometimes o n o n e S ide of the ,

l ake where we s aw M o n t S al eve the pleas a n t ba n ks of M o n tal egre

, , ,

a n d at a di sta n ce surmou n ti n g all the beautiful M o n t B l a n c a n d

, , ,

the as sembl age o f s n owy mou n tai n s that i n vai n e n de avor to

emul ate her ; sometime s co asti n g the opposite b a n ks we s a w the ,

mighty Jura Opposi n g its d a rk side to the ambitio n th at woul d quit

i t s n ative cou n try a n d a n almost i n surmou n table b arrier to the
,

i n vader who shoul d wish to e n sl ave it .

I took the h a n d of E lizabeth Y o u a r e sorrowful my love :

“
, .

Ah ! if you k n ew wh at I h ave su ff ere d a n d wh at I m ay yet e n dure , ,

you would e n deavor to let me taste the quiet a n d freedom from ,

desp air that this o n e d ay at least permits me to e nj oy

,
.
”

“
Be h appy my dear Victor replied E lizabeth ;
,
”
there i s I
,
“
,

hope n othi n g to distress you ; a n d be a ssured that if a lively j o y

,

i s n o t p ai n ted i n my face my he art i s co n te n ted Somethi n g, .

whispers t o me n o t to depe n d too mu ch o n t h e prospect th a t i s

 TH E M OD ER N PR O ME TH EU S . 1
53

Op e n ed before u s ; but I wil l n o t l i ste n t o such a s i n i ster v oice .

O b serve how fast we move alo n g a n d how the cl oud s which some , ,

time s ob scure a n d sometime s rise above the dome o f M o n t Bl a n c ,

re n der th i s sce n e o f be auty still more i n teresti n g Look al so at the .

i n n umerabl e fis h th at are swimmi n g i n the clear waters where we ,

c a n di sti n gui s h every pebble th at l ies at the bottom Wh a t a divi n e .

d ay ! how h appy a n d sere n e all n ature appears ! ”

Thu s E liz abeth e n de avored t o divert her thoughts a n d mi n e from

all reflectio n upo n mel a n choly subjects But her temper was fl u c .

tu a t i n g ; j o y for a few i n sta n ts sho n e i n her ey e s but it co n ti n u ally ,

g av e pl a ce to di stractio n a n d reverie .

The s u n su n k lower i n the heave n s ; we p as sed the river D r a n c e ,

a n d ob serv ed its p ath th rough the ch asm s o f the h igher a n d th e ,

gle n s of the l ower hill s The Alp s here come closer to the l ake
, .
,

a n d we appro ached the amph ithe atre o f mou n tai n s wh i ch forms i t s

e aster n bou n dary The S p ire of E v i a n sho n e u n der t h e wood s th at

.

surr o u n ded it a n d the r a n ge o f mou n tai n above m ou n tai n by wh i c h

,

it w a s overhu n g .

The wi n d wh ich h a d h i therto ca rried u s alo n g with amazi n g

,

r a pi dity su n k a t su n set to a light breeze ; the soft air j ust ru ffl e d

,

th e water a n d caused a ple as a n t motio n a mo n g the trees as we

,

a ppro ached the S hore from which it wafted the most de l ightful
,

S ce n t o f flowers a n d h ay The s u n s u n k be n eath the horizo n as we

.

l a n ded ; a n d as I touched the S hore I felt those cares a n d fe ars

, ,

r e v i v e whi c h so o n wer e t o c l asp me a n d cli n g to me for e ver

, , .

C H APT E R XX II .

T wa s eight O cloc k whe we l

’
a de d we wal k ed for a S hort time
I o n the S hore enj oyi n g the tra n sitory light a n d the n reti red to
n n :

, ,

the i n n a n d co n templ ated the lovely sce n e of waters wood s a n d

, , ,

mou n tai n s ob scured i n d ark n es s yet stil l displ ayi n g thei r bl ack
, ,

Outl i n e s .

The wi n d wh ich h ad falle n i n the south n o w rose with great vio

, ,

le n ce i n the west Th e moo n h ad re ached her summit i n t h e

.

he a ve n s a n d was begi n n i n g to desce n d ; the cloud s swept acro s s i t

,

swifter th a n the flight o f the vulture a n d dimmed her rays wh il e , ,

th e al ke re flecte d t h e sce n e o f the bu sy h e a v e n s r e n dered still bus i e r ,

 54 FR A N KE NS T E I N OR ,

by the restles s w a ves that were begi n n i n g to rise Sudde n ly a .

h eavy storm o f rai n desce n ded .

I h ad bee n calm duri n g the day ; but s o soo n as n ight obscured ,

the sh apes o f obj ects a thousa n d fears arose i n my m i n d I wa s

, .

a n xious a n d watchful while my right h a n d grasped a pi stol which

,

was hidde n i n my bosom E very sou n d terrified me ; but I resolved

.

th at I woul d sell my life dearly a n d n o t rel ax the impe n di n g c o n

,

fl i c t u n til my o wn life or that of my advers ary w a s exti n guished

, , .

E lizabeth observed my agitatio n for some time i n t i m i d a n d fear .

ful S ile n ce ; at le n gt h s h e s aid Wh at i s it th at agitates you my

,
“
,

dear Victor ? What i s it you fear ? ”

O h ! peace peace my love repl ied I ; thi s n ight a n d all will

, , ,
” “
,

be s afe ; but thi s n ight i s dreadful very dre adful , .

”

I passed a n hour i n thi s state of mi n d whe n sudde n ly I reflected ,

how dreadful the comb at which I mome n tarily expected would be to

my wife a n d I e ar n estly e n treated her to retire resolvi n g n o t to
, ,

j oi n her u n til I h ad obtai n ed some k n owledge as to the s ituatio n of

my e n emy .

She left me a n d I co n ti n ued some time walki n g up a n d dow n the

,

p as s ages of the house a n d i n specti n g every cor n er th at might a ff ord

,

a retre at to my advers ary But I discovered n o trace of him a n d

.
,

was begi n n i n g to co njecture th at some fortu n ate ch a n ce h ad i n ter

v e n ed to preve n t the executio n of his me n ace s ; whe n sudde n ly I

heard a shrill a n d dreadfu l scre am I t came from the room i n to .

which E lizabeth had retired As I heard it the whole truth rushed.

,

i n to my m i n d my arms dropped the motio n of every muscle a n d

, ,

fibre w a s suspe n ded ; I could feel the blood trickli n g i n my vei n s ,

a n d ti n gli n g i n the extremities o f my limbs This state l asted but .

for a n i n sta n t ; the scream was repeated a n d I rushed i n to the ,

room .

Gre at God ! why did I n o t the n expire ? Why am I here to rel ate
the destructio n of the best hope a n d the pure st cre ature of earth ? ,

She was there lifeles s a n d i n a n im ate throw n acros s the bed he r

, , ,

head h a n gi n g dow n a n d her p ale a n d distorted fe atures h alf c o v

,

ered by her hai r E verywhere I tur n I s e e the s ame fi g u r e

.
— her ,

bloodle s s arms a n d relaxed form flu n g by the murderer o n its bridal

b ier Could I behold thi s a n d live ? (Al as ! l ife i s ob sti n ate a n d
.
, ,

cli n gs closest where it i s most h ated ) For a mome n t o n ly a n d I .

,

lo st recollectio n I fai n ted : .

Whe n I recovered I fou n d myself surrou n ded by the people o f

,

t h e i n n ; their cou n te n a n ces expres sed a breathles s terror but the :

h orr o r of o t h e r s a pp e a re d o n ly a s a m o ck e ry a sh a dow o f the feel ,

 TH E M O D ER N P R O ME T H E US . I
55

i n gs th at Oppre s sed me I e scaped from them to the ro om wh e re

.

l ay the body of E l iz abeth my love my wife s o l ately l ivi n g s o

, , , ,

de ar s o worthy S he h ad bee n moved from the po sture i n which I

, .

h ad first behel d her ; a n d n o w as s he l ay her he ad upo n her arm , , ,

a n d a h a n dkerchief throw n acro s s her face a n d n eck I might h ave

,

s upp o sed her asleep I rus hed towards her a n d embraced her with
.
,

a rdor ; but the de athly l a n guor a n d col d n es s O f the limb s tol d me

,

th at wh at I n o w hel d i n my arm s h ad ce ase d to be the E lizabeth

whom I h ad l o v e d a n d cherished The murderou s m arks of the .

fi e n d s grasp were o n her n eck a n d t h e b re ath h ad ce ased to i s su e

’

from her l ip s .

Wh ile I stil l hu n g over her i n the ago n y of desp air I h appe n ed ,

to look up The wi n dows o f the room h ad before b ee n d arke n e d ;

.

a n d I felt a ki n d of p a n i c o n seei n g the p ale yellow light of the

moo n ill u m i n ate the ch amber The S hutters h ad bee n throw n b ack ;
.

a n d w ith a se n s atio n of ho rror n o t t o be described

, I s aw at th e ,

Ope n wi n dow a figure the m ost hi deou s a n d abhorred A gri n was .

o n the face of the mo n ster ; he seemed to jeer as with h i s fie n di s h ,

fi n ger he p oi n ted toward s the corp se of my wife I rushe d towards .

the wi n dow a n d drawi n g a pi s tol from my bosom S hot ; but h e

, , ,

elude d m e le aped from his statio n a n d ru n n i n g with the swift n es s

, , ,

Of l igh t n i n g p lu n ged i n to the l ake

, .

The report of the p istol brought a crowd i n to the room I .

p oi n ted to the spot where he h ad d is appeared a n d we followe d the ,

track with b oats ; n ets were cast but i n vai n After p as si n g several , .

hours we retur n ed hopeles s ; m ost of my comp a n io n s believi n g i t

, ,

to h ave bee n a form co nj ured by my fa n cy After h avi n g l a n ded .

,

they procee ded to se arch the cou n try p artie s goi n g i n di ff ere n t ,

d irectio n s amo n g the woods a n d vi n e s .

I di d n o t accomp a n y them ; I was exh au sted a film covered my :

eyes a n d my ski n was p arched with the heat Of fever I n thi s state
,
.

I l ay o n a bed h ardly co n sciou s of wh at h ad h appe n ed ; my eye s

,

wa n dered rou n d the room as if to seek somethi n g th at I h ad lo st

,
.

At le n gth I remembered th at my father woul d a n xiously expect

the retur n of E lizabeth a n d myself a n d th at I must retur n alo n e ,
.

Th i s reflectio n brought te ars i n to my eyes a n d I wept for a lo n g ,

time ; but my thoughts rambled to variou s subj ects reflecti n g o n '

,

my mi sfortu n es a n d their cause I w a s b e wi l d e r e d i n a clou d of .

wo n der a n d horror The de ath o f Will i am the executio n of Ju s

.
,

ti n e the murder of Clerv al a n d l astly Of my wife ; eve n at th at

, ,

m ome n t I k n e w n o t th at my o n ly rem ai n i n g frie n ds were s afe from

t h e m a l i g n ity o f the fi e n d ; my fa th e r e ve n n o w might be writhi n g
I 56 F R A NK E NS T E I N OR ,

un der h i s gr a sp a n d E r n est might be dead at h i s fe e t Thi s i de a

, .

m ade me S hudder a n d recalled me to actio n I started up a n d re

, .
,
:

sol v ed to ret u r n to Ge n eva with all pos sible speed .

There were n o horses to be procured a n d I must retur n by the ,

l ake ; but the wi n d was u n fa v or able a n d the rai n fell i n torre n ts ,

.

However it was hardly mor n i n g a n d I m ight reaso n ab ly hope to

, ,

arrive by n ight I hired m e n t o row a n d took a n o a r myself ; for I

.
,

h ad always experie n ced relief from me n tal torme n t i n bodily e xe r

cise But the o v e r fl o wm g misery I n o w felt a n d the exces s of agita
.
,

t io n th at I e n dured re n dered me i n cap able of a n exertio n I threw

, y .

dow n the o ar a n d lea n i n g my he ad upo n my h a n ds gave way t o

, , ,

every gloomy idea t h a t a r o s e If I looked up I s a w the sce n es '

.
,

which were famili ar to me i n my happier time a n d wh ich I h ad ,

co n templ ated b u t the day before i n the comp a n y o f her who was
n o w but a sh adow a n d a recollectio n Te ars streamed from my .

eyes Th e rai n h ad ce ased for a mome n t a n d I s aw the fi s h pl ay i n

.
.
,

the waters as they h ad do n e a few hours before they h ad the n bee n :

Observed by E lizabeth Nothi n g i s so p ai n ful to the huma n mi n d

.

as a great a n d sudde n ch a n ge The s u n might S hi n e or the cloud s .

,

might lower ; but n othi n g coul d appear to me as it h ad do n e the

d ay before A fie n d h ad s n atched from m e every hope of future
.

h appi n es s ; n o creature h ad ever bee n s o mi serable as I was ; s o

frightful a n eve n t was S i n gle i n the hi story of m a n .

But why S hould I dwel l upo n the i n cide n ts th at followed thi s l ast
overwhelmi n g eve n t M i n e h as bee n a tale of horrors ; I have
.

reached their a c me a n d wh at I must n o w relate c a n but be tediou s

,

to you K n ow th at o n e by o n e my frie n ds were s n atched away ; I

.
, ,

was left desol ate My o w n stre n gth i s exh austed ; a n d I mu st tell

.
,

i n a few words wh at rem ai n s of my hideou s n arratio n

,
.

I arrived at Ge n eva My father a n d E r n est yet l ived ; but the

.

former su n k u n der the tidi n gs th at I bore I s e e him n o w excel .

,

l e n t a n d ve n erable Old m a n ! hi s eyes w a n dered i n vaca n cy for they ,

h ad lost thei r ch arm a n d their delight — h i s n iece his more th a n , ,

d aughter whom he doated o n with all that a ff ectio n which a m a n

,

feel s who i n the decli n e of life h avi n g few a ffectio n s cli n gs

, , , ,

more ear n estly to those th at remai n Curs ed cu r sed be the fie n d .

,

th at bro u ght misery o n hi s gray h airs a n d doome d h im to waste i n ,

wretched n es s ! He coul d n o t live u n der the horrors that were a c

cumul ated arou n d him : a n apoplectic fit was brought o n a n d i n a ,

few d ays he died i n my arm s .

Wh at the n became of me ? I k n ow n o t ; I lost s e n s a ti o n a n d ,

'

ch ai n s a n d d ark n es s were the o n ly objects th at pre sse d upo n me .

 TH E M OD ER N PR O ME TH EU S . I 57

S o m e times , i n d e e d , I dre a m e d th a t I w a n d e r e d i n fl owery m e adow s

a n d ple a s a n t v ale s with t h e frie n ds o f my youth ; b ut a woke a n d ,

fou n d mys e lf i n a du n geo n M el a n choly followed ; but by degrees

.
, ,

I gai n ed a cle ar co n ce pt io n o f my m iseries a n d s itu atio n a n d was ,

the n rele ased from my priso n Fo r they h ad called me m ad ; a n d .

,

duri n g m a n y mo n ths a s I u n derstood a Sol itary cell h ad bee n my

, ,

h abitatio n .

B ut liberty h a d bee n a u seles s gift to m e h ad I n o t as I awake n ed , ,

to reas o n a t the s am e time awake n ed t o reve n ge As the memory

, .

of p ast m i sfort u n es pres sed upo n me I bega n to reflect o n their ,

cause ,
— the mo n ster whom I h a d created the mi serable demo n ,

whom I h a d se n t ab ro ad i n to the worl d for my destructio n I was .

p os ses sed by a m adde n i n g rage whe n I thought o f him a n d desired ,

a n d arde n tly prayed th at I might h a v e h im with i n my gr a sp to ,

wre ak a gre at a n d s ig n a l reve n ge o n h i s cursed he a d .

Nor di d my h ate lo n g co n fi n e itself t o u seles s wishes : I b eg a n t o

reflect o n the best me a n s o f securi n g h i m ; a n d for th i s purpos e , ,

a bout a mo n th a fter my release I rep aired to a crimi n a l ju dge i n ,

the tow n a n d tol d him th at I h ad a n accus atio n to m ake ; that I

,

k n ew the destroyer o f my family ; a n d th a t I re q uired him t o e xert

h i s whole authority for the apprehe n s io n o f the murderer .

Th e m agistrate l iste n ed to me with atte n tio n a n d ki n d n es s Be .

“

a s sured s i r s ai d he n o p ai n s o r e xertio n s o n my p a rt S h a ll b e
” “
, , ,
”
sp ared to discover the v ill ai n .

“
I th a n k you repl ied I ;
”
,
li st e n therefore t o the depositio n
“
, ,

th at I h ave to m ake It i s i n deed a t a le s o stra n ge th at I should

.
,

fear you woul d n o t credit it were there n o t somethi n g i n truth ,

which however wo n derful forces co n victio n The story i s too

, ,
.

co n n ected to be m i stake n for a dream a n d I h ave n o motive for ,

fal sehoo d My m a n n er as I thu s addres sed him was impress ive

.
, , ,

but calm : I h ad formed i n my he art a resolutio n to pursue my

destroyer to death ; a n d thi s purpo se quieted my ago n y a n d provi ,

d e n t i a l l y reco n ciled me to l ife I n o w rel ated my history

. briefly ,

but with firm n es s a n d preci sio n m arki n g the d a tes with a ccuracy , ,

and n ever devi ati n g i n to i n vecti v e o r excl am atio n .

The m agi strate appeared at first perfectly i n credul ous ; but a s I ,

c o n ti n ued he became more atte n tive a n d i n terested : I s aw h im

,

s ometimes S hu d d er with horror ; at others a l i v ely surp ri se u n ,

m i n gled with disbel ie f was p ai n ted o n hi s cou n te n a n ce

,
.

Whe n I h ad co n clu ded my n arratio n I s a i d This i s the bei n g

, ,
“

w h om I accu se a n d for whose det e ctio n a n d pu n i shme n t I c a ll

,

upo n you to exert your whole power It i s yo ur duty a s a m agis .

I 58 F R A NK E NS T E I N OR ,

tr a te a n d I beli e ve a n d hope that your feeli n gs a s a m a n will n o t

,

re v olt from the executio n o f those fu n ctio n s o n th i s occas io n ”

.

Th is addres s caused a co n siderable cha n ge i n the physiog n omy of

my auditor H e h ad heard my story with th at h alf ki n d of bel i ef
.

th at is give n to a tale of spirits a n d super n atural eve n ts ; but whe n

he was called upo n to act o ffi ci ally i n co n seque n ce the whole tide ,

o f hi s i n credulity retur n ed He however a n swered mildly —

. I , , ,
“

woul d willi n gl y a ff ord you every ai d i n your pursuit ; but the crea
ture of whom you speak appears to h ave powers which would put
all my exertio n s to defia n ce Who c a n follow a n a n imal wh ich .

c a n traverse the s e a of ice a n d i n habit caves a n d de n s where n o

, ,

m a n would ve n ture to i n trude ? Besides some mo n th s h ave elapsed ,

/
si n ce the comm is sio n o f hi s crimes a n d n o o n e c a n co njecture to ,

wh a t place he h as wa n dered or what regio n he may n o w i n h ab it ”

, .

“
I do n o t doubt that he hovers n ear the S pot which I i n habit ;
a n d if he has i n deed take n refuge i n the Alp s he may be hu n ted ,

like the Ch amois a n d destroyed as a beast of prey But I perceive

, .

your thoughts you do n o t credit my n arrative a n d do n o t i n te n d

: ,

to pursue my e n emy with the pu n i shme n t which i s h i s desert .

”

A S I spoke rage sparkled i n my eyes ; the m agistrate was i n

,

t i m i d a te d You are mistake n s aid he

.
“
I will exert myself ; a n d ,
”
:

if it i s i n my power to seize the m o n ster be assured th at he S hall ,

su ffer pu n ishme n t proportio n ate to his crimes But I fear from .

,

wh at you h ave yourself described to be h i s properties th at thi s will ,

prove impracticable a n d th at while every proper measure i s pur

, ,

sued you S hould e n deavor to m ake up your mi n d to disappoi n t

,

me n t .

“
Th at ca n n ot be ; bu t all that I c a n s ay will be of little avail .

My reve n ge is of n o mome n t to you ; yet while I allow i t to be a ,

vice I co n fes s that it i s the devouri n g a n d o n ly p as sio n of my soul

,
.

My rage i s u n speakable whe n I reflect that the murderer whom I , ,

h ave tur n ed loose upo n society still exi sts You refuse my j ust ,
.

dem a n d I h ave but o n e resource ; a n d I devote myself either i n

: ,

my life or death to h i s destructio n ,

.

I trembled with exces s of agitatio n as I s aid thi s ; there was a

fre n zy i n my m a n n er a n d somethi n g I doubt n o t of th at h aughty
, , ,

fi e r c e n e s s which the martyrs of ol d are s aid to h ave posses sed .

But to a Ge n eva n m agistrate whose mi n d was occupied by fa r ,

other ideas tha n those of devotio n a n d heroism th i s elevatio n o f ,

mi n d h ad much the appe a ra n ce of m ad n ess He e n deavored to .

soothe me as a n urse does a child a n d re verted to my t a le a s t h e

, ,

e ff ects o f d e lirium .
 T HE M O D E R N P R O ME T H E US .
59

M an I cried how ig n ora n t art thou i n thy pride o f wisdo m !

, ,
“

C e ase ; y o u k n ow n o t wh at it i s you s a y ”
.

I broke from the h ou se a n gry a n d disturbed a n d r e ti re d t o m e d i ,

t a te o n some o t her mode o f a c tio n .

C H APT E R XX III .

Y pr e se n t situ a tio n w a s o n e i n which a ll v olu n tary thought

was swallowed up a n d lo st I was hurried away by fury .

reve n ge alo n e e n dowed me with stre n gth a n d composure ; it mod

e l l e d my feel i n gs a n d allowed me to be calcul ati n g a n d calm
, at ,
,

periods whe n otherwise del irium o r de a th woul d h ave bee n my

p ortio n .

My first resolutio n was to quit Ge n eva fo r ever ; my cou n try ,

which whe n I was h appy a n d beloved was dear to me n o w i n my

, , , ,

adversity bec a me h ateful I provided myself with a s u m Of mo n ey

,
.
,

together with a few j ewel s which h ad belo n ged to my mother a n d ,

dep arted .

A n d n o w my wa n deri n gs bega n which are to cease but with l ife

,
.

I h ave traversed a vast portio n of the e arth a n d h ave e n dured all ,

the h ardship s which travel lers i n de serts a n d barb arous cou n tries
, ,

are wo n t to meet H ow I h ave lived I h ardly k n ow ; m a n y times

.

h ave I stretched my faili n g limbs upo n the s a n dy pl ai n a n d p rayed ,

for de ath But reve n ge kept me alive ; I d ared n o t die a n d le ave

.
,

my advers ary i n bei n g .

Whe n I quitted Ge n ev a my first l abor was to gai n some clew by

,

which I m ight tra ce the ste ps of my fie n di s h e n emy But my pl a n .

was u n settled ; a n d I wa n dered m a n y hours arou n d the co n fi n es

of the tow n u n certai n wh at p ath I shoul d pursue A S n ight a p
,
.

p ro ache d I fou n d myself at the e n tra n ce o f the cemetery where

,

Wil l i am E l izabeth a n d my father reposed I e n tered it a n d

, ,
.
,

appro a c he d the tomb which m arked their graves E very th i n g was .

S ile n t except the le aves of the tree s which were ge n tly ag i tate d
,
.
,

by the wi n d ; the n ight was n early d ark ; a n d the sce n e would h ave
bee n solem n a n d a ff ecti n g eve n to a n u n i n tere sted Observer The .

sp irits of the dep arte d seemed to flit arou n d a n d to cast a sh adow , ,

which was felt b ut see n n o t a rou n d the he ad of the mour n er

, ,
.

T he deep grief which thi s sce n e h ad at first excited quickly g ave ,

1 6o F R ANK E NS T E I N OR ,

way to r a ge a n d desp air They were dead a n d I li v ed ; their mur .

,

derer al so lived a n d to destroy him I must drag o u t my weary ,

exi ste n ce I k n elt o n the grass a n d kissed the e arth a n d with

.
, , ,

quiveri n g lips excl aimed By the s acred eart h o n which I k n eel

, ,
“
,

by the S hades that wa n der n ear me ! by the deep a n d eter n al grief ,

th at I feel I swear ; a n d by thee O Night a n d by the sp irits th at

, , ,

pre side over thee I swear to pu r sue the demo n who caused thi s ,

m isery u n til he or I shall perish i n mortal co n flict

, For this pur .

pose I will preserve my life to execute this dear reve n ge will I :

,

agai n behol d the s u n a n d tre a d the gree n herbage o f the e arth , ,

which otherwise S hould va n i sh from my eyes fo r ever A n d I call .

o n you spirits o f the de ad ; a n d o n you wa n deri n g mi n isters o f

, ,

ve n gea n ce to aid a n d co n duct me i n my work Let the cursed a n d

, .

hellish mo n ster dri n k deep o f ago ny ; let him feel the desp air th at
n o w torme n ts me
”
.

9
I h ad begu n my adjur a tio n with solem n ity a n d a n awe which ,

a lmost as sured me that the s hade s o f my murdered frie n ds heard

a n d approved my devotio n ; but the furies possessed me a s I c o n

cluded a n d rage choked my uttera n ce

, .

I was a n swered through t h e still n ess o f n ight by a loud a n d fi e n d

is h l augh It ru n g o n my ears lo n g a n d heavily; the mou n tai n s
.

r e echoed it a n d I felt as if all hell surrou n ded me with mockery

-
,

a n d l aughter Surely i n th at mome n t I S hould h ave bee n poss e ssed

.
,

b y fre n zy a n d h av e destroyed my miserable existe n ce but t h at my

, ,

vow was heard a n d that I was reserved for v e n gea n ce The l augh
,
.

ter died away ; whe n a well k n ow n a n d a bhorred voice app are n tly -
,

close to my e ar addres s e d me i n a n audible whi sper , I am s atis ,

“

fi e d : mis e r a b l e wr e tch ! yo u h ave determi n ed to li ve a n d I a m ,

s ati sfi e d ”
.

I darted towards t h e spot from wh i ch the sou n d proceeded ; but

the devil eluded my gr a sp Sudde n ly the bro a d disk of t h e moo n .

a rose a n d sho n e full upo n his gh astly a n d distorted S hape a s he

, ,

fled with more tha n mort a l speed .

I pursued him ; a n d for m a n y mo n ths this has bee n my task .

Guided by a S l ight clew I followed the wi n di n gs o f the R ho n e but , ,

v ai n ly .The blue M editerra n ea n appeare d ; a n d by a stra n ge ,

cha nt e I s aw the fie n d e n ter by n ight a n d hide hi mself i n a ves sel

, ,

b ou n d for the Black Sea I took my p ass a ge i n t h e s ame ship ; but

.

he escaped I k n ow n o t how ,
.

Amid the wilds o f Tartary a n d R ussi a a lthough he still e v a ded ,

me I h ave e ve r followed i n hi s track Sometimes the pe a s a n ts

,
.
,

s c a red by thi s horrid app aritio n i n form e d me Of h i s p a th ; s o m e ,

 T HE M OD E R N PR O ME TH EU S .

t im e s h e him s e lf wh o fe a re d th a t if I lost tr ace I sh o uld d e sp a i r a n d

,

d i e Oft e n left some m ark t o guide m e

, T h e s n ows d e s c e ri d e d o n my .

h e a d a n d I s aw t h e pri n t o f h i s huge step o n the whit e pl a i n T o

,
.

y o u first
, e n teri n g o n li fe t o whom c a re i s n e w a n d a,go n y un ,

k n ow n h ow c a n yo u u n dersta n d wh a t I h av e felt a n d still feel ?

, ,

C ol d wa n t a n d fatigue wer e the le a st p a i n s which I was desti n ed

, ,

t o e n dure ; I w a s c ursed by some de v il a n d carried about with m e ,

my eter n al hell ; ye t still a S pirit o f good followed a n d directed my

s tep s a n d whe n I most murmured woul d sudde n ly extric a te me
, , ,

from seemi n gly i n surmou n t able di ffi culties Sometimes whe n n a .

,

ture overcome by hu n ger su n k u n der the exh austio n a rep ast was
, , ,

prep ared for m e i n t h e desert th a t restore d a n d i n spirited me The ,

.

far e was i n deed c o a rs e such a s the peas a n ts o f the cou n try ate ;
,

but I m ay n o t doubt th at it was set ther e by t h e S p irits th at I h ad

i n v oked t o a i d me O fte n whe n al l wa s dry the he a ve n s cl o udles s
.
, , ,

a n d I w a s p arch e d b y thirst a s light cl oud woul d b e dim the s ky , ,

s h e d the few drop s t h a t re v ive d me a n d v a n ish , .

I followed wh e n I coul d t h e courses o f the ri v e rs ; b ut the demo n

, ,

g e n erally a voided these a s it was here th at th e popul atio n o f th e

,

cou n try chiefly collected I n o ther pl ac e s hum a n b ei n gs were s e l

.

dom se e n ; a n d I ge n er a lly su b s ist e d o n the wil d a n im al s th a t

c ros s e d my p ath I h a d mo n ey with me a n d gai n ed the frie n dship
.
,

o f the vill agers by d istributi n g it o r bri n gi n g with me s ome food ,

th at I h ad killed wh ich a fter taki n g a sm all p art I always pre

, , ,

s e n ted to thos e wh o h a d pr o v id e d me with fi r e a n d ute n s il s fo r

co oki n g .

M y l ife a s it p a ss e d t hus wa s i n d e ed h a t e ful to me a n d it wa s

, , ,

duri n g S leep alo n e th a t I coul d t a ste j oy O blesse d sleep ! ofte n .

,

whe n mo st m i ser a ble I s a n k t o repose a n d my dre a ms lulled m e

, ,

e ve n to rapture T h e sp irits th at gu arded me h a d p r o v i ded thes e

.

mome n ts o r rather hours o f h app i n es s th a t I m ight ret a i n stre n gth

, , ,

to fulfil my pilgrimage D eprive d Of th i s res p ite I shoul d h a v e

.
,

su n k u n der my h ards hip s D uri n g t h e d ay I wa s su stai n ed a n d l n

.
,

spirited by the hope o f n ight : fo r i n sle e p I s aw my frie n ds my ,

wi fe a n d my belo v e d c ou n try ; a ga i n I s aw the b e n evole n t c o u n te

,

n a n ce o f my father he ard t h e s ilver to n e s o f my E li z abeth s voice

’

, ,

a n d behel d C ler v a l e nj oyi n g h e a lth a n d youth O fte n whe n we a .

,

ried by a toil some m a rch I persu a d e d mys e lf th a t I was dre ami n g

,

u n til n ight s houl d c om e a n d th a t I s houl d the n e nj oy reality i n t h e

,

a rm s o f my de arest fr i e n ds Wh a t ago n i zi n g fo n d n es s did I feel for

.

t h e m ! H o w di d I c l i n g t o their dear form s a s sometime s they ,

h a u n t e d e ve n my w ak i n g hours a n d persu a de myself th at they s t i l l ,

11
1 62 F R A NK E N S T E I N OR ,

l i ve d ! At such mome n ts ve n ge a n ce th at bur n e d withi n me died , , ,

i n my heart a n d I pursued my p ath tow a rds the destructio n o f the

,

d e mo n more as a task e njoi n ed by Heave n a s the mecha n ical i m

, ,

pulse o f some power o f which I was u n co n scious th a n a s the arde n t ,

desire of my soul .

Wh at hi s feeli n gs were whom I pursued I ca n n ot k n ow Some ,

.

times i n deed he left marks i n writi n g o n the b arks o f the trees or

, , ,

cut i n the sto n e th at guided me o r i n stigated my fury

, My reig n , .

i s n o t yet over (these word s were legible i n on e of these i n s c r i p

”

tio n s ) : you live a n d my power i s complete Follow me ; I S eek

“
, .

th e everl asti n g ices of the n orth where you will feel th e misery o f ,

cold a n d frost to which I am impassive You will fi n d n ear thi s

, .

pl ace if you follow n o t too tardily a dead hare ; eat a n d be r e

, , ,

freshed Come o n my e n emy ; we h ave yet to wrestle for our lives ;

.
,

but ma n y h ard a n d miserable hours must you e n dure u n til th at ,

period shall arrive .

Sco ffi n g devil ! agai n do I vow ve n gea n ce ; agai n do I devote

thee miserable fie n d to torture a n d death Never wi ll I omit my
, , .

search u n til he or I perish ; a n d the n with what ecstasy shall I j oi n

,

my E lizabeth a n d those who eve n n o w prep are for me the reward

,

Of my tedious toil a n d horrible pilgrimage !

A s I still pursued my j our n ey to the n orthward the s n ows thick ,

e n ed a n d the col d i n creased i n a degree almost too severe to s u p

,

port The peas a n ts were shut up i n their hovel s a n d o n ly a fe w of

.
,

the most h ardy ve n tured forth to seize the a n im al s which starvatio n

h ad forced from their hidi n g pl aces to seek for prey The rivers -
.

were covered with ice a n d n o fi s h could be procured ; a n d thus I ,

w a s cut o ff from my chief article of mai n te n a n ce .

The triumph o f my e n emy i n creased with the d i fli c u l ty of my

l abors O n e i n scriptio n that he left w a s i n these words
. P rep are ! “

your toils o n ly begi n : wrap yourself i n furs a n d provide food for , ,

we sh all soo n e n ter upo n a j our n ey where your su ff eri n gs will s a t

”
i s fy my everl asti n g hatred .

My courage a n d persevera n ce were i n vigorated by these sco ffi n g

words ; I resolved n o t to fail i n my purpose ; a n d calli n g o n heave n ,

to support me I co n ti n ued with u n abated fervor to traverse i m

,

me n se deserts u n til the ocea n appeared at a di sta n ce a n d formed

, ,

the utmost bou n dary of the horizo n O h how u n l ike it w a s to the .

,

blue seas o f the south ! Covered with ice it wa s o n ly to be disti n ,

u i s h e d from l a n d by its superior wild n es s a n d rugged n es s The

g .

Greeks wept for j oy whe n they behel d the M ed iterra n e a n from the
hills o f Asi a a n d h ailed with rapture the bou n d ary of their toi ls
, .
 TH E M O D ER N PR O ME T H E US . 16
3

I di d not w e e p ; but I k n elt dow n a n d with a full h e a rt th a n k ed

, , ,

my gui di n g S pirit for co n ducti n g me i n s a fety t o t h e pl ace where I

hoped n otwithsta n di n g my a d v e rs a ry s gibe t o meet a n d grapple
,
’

with h im .

S ome wee k s before thi s period I h ad p rocur e d a sledge a n d dogs ,

a n d thus traversed the s n ows with i n co n ceivable speed I k n ow .

n o t whether the fie n d pos ses sed the s ame adva n tages but I fou n d
;
th at as before I h ad d aily lo st grou n d i n the pursuit I n o w gai n ed
, ,

o n him s o much s o th at whe n I fi rst s aw the oce a n he was bu t

, ,

o n e d ay s j our n ey i n adva n ce a n d I hoped to i n tercept him before

,

he S houl d re ach the beach Wi th n e w courage therefore I pres se d

.
, ,

on , a n d i n t wo d ays arrive d at a wretched h amlet o n the se ashore .

I i n quire d o f the i n h abit a n ts co n c e r n i n g the fie n d a n d gai n ed ,

accurate i n formatio n A giga n tic mo n ster they s aid h ad arri v e d

.
, ,

the n igh t before armed with a g u n a n d m a n y pi stols ; putti n g to

,

flight the i n h ab it a n ts o f a solitary cottage through fear o f h i s ter

’

ribl e appe a r a n ce H e carried O ff the i r store o f wi n ter food a n d

.
,

pl aci n g it i n a sledge t o draw which he h ad seized o n a n umerou s

,

drove of trai n ed dogs he h ad h ar n essed them a n d the s ame n ight

, , ,

t o the j oy of the horror struck vill agers h ad pursued h i s j our n ey

-
,

a cro s s the s e a i n a directio n th at led to n o l a n d ; a n d they c o n

u r e d th at he must speedily b e destroyed by the br e a ki n g ice o r

j e c t ,

froze n by the eter n al frosts .

O n h eari n g thi s i n form atio n I su ffered a tempor a ry acce s s o f

,

desp air H e h ad escaped me ; a n d I must comme n ce a destructive

.

a n d almos t e n dles s j our n ey acros s the mou n tai n ous ice s of the
—
oce a n am i d col d th at fe w o f the i n h abita n ts coul d lo n g e n dure ,

a n d which I the n ative o f a ge n i al a n d su n n y cl imate coul d n o t

, ,

hope to survive Yet at the i de a th at the fie n d shoul d l ive a n d be

.
,

triumph a n t my rage a n d ve n gea n ce r e t u r rre d a n d like a mighty

, , ,

tide overwhelmed every other feel i n g After a slight repose dur

,
.
,

i n g which the spirits o f the dead hovered rou n d a n d i n stigated m e ,

t o toil a n d reve n ge I prep ared for my j our n ey

,
.

I exch a n ged my l a n d sledge for o n e fashio n e d for the i n equ alities

o f th e froze n oce a n ; a n d purch a si n g a ple n tiful stoc k o f provis io n s
, ,

I dep arte d from the l a n d .

I ca n n ot gues s h ow m a ny d ays h ave p a sse d s i n ce the n ; but I

h va e e n dured misery wh ich n othi n g but the eter n a l se n time n t o f a

j ust retributio n bur n i n g withi n my heart could h ave e n abled me to

, ,

support Imm e n se a n d rugge d mou n tai n s of ice ofte n b arred up

.

my p as s age a n
, d I Ofte n heard the thu n der o f the grou n d s e a which ,

th re ate n ed my destructio n But ag a i n the frost came a n d m a d e

.
,

t h e p a th s o f the s e a secur e .
 I 64 F R AN KE NS T E I N OR ,

By t he q u a n ti ty o f pro vi s i o n which I h a d c o n sum e d I s h o ul d ,

guess th a t I h a d p a s sed thre e weeks i n this j our n ey ; a n d th e c o n

t i n u a l protr a ctio n o f hope r e tur n i n g back upo n t h e he a rt ofte n
, ,

wru n g bitter drops o f despo n de n cy a n d grief from my e yes D e .

s pair h a d i n deed a lmost secured her prey a n d I S hould soo n h a ve

,

s u n k be n eath this m isery whe n o n ce after the poor n im al s t h at

; a ,

c arried me h a d with i n credible toil gai n ed the summit o f a slop i n g

ice mou n tai n a n d o n e si n ki n g u n der h i s fatigue died I viewed the

, ,

expa n se before me with a n guis h a n d sudde n ly my eye caugh t a ,

d ark S peck upo n the dusky pl ai n I strai n ed my S ight t o discover .

wh at it coul d be a n d uttered a wild cry o f ecst a sy whe n I di s

,

t i n g u i s h e d a sledge a n d the distorted proportio n s o f a well k n ow n

,
-

form withi n O h with what a bur n i n g gus h did hope revisit my

.
,

heart ! warm te a rs filled my eye s which I h astily wiped a way th at , ,

they might n o t i n tercept the v iew I h ad o f the demo n ; but still my

sight wa s d immed by the bur n i n g drops u n til givi n g way to t h e , ,

emotio n s th at oppresse d me I wept a loud , .

But this wa s n o t the time fo r del ay ; I di se n cumbered the dogs o f

their dead comp a n io n gave them a ple n tiful portio n o f food ; a n d
, ,

a fter a n hour s rest which wa s absolutely n eces s ary a n d yet which

’
, ,

was bitterly irksome to me I co n ti n ued my route The sledge wa s , .

still v isible ; n o r did I agai n lose sight o f it except at the mome n ts ,

whe n for a short time some ice rock co n c ealed it with i t s i n te r v e n

i n g crags I i n deed perceptibly gai n ed o n it ; a n d whe n after
.
,

n early two d ays j our n ey I beheld my e n emy at n o more th a n a mile

’
,

dista n t my heart bou n ded withi n me

, .

But n o w whe n I appeared almos t withi n grasp Of my e n emy my

, ,

hopes were s u dde n ly exti n guished a n d I lost all trace o f him more ,

utterly th a n I h ad ever do n e before A grou n d S ea was heard ; the .

thu n der o f i ts progres s a s the waters rolled a n d swelled be n eath

me e v ery mome n t more O m
.

i n ous a n d terrific I pressed o n but i n .

,

vai n The wi n d a rose ; the s e a roared ; a n d as with the m ighty

.
,

S hock o f a n earthquake it S pl it a n d cracked with a treme n dou s

, ,

a n d overwhelmi n g sou n d The work wa s soo n fi n ished : i n a few

.

mi n utes a tumultuous s e a rolled betwee n me a n d my e n emy a n d I ,

wa s left drifti n g o n a scattered piec e o f ice th at wa s c o n ti n u a lly ,

l e s se n i n g a n d thus prep ari n g for me a hideou s death

, .

I n thi s ma n n er m a ny app alli n g hours passed ; s e veral o f my dogs

died ; a n d I myself was about to s i n k u n der the accumul atio n o f
d istres s wh e n I s aw your ves sel ridi n g a t a n chor a n d hol di n g forth
, ,

t o m e hopes o f succor a n d life I h ad n o co n ceptio n th a t v es sels .

e v e r c a m e s o fa r n o rth a n d wa s a s t ou n d e d a t t h e s i gh t
, I q u i c kly .
 TH E M OD ER N PR O ME TH EU S . I 65

d estroy e d p a r t o f my S ledge to c o n struct o a rs ; a n d by these me a n s

wa s e n abled with i n fi n ite fatigue to move my i c e r a ft i n the dir c e
, ,
-

t io n of your S hip I h a d dete rmi n ed if yo u were goi n g southward

.
, ,

stil l to trust myself to th e mercy o f th e seas r a ther th a n ab a n do n

’

my purpose I hop ed to i n duce yo u to gra n t me a boat with w

,

. hich
I coul d still pursue my e n emy But your directio n wa s n orthw a rd . .

Y o u took me o n bo a rd whe n my vigor was exh a u sted a n d I S houl d ,

soo n h ave su n k u n der my multipl ied h ard ship s i n to a de ath which ,

—
I stil l dread for my task i s u n fulfilled .

O h ! whe n will my gui di n g S pirit i n c o n ducti n g m e to t h e demo n , ,

a llow me the rest I s o much desire ; o r must I die a n d he yet live ? ,

If I do swear to me Walto n th at he sh all n o t esc a pe ; th at yo u

, , ,

wil l seek h im a n d s ati sfy my v e lfi e a n ce i n hi s death Yet do I

, .
,

d are ask you to u n dertake my pilgrim age to e n dure the h ard ship s ,

th at I h ave u n dergo n e ? No ; I am n o t s o selfish Yet whe n I a m .

,

dead if he shoul d appear ; if the mi n i sters o f v e n gea n ce shoul d

,

co n duct him to you swe ar that he S h all n o t l ive

,
— swear th at h e ,

sh al l n o t triump h o v er my accumul ated woe s a n d live to m ak e

a n other such a wretch as I a m He i s eloque n t a n d persu asive ; .

a n d o n ce hi s word s h ad eve n power over my he a rt ; but tru st him

not . Hi s soul i s as helli s h a s hi s form full o f tre a chery a n d fi e n d ,

like m al ice H ear him n o t ; call o n the n ames o f Will i am Justi n e

.
, ,

C lerval E liz abeth my father a n d o f the wretched Victor a n d thru s t

, , , ,

your sword i n t o h i s h e a rt I will ho v er n e a r a n d direct the st e e l

.
,

a right .

C H APT E R XX I V .

WA LN
TO , 1N CO N T I NUAT I O N .

August 2 6t h, 1 7

7 OU h re d thi s stra g terrific story M argaret ; a n d d o

and

S yo u n o t feel your blood co n gealed with horror like th at wh ich

a v e a n e ,

e ve n now curdle s mi n e ? S ometimes seized with sudde n ago n,y he ,

coul d n o t co n ti n u e h i s tale ; at others hi s voice broke n yet pier , ,

c i n g uttered wi th di ffi culty the word s S O replete with ago n y Hi s

,
.

fi ne a dn lo v ely eyes were n o w lighted up with i n dig n atio n n o w ,

sub dued to d ow n cast sorrow a n d que n ched i n i n fi n ite wretched n es s

,
.

Sometime s he comm a n ded h i s cou n te n a n ce a n d to n es a n d rel ated ,

th e mo st horri b le i n cide n ts with a tr a n q uil v o ice supp res s i n g e v e ry ,

1 66 F R A NK E NS T E I N OR ,

m ark o f agitatio n ; the n like a v olca n o bursti n g forth h i s fa ce

, ,

would sudde n ly ch a n ge to a n expressio n o f the wildest r a ge as he ,

sh rieked out imprecatio n s o n hi s persecutor .

Hi s tale is co n nected a n d told with a n appeara n ce o f the S I mp l e s t

,

truth ; yet I o wn to you th at the letters of Felix a n d S a fi e wh ich ,

he S howed me a n d the app aritio n of th e mo n ster see n from our ship

, , ,

brought to me a greater co n victio n of the truth of h i s n arrative

th a n his asse veratio n s however ear n est a n d co n n ected Such a
,
.

mo n ster has the n really existed ; I ca n n ot doubt it ; yet I am lost i n

surprise a n d admiratio n Sometimes I e n deavored to gai n from
.

Fra n ke n stei n the p articul ars of h i s creature s form atio n ; but o n thi s ’

poi n t he wa s impe n etrable .

“
Are you m ad my fr i e n d ? ’ s a i d he
, or whither does your ,

se n seles s curiosity lead you ? Would you also create for yourself
a n d the worl d a demo n i acal e n emy ? O r to wh at do your questio n s
te n d ? P eace peace ! lear n my miseries a n d do n o t seek to i n crease
, ,

your o wn ”
.

Fra n ke n stei n discovered th at I made n otes co n cer n i n g h is his

tory he asked to s e e them a n d the n himself corrected a n d aug
: ,

m e n te d them i n ma n y places ; but pri n cip ally i n givi n g life a n d

S pirit to the co n vers atio n s he held with h i s e n emy Si n ce you .
“

h ave preserved my n arratio n s aid he I woul d n o t that a muti ,

”
,
“

l ated o n e should go dow n to posterity ”

.

Thu s h as a week p assed away while I h ave liste n ed to the stra n g ,

e st tale that ever imagi n atio n formed My thoughts a n d every .

,

feel i n g of my soul h ave bee n d r u n k up by the i n terest for my guest

, ,

which this tale a n d hi s o w n elevated a n d ge n tle m a n n ers h ave cre

ated I wish to soothe h im ; yet c a n I cou n sel o n e S O i n fi n itely
.

miserable s o destitute of every hope of co n sol atio n to live O h

,
?
, ,

n o ! the o n ly j oy that he c a n n o w k n ow will be whe n he composes

h i s sh attered feeli n gs to peace a n d death Yet he e nj oys o n e com .

fort the o ff spri n g of solitude a n d delirium he believe s th at whe n

,
:
, ,

i n dream s he holds co n verse with hi s frie n ds a n d derives from th at ,

commu n io n co n sol atio n for hi s mi series or exciteme n ts to hi s ,

v e n gea n ce they are n o t the creatio n s of hi s fa n cy but the real

, ,

bei n gs who visit him from the regio n s of a remote world This
,
.

faith gives a solem n ity to h i s reveries that re n ders them to me

a lmost as imposi n g a n d i n teresti n g a s truth s .

O ur co n vers atio n s are n o t always co n fi n ed to his o wn hi story a n d

misfortu n es O n every poi n t of ge n eral literature he di spl ays u m
.

bou n ded k n owledge a n d a quick a n d pierci n g apprehe n sio n H is

, .

e l oque n ce i s for c ibl e a n d touch i n g ; n o r c a n I hear h im whe n he ,

 TH E M O D ER N P RO ME TH EU S 16
.
7

r e l a t e s a p a thetic i n cide n t o r e n de avors t o mo v e the p as sio n s o f

,

p ity or lo v e without te ars Wh at a glorious cre ature mu st he h ave

, .

bee n i n the d ays o f h i s prosperity whe n he i s thus n oble a n d god ,

l ike i n rui n ! He seems to feel h i s o wn worth a n d the great n es s o f

h i s fall .

“
Whe n you n ger s ai d he I felt as if I were desti n ed for som e
, ,
“

great e n terprise My feeli n gs are profou n d ; but I pos ses se d a cool

.

n es s of judgme n t th at fitted me for illustriou s achieveme n ts This .

se n time n t of the worth o f my n ature supported me whe n others ,

woul d h ave bee n oppres sed ; for I deemed it crimi n al to throw away
i n u seles s grief those tale n ts th at m ight b e useful to my fellow
creatures Whe n I reflected o n the work I h ad completed n o les s a
.
,

o n e th a n the cre atio n of a se n siti v e ratio n al a n im al I coul d n o t , ,

ra n k myself with the herd of commo n projectors But thi s feel i n g .

,

wh ich supported me i n the comme n ceme n t o f my career n o w serves ,

o n ly to plu n ge me lower i n the dust Al l my specul atio n s a n d .

h opes are as n othi n g ; a n d l ike the arch a n gel who aspired to o m ,

n i p o t e n c e I am ch ai n ed i n a n eter n al hell
, My imagi n atio n was .

v ivid yet my powers of a n alys i s a n d applicatio n were i n te n se ; by

,

t h e u n io n o f these qu alities I co n ceived the i dea a n d executed the ,

c re atio n of a m a n E ve n n o w I ca n n ot recollect witho u t p as sio n

,
.
, ,

my reverie s while the work wa s i n complete I trod he ave n i n my .

thoughts n o w exulti n g i n my powers n o w bur n i n g with the idea

, ,

o f their e ff ects From my i n fa n cy I was imbued with high hopes

.

a n d a lofty ambitio n ; but how am I su n k ! ,

“
O my frie n d ! if you h ad k n ow n me as I o n ce wa s you woul d ,

n o t recog n ize me i n thi s state of degradatio n D espo n de n cy rarely .

vi sited my he art ; a h igh desti n y s eemed to bear me o n u n til I fell , ,

n ever n ever agai n to rise

’
.
,

M u st I the n lose thi s admirable bei n g ? I h ave l on ged for a frie n d

I h ave sought o n e who woul d symp athize with a n d love me B e .

hol d o u these desert se as I h ave fou n d such a o n e ; but I fear I h ave

,

gai n ed him o n ly to k n ow hi s value a n d lo se h im I woul d reco n cile .

him to life but he repul ses the i dea ,

.

I th a n k yo u Walto n he s aid for your ki n d atte n tio n s towards

” ‘

“
, , ,

s o m iserable a wretch ; but whe n you speak of n e w ties a n d fresh ,

a ff ectio n s thi n k you ,

that a n y c a n repl ace those who are go n e ?
Ca n a ny m a n be to me as Clerval w a s ; o r a n y woma n a n other
E lizabeth ? E ve n where the a ff ectio n s are n o t stro n gly moved by
a yn superior excel l e n ce the comp a n io n s o f o,
u r childhood always
po s ses s a certai n power over o u r mi n ds which h ardly a n y l ater ,

frie n d c a n obtai n They k n ow o u r i n fa n ti n e dispositio n s which

. , ,
I 68 F R AN KE NS T E I N OR ,

h o w e ver they m ay b e a fterwards mod i fied a r e n e ve r e r a d i cated ; a n d ,

they c a n judge o f o u r a ctio n s with more cert a i n co n clusio n s a s t o

the i n tegrity o f o u r motives A sister o r a brother c a n n ever u n
.
,

les s i n deed such symptoms h ave bee n S how n early suspect the ,

other o f fraud o r fal se deali n g whe n a n other frie n d however stro n gly
, ,

he m ay be attached m ay i n S pite of himself be i n vaded with s u s

, , ,

p i c i o n But I
. e njoyed frie n ds dear n o t o n ly throug h h abit
, a n d ,

associ atio n but from their o wn merits ; a n d wherever I am the

, , ,

soothi n g voice o f my E lizabeth a n d the co n vers atio n o f Clerval , ,

will be ever whispered i n my ear They are dead ; a n d but o n e feel .

i n g i n such a solitude c a n persuade me to preserve my life If I .

were e n gaged i n a n y high u n dertaki n g o r desig n fraught with ex ,

te n sive utility to my fellow creatures the n could I live to fulfil it

-
, .

But such i s n o t my desti ny ; I must pursue a n d destroy the bei n g to

whom I gav e existe n ce ; the n my lot o n e arth will be fulfilled a n d I ,

m ay die .

Se ptemb er 2 d.

M Y B EL O VE D S I S T E R — I write to yo u e n comp a ss e d by peril a n d

, ,

ig n ora n t whether I am ever doomed to s e e agai n dear E n gl a n d a n d ,

the dearer frie n ds th at i n habit it I am surrou n ded by mou n tai n s .

o f ice which a dmit o f n o escape

,
a n d threate n every mome n t to ,

cru sh my vessel The brave fellows whom I h ave persu aded to be

.
,

my compa n io n s look towards me for aid ; but I h ave n o n e to bestow

,
.

There i s somethi n g terribly app alli n g i n o u r situatio n yet my cour ,

a g e a n d hopes do n o t desert me We m ay survive ; a n d if we d o .

,

n o t I will repeat the les so n s o f my Se n eca

,
a n d die with a goo d ,

heart .

Yet wh at M a rgaret will be the st a te o f your mi n d ? Y o u will

, , ,

n o t hear o f my destructio n a n d you will a n xiously wait my retur n

, .

Ye ars will pas s a n d you will h ave visiti n gs o f desp air a n d yet be
, ,

tortured by hope 0 my beloved S i ster ! the S icke n i n g faili n gs o f

'

your hear t felt expectatio n s are i n prospect more terrible to me

-
, ,

tha n my o wn death But yo u h ave a husba n d a n d lovely childre n ;

.
,

you m ay be h appy : Heave n bless you a n d make you s o ! ,

My u n fortu n ate guest regards me with the te n deres t comp as sio n .

He e n deavors to fill me with hope ; a n d talks a s if l ife were a pos

se s sio n which he valued He re mi n ds me how ofte n the s a m e acci
.

de n ts h a v e happe n ed to other n avigators who h ave attempted thi s ,

s e a a n d i n s ite of myself he fill s me with cheerful auguries

f
, , , .

Ev e n the s a l l o s feel the power o f h i s eloque n ce : whe n he speaks ,

th ey n o lo n ger desp a ir ; he r o us e s th e ir en ergies a n d while they , ,

 TH E M O D ER N PR O ME TH EU S . 69

he ar o i ce th ey believe thes e v a s t mou n t a i n s o f i c e a r e mole

his v ,

h i l l S wh i ch will v a n i s h before the resolutio n o f m a n

, T hese feel .

i n gs are tr a n s itory ; e ach d ay s expectatio n del ayed fill s them with ’

fe ar a n d I a lmost dre a d a muti n y c au sed by thi s d e sp a ir

, .

S epte mb e r sth .

A sc e n e h a s j us t p a s s e d of s u c h u n commo n i n terest th at although , ,

it i s highly prob ab le th at th e s e p apers may n ev e r reac h yo u yet I ,

ca n n ot forbe a r re cordi n g it .

We a r e s till surro u n de d by mou n t a i n s o f ice stil l i n imm i n e n t ,

d a n ger o f bei n g crushed i n their co n flict The col d i s excess ive .

,

a n d m a n y of my u n fortu n ate comrades h ave already fou n d a gra v e

a mi d th i s sce n e o f desol atio n Fra n ke n stei n h as d aily decli n ed i n

.

he alth : a fe v eri s h fire still gl immers i n hi s eyes ; but he i s ex

h a u s te d a n d whe n sudde n ly roused t o a ny exertio n he speedily
, , ,

S i n ks a gai n i n to app a re n t lifeles s n es s .

I me n tio n e d i nmy l ast letter the fears I e n tertai n ed o f a muti ny .

T hi s m or n i n g as I s a t watchi n g the wa n cou n te n a n ce o f my frie n d

—h i s eyes h alf closed a n d hi s limb s h a n gi n g listles sly — I was
, ,

, ,

rou sed by h a lf a doze n o f the s ailors wh o desired admiss io n i n to ,

the cab i n They e n tered ; a n d their leader addres sed me H e tol d

. .

me th at he a n d his comp a n io n s h ad bee n chose n by the other s ailors

to come i n deput a tio n to me to make me a dem a n d which i n j us , , ,

tice I coul d n o t refuse We were immured i n ice a n d shoul d

,
.
,

p rob a bly n ever escape ; but they fe ared th at if as was pos sible the , ,

ice shoul d di ssip ate a n d a free p as s age be ope n ed I shoul d be ras h

, ,

e n ough t o co n ti n ue my v oyage a n d lead them i n to fresh da n gers , ,

a fter they might h appily h ave surmou n ted thi s .

They desired therefore th at I shoul d e n gage with a solem n

, ,

p romi se th at if the ves sel shoul d be freed I woul d i n sta n tly d irect
, ,

my course southward .

Thi s speech trouble d me I h ad n o t desp aired ; n o r h ad I yet .

co n ceived the i de a o f retur n i n g if s e t free Yet coul d I i n j ustice ,

.
, ,

o r eve n i n pos sibi lity refuse thi s dem a n d ? I hesitated before I

,

a n swered ; whe n Fra n ke n stei n who h ad at first bee n S ile n t , an d , ,

i n deed a ppeared h ardly to h ave force e n ough to atte n d n o w rou sed

, ,

him self ; h i s eyes sp arkled a n d h i s cheeks flushed with mome n tary

,

v igor Tur n i n g towards the m e n he s aid

.
, ,

“
Wh at do yo u me a n ? Wh at do you dem a n d o f your capt a i n ?
A re you the n s o e asily tur n ed from your desig n ? D id you n o t cal l
thi s a gloriou s e xpeditio n ? a n d wherefore was it glorious ? Not b e
c a us e t h e way wa s smooth a n d pl a cid a s a souther n s e a b ut be ca us e ,
 1
7
O F R ANKE NS T E I N OR ,

it was full of d a n gers a n d terror ; because a t e v ery n e w i n cide n t , ,

your fortitude was to be called forth a n d your courage exhibited ; ,

b ecause d a n ger a n d death surrou n ded a n d these d a n gers you were ,

to brave a n d overcome For this was it a glorious for this was i t

.
,

a n ho n orable u n dertaki n g ,You were hereafter to be h ailed as the.

be n efactors of your species ; your n ames adored as belo n gi n g to ,

brave m e n who e n cou n tered death for the ho n or a n d be n efit of m a n

ki n d A n d n o w behold with the first imagi n atio n of da n ger o r
.
, , , ,
,
if yo u will the first mighty a n d terrific tri al of your courage you
, ,

shri n k away a n d are co n te n t to be h a n ded dow n as m e n who h ad

,

n o t stre n gth e n ough to e n dure cold a n d peril ; a n d S O poor souls , ,

they were chilly a n d retur n ed to their warm fi r e s i d e s Why th at

,
.
,

requires n o t this preparatio n ; ye n eed n o t h ave come thus far a n d ,

'

dragged your captai n to the sh ame of a defeat merely to prove ,

yo u rselves cowards O h ! be m e n o r be more tha n m e n Be

.
,
.

steady to your purpose a n d firm a s a rock This ice i s n o t m ade

,
.

o f such stu ff as yo u r hearts might be ; it i s mutable ca n n ot with ,

sta n d yo u if you s ay th at it sh all n o t D o n o t retur n to you r

, .

families with the stigm a o f disgrace marked o n your brows R e .

tur n as heroes who have fought a n d co n quered a n d who k n ow n o t ,

wh at it i s to tur n their b acks o n the foe .

”

H e spoke thi s with a voice s o modul ated to the di ffere n t feel i n gs

expressed i n his speech with a n eye s o full of lofty des ig n a n d
,

heroi sm th at c a n you wo n der t h at these m e n were moved ? They

,

looked at o n e a n other a n d were u n able to reply I S poke ; I tol d

,
.

them to retire a n d co n sider of what h a d bee n s ai d that I woul d

,
:

n o t le ad them further n orth if they stre n uo u sly desired the c o n ,

t r a r y ; but that I hoped that with reflectio n their courage woul d , ,

retur n .

They retired a n d I tur n ed towards my frie n d ; but he was su n k

,

i n l a n guor a n d almost deprived of life

,
.

H ow all this will termi n ate I k n ow n o t ; but I h ad rather die , ,

—
th a n retur n shamefully m y purpose u n fulfilled Yet I fear such
,
.

will be my fate ; the m e n u n supported by ideas of glory a n d ,

ho n or c a n n ever willi n gly co n ti n ue to e n dure their prese n t h ard

,

ship s .

S p te m b e
e r 7th .

The die i s cast ; I h ave co n se n ted to retur n if we are n o t de ,

stroyed Thus are my hopes bl asted by cowardice a n d i n decisio n ;

.

I come back ig n ora n t a n d dis appoi n ted It requires more p h i l o s o .

phy th a n I poss e ss to be a r thi s i njusti ce with p a ti e n ce

, .
 T HE M O D ER N P RO ME T H E U S . 0 I
7 1

S e pte mb e r 1 2 th .

It is p ast ; I am retur n i n g to E n gl a n d I h ave lost my hopes o f .

utility a n d glory ; I h ave lost my frie n d But I wi ll e n de avor t o .

detai l these b itter circumsta n ce s to you my de ar si ster ; a n d while , ,

I am wafted toward s E n gl a n d a n d towards you I will n o t despo n d , , .

September 1 0 th the ice bega n to move a n d ro ari n gs l ike thu n der

, ,

were he ard at a di sta n ce as the isl a n d s spl it a n d cracked i n every ,

directio n We were i n the most immi n e n t peril ; but a s we could

.
,

o n ly rem ai n p as s ive my ch ief atte n tio n was occupied by my u n,

fortu n ate guest whose ill n es s i n cre ased i n such a degree th at he

,

was e n tirely co n fi n ed t o h is bed The ice cracked behi n d u s a n d .

,

was drive n with force toward s the n orth ; a breeze spru n g from the
west a n d o n the 1 1 t h the p as s age towards the south became per
,

fe c t l y free Whe n the s ailors s a w thi s a n d th at their retur n to

.
,

their n ative cou n try was app are n tly as sured a shout of tumultuou s ,

j oy broke from them loud a n d lo n g co n ti n ued Fra n ke n stei n ,

-
.
,

who was dozi n g awoke a n d asked the cau se of the tumult

, , They .
“

shout I s ai d becau se they will soo n retur n to E n gl a n d

,
”
, .

D O yo u the n real ly retur n ? ”

Al as ! yes ; I ca n n ot with sta n d their dem a n ds I ca n n ot lead .

them u n will i n gly to d a n ger a n d I must retur n ”

, .

D O s o if you will ; but I will n o t

, You m ay give up your pur .

po se ; but mi n e i s as sig n ed to me by He ave n a n d I d are n o t I am ,

.

we ak ; but surely the sp irits who as si st my ve n gea n ce will e n d ow

m e with s u fii c i e n t stre n gth ”
S ayi n g thi s he e n de avored to S pri n g.
,

from the bed but the exertio n was too great for him ; he fel l b ack
, ,

a n d fai n ted .

It was lo n g before he was restored ; a n d I ofte n thought th at l ife

was e n tirely exti n ct At le n gth he Ope n ed hi s eyes but he bre athed
.
,

with d i ffi culty a n d was u n able to speak The surgeo n gave him a
,
.

composi n g dra u ght a n d ordered u s to leave h im u n di sturbed I n

,
.

t h e mea n time he tol d me th at my frie n d h ad certai n ly n o t m a n y

,

h o u rs to l ive .

H i s se n te n ce was p ro n ou n ced ; a n d I could o n ly grieve a n d be ,

p atie n t I s a t by h i s bed watchi n g him ; h i s eyes were closed a n d

.
,

I thought he slept ; but p re se n tly he called to me i n a feeble voice ,

a dn ,
bi ddi n g me come n ear s aid Al as ! the stre n gth I relied o
,
n ,
“

i s go n e ; I feel th at I S h all soo n d ie a n d he my e n emy a n d perse , ,

c u to r ,
m ay still be i n bei n g Thi n k n o t Walto n th at i n the l as t.
, ,

m ome n ts of my exi ste n ce I feel th at bur n i n g h atred a n d arde n t ,

des ire of reve n ge I o n ce expres sed ; but I feel myself j ustified i n

,

des iri n g the de a t h of my a dvers a ry D u ri n g thes e l a st d ays I h a ve .

 7 2 F R ANK E NS T E I N OR ,

bee n o ccupied i n ex a mi n i n g my p a st co n duct ; n o r d o I fi n d i t

blam able I n a fit o f e n thusi asti c m a d n es s I cr e ated a ratio n al
.

creature a nd was bou n d towards him to a s sure a s far as was i n

, , ,

my power hi s h appi n es s a n d well bei n g Thi s was my duty ; but

,
-
.

there was still a nother paramou n t to that My duties towards my , .

fellow creatures had greater cl aims to my atte n tio n because they

-
, .

i n cluded a greater proportio n of h appi n es s or misery U rged by .

th is view I refused a n d I did right i n refusi n g to create a comp a u

, ,

I o n for the first creature He showed u n p aralleled malig n ity a n d .

selfish n ess i n evil : he destroyed my frie n ds ; he devote d to destru o

tio n bei n gs who possessed exqu isite se n s atio n s h appi n es s a n d , ,

wi sdom ; n o r do I k n ow where thi s thirst for ve n gea n ce m ay e n d .

M iserable himself that he m ay re n der n o other wretched he ought

,

to die The task of his de s tructio n was m i n e but I h ave failed

.
,
.

Whe n actuated by selfish a n d v icious motives I asked you to u n der ,

take my u n fi n ished work ; a n d I re n ew thi s request n o w whe n I am ,

o n ly i n duced by re a so n a n d v irtue .

“
Yet I ca n n ot ask you to re n ou n ce your cou n try a n d fri e n ds to ,

fulfil thi s task ; a n d n o w that you are r e tu r n n g to E n gl a n d you , I ,

will h ave l ittle ch a n ce o f meeti n g with him But the co n sideratio n .

o f the se p o I n t s a n d the well b al a n ci n g of wh at you m ay e steem

,
-

your duties I leave to yo u ; my j udgme n t a n d i deas are already

,

disturbed by the n ear appro a c h of death I dare n o t ask yo u to do .

wh at I thi n k right for I may still be misled by p as sio n , .

“
Th at he S hould l ive to be a n i n strume n t o f m ischief disturbs
me ; i n other respects this hour whe n I mome n tarily expect my r e , ,

lease i s the o n ly h appy o n e which I h ave e nj oyed for several years

, .

The form s of the beloved dead flit before me a n d I h aste n to their ,

arms . Farewell Walto n ! Seek h appi n es s i n tra n quil lity a n d

, ,

avoi d ambitio n eve n if it be o n ly the appare n tly i n n oce n t o n e of

,

disti n gui shi n g yourself i n scie n ce a n d discoveries Yet why do I

L
. -

s a y thi s ? h a v e myself bee n bl asted i n these hopes yet a n other ,

may succeed .
”

Hi s voice became fai n ter as he spoke ; a n d at le n gth exh austed , ,

by his e ffort he su n k i n to sile n ce About h alf a n hour after ward s

,
.
,

he attempted agai n to speak but wa s u n able ; he pr e s sed my ha n d ,

feebly a n d his eyes closed for ever while the irradi atio n of a ge n tl e
, ,

smile passed away from hi s lip s .

M argaret what comme n t c a n I make o n the u n timely exti n ctio n

,

o f thi s glorious spirit ? What c a n I s a y th at will e n able you to u n ,

d e r s ta n d t h e depth o f my sorrow ? All th at I shoul d expres s woul d

/

b e i n a dequate a n d feeble My tears flow ; my mi n d i s o ve r s h a d .

 T H M OD E R N P R OME TH EU S
E . I
73

o w e d b y a cloud o f dis appoi n tme n t B u t I j our n ey tow a rd s E n g .

l a n d a n d I m ay there fi n d c o n sol atio n

, .

I a m i n terrupte d Wh at d o those sou n d s po r te n d ? It i s m id

.

n ight ; the breeze blows fairly a n d t h e watch o n the deck scarcely ,

s tir . Agai n : there i s a sou n d as of a hum a n v oice but ho arser ; it ,

c omes from the cabi n where the rem ai n s o f Fra n ke n stei n still lie .

I mu st ari se a n d exami n e Good n ight my S i ster

, .
-
, .

Great God ! wh a t a sce n e h a s j ust take n pl ace ! I am yet dizzy

with the remembra n c e o f it I h ardly k n ow whether I S h all h av e .

the power to detai l it ; yet the t a l e which I h ave recorded would b e !

i n complete without thi s fi n al a n d wo n derful catastrophe .

I e n tere d the cabi n where l ay the rem ai n s o f my ill fated a n d

,
-

a dmirable frie n d O v er him hu n g a form which I ca n n ot fi n d

.

word s to describe ; giga n tic i n stature yet u n couth a n d di storted i n ,

its prep aratio n s As he hu n g over the c o fli n h i s face was co n cealed

.
,

by lo n g locks o f ragged h air ; but o n e vast h a n d was exte n ded i n ,

c olor a n d appare n t texture l ike th at o f a mummy Whe n he heard .

the sou n d o f my appro ach he ceased to utter excl am a tio n s o f grief

,

a n d horror a n d spru n g tow a rds the wi n dow

, Ne v er did I behold a .

vi sio n s o horrible as hi s face o f such loathsome yet a pp a lli n g hid ,

eou sne s s . I S hut my eyes i n volu n tari ly a n d e n de avored to r e c o l ,

lect wh a t were my duties with reg a rd to thi s destroyer I c alled o n .

h im to s tay .

H e p aus e d l oo k i n g o n me with w o n der ; a n d a ga i n tur n i n g

, ,

toward s the lifeles s form o f hi s cre a tor he s e emed t o forget my ,

prese n ce a n d every feature a n d ge sture seem e d i n stig a te d by th e

,

wilde st rage o f s ome u n co n troll able p as s io n .

“
Th a t i s a l so my v ictim he excl aimed ; i n hi s murder my
”
,
“

crimes a r e co n summ ated ; the m i serable serie s o f my bei n g i s

wou n d t o i ts cl ose ! O Fr a n ke n stei n ! ge n erou s a n d self devoted -

bei n g ! wh at doe s it a vail th at I n o w a s k thee to p ardo n me ? I wh o ,

irretrievably destroyed thee by de stroyi n g al l thou loved st A l as ! .

”
he i s col d ; he m ay n o t a n swer me .

H i s voice seemed su ffocated a n d my first impul s e s which h ad , ,

suggested t o me t h e duty o f obeyi n g the dyi n g request o f my frie n d ,

i n de stroyi n g h i s e n emy were n o w su spe n ded by a m ixture o f curi

,

o s i ty a n d comp as s io n I a ppro a ched th. i s treme n dou s bei n g : I

d are d n o t agai n raise my l ooks to hi s face there was somethi n g s o ,

s cari n g a n d u n e arthly i n h i s ugl i n es s I a ttempted to spe ak but .

,

the word s d ie d o n my l ip s The mo n ster co n ti n ued to utter wi ld .

and i n cohere n t self repro a ch e s - At le n g th I gathered re solutio

. n t o

a ddre s s h im i n a,
p a us e o f t h e t e mpes t o f h i s p as sio n : Your t e
“
1
74 F R ANK E NS T E I N ; OR ,

p e n t a n ce , I s aid i s n o w superfluous If you h a d l iste n ed t o the

, .

v oice o f co n scie n ce a n d heeded the sti n gs o f rem o rse before you

, ,

h a d urged your diabolic a l v e n gea n c e to this extremity Fra n ke n stei n ,

would yet h ave lived .

”

“
A n d do you dream s aid the dem o n do you thi n k th at I was
, ,

the n dead to ago ny a n d remorse ? He he co n ti n ued poi n ti n g to ,

”
,

the corp se he su ffered n o t more i n the co n summ atio n of the deed ;

,
“

oh ! n o t the te n thous a n dth portio n of the a n guish that w a s mi n e

-

duri n g the li n geri n g detail of its executio n A frightful selfish n es s .

hurried me o n while my heart was poiso n ed with remorse Thi n k

, .

ye th at the groa n s Of Clerval were music to my ears ? My heart

was fashio n ed to be su sceptible of love a n d sympathy ; a n d whe n ,

wre n ched by mi sery to vice a n d h atred it did n o t e n dure the vio ,

le n ce of the ch a n ge without torture such as you ca n n ot eve n ,

imagi n e .

“
After the murder o f Clerval I retur n ed to Switzerl a n d heart , ,

b roke n a n d overcome I pitied Fra n ke n stei n ; my pity amou n ted

.

to horror I abhorred myself But whe n I discovered th at he the

: .
,

author at o n ce o f my existe n ce a n d of its u n speakable torme n ts ,

dared to hope for happi n es s ; that while he accumul ated wretched

n ess a n d desp air upo n me he sought h is o wn e nj oyme n t i n feeli n gs ,

a n d p as sio n s from the i n dulge n ce of which I was for ever b arred ,

the n om n ipote n t e n vy a n d bitter i n dig n atio n filled me with a n i n s a

tiable thirst for ve n gea n ce I recollected my threat a n d resolved .
,

th at it shoul d be accomplished I k n ew th at I was prep ari n g for .

myself a deadly torture ; but I was the S l ave n o t the m aster of a n , ,

impulse which I detested yet could n o t di sobey Yet whe n s h e , .

—
died ! n ay the n I was n o t miserable I h ad cast O ff all feel i n g
,
.
,

s u bdued all a n guish to riot i n the exces s of my desp air E vil

, .

the n ceforth became my good U rged thus far I h ad n o choice but .

,

to ad apt my n ature to a n eleme n t which I had willi n gly chose n .

The completio n of my demo n iacal de sig n became a n i n s ati able p as

sio n A n d n o w it i s e n ded there i s my last victim !
.
”
:

I w a s at first touched by the expres sio n s of h i s mi sery ; yet whe n

I called to mi n d wh at Fra n ke n stei n h ad s aid Of h i s powers of elo
u e n c e a n d persu asio n a n d whe n I agai n cast my eyes o n the l ife
q ,

les s form of my frie n d i n dig n atio n was reki n dled withi n me , .

“
Wretch ! I s aid it i s well th at yo u come here to whi n e over
”
,
“

the desol atio n that you have m ade You throw a torch i n to a p ile .

o f buildi n gs a n d whe n they are co n sumed you S it amo n g the rui n s

, ,

a n d lame n t the fall Hypocritical fie n d ! if he who m you mour n

.

sti ll li v ed still would he be the obj ect agai n woul d he b e come th e

, ,
 T HE M O D ER N PR O ME TH EU S . I
75

prey o f your acc u rsed ve n gea n ce It i s n o t p ity th a t yo u feel ; yo u

, .

l am e n t o n ly bec au se the victim o f your m a lig n ity i s withdraw n

from your power .
”

O h it i s n o t thu s
,
— n o t thus i n terrupted th e bei n g ; yet
, ,
“

such mu st be the impres sio n co n veyed t o you by wh at appears to be

the purport of my actio n s Yet I seek n o t a fellow feeli n g i n my
. -

m i sery NO symp athy m ay I ever fi n d Whe n I first sought it i t

. .
,

was the l ove of v irtue the feeli n gs of h appi n es s a n d a ff ectio n with

,

which my whole bei n g o ve r fl o we d th at I wi shed to be p articip ated , .

But n o w th at virtue h as become to me a s h adow a n d th at h appi

, ,

n es s a n d a ff ectio n are tur n ed i n to bitter a n d lo athi n g desp air i n

,

wh at s houl d I seek for symp athy ? I a m co n te n t to su ff er alo n e ,

while my s u ff eri n gs S h al l e n dur e ; whe n I die I am well s atisfied ,

th at ab horre n ce a n d Opprobrium shou ld load my memory O n ce .

my fa n cy was soothed with dreams o f virtue of fame a n d of e nj oy , ,

me n t O n ce I fal sely hoped to meet with bei n gs who p ardo n i n g

.
, ,

my outward form woul d love me for the excelle n t qualities which I

,

was cap able o f bri n gi n g forth I was n ourished with high thoughts .

Of ho n or a n d devotio n But n o w vice h as degraded me be n eath the

.

mea n est a n im al No crime n o mi schief n o m alig n ity n o misery

.
, , , ,

c a n be fou n d comp arable to mi n e Whe n I call over the frightful .

catalogue of my deeds I ca n n ot believe th at I am he whose thoughts

,

were o n ce filled with sublime a n d tra n sce n de n t visi o n s of the be auty

a n d the m ajesty of good n ess But it i s eve n s o ; the falle n a n gel
.

become s a m al ig n a n t devil Yet eve n th at e n emy of Go d a n d m a n

.

h ad frie n ds a n d as soci ates i n hi s desol atio n I am quite alo n e : .

“
You who call Fra n ke n stei n your frie n d seem to h ave a k n owl
, ,

edge O f my crimes a n d h i s misfortu n es But i n the detail which he .

gave you of them he co u ld n o t sum up the hours a n d mo n ths of

,

misery which I e n dured wasti n g i n impote n t p as sio n s For while

,
.
,

I destroyed hi s hopes I di d n o t s atisfy my o wn des ires They were

,
.

for ever arde n t a n d cravi n g ; still I desired love a n d fello wsh ip a n d I ,

was still spur n ed Was there n o i nj ustice n thi s ? Am I to be thought

. I

the o n ly crimi n al whe n all hum a ki d s i ed agai st me Why

,
n n n n n ?

do you n o t execrate the rustic who sought to destroy the s aviour of

hi s chi ld ? Nay these are virtuous a n d immacul ate bei n gs ; I the
, ,

m iserable a n d the aba n do n ed am a n abortio n to b e spur n ed at , , ,

a n d kicked a n d trampled o n
, E ve n n o w my blood boil s at the .

recollectio n o f thi s i nj ustice .

“
But it i s true th at I am a wretch I h ave murdered the lovely .

a n d the helples s ; I h ave stra n gled the i n n oce n t as they s lept a n d ,

grasped to de ath hi s thro a t who n e ve r i nj ured me or a n y other liv

 1
76 F R AN KE NS T E I N ; OR ,

i ng thi n g I h av e devoted my cre ator the sele c t specime n

.
o f all
,

th at i s worthy o f l o v e a n d a dmiratio n amo n g m e n to mi sery ; I ,

.

h a v e pursued him e v e n to that irremedi able rui n There he l ie s .

:

white a n d cold i n de ath You h ate m e ; but your ab horre ce

.
n c a n

n o t equal that with which I regard myself I look o n the h a n ds .

which execu ted the deed ; I thi n k o n the heart i n which the im gi a a n

tio n o f it was co n ceived a n d lo n g for the mome n t whe n they will

,

meet my eyes whe n it will h au n t my thoughts n o more

, ,
.

“
Fear n o t th a t I shal l be the i n strume n t O f future m ischief My .

work i s n early complete Neither yours n o r a n y m a n s de ath i s n eeded

.
’

to co n summate the series of my bei n g a n d to accompl i s h th at which ,

must be do n e ; but it requires my o w n D O n o t thi n k th at I sh all .

be slow to perform thi s s acrifice I S h all quit your ves sel o n the ice .

raft which brought me hither a n d S h al l seek the mo st n orther n ex ,

t r e m i ty o f the globe ; I sh all collect my fu n eral p ile a n d co n sume ,

to ashes thi s miserable frame th at its rem ai n s m ay aff ord n o light ,

to a ny curiou s a n d u n h allowed wretch wh o woul d cre a te such ,

a n other as I h a v e bee n I S h all die I s h all n o lo n ger feel t h e

. .

a go n ies th at c o n sume me o r be the p rey o f feel i n gs u n s atisfied yet

, ,

u n que n ch e d H e i s dead who called me i n to bei n g ; a n d whe n I

.

sh all be n o more the v ery remembra n ce o f u s both will spee dily

,

v a n i sh I s h all n o lo n ger s e e the s u n o r stars o r feel the wi n d s

.
,

pl ay o n my c h e eks Light feel i n g a n d se n se will p a s s away ; a n d

.
, ,

i n thi s co n ditio n must I fi n d my h app i n es s S ome ye a rs a g o whe n .

,

the images which this worl d a ff ord s first Ope n ed upo n m e whe n I
‘
,

felt the c h e e r i n g wa r m t h o f summer a n d heard the rus tl i n g o f the ,

le aves a n d the chirpi n g o f the birds a n d thes e were all to m e I , ,

s hould h a v e wept to die ; n o w it i s my o n ly co n sol atio n P olluted .

by bitter crimes a n d tor n by the b itt e rest remorse where c a n I fi n d

, ,

rest but i n death ?

Farewell ! I le a ve you a n d i n yo u the l ast o f hum a n k i n d th e s e
,

eye s will ever behold Farewell Fra n ke n stei n ! If thou wert yet
.
,

al i ve a n d yet cherished a desire o f reve n ge agai n st me it woul d b e

,
,

better s ati ated i n my l ife th a n i n my des t ructio n But i t was n o t .

s o ; thou d idst S eek my exti n ctio n th at I might n o t cau se greater ,

wretched n ess ; a n d if yet i n some mode u n k n ow n to me th ou h ast

,
,

n o t yet ce a sed to thi n k a n d feel thou desirest n o t my life my

fo r ,

o wn misery Bl asted as thou wert my ago n y wa s still s uperior to ‘

.
,

thi n e ; for t h e bitter sti n gs o f remorse m ay n o t ce a se t o ra n k l e i n '

my wo un ds u n til death S h all close them fo r ever .

But s oo n h e cried with s a d a n d s olem n e n thu s i a sm I S h a ll

”
, ,
,
11

d ei a, n d wh a t I n o w feel be n o lo n g e r felt Soo n these

bur n i n g .
 T HE M O D E R N P RO ME T H E U S . I
77

m i se rie s wi l l be exti n ct I s h al l asce n d my fu n eral p ile t r i u m

.

p h a n t l,y a n d exult i n the ago n y of the torturi n g fl ame s The l igh t .

o f th at c o n fl a r a t i o n will fade away ; my ashe s will be swept i n to

g
the s e a by the wi n d s My S pirit wil l s leep i n peace ; o r i f it th i n ks
.
, ,

i t wil l n o t surely th i n k thu s Farewel l

‘ ”

He S p ru n g from the cab i n wi n dow as he s ai d this up o n the ice

. .

-
, ,

raft wh ich l ay clo se to the v es sel H e was s oo n bor n e away by the

.

w aves a n d lost i n d ark n es s a n d di sta n ce

,
.

T HE

C mb i dg
a r e : St ere o t yp d e and P ri n t e d by J h n Wi ls
o on 81 S o n .