Transcript for:
Frankenstein Summary

Frankenstein. A novel by Mary Shelley. I am, “The voice that tells you” VOLUME I LETTER I To Mrs. SAVILLE, England. St. You'll be glad to know that no mishaps adventure that you always considered fraught with and my first task is to assure my dear sister great confidence in the success of my company. As I walk through the streets of Petersburg, I feel my spirit and fills me with joy. Do you understand the regions towards which I am heading, brings Encouraged by that wind laden with promises, and lived. In vain I try to convince myself that It always presents itself to my imagination as Margaret, the sun always remains visible, with and spreading an eternal glow. There - because, with trust in the navigators who preceded me—there Sailing on a calm sea, the ship can glide in wonder and beauty to all the regions discovered Its landscapes and features may be incomparable, the phenomena of celestial bodies in these unknown lands that enjoy eternal light? There I will be able to discover compass needle, and I will be able to verify thousands Take this journey to make all your apparent forever. I will satisfy my burning curiosity when I never before and when I set foot on a land that was reasons and are sufficient to allay any force me to undertake this painful journey with with his playmates, with the intention of undertaking sources of the river of his town. But even assuming that all deny the inestimable benefit that I will bring with the discovery of a route near the Pole which currently take several months; or with magnet, which, if possible, can only These reflections have allayed the nervousness with It now burns with an enthusiasm that lifts me to heaven, the spirit as a firm purpose: a point on which This expedition was my most cherished dream since the stories of the different trips that had the northern Pacific Ocean through the Remember that our good Uncle Thomas's library trips made with the intention of discovering although I have always been passionate about reading. that I knew them better, increased the sorrow I My father's will forbade my uncle to allow me to Those ghosts disappeared when, for the first whose effusions captured my soul and lifted it and for a year I lived in a Paradise of my own invention; a place in the temple where the names of Homer and Shakespeare I failed and how hard that disappointment was for me. But inheritance from my cousin and my thoughts returned It has been six years since I decided to undertake the time when I decided to embark on this adventure. the penalties. I accompanied whalers on several and I voluntarily suffered cold, hunger, thirst I often worked harder than the rest of the to the study of mathematics, the theory of medicine physical from which an adventurous sailor On two occasions I enlisted as a petty officer pretty good. I must admit I felt a little to be the second in command on the ship and he asked He considered my services to be very useful to him. And star in a big company? My life could have But I have preferred glory to any other temptation my way. Oh, I wish some words of encouragement My courage and my decision are firm, but my frequency decreases. I am about to embark on a long will require me to maintain all my strength: not only but I will be forced to sustain my own This is the most favorable time to travel in Russia. quickly with their sleds on the snow; The much more pleasant than journeys in English especially if you are wrapped in furs, an There's a big difference between walking around on hours, when the lack of mobility causes the blood I have no intention of losing my life on the I will leave for this last city within fifteen is to charter a boat there, which can be done easily and hire as many sailors as he deems necessary whaling. I have no intention of and when will I return? Ah, my dear sister! How success, it will be many, many months, perhaps If I fail, you'll see me soon... or never. May Heaven shower all its blessings so that I can now and always show you my gratitude Your affectionate brother, R. WALTON. LETTER II To Mrs. SAVILLE, England. Archangel, How slowly time passes here, trapped as I one more step to carry out my project. I have already gather the crew; The ones I've already hired and they certainly seem fearless and brave. But there to achieve, and I feel that lack as a real Margaret: When I am beaming with the enthusiasm of my my joy; And if sadness assails me, no one I can put my thoughts on paper, it's true; to communicate my feelings. I would like I could understand, whose gaze would answer mine. My dear sister, but I bitterly feel the No one beside me who is calm but brave, who possesses open-minded, whose tastes resemble mine, so that How necessary would be a friend like that to correct the impulsive in my actions and too impatient in the face of difficulties. seems even older, and it is having educated myself: He gave me rules and I didn't read anything except Uncle meet the most celebrated poets of our country; The best fruits of such a decision, I understood those of my native country. I am now twenty-eight years of fifteen. It is true that I have reflected more, and But, as painters say, they need harmony: and that enough judgment not to dismiss me as a romantic to try to organize my thoughts. In short, I will certainly not find any friends in in Arkangel, among the sailors and fishermen. some feelings, alien to the worst of human He is a man of extraordinary courage and bravery; and despite all his national and professional prejudices, education still retains some of the noblest human whaling; and when I found out that he was out I hired to help me in my adventure. The excellent disposition and on the boat he is appreciated discipline. In fact, he is of such a gentle nature most common here, and often the only one) just because Furthermore, it is almost heroic in its generosity. Russian lady of medium fortune, and as my In recognition of her good offices, the girl's the ceremony once saw his bride and she, drowned She begged him to forgive her, confessing at the same time her father would never consent to that marriage. My generous After learning the name of his lover, he immediately a farm with his money, and he had thought that he would He handed over to his rival, along with the rest of and then he himself asked the girl's father to consent But the old man stubbornly refused, saying that he had Seeing his father's inflexibility, he left the country old girlfriend had married the young man you will think. And it is true, but after that he has knows something other than ropes and shrouds. But Because I complain a little, or because I imagine to know. My resolve is as firm as fate, and until the weather allows us to put to sea. But spring promises to be better, and it is even said maybe I can set sail sooner than I expected. I enough to trust my prudence and reflection, safety of others has been entrusted to my care. sensations at the immediate prospect of undertaking this that feeling of trembling emotion, with which I am preparing to leave. I am heading of the mists and the snow," but I will not kill Will I see you again, after having sailed these immense southernmost of Africa or America? I hardly However, I can't even bear the thought of the currency. Write to me whenever you can: occasions (although that possibility seems very doubtful I love you so much. Remember me fondly Your affectionate brother, R. WALTON. LETTER III To Mrs. SAVILLE, England. My dear sister: I am lines to tell you that I feel fine and that I have made a to England by a merchant seaman now returning I, who may not be able to see my homeland for many My men are brave and apparently faithful and resolute; the ice floes that continually float dangers of the region we are entering. We have We are in the middle of summer and although it is that push us swiftly towards those shores that comforting warmth that I didn't expect. Up to incidents that deserve to be noted in a letter. and a broken mast, but these are accidents that experienced remember to write down; and I will be satisfied if Goodbye, my dear Margaret. You can be sure I will not face danger unnecessarily. I will be Please give my regards to With all my love, R.W. LETTER IV To Mrs. SAVILLE, England. Such a strange event has happened to us that I It is very likely that we will meet before Last Monday (July 31st) we were practically surrounded the ship on all sides, and there was barely Our situation was somewhat dangerous, a very dense fog enveloped us. So we decided waiting for some change to take place Around two o'clock the fog lifted In all directions, vast, jagged plains Some of my comrades let out a wail getting worried, when suddenly a strange figure caught of the concern we felt for our own situation. strapped onto a sled and pulled by dogs, half a mile from us; a being who had all the appearance a gigantic height, he was sitting in the sleigh and traveler with our telescopes until he was lost That apparition caused in us an unspeakable astonishment. solid ground, but that event seemed to suggest as we assumed. In any case, trapped It was impossible to follow the tracks of Approximately two hours after that event we As night fell, the ice broke and We remained afloat until morning, because we were gigantic masses of drifting ice that float I took advantage of that time to rest for a few hours. light, I went up on deck and found that one end of the ship, apparently talking Sure enough, on a large ice floe there was a before, who had approached us during the night. There human being there too and the sailors were trying This was not, as the other seemed to be, a wild but a European. When I reported on deck, my and will not allow you to die on the open sea. although with a foreign accent. "Before "Would you be so kind as to tell You can imagine my astonishment when I heard of a man who was about to die, and for It would be such a precious commodity that I would not have Anyway, I replied that we were part After hearing my answer he seemed to calm down and If you had seen the man who agreed to save himself in such had limits. His limbs were almost frozen and his from exhaustion and pain. I had never seen We tried to get him into the cabin, but as fainted. We then decided to bring him back up on deck and forcing him to drink a small amount. As We wrapped him in blankets and placed Very slowly he recovered, and drank some Thus two days passed before he was able that his suffering had impaired his mental At least to some extent, I had him moved into my what my obligations allowed me. I have never Their eyes generally show an angry, almost crazed in which, if someone is kind to him or attends His expression lights up, as if to say, with a ray of kindness But he is generally melancholic and desperate, as if he could not bear the weight of the When my guest recovered somewhat, I had a the men of the crew, who wanted to ask him a thousand will bother him with their idle curiosity, They evidently depended on absolute rest. Anyway, He asked him why he had gone so far into His face immediately showed a and he answered: "I'm looking for someone who is running "same way?" "Yeah." "So... I think we've seen him, because the some dogs pulling a sled, and This caught the attention of the unknown traveler, and he followed that demon (that's what he called him). He said to me: "I have surely aroused your curiosity, But you are too considerate «You are right. In any case, it would be part to bother him with any curiosity. "However... difficult and dangerous situation; You have been very Shortly afterward he asked me if I thought finished with the other sled. I replied that because the ice had not broken until near having reached a safe place earlier, but I couldn't From that moment on, the stranger seemed to try to spot the sleigh that had preceded that he stays in the cabin, because the cutting air. But I have promised you that him and that he will give him full notice This is what I can say to this day regarding has been improving little by little, but remains very anyone but me can enter the cabin. However, polite that all the sailors care about him, even For my part, I am beginning to appreciate him as It provokes in me a feeling of understanding and compassion. in other times, since even now, in defeat, In one of my letters, my dear Margaret, I told you that ocean; However, I have found a man who, Because of the pain, I would have been delighted I will continue to write my diary about if new events occur that are August 13, 17** My appreciation for my guest increases admiration and my pity to astonishing extremes. How misfortune without feeling a tremendous pang and he is very cultured, and when he speaks, although with unparalleled ease and eloquence. He is illness and is continually on deck, apparently looking However, although he seems unhappy, he is no longer but is also very interested in the affairs about my intentions and I have told him my little story confidence that I showed him and he suggested some extremely useful. There is no pedantry in his conduct, exclusively from the interest he instinctively He often seems overcome with grief and then sits what is sullen and antisocial in his character. cloud before the sun, although his dejection never and I hope I have achieved it. One day I mentioned good friend who understood me and helped me with his men who are offended by the advice of others. "Everything I trust my own strength enough. So I wise and had more experience than me, so that he could give "It is impossible to find a true friend." unknown, "in considering that friendship is not I once had a friend, the best of all human to judge friendship. You expect to get it, and you to despair. But I… I’ve lost everything, When he said that, his face took on an expressive that touched my heart. But he remained silent Although his soul is broken, no one appreciates starry sky, the sea and all the landscapes They still seem to have the power to elevate their may suffer all misfortunes and be However, when he closes himself in, who has a halo around him, whose circle neither Are you mocking my enthusiasm for this extraordinary You must have lost that innocence that was If you want, you can smile at the emotion new reasons to repeat them. Yesterday the stranger said to me: "Naturally, Captain suffered great and unusual misfortunes. On one occasion would die with me, but you've managed to change wisdom, as I sought it; and I hope with all my heart viper that bites him, as it did for me. I don't know if However, if you wish, listen to my story. have a bearing on my life can provide you with an can expand their faculties and their understanding of such magnitude that he always believed them impossible: will provide the evidence that the events You can obviously imagine that I was very flattered However, he could hardly bear to to tell me about their misfortunes. I was partly out of curiosity, and partly out of a strong if such a thing was in my hands. I expressed "Thank you for your understanding," he replied, "but it's I expect more than one thing, and then I can rest in seeing that I had intended to interrupt him, "but if you allow me to call you that. Nothing can change my why it is irrevocably decided. Then he told me story the next day, when I had some time. warm thanks. I've decided that every I will write what he tells me during the day, own words. And if I have a lot of commitments, I'll at will give great pleasure: but I, who know him, his own lips, with what interest and with what affection I will read it one day, in the future…! CHAPTER 1 I am a Genevan by birth; and my family is one of the For many years my ancestors have been councilors and public officials with honor and good reputation. Everyone integrity and for his tireless dedication to to the events of his country and only when his life and to offer their country children who could perpetuate As the special circumstances of his marriage I can't help but refer to them. One of his Due to numerous misfortunes, from a prosperous position whose name was Beaufort, had a proud and haughty in poverty and oblivion in the same country in for its wealth and magnificence. In the most honorable way he could, he retired with his anonymity and misery. My father loved Beaufort and deeply regretted his retirement under such unfortunate loss of his company, and decided to go find start over with your credit and your help. Beaufort hide and ten months passed before my father Upon making the discovery, he immediately went to the main, near the Reuss. But when he entered, welcome. Beaufort had only managed to save shipwreck of his fortune, but it was enough to provide and, in the meantime, he hoped to find some respectable But during that period of time he did nothing; It only made his sadness deeper and more so much so that three months later he His daughter cared for him with all her affection, Small savings were quickly disappearing and the livelihood. But Caroline Beaufort possessed an sustain her in adversity. He looked for a and by other means he was able to earn Several months passed like this. His father got Caroline in attending to him; their livelihoods were Her father died in her arms, leaving her orphaned completely dejected and when my father entered Beaufort's coffin, weeping bitterly. He for the poor girl, who entrusted herself to his My father took her to Geneva and placed her under the those events, made her his wife. When my He found that the duties of his new situation took many of his public works and dedicate himself to the education destined to be the successor in all his work and obligations. parents more loving than mine. My well-being especially since for many years I was his With my story, I must tell an incident that My father had a sister who adored him and who had Shortly after her marriage, she had accompanied For some years my father had hardly any contact with her. Then my father received a letter from his brother-in-law, Italian lady and asked my father to take care of deceased sister. "It is my wish that you consider her as "and educate her accordingly. Your mother's and I will send you the documents so that you can keep them and decide whether you prefer to educate your niece My father did not hesitate and immediately traveled your future home. I often heard my mother say that, that I had ever seen and that even then already affectionate. These details and his desire to strengthen family determined that my mother should consider Elizabeth reasons that would prevent him from supporting such a plan. She became my playmate and, when we grew good-natured, but fun and playful like a summer Her feelings were intense and deep, and very affectionate. But no one was able to obey the orders or others. She was very imaginative, however her ability remarkable. Elizabeth was the image of her spirit: Those of a little bird, had an attractive sweetness. Although he was able to endure tiredness and fatigue, Although I admired her intelligence and imagination, as I would do with my favorite animal; I have and in an intelligence, united with so much humility. had any request to make, they always sought his kind of fights or anger. Because, although our characters harmony in that difference. I was calmer and more was not so docile and submissive. I was able to as constant as she is. I loved to investigate what was happening in chasing the ethereal creations of poets. wanted to reveal... for her it was a space that she wanted My brothers were considerably younger among my schoolmates, which compensated for that Geneva merchant, a close friend of my unique imagination. I remember that when I was fairies that were the delight and wonder of It consisted of books of chivalry and novels; I can remember that we used to perform plays books, the main characters being Orlando, I don't think there was a happier young man than me. charming. We were never forced to study and in view of which we were driven to apply ourselves through this method, and not by emulation, for that she should apply herself especially to drawing, But the desire to please her aunt pushed her We learned Latin and English, so we could read texts Although studying could be odious to us because of the and our entertainments were what other children books nor did we learn languages as quickly with a precise method, but what we learned was In the description of our family circle I have included us. He went to school with me and usually spent the He was alone and had no one to entertain himself at home, in ours; and, in reality, we were never entirely happy unless Clerval was with us. CHAPTER 2 The events that decisively influence our in trivial events. Natural philosophy is the In this summary of my early years, I wish to feel a special predilection for science. We all went on an excursion to the baths They forced us to stay locked in the inn for a whole a volume with the works of Cornelius Agrippa. I opened demonstrate and the wonderful facts that he recounted new light was shed upon my understanding; and, discovery to my father. I can't help but point opportunity to direct the tastes of their students unconsciously waste. My father looked at the cover —Ah… Cornelius Agrippa! My dear Victor, don't It's nothing but useless nonsense. that exclamation, my father would have taken the trouble had already been completely refuted and a modern which had much more relevance than the old one, because while the intentions of the modern were real and He would certainly have rejected Agrippa's advice, I would probably have applied myself to a more rational result of modern discoveries. It is even possible fatal impulse that led me to ruin. But that launched into the book in no way assured me that reading that volume with the greatest avidity. I was to get all the works of that author and, Great. I read and studied with delight the crazy fantasies that very few people knew about except me; and although secret knowledge, however, his firm disapproval always held me back. Anyway, I revealed my secret to keep it a secret, but she didn't seem very interested It may seem a little strange that in the 18th century But I did not come from a family of scientists nor Well, reality did not cloud my dreams and I gave myself philosopher's stone and the elixir of life. And Wealth was a minor matter to me, but what fame to eliminate disease from the human condition anything except a violent death! Those The appearance of ghosts and demons was a constant and I longed to be able to do it immediately; I attributed failures more to my inexperience and or the incompetence of my teachers. every day before our eyes did not go of which my favorite authors were What I was amazed at was some experiments corporal a gentleman we used to visit. The and many other disciplines served to discredit to put them aside for good before some other When I was about fourteen, we were at our of a violent and terrible storm. I had come down from others with a terrifying roar in the four cardinal storm, I remained watching its development with At the door, I suddenly saw a ray and a beautiful oak tree that stood about and as soon as that bright light faded, gone, and there was nothing left there but When we went to see it, we found the tree by the impact, but had been completely reduced such a broken thing. The tree catastrophe Among other questions suggested by the I asked my father about the nature and origin of "electricity," and he also explained to me the effects electric, and did some small experiments and prepared that could extract that fluid from the clouds. This Agrippa, Albertus Magnus, and Paracelsus, lords of my imagination. But, by some fate, no modern system and this lack of interest had its reason My father expressed his wish that I attend a course delighted. There was some inconvenience that prevented the course was almost over. The class I attended, although It was absolutely incomprehensible. The professor spoke Sulfates and oxides, terms to which I deeply disliked a science that, in my From that moment until I went to university, once passionate studies of science and natural delight to Pliny and Buffon, authors who in my opinion At that time my main interest was mathematics that are related to that discipline. I was I already knew a little Latin, and I began to read simpler Greeks. He also knew English and German of my knowledge at the age of seventeen; all my time in acquiring and preserving the Another task fell upon me when I became a teacher younger than me and was my main student. Since he which is why Elizabeth and I had been her very sweet, but was unable to concentrate on the family, he was still very young and the most beautiful The dimples on his cheeks and his ingratiating gestures family life, from which worries and pain He directed our studies and my mother was part no preference over others, and authoritarian Our mutual affection prompted us to obey and satisfy even the smallest desire of others. CHAPTER 3 When I reached the age of seventeen, my parents the University of Ingolstadt. Until then But my father thought it necessary, to complete my and not just those from my home country. So my departure Before the agreed day arrived, the first misfortune you could say, of my future misfortunes. The illness was not serious and he recovered quickly. numerous reasons to persuade her not to take pleas, but when he knew that his soul girl was recovering, his company and entered the sick room long would have happened. The consequences of this my mother got sick. The fevers were malignant and the gestures On her deathbed, the strength and kindness of that He joined Elizabeth's and my hands. "My my hopes in your union. Now that union will be My love, take my place and take care of your little having to abandon you…! I have been so happy and separate myself from you? But those ideas shouldn't worry with a smile to death and I will cherish the She died peacefully, and her features expressed affection the feelings of those whose loving ties are broken that leaves in the souls and the desperation that before the human mind can convince itself and whose very existence seems part of ours, time before we can convince ourselves that the turned off forever and that the sound of a familiar and will never be heard from again. These are the The passage of time shows that misfortune is a reality, pain. However, who has not had a loved one snatched describe a pain that everyone has felt and that pain is more of a pleasure than a necessity, Although it may seem like a damned sacrilege, it is we still had obligations to fulfill; We had to lucky as long as there was one of us left My trip to Ingolstadt, which had been postponed again. I got my father to give me a few time passed sadly. My mother's death and But Elizabeth endeavored to restore Since the death of his aunt, his character had acquired with her duties with the utmost precision, and imperative duty to dedicate himself entirely to She comforted me, entertained her and I never saw her so charming as at trying to contribute to the happiness of others, The day of my departure finally arrived. I had already from Clerval, who spent that last afternoon with us. He accompany me. But there was no way to convince because he intended to make him a partner in his according to which studies were a superfluous daily life. Henry had a delicate spirit, he The fund was delighted to become a partner A man could be a perfect businessman and We stayed up very late, listening to their for the future. The next morning, very Elizabeth's gaze; They spilled out partly out of grief that the same trip should have taken place three I collapsed in the diligence that was to take me and who had always been surrounded by the committed to trying to make each other happy… own friends at the university I was going to attend, My life had been spent in a protected and familiar in me an invincible distrust of strangers. To Elizabeth and Clerval: those were my "old familiar unable to bear the company of strangers. Such were But as I went on, I became more encouraged and my acquire more knowledge. When I was at home, I often All my youth locked in one place and I had even a place in society among other human beings. In fact, it would have been absurd to regret it. reflections during the trip to Ingolstadt, which turned of the city finally offered themselves to They led me to my lonely apartment so I could spend the afternoon as I pleased. CHAPTER 4 The next morning I handed in my letters of introduction principal professors and, among others, Mr. Krempe, He received me with kindness and asked me some questions scientific branches related to natural philosophy. I cited the only authors I had read on these subjects. —Have you really wasted your time I answered affirmatively. —Every What you have wasted on those books has been time Mr. Krempe angrily. Your brain is full of outdated My God…! What desert have you been living in? I told you that the nonsense you have been greedily and are as stale as they are old-fashioned? I did not of Paracelsus in the century of Enlightenment their studies absolutely from the beginning. And a list of several books on natural philosophy that mention that at the beginning of the following course on the general characteristics of natural A colleague of his would give chemistry lessons on I didn't go home very disappointed, because that the teacher had failed in such a forceful manner…, study those books that I had acquired on a small, fat little man with a hoarse voice and an predisposed to study his subject. Furthermore, I had modern natural philosophy. It was quite different Immortality and power: those ideas, although they had greatness. But now everything had changed: the to refute those points of view on which my I was being asked to exchange chimeras realities that were hardly worth anything. two or three days that I spent completely I thought about the information Mr. Krempe had given I had no intention of going to listen to that vain from his pulpit, I remembered what he had said about at that time he had remained outside the city. Partly I went to the classroom where Mr. Waldman entered shortly to his colleague. He was probably around fifty years old, but Some gray hairs covered his temples, but almost black. He wasn't very tall, but he walked remarkably sweetest thing I had ever heard in my life. He began chemistry and the advances that many scientists fervor the names of the great sages. He then of science and explained many of its benefits. concluded with a panegyric dedicated to modern —The ancient masters of science—he said—promised Modern teachers promise very little. transmute and that the elixir of life is whose hands seem made only for digging in the to scrutinize in the microscope or in the crucible, they in the hidden recesses of Nature and show how it ascended to the heavens and have discovered how blood we breathe. They have acquired new and almost unlimited powers: simulate an earthquake, and even imitate the I left there enchanted with this teacher and his lesson, In private, his manner was even more kind and affectionate dignity in his gestures during his classes that turned He listened attentively to my little story about studies names of Cornelius Agrippa and Paracelsus, but without He said that "modern philosophers were indebted who laid the foundations of knowledge. They to give new names and order in understandable classifications they had brought to light. The work of the man directed, it very rarely fails to become I listened attentively to his words, and then I added that his lesson had removed from and I also asked him for advice "I'm very glad to have a new pupil," said Mr. Waldman; As much as his intelligence seems to suggest, I have It is that branch of natural philosophy in which the most That's why I chose it as the main discipline in my work. other sciences. One would be a sad chemist if one is to become a true man of science and not advise him to apply himself to all branches of He then took me to his laboratory and explained advising me on what I should buy and his laboratory when he knew devices. He also gave me the list of books I Thus ended a memorable day for me, for then my fate was decided. CHAPTER 5 From that day on, natural philosophy practically in my only subjects of study. I genius and wisdom that modern researchers subjects. I attended classes and cultivated the friendship even in Mr. Krempe, a good dose of common It is true, to an unpleasant physiognomy and In Mr. Waldman I discovered a true friend. and he taught his classes with an air of frankness pedantry. It was perhaps the friendly character of branch of natural philosophy that he professed, and not But that state of mind only occurred in The more I delved into science, the more I sought What had initially been a matter of duty and and impatient that very often the stars I was still working in my laboratory. Since I It can easily be understood that I progressed very It was the amazement of the students and my mastery of He often asked me, with a malicious smile on his while Mr. Waldman heartily expressed the most Thus two years passed, during which I did not return body and soul in the study of certain discoveries Except for those who have experienced it, they can In other disciplines, you get to where those who have to know nothing more; But in scientific research, for the discoveries and wonders. An intelligence He/she is passionate about a study and necessarily achieves that I continually tried to achieve a goal and was quickly that at the end of those two years I made certain chemical apparatus, which earned me great When I reached that point and had learned everything and considering that my stay there would I thought about returning to my hometown An event occurred that extended my stay there. One My special attention was the structure of the human animal endowed with life. I often wondered: where bold question and had always been considered discover whether cowardice or disinterest I thought about these questions a lot would apply very especially to those branches of If I had not been animated by a My dedication to that discipline would have been To study the sources of life, we I quickly became familiar with the science of observe the natural decomposition and corruption of I had taken every precaution to prevent my mind supernatural. So I don't remember ever having feared the appearance of a spirit. The darkness and a cemetery was nothing more to me than a set of bodies the receptacles of beauty and strength I was now determined to study the cause and process to spend whole days and nights in pantheons and ossuaries. those details that are unbearably repugnant humans. I saw the beautiful forms of man degrade the corruption of death triumphing over the The worms inherited the wonders of eyes and brains. all the details and causes from the changes to death, and from death to life, until in the midst poured over me. It was such a bright and wonderful that, although I was almost stunned by the immense that I—among the many men of wit who had dedicated and only I, would discover that amazing secret. of a madman. What I say here is as true as the could have achieved it. But the stages of my discovery After many days and nights of incredible work and tiredness, generation and life. What's more, he had managed The surprise I initially experienced with this enthusiasm. After spending so much time on that of my wishes was the most gratifying thing that could happen overwhelming that all the steps by which I had reached little, and I focused only on the result. That One of the wisest men since the creation although not everything had been revealed to The information I had obtained, rather than showing I had a different nature and rather directed my He was like that Arab who had been buried with return to the world, with the only help of I see, my friend, by your interest and by the who expects me to tell him the secret I discovered… but my story to the end and then you will easily understand I am going to lead you, naive and passionate, to irreparable pain. Learn from me, if not by my Dangerous is the acquisition of knowledge and place in the world instead of aspiring to be more than nature will ever allow. CHAPTER 6 When I found such amazing power in my hands, what could be the way to use it. Although I possessed prepare a being so that it could receive it with muscles and veins was still a job of inconceivable At first I hesitated whether I should try to create a simpler; but my imagination was too excited doubt my ability to give life to an animal At that time, the materials available to him such a complicated and arduous task, but I had in my endeavor. I prepared myself to suffer countless setbacks; time and finally my work could be imperfect; However, every day occur in science and mechanics, at least my experiments would become the basis for that the magnitude and complexity of my plan And with those ideas in mind, I began the creation were a major obstacle to moving forward quickly, I decided to build a being of gigantic approximately seven or eight feet tall and with After having made this decision and after in collecting and preparing the No one can even imagine the amount of contradictory during that time. When success drove me to enthusiasm, ideal ties that I would be the first to break in our dark world. A new species would bless and many happy and wonderful beings would owe me their gratitude from his son as absolutely as I would Advancing these ideas, I thought that if I could As time went by (although at the time renew life where death had apparently These thoughts encouraged me as I continued indefatigable. My face had turned pale with constant confinement. Sometimes, when I was although I always clung to the hope that assured then I could get it. And the hope I clung and the moon watched my labors at midnight Relentless, I pursued the secrets of life Who can conceive the horrors of my secret work, the moldy unconsecrated graves or torturing inert clay? My hands are shaking now and I But at that time an uncontrollable and almost frantic It was as if I had lost my soul or for what he was pursuing. It was actually When that unnatural stimulus stopped a renewed and special sensitivity as I collected bones from ossuaries and profaned with my In a solitary room - or rather in an attic, in the upper other floors by a gallery and a staircase— I prepared My eyes bulged out of their sockets and were fixed Operating rooms and the slaughterhouse provided I felt that my human nature was repugnant to that anxiety that constantly plagued me, I continued with The summer months passed and I was still aim. It was a wonderful summer: the fields had abundant and the vineyards had rarely produced eyes remained insensitive to the charms that forced me to despise what was happening around those loved ones who were far away and I knew that my silence worried them and "I know that as long as you are happy with yourself, and we will hear from you regularly. And you must forgive correspondence as proof that you are also So I knew perfectly well what his feelings would work, odious in itself, but which had irresistibly It was as if he wanted to push away from me everything until I reached the great goal that had At that moment I thought that my father would be unfair vicious or a lack of consideration on my He was not at all wrong when he thought that A human being who wants to be perfect must always and you should never allow passion or a passing I don't think the pursuit of knowledge is an exception which one surrenders has a tendency to that is considered to be those simple pleasures Discipline is certainly harmful, that is, rule would always be observed—if no man would its tranquility and its family affections—, Caesar would have kept his homeland, America would have of Mexico and Peru would not have been destroyed. But in the most interesting part of my story; and their My father did not reproach me in his letters, asking me more insistently than before Winter, spring, and summer passed while But I did not see the trees blossoming or becoming which had always previously given me enormous job. The leaves of that year withered before end. And every day he showed me clearly that he was my enthusiasm and, more than an artist busy with his condemned to slavery chained in the mines or Every night I had a little fever and to painful extremes... it was a suffering that I I had always enjoyed excellent health and had But I believed that the fresh air and those symptoms, and I promised myself to enjoy those entertainments when I finished my creation. CHAPTER 7 One rainy November night I finally managed to close to anguish, I placed around me the machinery for to breathe a spark of existence into that It was already one o'clock in the morning, and the and the candle had almost burned out when, I could see the creature's cloudy, He breathed heavily and his limbs How can I explain my sadness at that disaster…? creature that with so much suffering and dedication Her limbs were well-proportioned, and she had My God! That yellow skin barely covered the network He had long, greasy, black hair; and But those beautiful details only formed a more which seemed almost the same color as the with a wrinkled face and The different aspects of life are not as human. I had worked tirelessly for almost two life in an inert body. And I had staked my desired with a fervor that went far beyond moderation; Those dreams faded away and horror and disgust breath. Unable to bear the sight of the being and for a long time I paced back and forth mind to be able to sleep. In the end, a sort of suffered, and I collapsed fully clothed on the But it was in vain; I did actually sleep, but I to Elizabeth, so beautiful and young, walking through I hugged her; But when he gave her the first death; His features seemed to change, and he my dead mother; A shroud was wrapped around his body, the folds of the canvas. I woke up startled and My teeth were chattering and I was having convulsions in the pale, yellowish light of the moon, which I discovered the spawn… that miserable He parted the curtains of my bed and his they stuck to me. He opened his jaw and whispered a grimace wrinkled his cheeks. He may have said something, but I managed to escape and ran down the stairs. I took the one who lived, and there I stayed for the rest of deepest restlessness, listening intently, capturing announcement of the arrival of that demonic corpse Oh…! No human being could bear the horror The one that was returned to her would I had observed it when it was not yet finished; But when those muscles and joints became that not even Dante could have conceived. I had It was beating so fast and so hard that I could At other times, I was about to collapse and extreme weakness; and mixed with that horror, I felt which had been my sustenance and my now in hell for me. And that change had been so At last dawn arrived, grey and rainy, and illuminated, the Ingolstadt church, with its white spire and The doorman opened the doors of the courtyard and I went out into the streets, and walked through them monster that I feared to see appear before me return to the apartment where I lived, but I felt He was soaked by the rain that poured down in torrents I continued walking like this for through violent physical exercise, the heavy the streets without knowing clearly where I he was throbbing sick with fear; and I hurried on like one who, on a solitary path, makes and having turned once, he continues walking and does because he knows that a terrible demon is following So I continued walking, until finally I arrived stop the stagecoaches and carriages. There I stopped, minutes with my eyes fixed on a carriage that was coming As it came closer, I noticed it was right where I was; and when the doors who came down quickly as soon as he saw me. I'm glad to see you! How lucky that you were here Nothing could be better than the pleasure of seeing Clerval to Elizabeth, and all those home scenes so dear of hands and, at least for a moment, I forgot my horror and for the first time in many months, a calm my friend in the most cordial way and together we walked Clerval was telling me about our mutual They had allowed him to come to Ingolstadt. trouble convincing my father that it is not Ignore everything except accounting; and, what's more, because his only answer to my pleas was the In The Vicar of Wakefield: "I earn ten thousand as wonderfully without the blessed Greek.» But his aversion to studies, and has allowed me to undertake —And my father, and my brothers, and "Very well, and very happy," he replied, "just a little worried And by the way, I think I have to scold you on pausing a little and staring at my face—I have. You're so thin and so pale... you look "You're right," I replied; Lately I have been very busy has allowed us to rest enough, as you see; that all those worries are over… I was shaking a lot; I was unable to think about the and of course I couldn't even talk about it. soon we arrived at the university. Then I thought—and that I had abandoned in my chambers could still I was afraid to see him, but I was even more afraid that I begged him to stay a few minutes at the foot Before I could recover from the effort, my hand was and a shiver ran through me. I opened the door, with a ghost waiting for them on the other side. But there was empty, and my bedroom was also I could hardly believe I had been that my enemy had really fled, I clapped with We went up to my room and then the servant brought breakfast: only joy filled me; I felt my skin tingling and my pulse beat violently. I was unable I clapped and laughed out loud. At first, Clerval joy at his arrival; But when he looked at me more had not noticed; and my uncontrolled and unbridled “My dear Frankenstein,” he cried, “for the love of God, very sick…! What is the cause of all this? with my hands, for I thought I had seen will tell you! Oh, save me! Save me…! I I fought furiously and collapsed Poor Clerval! What must he have thought? The joy, was taken in that strange way into bitterness. because I was unconscious and didn't regain consciousness until a long, long time later. CHAPTER 8 That was the beginning of a nervous fever for several months. During all that time, only knowing that my father was very old and that such My illness would affect Elizabeth, Henry had saved dimension of my illness. He knew that no one would take and, convinced that I would recover, I was It had not been a disservice at all, but the But I was really very sick, and probably continued attention from my friend, I could have been brought figure of the monster that I had breathed life into, My words certainly surprised Henry: at first disordered imagination; but the insistence with topic convinced him that my disorder had its Very slowly, and with frequent relapses that I was recovering. I remember the first time street with some pleasure, I realized that the green stems were beginning to sprout on the trees. The season certainly contributed greatly to improving I also felt feelings of joy and affection disappeared, and very soon I was as happy again as "My dearest Clerval," I said, "how good and kind Instead of using it for studying, as in my sick room… How can I ever repay cause of this disaster. I hope you forgive me… —You'll "Henry replied, "and get well as soon as possible." Maybe I can talk to you about something, do you mind? Are you referring to something I didn't "Don't be nervous," said Clerval, who noticed that restless. But your father and your cousin would be very happy and lyrics. They don't even suspect how sick you've -That's all? —I said smiling. My dear Henry, thoughts would not be dedicated I love so much and they deserve my love so You will love to see a letter that has been there Then he put the following letter in my hands: Geneva, March 18, 17** Dear I can't describe to you how concerned we all are Your friend Clerval is hiding from us the true seriousness months since we received a letter written by yourself; to dictate them to Henry. Surely, Victor, you must a lot, almost as much as when your dear mother that you are seriously ill and we have only just been able to prevent He always says in his letters that you are getting better; that idea very soon writing to us in your own handwriting, This has us very worried. Dispel our fears, and we world. My uncle's health is so good and he is so strong since last winter. Ernest is also so changed that sixteen years old, you know, and he's lost He is very well and very vigorous, if I may use that My uncle and I were talking for a long time should choose Ernest. His habitual poor health as habit of studying, and is continually in the countryside, or rowing on the lake. So I suggested that he become has always been my favorite idea. The life of the the least harmful profession of all, or rather, idea that he should study to become a lawyer, because But, apart from the fact that he is absolutely not worthy of earning a living by farming the land than the vices of another, because that is the task of a prosperous, if not more honorable, was at least a happier is to always be mired in the darkest side of human I should be a lawyer myself, which ended And now I must tell you a little story that you will don't remember; So I'll tell you his story in a She had been widowed with four children, of whom always her father's favorite; But, due to a strange After Mr. Moritz's death, he mistreated and when Justine turned twelve, she managed to in our house. The republican institutions simple and kind than those that prevail in And for that reason there are fewer differences between and the lower classes, being neither as poor They are more polite and dignified. A servant in Geneva So Justine was welcomed into our family which in our fortunate country do not include the I dare say you will remember everything now, for Justine I heard you say that if you were in a bad mood, for the same reason that Ariosto gives regarding and joy. My aunt became very fond of her, which that had been planned for her. This gift was fully most grateful in the world. I don't mean to say that I didn't hear her say anything about it—but one could see protective. Although she was very funny, and in many ways careless, attention to every gesture of my aunt: I considered her her words and even her gestures, so that even When my dear aunt died, we were all to focus on poor Justine, who had cared for her during the affections. Poor Justine was very ill, but One after another, his brothers and sister had except for his disowned daughter, childless. feel remorse and think that the children was a curse from Heaven to punish She was a Roman Catholic and I believe that her confessor encouraged So, a few months after your departure to Ingolstadt, Justine and asked her to come home. Poor girl! I had changed a lot since my aunt's death; The pain charming affability to gestures that had previously Then, living in his mother's house was not the best He was very firm in his repentance. Sometimes he begged But much more often he accused her of being the cause Those constant emotional ups and downs the illness, which at first only But now he rests forever: he died with the last winter. Justine is back with us, and I can very intelligent and very affectionate, and beautiful; and, They continually remind me of my dear aunt. I our little William. I wish you could see it! He sweet, smiling blues, very dark eyelashes and small dimples in her cheeks, always rosy and healthy… lovely. After this description I can only say that "Too handsome to be a boy." She has already had one or her favorite: she is a beautiful five-year-old girl. know some little gossip about your acquaintances. has received congratulatory visits for her upcoming John Melbourne. Her hideous sister Manon married rich. And your good friend from school, Louis Manoir, Clerval left Geneva. But he has now recovered his spirits with a very beautiful and cheerful French woman: Madame Tavernier. but everyone admires and appreciates her. I have Cousin, but I can't finish without asking you anxiously If you are not too sick, write yourself and make I dare to think of the other possibility; I'm Your cousin, who loves you very much, —Dear, dear Elizabeth…! —I exclaimed when I will write immediately and thus alleviate I wrote, and the task tired me out a great continued satisfactorily: in another fifteen days I would be able to leave my bedroom. CHAPTER 9 When I recovered, one of my first tasks different professors at the university. And in stormy encounters that reopened the wounds fatal—the end of my labors and the beginning antipathy for everything related to natural philosophy. The mere sight of chemical instruments revived Henry noticed and moved all those devices away from because he perceived that I felt an aversion to the But Clerval's precautions were of little use Good old Mr. Waldman tortured me when he kindly scientific advances. He immediately realized but, not knowing what the real reason was, he It seemed obvious that I was changing the subject—from to capture my interest. What could I do? He just torment me. I felt as if I were placing, one instruments that were later to be used to give I writhed with every word he spoke, though whose looks and feelings were always ready Of the others, he did not want to talk about the subject, and the conversation turned to other matters of a general but I didn't say anything. I could clearly see that he was surprised, secret; and although I loved him with a mixture of I dared to confess to him what was always present Explaining it to someone else would only leave Mr. Krempe was not so kind; and given the almost unbearable, in which I found rude and direct caused me more pain than —Damn boy! —he exclaimed. Mr. Clerval: I tell you Yes: think what you want, but it is the pure truth Years ago he believed in Cornelius Agrippa as firmly as he did in from the university; And if we don't expel him soon, —he continued, observing my expression of annoyance—: an excellent quality in a young man. Young I mean, Mr. Clerval; I wasn't when I was young, Then Herr Krempe began a praise of himself and happily issue that was truly killing me. Clerval She was too lively to be involved in the were his main interest, so he wanted to learn studies on his own when he returned home. Persian, as soon as he managed to acquire a perfect command I had always disliked inactivity, and now that I found my former studies repugnant, I found great friend, and I found not only instruction but also consolation Her melancholy is reassuring and her joy enlivens the experienced in studying writers from other It seems that life consists of warm sunshine of a charming enemy, and in the burning passion of the virile and heroic poetry of Greece and Rome! occupations, and my return to Geneva was fixed several incidents and winter and snow arrived, had to be postponed until the following spring. I was I wholeheartedly want to see my hometown and my delayed so long because he did not wish to leave Clerval met some people. The winter, however, And although spring came rather late, its beauty made the month of May, and I waited daily for the letter when Henry suggested a walking tour say goodbye to the country I had lived in for so I was eager to get some exercise, and Clerval on the walks of this kind that I used to undertake That excursion lasted fifteen days. My health and acquired renewed vigor with the healthy air, my friend's conversation. Studying had made me with my colleagues. But Clerval inspired the He taught me to love the shapes of Nature and the friend! How sincerely you loved me and tried to cheer my yours! A selfish goal had maimed and annihilated They enlivened and awakened my senses. I managed just a few years earlier, loving everyone and being When I felt happy, inanimate Nature had the more delicious. A clear sky and green fields wonderful: the spring flowers burst in the flowerbeds already about to sprout. I was not troubled by the bad Although I tried to push them away by all means, they Henry enjoyed my joy and sincerely understood to distract me, and at the same time he told me what His ingenuity, on this occasion, was certainly astonishing. and very often, imitating Persian and Arab writers, imaginative and interesting. At other times I would conversations that he held with remarkable wit. We returned The peasants enjoyed the dances and and happy. I myself was very animated, and walked about filled with feelings of joy and jubilation. CHAPTER 10 When I returned home, I found the following TO V. FRANKENSTEIN Dear Victor: You've impatiently for a letter setting the day of your write you a few lines, just to tell you the day cruel kindness, and I didn't dare to do it. What would A joyful and happy welcome will be met, but instead How can I, Victor, tell you about our misfortune? in the face of our joys and our sorrows. And how I would like to prepare you for the painful news, but I You will now be searching in these pages for the William is dead! The charming boy whose The one who was so loving and so cheerful, I won't try to console you, I'll just tell Last Thursday (May 28), my niece, your two brothers The afternoon was warm and calm, and we extended It was getting dark when we decided to return, and then advanced, they had disappeared. So we sat Then Ernest came and asked for his brother: and that William had run away to searching in vain and then had been waiting This scared us quite a bit and we continued Then Elizabeth ventured that perhaps he could We returned to the place with torches, because The child had gotten lost and was left out in the Elizabeth was also extremely distressed. Around seven whom he had seen the previous evening brimming with vitality livid and motionless… the mark of his murderer's We took him home, and the anguish visible on my I just wanted to see the body. At first I tried Entering the room in which he lay, he and wringing his hands, he cried: "Oh, my She fainted and only with great difficulty did we manage cry and sigh. He told me that that same afternoon to allow him to carry a very valuable miniature This portrait has disappeared and was undoubtedly the So far there is no trace of him, although investigations to find out; But that Come back, dear Victor: only you can comfort Elizabeth. same, unjustly, of being the cause of the child's we are very dejected; But isn't that one more reason, comfort? Your dear mother…! Oh, Victor! I assure you see the cruel and miserable death of his little one! Come ideas of revenge against the murderer, but with wounds of our spirit, instead of opening them. Enter but with sweetness and affection for those who love Your unfortunate father, who loves you, Clerval, who had been watching my face He was surprised to see the despair that news from my loved ones. I threw the letter on the "My dear Frankenstein," cried Henry when he saw to be sad? My friend, what happened? I indicated while I paced back and forth across the Clerval's eyes also shed tears when —I can't console you in any way, "My friend," he said. Your tragedy is irreparable. —Go immediately to Geneva; Come with me, Clerval, Along the way, Henry tried to cheer me up. He but by showing true understanding. "Poor now rests next to his angelic mother. His But he is now resting: he no longer feels the killer's and no longer suffers. We can no longer feel sorry for him; Those They suffer and, for them, time will be the only according to which death could not be considered an Above the despair produced by the eternal absence not even be taken into consideration… even Clerval said these things as we walked quickly through in my mind and I remembered them later, when As soon as the horses arrived, I jumped into the The trip was very sad. At first I just wanted comfort my loved ones, so sad; but as I also shortened my pace. I could barely bear crowded into my mind. I passed through landscapes that had seen for almost five years. How would everything enormous, sudden and devastating change had taken place; have produced other changes little by little, would be no less decisive. Fear invaded me; I was afraid hidden dangers that made me tremble, although I stayed in Lausanne for two days, unable the waters seemed calm; everything around was the "Palaces of Nature" had not changed. The heavenly landscape revived me, and I continued on the lake shore, and it became increasingly native. I could clearly make out the black slopes of the And I cried like a child. «Dear mountains…! How will you welcome your prodigal son? Your The lake is blue… Is this a harbinger of happiness I fear, my friend, that I shall be tiresome to you if Those were days of relative happiness, and I remember Who but one of your children can understand the your mountains and, above all, your beautiful sadness and fear invaded me. The night closed Seeing the dark mountains, my feelings became possible dangers and convinced myself that I was of all human beings. My God! How right I was in one circumstance only: that, in all the misfortunes not even suspecting even a hundredth part of the anguish that fate would force me to endure. CHAPTER 11 It was already dark when I arrived; the gates of Geneva were Secheron, a village located half a league and as it was impossible for me to rest, I decided to murdered; As I was walking, I saw a storm The rays made beautiful shapes and I climbed a hill The storm moved towards where I was, and soon I could rain, at first with thick drops, although it I got up and walked, although the darkness and and the thunder crashed with a terrifying crash. in the Jura and the Savoy Alps; violent flashes and illuminated the lake; Then, for an instant, everything darkness, until the eye recovered from the previous Often in Switzerland, it appeared in several places in It was located exactly north of the city, on the Belrive promontory and the village of Copêt. Another and another would get dark and sometimes reveal the Mole, As I watched the storm—so beautiful, I continued walking with a hurried pace. That noble I clenched my fists and cried out loud: "William, my dear elegy!" As I spoke those words, I glimpsed in the a group of trees that were nearby. I stood I was certainly not mistaken; A flash of lightning illuminated figure; and the deformity of his appearance, They confirmed who it was. He was the spawn, the What was he doing there? Could he be my brother's As soon as that suspicion crossed my mind, I came to My teeth chattered, and I was forced to The figure passed quickly in front of me, he was the murderer…! Nothing in human form that precious child. He was the killer! I That idea was irrefutable proof of the facts. but it would have been in vain, because another flash of lightning rocks from the almost perpendicular slope of Mount Salêve; I remained motionless; The thunder ceased, but the rain wrapped in impenetrable darkness. I thought Up until that point, I had just tried to ignore: creation, the result of the work of my own hands, alive Almost two years had passed since the night his first crime? My God! He had thrown into The pleasure was the murder and the crime, because… No one can imagine the anguish I experienced during the in the open air. But he did not feel the inclemency occupied in scenes of evil and despair. I thought of humanity and whom he had endowed with the will and like the one I had carried out, almost as spirit released from the grave and forced Dawn broke, and I headed toward the city; The towards my father's house. My first idea of the murderer and propose that an immediate I thought about the story I would have to tell. He from an inaccessible mountain with a being… which The story was completely inconceivable, and I knew told to me, I would have considered it the crazed The strange nature of the beast would allow it to elude believe and convince them to put it into action. Who could arrest a creature capable of climbing These ideas convinced me and I It was around five in the morning when I entered not to wake up the family and went to the library time they used to get up. Five years had passed—they an indelible mark—and now I found myself in to my father for the last time before my departure I had him left. I noticed a portrait of my mother, which historical, a portrait commissioned by my father, desperate with pain, kneeling beside the coffin of her cheeks appeared pale; but there was an air of dignity a feeling of compassion. Below this picture and tears came to my eyes when I stopped at it. He had heard me coming, and had hurried down to greet “Welcome, my dearest Victor,” he said. Ah, then you would have found us all happy so unfortunate that I fear only instead of smiles. Our father is so sad… the pain she felt for Mom's death, and poor Elizabeth Ernest began to cry as he said —No, no… —I said—, don’t receive me like feel absolutely devastated the moment my father after such a long absence. But misfortunes? And how is my poor Elizabeth? "He She blames herself for causing my brother's death, But since the murderer has been discovered… —Has Good Lord! How can this be? Who dared It would be like trying to catch the winds or hold "I don't know what you mean," Ernest replied. But we No one could believe it at first; and even now despite all the evidence. Indeed, who who had been so kind and loving to the whole —Justine Moritz…! —I shouted. Poor, poor But… it is a mistake; everyone about that. Nobody can believe it, can they, Ernest? but several circumstances were discovered which behavior has been so confusing and adds such relevance leaves no room for doubt; She will be judged today, She told me that the morning poor William's became ill and stayed in bed; and, several days While examining the dress she had worn the night of the murder, my mother, who until then was considered the motive showed it to one of the other servants, who, without He went to the magistrate, who ordered Justine's arrest. When confusion largely confirmed the suspicion. It was and I answered vehemently: I know the killer! Justine… poor, At that moment my father came in. I saw the sadness but he tried to welcome me cordially, and I would have talked about anything other than our —Good Lord, Dad! Victor says he knows "So do we, unfortunately," my father I would have preferred not to know rather than discover which he held in high esteem. you are wrong. Justine is innocent…! "If that she be found guilty. She will be tried today, and I Those words reassured me. I was firmly Justine, moreover, that no human being was guilty no circumstantial evidence could be produced and with this assurance, I calmed down, awaiting the trial with anxiety but not expecting a bad outcome. CHAPTER 12 Elizabeth soon joined us. Time had wrought appearance since the last time I had seen her. Five whom everyone loved and pampered. She was now of her face, which I found absolutely adorable. He has a wealth of intelligence combined with great They denoted an extraordinary sweetness, now penalties. Her hair was a dark reddish brown; light and graceful. He greeted me with all his affection. It fills me with hope. Perhaps you will discover some means My God… If she is accused of murder, who can as certainly as in my own. This misfortune Not only have we lost our beloved child, cruel will take this girl from us, whom I sincerely I will never know what joy is again. But they they will condemn her; and I will be happy again, "He is innocent, my dear Elizabeth," I and calm your spirit with the conviction —How good you are! —Elizabeth replied. Everyone and that makes me very unhappy; because I know others so decidedly predisposed against her He began to cry. dry your tears; If he is innocent, as you judges and my firm decision to prevent We spent a few very sad hours until eleven o'clock, Since the rest of the family was required I accompanied them to the court. During that whole torture. It was going to be decided whether the result of cause of the death of two of my loved ones: the first, happiness; the other, murdered in an even more terrible way, which could make that murder go down Justine was also a good girl and possessed qualities Now everything was going to be destroyed and forgotten A thousand times I would have confessed to the but I was absent when it was committed, and like the madness of a fool and could not even excuse Justine seemed calm. She was dressed in mourning; They had become exquisitely beautiful because of trust in her innocence and did not tremble, even though All the pity her beauty might have devastated by the memory of the enormity that she although his calmness was evidently forced; previously adduced as proof of his guilt, appearance of serenity. When he entered the courtroom, discovered where we were sitting. Tears But he recovered, and a look of sad affection seemed The trial began; and after the lawyer had several witnesses were called. Some random which would have amazed anyone who didn't have She had been out all night the and early in the morning she had been not far from the place where the body of The woman asked her what she was doing there... but she looked a confusing and unintelligible response. and when someone asked him where he had spent the night, and vehemently asked if anyone knew anything about the suffered a violent hysterical attack and had The portrait the maid had found in her pocket Outrage and horror swept through the courtroom as It was the same one he had placed around the Justine was then called in to defend the trial, his face had been changing. Surprise, now very evident. Sometimes she fought back He mustered all his strength and spoke in "God knows I'm absolutely innocent," he said. But I don't to say here: I base my innocence on the simple and I hope that the reputation I have always to a favorable interpretation where some circumstance He then explained that, with Elizabeth's permission, he had the crime, in the home of an aunt who lives in Chêne, league of Geneva. When he was returning, around if he had seen the child who had been lost. That scared Then the gates of Geneva were closed and she was forced a farm; but, unable to rest or sleep, he got brother. If he had come close to the place where the It was surprising that she had seemed confused when questions, as she was desperate for the loss miniature, could not give any explanation. —I specific circumstance against me - added the unfortunate I have confessed my absolute ignorance on the matter, assumptions regarding the reasons why that But here too I must pause. I don't think I have none who could have been so evil as did the killer put there? I am not aware of that he did it; and if I certainly unwittingly Why would the murderer have stolen the jewel if »I place my cause in the hands of the justice of the judges, hope. And I beg that some witnesses may be questioned and if their testimonies do not prevail over condemned, although I would prefer to base my Several witnesses who had known her for good for her; but the fear and aversion for the crime fearful and not very vehement. Elizabeth saw that his excellent and irreproachable conduct, was also terribly nervous, she asked permission to speak. "I am," murdered... or rather, his sister, because I was raised long before he was even born; so perhaps it is considered But when I see a creature like her being in danger Friends, I wish to be allowed to speak so that I can say I lived in the same house with her for five years at two. All this time he has seemed to me the kindest and last illness with the greatest love and attention, long and painful illness in a way that caused After that, she returned to live at my uncle's house, where He felt a very special affection for the child who had been murdered a very loving mother. For my part, I do not hesitate to bring against her, I believe and trust in her do something like that; And as for that nonsense that If he had shown any desire to have it, I would have given it Wonderful Elizabeth! There was a murmur of approval; intervention and not because there was a favorable Public indignation was unleashed again with renewed ingratitude. She was crying as Elizabeth spoke, and my anguish was indescribable throughout knew. Was the monster that had killed my In his infernal game, he had delivered that I couldn't bear the horror of the situation; and The judges' faces had already condemned my unfortunate The sufferings of the accused were not comparable But the claws of remorse tore at absolutely miserable. In the morning I returned to I didn't dare ask the damn question, but they of my visit: the votes had been cast, everyone was black, and Justine was convicted. CHAPTER 13 I can't even try to describe what I felt then. horror previously; and I have tried to express it Words cannot possibly provide an accurate idea despair that I had to endure. The person that Justine had already confessed her guilt. "That such an obvious case, but I'm glad you None of our judges like to convict a criminal even if they are as decisive as in this case. anxiety that would tell him what the outcome was. Imagine: all judges prefer that ten rather than allow a guilty person to escape; That was a terrible blow for who had firmly believed in his innocence. ever believe in human goodness? Justine, whom How could he offer us those smiles only to incapable of getting angry or being in a bad Shortly afterwards we learned that the poor victim had He didn't want me to go, but said I should decide "Yes," said Elizabeth; I will go, even if I am guilty; And The mere thought of that visit tortured We entered that gloomy cell and discovered Justine in a corner; His hands were chained and He stood up when he saw us; and when they left us alone Elizabeth, weeping bitterly. My —Oh, Justine…! -said-. Why did you take away the in your innocence; And although she was very —Do you also think I'm that evil? -cry Justine—. Do you also join my —Her voice trailed off between sobs. Why do you kneel if you are innocent? I am not one despite all the evidence, until I learned guilty. Now you say that all of that is false; that nothing, at any time, can break my trust "I confessed," Justine said, "but I confessed a lie." I confessed But now those lies and falsehoods weigh more May the God of Heaven forgive me! Since I was condemned, He threatened me and yelled at me until I almost that he says I am. He has threatened me with excommunication I persisted in my obstinacy. My dear lady, I had no like a cursed monster destined for ignominy and Out of weakness, I signed a lie, and —She stopped, weeping, and then continued—: that you would believe that your Justine, whom your The one you loved so much was a monster capable of could have perpetrated. Dear William, my dear blessed Heaven and Glory…! That consoles me, now that I —Oh, Justine…! —Elizabeth cried. Forgive moment! Why did you confess? Do not complain, my dear parts and I will get them to believe me. Even if you more than a sister… to die… No, I will not be able “Dear sweet lady, don’t cry…” Justine replied. about a better life, and lift my spirits world of injustice and violence. No, my good Elizabeth hugged the unfortunate woman. I fear this is such a profound and heartbreaking because there is no hope. May Heaven bless you, faith that lifts your spirit above this world. your nonsense! When one creature is killed, another's with slow torture, and then the executioners, with their who have carried out a great action. They call it Those words are spoken, I know that the worst and most that the most sinister tyrant has ever invented I know this will be of no comfort to you, my Justine, a hole as disgusting as this. My God! I would like My sweet William… far from this light that I find hateful Justine smiled languidly. It is despair, not resignation. I must not is teaching… Let’s talk about something else, something that During this conversation, I had moved where I could hide the horrible anguish dared to talk about it? The poor victim, who the border between life and death, I did not feel… My teeth ground together and I clenched them tightly, letting deep in my soul. Justine was startled. When "My dear sir," he said, "it is very kind don't think I'm guilty. I "No, Justine," said Elizabeth; He is more convinced That's why he didn't believe it even when “I really appreciate it,” Justine said. In these sincere for those who still think of me with kindness. for a woman as unfortunate as I! It almost relieves If I could die in peace, now that you, dear young lady, This is how the poor wretch tried to console He was even able to achieve the resignation he longed Long live in my chest the eternal woodworm that does not she cried and was miserable; but his was A cloud passing over the pale moon hides it for Anguish and despair had penetrated to the hell inside me that nothing could extinguish. We stayed and only with great difficulty did Elizabeth —I wish I could die with you! —he cried. I can't Justine assumed an air of joy, although she —Goodbye, my dearest miss, my dearest Elizabeth; goodness bless and protect her. May this be live and be happy to make others happy. When we —You don't know, my dear Victor, how much it has the innocence of that unfortunate girl. I could she would have been disappointed. In those moments when been able to endure for a long time. Now my heart But the one I considered kind and good My sweet cousin! Such were your thoughts, pure voice. But I… I was a monster, and no one could ever conceive the bitterness I suffered then. CHAPTER 14 When the mind has been intensely occupied Nothing is more painful than the deadly calm and prevents the soul from feeling either hope alive. The blood flowed freely through my veins, It crushed my heart and nothing could ease that pain. soul in pain, because he had committed evil and horrible and (he was convinced) he would still commit more, many more. and kindness. My life had begun with good intentions that I could put them into practice and become Now everything had collapsed. Instead that would allow me to review my actions with harboring promises of new hope, was overwhelmed and I gave myself over to a hell of infinite This state of mind undermined my health, which had been that had suffered. I couldn't stand anyone's presence; It was torture for me. Loneliness was my black, like death. My father watched with pain place in my conduct and my customs, and tried which meant surrendering to excessive pain. —Do You can love a boy more than I loved his eyes when he said that—; But… isn't it try to restrain ourselves and not increase their sadness duty to yourself; because excessive grief prevents you It prevents people from carrying out the daily tasks That advice, although it was good, was I should have been the first to hide my if remorse had not mixed its bitterness At that moment I could only respond to my get out of his sight. At that time we went I found the change particularly pleasant. at ten o'clock, and the impossibility of made our stay within the walls of Geneva my. Now he was free. Often after the rest I would take the boat and spend the night on the I let myself be carried away by the wind; and on of the lake, I let the boat follow its own course Many times I was tempted… when everything was who wandered restlessly and restlessly in except for some solitary bat or the frogs, whose harsh When I approached the shores... Many times, I say, I was and calm, so that the waters would swallow me when I thought of the heroic and selfless Elizabeth, whom closely linked to mine. And I also thought about Would not my miserable desertion leave them abandoned of the monster that he had thrown among them? At those and I wished that peace would return to my and bring them happiness… but it was not had been responsible for an irremediable evil and that I had created could perpetrate some new that was not over and that he would still commit some would almost erase the memory of his past misdeeds. As love, would always have reasons to be afraid. The can hardly be conceived. When I thought of him, blood, and he ardently desired to destroy that When I thought about his crimes and his wickedness, in my chest and exceeded all limits of the rational. highest peak in the Andes if he had known that he I wanted nothing more than to see him again: that way head and avenge the deaths of William and Justine. My father's life was deeply affected Elizabeth was sad and dejected; He no longer everyday; and any joy seemed sacrilegious to eternal pain and tears were the just tribute that destroyed and annihilated in that way. He was no longer wandered with me along the shores of the lake and She had now become a serious woman and often fortune and the instability of human life. "My miserable death of Justine Moritz, it is impossible he the same way as before. I used to consider that I read in books or heard from others, such as At least, they seemed very distant to me and But now calamity has come to our house and all of other people's blood. But I'm certainly that poor girl was guilty; and if she could have committed She would certainly have been the most depraved of having murdered the son of her benefactor cared for since birth and seemed to love I can never condone the execution of any human being, Such a being was not worthy of belonging to society. I feel like I was innocent. You are of the same opinion If a lie is so similar to the truth, who can I feel like I'm walking on the edge of a cliff toward beings that try to throw me into the abyss. William and pretending to be human; He walks freely in the world and die on the scaffold for those same crimes, I would I listened to his words with indescribable but yes indeed, the real murderer. Elizabeth Taking my hand affectionately, he said: Those events have affected me… God knows shattered like you… There is an expression of that makes me tremble; calm down, my dear Victor; don't worry. You will see how we will In our native country and isolated from the world, Tears streamed down her cheeks as she told me He promised me, but at the same time he smiled in such hid in my heart. My father, who saw the an exaggeration of the pain he must feel, naturally, suited to my tastes would be the best way for It was for this reason that we had moved to reason, now proposed that we could take a trip to the but Elizabeth and Ernest had never visited him; and see that place, which everyone had described to So, in the middle of August, almost two months from Geneva willing to make that trip. The It would have been one of those that can be scared That trip would certainly have achieved In any case, I was somewhat interested in the but it could not completely alleviate my pain. During the morning we had seen in the distance the mountains little by little. We realized that the valley we The Arve, whose course we followed, gradually We saw the immense mountains and cliffs and we heard the sound of the river roaring between The next day we continued our journey on mules; the valley took on a more beautiful and leafy cliffs in pine-covered mountains, the impetuous and there among the trees they formed a scene of singular to the sublime, when we saw the mighty Alps, whose They rose like towers above everything on Earth: We crossed the Pelissier bridge, where the and we began to ascend the mountain that towered above Chamonix. This valley is certainly wonderful and sublime, the Servox one, which was the one we had just left behind. But we no longer saw ruined castles or fertile were almost approaching the road; we heard the thunderous the trail of fog they left in their wake. Mont Blanc, It rose above the surrounding aiguilles, and its During that trip, I occasionally walked alongside Elizabeth wonders of the landscape. And I often forced my mule so to the sorrows of my thoughts. On other occasions to my travel companions, so I can forget about When I was a certain distance away, I would get out horror and despair. At eight o'clock in the evening we very tired. Ernest, who accompanied us, was delighted What bothered him was the south wind and the rain We retired early to our quarters, I don't. I remained for many hours looking out playing on Mont Blanc… and listening to the murmur of the Arve, which ran under my window. CHAPTER 15 The next day, contrary to our It was very nice, although the sky was cloudy. We on horseback through the valley until evening. Those all the comfort I could receive. They And although they could not dissipate my pain, they They also took my mind off the thoughts month. I would return at dusk, exhausted but less sympathy for what had been my custom for and Elizabeth, delighted. Do you see how much happiness you bring us when The next morning it was raining torrentially and mountains. I got up very early, but I felt unusually Old fears returned to my heart, and I This sudden change would displease my father, and I enough, at least, to be able to hide the feelings They would stay all afternoon at the inn; and, as I decided to climb Montanvert alone. I remembered When I was there for the first time, the sight of That time I was overcome by a sublime ecstasy that rise from this dark world to light and joy. The majestic in nature has always had the ability to make me forget the passing worries of life. I the road, and the presence of another person would The climb is very steep, but the path is cut climb those almost vertical mountains. It is a terrifyingly In some places you can see the remains of winter broken and splintered: some, completely shattered; rocky outcrops of the mountain or leaning and reaches a certain height, the path crosses stones are often continuously released and roll dangerous, because the slightest sound, even the one vibration in the air violent enough to who dared to speak. The fir trees here are neither an air of severity to the landscape. I looked down from the river, which crossed it, and rose in dense side, whose peaks appeared hidden by uniform from those dark skies and added to the melancholic feeling surrounded. My God…! Why does man boast of having It only makes them more needy beings. If thirst and desire, we could almost be free; but for every word spoken almost at random or for every We sleep, and a dream is capable We wake up, and a passing thought We feel, imagine or reason; we embrace beloved sorrows, or we It doesn't matter; Because whether it is joy or A man's yesterday can never be like his tomorrow; It was already noon when I reached the summit. rock from which the sea of ice was dominated. The surrounding. Suddenly, a breeze blew the fog away It is very broken, and rises like the waves and deep cracks open everywhere. That stretch but it took me almost two hours to cross it. naked and perpendicular. From that Montanvert was exactly opposite, at a distance Mont Blanc with its terrible majesty. I that wonderful and imposing landscape. The sea, or between the mountains that supplied it, whose Those dazzling, icy peaks shone in the Once sad, he was now filled with a —Wandering spirits, if it is true that you wander Grant me this small happiness or take me with I had hardly said those words when I suddenly spotted advancing towards me at superhuman speed. He which I had advanced with such caution; his seemed to far exceed that of an ordinary man. I was weakness was taking hold of me. The icy wind from the He realizes, as that figure came nearer and nearer which was the spawn that I had created. I trembled with rage and then face him in mortal combat. He bitter anguish mixed with disdain and malice. But and hatred had completely deprived me of all more furious insults of hatred and contempt. -Devil! me? Do you not fear that the furious vengeance of Get out of the way, you miserable vermin! Or better through the mud…! And… oh, I wish I could, with bring back to life those creatures "I was expecting this reception," said the demon. Everyone They will hate me, who am the most wretched of You hate me and reject me, your creature, to will be unleashed with the death of one of the two. so with life? Do your duty to me, and I will of humanity! If you accept my conditions, I will I will feed the jaws of death until it is satisfied —Abominable monster…! —I shouted furiously. You are Hell is too sweet a revenge for the crimes you reproach your creation! Come, so that I may extinguish My fury was unleashed. I jumped on him, They can arm one being against the existence —Calm down! I beg you to listen to me, my unfortunate head. Have I not suffered enough, I love life, even if it is only a succession Remember that you have made me more powerful than more agile. But I will not be tempted I am your creature, and I will always be faithful and if you also fulfill your part, with the Frankenstein…! Do not be fair to everyone else, and your mercy, your affection. Remember that I But, on the contrary, I am a fallen angel, whom you Everywhere I see a wonderful happiness from I was affectionate and good: misfortune wicked. Make me happy, and I'll be good again...! —Get there can be nothing between you and me. We are enemies. a fight in which one of the two must die…! —said that monster. Will there be no supplications that towards the creature that implores your kindness and My soul was overflowing with love and humanity; But… my creator, you hate me. What hope can I owe anything? They despise me and hate me. The desolate I have wandered through these places for many days. The my home, and the only place men do not wish because they are kinder to me than your of my existence, like you, I would take up arms Should I not hate those who hate me? There will and they will share my misfortune. But it is to all others from an evil that is just waiting for in the whirlwinds of his fury not only you and Let your compassion and your justice be my story! When you have heard it, curse me or that I deserve. But listen to me… Human laws allow that they may speak in their own defense before being condemned. of murder, and yet you would gladly Glory to the eternal justice of man! But I don't ask If you can and wish to, destroy the work —Why do you bring to my memory facts whose mere memory I am the sad cause and reason? —I shouted. Cursed be the curse myself, curse the hands that created you! You that no one can imagine! You have not left me the with you or not! Get out of my sight, get out of my sight! "The one you hate," he replied, and placed his hideous with violence—; But you can continue listening to me and I had it once, I beg you: listen to my story. It's It is not suitable for your delicate sensibilities; come high in the sky; before it falls and hides behind those You will have heard my story and you will be able to decide. the places that men occupy and I have to lead a quiet of becoming the scourge of your fellow men and And saying that, he set off across the ice. I didn't answer him; But as I went along, I weighed and I finally decided to listen to his story. and compassion finally inclining me to it. Until from my brother, and I was anxious for For the first time, too, I felt that and that before complaining about his These reasons forced me to accept his request. mountains that were on the other side. The air was cold, and the cabin… the monster with a satisfied air, I dejected. But I had decided to listen to him; He began to tell me his story like this. **** VOLUME II CHAPTER 1 Only with great difficulty do I remember All the events of that period appear to me to feeling overwhelmed me. I saw, felt, heard and smelled at time before I learned to distinguish the I remember that, little by little, an increasingly strong forced me to close my eyes. Then darkness enveloped felt this when, opening my eyes (or so I suppose new. I walked, I think, and descended; but suddenly I I was surrounded by dark and opaque bodies, inaccessible I discovered that I could walk freely, and that there were The light became more and more oppressive and I looked for a place where there might be shade. It By a stream, I lay down for a few hours and and thirst. This forced me to get up and abandon found hanging from trees or lying on the ground. I Lying down again, I fell asleep. It was already and you can say that instinctively I was almost Before leaving your rooms, as I felt cold, clothes; but they were insufficient to protect me helpless and miserable. I neither knew nor could understand Pain filled my whole body, I sat down and cried. Shortly heavens little by little and I had a feeling of pleasure. rose among the trees. I looked at her in wonder. and again I went to look for fruits. He was still I found a huge cloak with which I covered myself, and my mind; everything was confusing to me. I felt the light, countless sounds tinkled in my ears, and different All I could make out was the bright moon, Several days and nights passed, and the sphere when I began to distinguish one sensation from another. easily the clear stream that provided me with water I was delighted to discover for the first time that very which came from the throats of small winged animals I also began to see the shapes around me more from the radiant light that poured down on me. Sometimes of the birds, but it was impossible for me. Sometimes my way, but the unpleasant and incomprehensible It terrified me and brought me back to silence. to show again in a smaller form while I was then my feelings had become quite clear new ideas. My eyes began to get used to the light precise: he could already distinguish insects from plants I found that the sparrows hardly sang at all, except They were sweet and charming. One day, when had been abandoned by some vagrant beggars and I was filled In my joy, I reached out my hand toward the glowing of pain. How strange, I thought, that the same cause should I studied the composition of fire carefully that came out of the wood. I quickly gathered some they caught fire. I was saddened by this and sat The wet wood he had left nearby dried I thought about that; and touching the different branches, I amount of wood that I could dry and thus When night came and with it came sleep, I was I carefully covered it with dry wood and leaves, and then on the ground my cloak, I lay down and fell asleep. was to see how the fire was. I discovered it and a and I formed a fan with branches to fan the When night came again, I saw with pleasure that and the discovery of this detail was also I saw that some of the meat scraps that the travelers tastier than the berries I picked. the same way, putting it on the live embers. I but the nuts were much improved. Food, however, all day long searching in vain for a few acorns When I saw this happening, I decided to leave and look for another one where he could more As I embarked on this journey, I deeply regretted by other means and didn't know how to do it again. for several hours, but I was forced to give and, wrapping myself in my cloak, I went through I spent three days wandering along those roads and finally A heavy snow had fallen, and the fields were white and I soon realized that the white substance covering It was around seven in the morning and food and shelter. At the end I saw a small to welcome a shepherd. This was new to me, and with great curiosity. I found the door open, and entered. the fireplace over which breakfast was being prepared. He He gave a loud scream and, abandoning the with a speed that no one would have believed him His escape surprised me somewhat, but I was delighted Neither snow nor rain could penetrate; the a refuge as excellent and wonderful as Pandemonium after suffocating in the lake of fire. I eagerly devoured which consisted of bread, cheese, milk and I didn't like it. Then tiredness came over me, I It was already noon when I woke up; and, encouraged by the warmth Placing the remains of the peasant's breakfast in a fields for several hours, until I reached a miracle…! The cabins, the cottages and the farms, One after another, they aroused all my admiration. that I saw placed in the windows of some farms better houses, but I had barely set foot in the one of the women fainted. The whole town was until severely bruised by stones and many I was able to escape into the open field and, terrified, empty and miserable-looking, compared to the That shed, however, was adjacent to a very and pleasant, but after my last experience, I didn't dare to enter it. The place of but the ceiling was so low that he could only Anyway, there was no wood on the floor, and although the wind blew through countless cracks, against snow and rain. So there I went and shelter from the inclemency of the season and, above all, from the barbarity of man. CHAPTER 2 As soon as morning broke, I crawled out nearby and check if he could stay in located at the rear of the house and surrounded clean water. There was also an open part, through But then I covered with stones and firewood all the and I made it so that I could move it It came from the pigsty, and it was enough for Having covered it with straw, I hid, because I and I remembered all too well the treatment to trust him. In any case, I had previously provided which consisted of a crust of stale bread he had better than with my hands, from the clean water little raised, so that it remained perfectly dry; and the fireplace with the fire in the kitchen Thus equipped, I prepared to stay in that hut I could change my decision. It was actually a paradise (my first home), with the branches of the trees always of my breakfast with pleasure and when I was going I heard footsteps, and, looking through who was carrying a jug on his head and was passing in of gentle demeanor, very different from the farmers However, she was dressed very simply, and a rough dress; She had blond hair, which she wore in braids, resigned, and sad. He left, but a quarter of an now almost full of milk. As he was walking, and seemed He came out to meet him, and his face showed words with a melancholic air, he took the jug from She followed, and they both disappeared. Almost again, with some tools in hand, crossing and the girl was also working: sometimes in where he fed the chickens. When I examined my of my shed had formerly been part of a window covered with planks. One of them had a small, through which only the gaze could penetrate; Through whitewashed and clean but almost empty By a small fireplace sat an old man, resting disconsolation. The young girl was busy trying something from a box he held in his hands and sat down next He began to play and make sounds sweeter than the song a poor wretch who had never seen anything beautiful, The old farmer's silver hair and kind expression that the young woman's kind gestures awakened my which, as I discovered, brought tears to the eyes He didn't realize it until she let words, and the poor girl, leaving her work, knelt such kindness and affection that I had sensations were a mixture of pain and pleasure, such as I had never the cold, nor the heat or the food; Unable to bear Shortly after, the young man returned, carrying a bundle He met him at the door, helped him unburden himself, put it on the fireplace; Then she and the young man a large slice of bread and a piece of cheese. She pick some roots and plants; then he put them in water his work, while the young man went out to the garden, where After working like that for an hour, the young woman went to Meanwhile, the old man had remained thoughtful; He took on a more cheerful air, and everyone sat down The young woman busied herself again with tidying up the house; sun for a few minutes, leaning on the young man's arm. that existed between those two wonderful men; face that reflected kindness and love; The young man was by the most delicate symmetry, although her eyes and her unspeakable. The old man returned to the house; and the used in the morning, directed his steps to the To my absolute amazement, I discovered that farmers of candles, and I was pleased to see that the sunset seeing my neighbors. At night, the girl and her companions tasks that I did not understand at the time, and the the heavenly sounds that had enchanted me in the The young man began, not to play, but to utter sounds They did not remember the harmony of the old man's I understood that he was reading aloud, but at that words and letters. The family turned off the lights I lay down on the straw, but I couldn't sleep. I thought day. What caught my attention most of all were and I longed to join them, but I dared not. He suffered the night before from those Whatever conduct I might adopt in the quietly in my shed, observing and trying to The farmers woke up the next morning before the house and prepared the food; and the young man, riding That day passed with the same routine as All day long he was busy outside, and the girl was the house. The old man, I soon learned was blind, instrument or thinking. Nothing can compare to They showed that venerable old man. They showered small attentions of affection and duty, and he However, they were not completely happy. The They would move to a corner of their shared room and but that affected me deeply. If were unhappy, it was less strange that I, would be completely miserable. But… so unhappy? They had a beautiful house (or at least They had a fireplace to warm them when it was freezing They were dressed in excellent clothes; and, even more, conversation… and every day they exchanged loving then those tears? Would they really express to answer these questions, but constant They managed to explain to me many things that at first seemed enigmatic to me. CHAPTER 3 A considerable period of time elapsed the causes of the concern of that charming and they suffered this misfortune to agonizing limits. the vegetables from his garden and the milk from a when her owners could barely find food for unpleasantly the pangs of hunger, especially I have seen times when they have put food in front of That trait of kindness touched me deeply. I had provisions during the night, for my own sustenance; but when More suffering for the farmers, I abstained which he collected in a nearby forest. I also collaborate in their work. I noticed that the young man for the family home; so at night, he would I learned how to use them) and carried home enough I remember the first time I did that, the girl, She looked absolutely shocked to see a a few words out loud, and immediately the young I noticed with pleasure that he did not go to the farm and gardening. Little by little discovery of greatest importance to me. I to communicate their experiences and feelings to that they uttered. I realized that the words they smiles or sadness, in the thoughts and faces It seemed like a divine science, and I ardently desired that I did in this regard were unsuccessful. The words they uttered had no apparent relation able to find the key that would allow me to Trying hard, anyway, and after staying the moon in my shed, I discovered the names they gave in his speech: I learned and understood the words the names of the farmers themselves. The young woman The old man only had one, who was Father. The girl was Felix, brother or son. I can't explain the pleasure corresponded to each of those sounds and I was able words, although I was not yet able to understand or apply That's how I spent the winter. The beautiful customs that I became very attached to them. When they their joys. I hardly saw any other human beings with them; His rude manners and aggressive gestures only friends. The old man, I could see, often tried I discovered that this is how I sometimes called them, He spoke in a loving tone, with a kind expression Agatha listened with respect; Her eyes sometimes filled no one will notice; But I generally found that his having listened to his father's exhortations. He was always the saddest of the group; and even to more deeply than their loved ones. But if Her voice was more animated than her sister's, I could mention countless examples that, even if they of those charming farmers. In the midst He brought his sister the first white flowers that Before she got up, he would clear drew water from the well, and went to fetch firewood He always found that an invisible hand had During the day, I think he sometimes worked for a neighboring He would not return until dinner time, and yet he did not vegetable patch; But as there was so little to do in read to the old man and Agatha. At first perplexed; But little by little, I discovered that when spoke; So I thought he saw in the paper certain and I fervently wished to understand that too. understood the sounds for which those signs quite a bit in this discipline, but not enough although I put all my soul into the attempt: because I understood vividly show myself to the farmers, I shouldn't language; That knowledge would allow them not to focus And I had also realized this because of the constant I admired the perfect forms of my farmers… their elegance, And how horrified I was when I saw myself reflected in scared, unable to believe that it was actually and when I was fully convinced that I I was overcome by the most bitter feelings well the fatal consequences of As the sun began to warm a little more, and the and then I saw the bare trees and the black and the poignant signs of threatening As I learned later, they were very and they had enough. Several new kinds of plants They prepared and seasoned them to eat them; and day by day, as the season progressed. The old the days at noon, when it was not raining, for, as I discovered, its waters. This happened frequently; but a The season became increasingly pleasant. My life morning he spied on the farmers' movements; and work, I slept: the rest of the day I spent watching rest, if there was a moon, or the night was I collected my own food and firewood for the farm. necessary, cleared the path of snow, and carried Felix. Later I discovered that those tasks, carried deeply; and on those occasions, once or twice “good”, “prodigy”: but at that moment I did Then my thoughts became more active every day, and reasons and feelings of those charming creatures; why Felix looked so dejected, and Agatha so sad. It is in my power to restore happiness to those people or I was absent, the images of the venerable of the lovely Agatha and good old Felix. I who could be masters of my future destiny. I drew before them, and I thought about how they would receive me. I gestures and my conciliatory words managed to These thoughts excited me and forced me learning the art of language. My throat was quite It was very different from the soft melody of their voices, easily those words that he understood. It Anyway, the good donkey, whose intentions were good, deserved better treatment than beatings and insults. Spring completely changed the appearance of They seemed to have been hiding in their caves, in the different arts of agriculture. The birds branches began to sprout on the trees. Happy the gods, who a very short time before was barren, the charming appearance of Nature; the past I was happy and the future shone with bright rays of hope and promises of joy. CHAPTER 4 I hasten now to tell the most moving part that engraved feelings in me that, from what Spring was coming quickly; the weather and the skies were clear. I was surprised desert and dark will now burst with the most beautiful delicious and a thousand wonderful scenes It happened one of those days, when my work —the old man played the guitar and his children Felix seemed more melancholy than ever: he sighed constantly; and from his gestures I guessed that he was asking about in a cheerful tone, and the old man played the song It was a lady riding a horse, accompanied by a dressed in a dark suit, and covered with a thick The foreigner only answered by pronouncing, voice was very musical, but it was nothing Felix stood up and quickly approached the lady, who, veil and showed a face of angelic beauty and expression. like the plumage of the crow, and curiously although very much alive; His features were regular and charmingly rosy cheeks. Felix when he saw her, and any trace of who immediately shone with an ecstasy of joy, her eyes sparkled, and her cheeks flushed with excitement; beautiful like the foreigner. She seemed to hesitate Tears in those charming eyes, she held out her hand and called her, as far as I could make out, her sweet Arabic. smiled. He helped her dismount and, dismissing He and his father exchanged a few words; and of the old man, and would have kissed his hand, but I soon realized that although the foreigner was making her own language, neither the farmers understood gestures that I did not understand, but I saw that dissipating sorrow as the sun dissipates the morning and always addressed his Arabic with radiant smiles. He kissed the hands of the charming foreigner; and, pointing say that he had been sad until she arrived, or a few hours; I could tell from their faces that I suddenly realized, by the frequency with which that he was trying to learn their language; and could use the same methods to achieve the same twenty words in the first lesson, most of them, I had learned, but I took advantage of others. they withdrew early. When they parted, Felix kissed sweet Safie». He stayed awake much longer, From the frequent repetition of her name, I assumed conversation. I ardently desired to understand what they but I found it completely impossible. and, after Agatha had completed her labors, the Picking up his guitar, he played some which immediately brought tears of sorrow and her voice flowed with a sweet cadence, rising or falling, When he finished, he gave the guitar to Agatha, who simple, and her voice intoned with sweet accents, the foreigner. The old man seemed enraptured, and to Safie and through which he wanted to express The days now passed as peacefully as before, taken the place of sadness on the faces of my friends. She and I quickly improved our knowledge that within two months I began to understand Meanwhile, the black earth was also covered sprinkled with countless flowers, sweet glow in the midst of the moonlit forests; the nights became clear and soft; and my night For me, although they were considerably shorter late and the sun rose very early; because I never that I would be treated the same way I had been treated He spent his days paying the closest attention, because more quickly; and I can boast that I advanced who understood very few things, and while I understood and could imitate almost While improving my speaking, I also while they were showing them to the foreigner; and this opened The book Felix was teaching Safie Volney's. I would not have understood the intention of When reading it, Felix offered very detailed explanations. because the declamatory style had been developed in From that work I gained some basic knowledge the various empires that existed in the world; the governments and religions of the different nations the indolence of the Asians, the unsurpassed genius of the wars and the wonderful virtue of the early and of the decline of that powerful empire, and of the kings. I learned of the discovery of the unfortunate fate of its indigenous inhabitants. strange feelings. Was man really at so magnanimous and yet so vicious and vile? At and other times as the possessor of everything that A great and virtuous man seemed the highest honor To be vile and vicious, as it has been written that abysmal, a condition more abject than that For a long time I could not understand how not even why laws or governments were necessary; The wickedness and the crimes, nothing amazed me anymore, The farmers' conversations now revealed new attentively the lessons with which Felix taught system of human society. Then I learned about immense fortunes and extreme poverty, of families, The words made me think about myself. I learned Your fellow men were a high and immaculate You could earn respect with just one of those two of them, except in very rare cases, he was destined to spend his life for the benefit of a I knew absolutely nothing about my creator; nor anything owned. Furthermore, I had been given did not even have the same nature as man. a much more limited diet; I could better withstand suffered so much damage; and my height was much I didn't see or hear that there was anyone like me. a being from whom all men fled I cannot explain to you the anguish that those but the knowledge only increased my forever in my first forest, without knowing or feeling What a strange thing knowledge is! When it has been lichen to the rock. Sometimes I wished to shake but I learned that there was only one way and it was death… a state he feared, though he did not feelings, and I adored the kind ways and but I was excluded from any relationship with I sought to do so secretly, when no one saw me or knew increased my desire to be one more among my The charming Arab's funny smiles were not for The lively conversation of the enamored Felix Other lessons stayed with me, even of the sexes; and how children are born and grow; and the happy follies of the older of the mother are placed in that precious develops and knowledge is acquired; and I learned and all the infinite relationships that unite human But… where were my friends and relatives? No No mother had blessed me with smiles and caresses; It was now more than a stain, a dark void in which it was My first memory was that I was as I was at that I hadn't seen anyone who looked like me, or who What was I? The question came up again and again, I will explain later where these ideas led me; whose story ignited in me mixed feelings but they all ended in more affection because that's what I liked to call them, deceiving myself in an innocent and almost painful way. CHAPTER 5 It took some time before I learned my friends' cease to make a deep impression on my mind, all especially interesting and wonderful for The old man's name was De Lacey. He came from a for many years, in wealth, respected by his superiors He was raised to serve his country, and Agatha had A few months before my arrival, they had lived in surrounded by friends and enjoying all the intellectual refinement and taste, Safie's father had been the cause of her downfall. in Paris for a long time, when, for some reason I of the rulers. He was arrested and put in Constantinople to meet him. He was tried and sentenced The sentence was completely obvious. All of Paris was his religion and his wealth, and not at all the crime of which Felix was present at the trial; He could when he heard the court's decision. At solemnly to free him and then he set about After many unsuccessful attempts to discovered a heavily barred window in a poorly I saw the dungeon of the unfortunate [ __ ], who, loaded with chains, was desperately awaiting the execution of that barbaric sentence. Felix went He made the prisoner aware of his intentions to release He attempted to further inflame his liberator's zeal Felix rejected their offers with contempt. However, who had been allowed to visit her father and who, Gratitude, the young man had to admit that the captive the effort and danger he was going to run. that his daughter had caused in Felix's heart, and tried to grant her her hand in marriage. Felix although he saw that possibility as Over the next few days, as preparations From the merchant, Felix's enthusiasm was further kindled charming girl, who found the means to express lover with the help of an old man, a servant of his the most vehement terms, his kind gesture, and at destination. I have copies of those letters, because means to procure me writing materials, and often and Agatha. Before we part, I will give them to you; But for the moment, as the sun is already beginning to substantial part of them. Safie explained to him been captured and turned into a slave by the Turks. Safie's father, who married her. The young girl and enthusiastic about his mother, because, having been she looked subdued. He instructed his daughter in the to an intellectual height and an independence of who follow Muhammad. That woman died, but her in Safie's mind, which sickened at the thought of within the walls of a harem, only allowed to ill-suited the temperament of his soul, now emulation of virtue. The prospect of marrying a Christian Women were allowed to have a position in society The day was set for the Turk's execution; but the night Before dawn, he was already many He procured passports in the names of his father, the first, who collaborated in the trick by temporarily pretext of a trip and hid with his daughter in fugitives traveled across France to Lyon and where the merchant had decided to wait for a He could not deny himself the pleasure of Arab, who showed him the simplest and most tender affection. and Safie sang to him the heavenly melodies of relationship and encouraged the hopes of the young very different. He was repulsed by the idea that but he feared Felix's retaliation if he showed himself to be was in the hands of his liberator, who could where they were at that time. He devised a thousand deception until it was no longer necessary… and The news that arrived from Paris greatly The French government was furious at the prisoner's discover and punish the liberator. Felix's and Agatha were imprisoned. Such news reached your pleasant dream. His father, old and blind, smelly dungeon, while he enjoyed the freedom This idea tormented him. He agreed with the Turk flee before Felix could return to Italy, convent of Livorno; and then, saying goodbye to Paris and put himself in the hands of the law, hoping But he didn't succeed. They remained in prison for and the ruling took away their fortune and condemned They found a miserable refuge in a country house He learned that the treacherous Turk, for whom he and his Upon learning that his liberator had thus been had betrayed gratitude and honor, and had sending Felix an insulting amount As he said, to get some means Such were the events that embittered Felix's for the first time, in the most unfortunate member And if this humiliation had been the yardstick of of it. But the ingratitude of the Turk and the more bitter and irreparable. Now the arrival of When she heard that Felix had been deprived The merchant ordered his daughter not to think about to his native country with him. Safie's generous protest to her father, but he angrily dismissed A few days later, the Turk entered his daughter's had reason to believe that word had spread that quickly handed over to the French government. Therefore, to Constantinople, and would set sail for that city in a of a servant, so that they could leave later their riches, which had not yet reached Livorno. Safie that terrible situation. The idea of living in and his feelings were also opposed to it. For In her hands, she learned of her lover's exile and For some time she was undecided, but in the end some jewels that belonged to her and a small sum a native of Livorno who knew Arabic, and left for Germany. to a town about twenty leagues her maid fell seriously ill. Safie took care of died, and the Arab woman was left alone, without knowing the customs of the world. In any case, it fell into good hands. place they were going to; and, after his death, the He took the trouble to make sure that Safie arrived safely at her lover's farm. CHAPTER 6 Such was the story of my dear farmers. I description of social life that allowed me to glimpse I the vices of humanity. And, in the same way, always had kindness and generosity before me, encouraging joyful setting where so many admirable qualities In giving an account of the progress of my intelligence, early August of that same year. One night, nearby forest where I collected my own food my protectors, I found on the ground a leather bag books. I immediately grabbed the loot and Fortunately, they were written in the language and They were Paradise Lost, a book containing Plutarch's Possession of those treasures gave me extraordinary constantly exercise my intellect on those in their daily tasks. I can hardly describe in me an infinity of images and ideas, which more often they plunged me into the deepest desolation. In addition to the interest of its simple and exciting It shed light on what had until then that I found in that book an inexhaustible The kind and homely customs he described, combined which are expressed without any selfishness, with my protectors and the needs that But I thought Werther himself was the most wonderful never. His character was not pretentious, but he left about death and suicide seemed designed to completely judge the details of the case; However, I was whose death I mourned without fully understanding stories with my own feelings and with my situation. However, very different from those people in the observer. I sympathized with them and partly understood I did not depend on anyone, nor was I related to anyone. and there was no one to mourn my death. My appearance What did that mean? Who was I? What was I? Where I kept asking myself these questions, but I The book of Plutarch's Lives that I founders of the old republic. This book had from Werther's letters. From Werther's imaginations But Plutarch taught me the noble ideals: he raised reflections, to admire and love the heroes I read far exceeded my understanding and experience. of kingdoms and the vastness of countries, But I knew absolutely nothing about cities My protectors' farm had been the only human nature. But that book presented new and men who were dedicated to governing public affairs that a great passion for virtue was growing in the extent to which I understood the meaning and to pain, because in that sense he applied them. I ended up admiring peaceful legislators, such as Numa, The family life of my protectors will remain firmly rooted in my mind; if my been with a young soldier burning with desire imbued with different feelings. But different and much deeper. I read it, as I had my hands, like a true story. It stirred in which was capable of awakening the description of an I often compared different situations with myself, Adam, I was created apparently as I was, but living being; and his situation was different from hands of God as a perfect creature, happy, prosperous, of its creator. He was allowed to speak and acquire But I was a wretch, helpless and alone. in reality he belonged to the lineage When I saw the happiness of my protectors, Another circumstance reinforced and confirmed Before I got to the shed, I discovered clothes I had taken from your study. At But now that I was able to decipher the signs study them with interest. It was your diary of You described in detail in those papers your work; That story was mixed with some Do you remember those papers? Here they are. They All the details of that series of repulsive circumstances in sight. The most minute description of my odious language that describes your own horrors and I was getting sick as I read it. "Hateful is the day on "Damn Creator! Why did you form such You yourself turned your back on me in disgust? God, in more odious to the sight than the bitter apples other demons who admired and encouraged him; These were my reflections in my hours of dejection virtues of the farmers, their kind and good admiration for their virtues, they would take pity on Would they be able to close the door to a being that, and friendship? I decided at least not to despair, an encounter that would decide my destiny. I postponed The importance of getting out of that situation well inspired I found that my understanding improved so much with everyday that company until a few more months had Meanwhile, several changes took place in the among the inhabitants, and I also discovered that there They spent more time having fun and talking and some They looked rich, but they were content and happy. more miserable every day. Increasing my more clearly that he was an outlaw monster. faded when I saw my reflection in the water or moonlight. I tried to push those fears aside and strengthen to be carried out within a few months; and Without the restraint of reason, they wandered through the and charming people who understood my feelings and They offered me smiles of compassion. But it was all sorrows nor share my thoughts. I was alone. But… where was mine? He had abandoned me, and with Thus the autumn passed. I saw, with surprise and fear, that Nature once again took on the lifeless and desolate forests and the lovely moon. I didn't care about I am more prepared to suffer the cold than the see the flowers and the birds, and all the finery I turned my gaze to the farmers. His happiness had They loved and understood each other, and their joys, which by the events that occasionally occurred The greater was my desire to beg for their protection lovely people knew me and loved me, address me with compassion. I didn't dare think that contempt or horror. The poor people who stopped and It is true that I would ask for treasures more precious I was going to ask for understanding and affection, and I didn't believe I could be completely unworthy of it. CHAPTER 7 Winter was coming early and, since I woke up to life, stations. At that time my attention was solely at the home of my protectors. I went over countless I decided to enter his home when the blind intelligent enough to know that the abnormal ugliness horror for those who had seen me before. My voice, terrible. So I thought if I could gain the goodwill their children, I could perhaps in this way get One day, when the sun shone on the red leaves Although they denied the heat, Safie, Agatha and Felix The old man, of his own free will, stayed alone in guitar and played several sad and sweet songs, sweeter heard play until then. At first her face He sang, taking on a thoughtful and sad expression; and became absorbed in his thoughts. My heart the definitive moment, in which my hopes would be that was being held in the neighborhood. Everything It was an excellent occasion; However, when I was and I collapsed to the ground. I stood up again and, I moved aside the timbers I had placed in front It revived me, and with renewed determination I -Who is it? —asked the old man. Go ahead… I entered. “Forgive this intrusion,” I said. I'm a traveler, I would be very grateful if you would allow me "Come in," said De Lacey, "I'll try to find a way My children are not at home and, as I am blind, I find something for him to eat. “Don’t I bring food; All I need is a little I sat down and there was silence. I knew very However, I remained undecided as to When the old man addressed me: "From that you are my compatriot… Are you French? "No," French and I only know that language. Now I'm going whom I sincerely appreciate and in whose —Are they German? —asked De Lacey. —No… they’re thing… I am an unfortunate and abandoned person. I in this world. These good people whom I am going to visit my. I am overcome by a thousand fears; Because if I fail, "Don't despair," said the old man. Truly it is sad not Men, when they have no prejudices based on selfishness, and charity. So have faith in your hopes; And if those "They're very good," I replied. They are the best They are biased against me. I have good intentions; So far I have not harmed anyone and to some but a fatal prejudice clouds his eyes; and, where They only see a detestable monster. "—De Lacey replied—"but if you are truly —I'm about to attempt to accomplish that I feel overwhelmed by so many fears. I appreciate But for many months I have done them But they believe that I want to hurt them, and —Where do those friends live? —asked De Lacey. The old man paused for a moment and then added: "If details, perhaps I could try to disabuse them. I am blind and cannot in your words that assure me that you are sincere. but it will be a real pleasure for me to be —What a good man! —I exclaimed. I accept a lot. You give me new courage with your kindness, and company and understanding of my fellow men. were a real criminal… because that and not incite him to virtue. I am unlucky condemned, although we are innocent: judge, then, —How could I thank you, my best and only I hear from his lips the voice of understanding directed and his humanity assures me of success —May I know the names of your friends and I remained silent. That was the decisive moment when happiness forever. I struggled in vain the effort exhausted all the spirit I had left; And at that moment I heard the footsteps of my young Clutching the old man's hand, I shouted, You and your family are the friends I'm looking for! Don’t -My God…! —exclaimed the At that moment the door of the house opened, Who can describe the horror and astonishment they felt Unable to care for her friend, she ran out and with supernatural strength he pulled me away In a fit of rage, he threw me to the ground and was about to hit me again when, overcoming I fled the house and, in the confusion, escaped Damn, damn Creator! Why did I have to live? the flame of existence that you capriciously gave had taken hold of me; I only had feelings of anger pleasure the house and having killed its inhabitants… and having When night came, I left my hiding place and wandered to be discovered, and I was able to give free rein to wild beast caught in a noose, destroying everything through the woods like an old deer. Oh…! What They shone, mocking me, the bare trees said and here and there the sweet song of Everything except me was resting or rejoicing. I, and since I couldn't find anyone who understood to wreak havoc and destruction, and then But that was a cascade of sensations that could of physical exercise and I collapsed on the wet Among the thousands and thousands of men, there was help me… should I have any mercy for my I declared eternal war on humanity and, above all, thrown into that unbearable humiliation. The sun I knew it was impossible to return to my hiding thicket of the forest, and decided to spend the next The sun's rays and the fresh air of and when I considered what had happened at the farm, I have been somewhat hasty in my conclusions. He that my conversation had excited the father and my figure and terrorize their children. I should have familiarized little, having shown myself to the rest of the family presence. But I didn't think my mistakes were I decided to return home, look for the old man and, with These thoughts reassured me, and in the But the fever in my blood did not The horrible scene from the previous day The women fled and the furious Felix tore me from and discovering that it was already night, I crept out of my hiding place and went to look for food. CHAPTER 8 When I had satisfied my hunger, I directed my steps towards Everything was at peace. I crawled into my shed time when the family used to get up. The hour passed, but the farmers did not appear. I trembled misfortune. The interior of the house was dark and the anguish I felt in those moments. but, stopping near the house, they began to talk, They said, because their language was different from Felix appeared with another man. I was I had left the house that morning, and through his words, the meaning "Do you realize that you are going to pay three months' he—and that he will lose what the garden produces? I So I beg you to take a few days to think "It's completely useless," Felix replied, "we'll never be My father is in grave danger due to the horrible My wife and my sister will never forget Here is your property, and allow me Felix was shaking horribly as he said this. house, where they stayed for a few minutes, I never saw anyone from the De Lacey family again. of the day, in a state of inconceivable and stupid They had broken the only tie that bound me to the world. and hatred filled my chest, and I made no effort to control along the current, I let my thoughts When I thought of my friends… of De Lacey's and in the exquisite beauty of the Arabian, The copious tears calmed me somewhat. But then and abandoned, the fury returned; and since I couldn't any inanimate object. When it got dark, I placed and, after having destroyed all the fruits of the orchard, moon hid to begin work. As night from the forest and quickly dispersed the clouds It became more and more violent until it became a powerful in my spirit that broke all ties with reason tree and danced furiously around that beloved house, from the west, the place where the moon was going and I waved my burning branch; The moon disappeared, and the dry hay that he had placed. The wind ignited She was engulfed in flames that embraced her and licked As soon as I was sure that nothing could save even I left the place and sought refuge in the forest. would direct my steps? I decided to flee far from hated and despised, all countries Finally, a thought crossed my mind: you. From my creator; And to whom could I turn with more justice, Among the lessons Felix had taught Safie, geography I knew how the different countries of mentioned Geneva, the name of your hometown, and But… how was I going to find my way? I knew I had to destiny, but the sun was my only guide. I didn't know that would have to happen, nor could I ask I did not despair. I could only expect help from you, even hate. Insensitive and ruthless creator…! You and then you threw me into the world to the But only to you could I address my prayers, the justice that I tried in vain to find in My travels were painful, and the sufferings I It was early autumn when I left the region I traveled alone at night, afraid of meeting around me and the sun was no longer warm; The and found no refuge… Oh, Earth! How often The goodness of my nature was gone, and everything inside The closer I got to the place where you lived, spirit of revenge had become the owner of and the waters hardened, but I did not rest. Some good direction, but I often strayed far from the right rest. And nothing happened that my rage and misfortune But a circumstance that happened when I when the sun had already recovered some of its showing itself green, confirmed in a particular way He generally rested during the day and traveled find myself far from the reach of men. However, was running through a deep forest, I ventured to dawned. The day, which was one of the first of spring, beauty of the sun's rays and the sweetness of of goodness and pleasure that seemed to have died; I let myself be carried away by them and, forgetting happy. Tears of kindness again scorched my cheeks, moistened eyes towards the wonderful I continued winding through the forest where it was bordered by a deep and rapid river, into full of buds from the recent spring. There I stopped, when I heard voices that forced me to hide under the when a little girl came running to the place where if I were to run away to escape from someone. He continued when suddenly his foot slipped, and he fell into the With immense effort against the current of the river, I was senseless; and I tried by all means and when I was suddenly surprised by the arrival of from whom the girl was running away while playing. Seeing arms, and fleeing into the depths of the forest. But when the man saw that I was following him closely, he I collapsed to the ground and he, even That was the reward for my kindness. He had saved As a reward, I was now writhing in horrible had shattered flesh and bone. Feelings that had been harbored only moments before gave of teeth… inflamed with pain, I swore eternal But the pain from the wound overcame me, For a few weeks I lived a miserable life in that he had received. The bullet had pierced my shoulder, or had passed through it; In any case, I had no They also increased due to the oppressive feeling they assumed. My daily oaths cried out for because only in this way could he compensate After a few weeks, my wound healed, and I continued my Not even the gentle breezes of spring could All joy was but a mockery to me, insulting and made me feel more painfully that But my sufferings were already approaching I arrived in the outskirts of Geneva. It the outskirts of the city, and I withdrew to a to think about how to address you. I was and I felt too miserable to enjoy the sweet of the sun setting behind the imposing Jura Mountains. dream, which was disturbed by the appearance of a running with the playful joy of childhood. Suddenly, me... that that little creature would surely have little time to have been imbued with horror towards with him and raise him as my companion and friend, I would Driven by that impulse, I grabbed the boy As soon as he saw my figure, he put his hands in front of his I took his hands off his face by force and said to him: hurt you; Listen to me… He -Let me! -shout-. Monster! Horrid monster! You want to devour You are an ogre! Leave me alone, or I'll call my Father… You’re coming with me. —You hideous monster…! Leave me, leave me! My Frankenstein… Leave me alone! Don't you dare touch me...! to my enemy, to the one for whom I have sworn The boy still persisted and insulted me with despair to my heart. I grabbed him by the and a moment later he lay dead at my feet. I hellish storms filled my heart… and —I can also sow desolation. My enemy is He will sink into despair, and thousands upon thousands When I fixed my eyes on the boy, I saw something shining a very beautiful woman. Despite my wickedness, that portrait For a few brief moments I gazed with delight at her I was immediately overcome with anger again: I remembered that creatures like that could provide me; and that If I had looked at him, I would have exchanged that air of Is it any wonder that such thoughts I only marvel that at that moment, instead of useless exclamations and pain, I would not rush against destroy it. While I was feeling overwhelmed the one who had committed the murder and looked for a a woman passing by… She was young, certainly not as but of pleasant appearance and in the charming flower There was one of those smiles that are "He will not escape my vengeance; thanks to Felix's laws of men, I have learned how to do evil. I placed the portrait safely in one For a few days I was wandering around the place events, sometimes wishing I could see you, and sometimes miseries forever. In the end I headed towards these immense, consumed by a burning passion that only until you have promised to fulfill my requests. No one will want to be with me, but a woman as deformed That is the being you must create for me. CHAPTER 9 The creature finished speaking and fixed its gaze bewildered and perplexed, and was unable to order meaning of your proposal. He added: "You a woman I can live with, who understands in order to exist. Only you can do it, and I demand When he said that, I couldn't contain the —Of course I refuse! "I replied," and there's nothing You can make me the most miserable man on Earth, and become a despicable being before myself. so that your damn alliance destroys the world? Get answered. You can kill me, but I won't. "You threaten you, I am willing to reason with you. I am evil and all humanity hates me? You, my creator, would such a triumph. Remember that… and tell He has no mercy on me. If you were to throw me into the work of your own hands, you wouldn't even a man who condemns me? It would be better if we lived together Instead of harm, I would shower you with all imaginable But that cannot be; Human emotions are insurmountable I will not submit like an abject slave. I will avenge I will cause terror; and especially to you, my supreme enemy, eternal. I will endeavor to destroy you, and I will not consider heart and curse the hour of your birth. A diabolical that; his face twisted into grimaces that a human being could tolerate them; but —I was trying to reason… This obsession is hurting me, because because of its fire. If someone were able to that goodness doubled a hundred and a hundred times; only peace with all humanity. But now I'm fantasizing What I ask of you is reasonable and fair. I only demand like me. It's a small consolation, but that's for me. It is true that we will be monsters and that That is why we will feel closer to each other. We will no one and we will not suffer the misfortune that Please allow me to feel gratitude towards you for that prove that I am capable of inspiring the understanding of I was moved. I trembled when I thought of the but I thought there was some justice in his argument. now expressed showed that he was a creature of Should I not provide him with all the happiness that the change in my feelings and continued. —If human will never see us again. I will go to It is not like that of men; I do not kill a appetite. Acorns and berries provide me with same nature as me and will be content with the same. The sun will illuminate us like all You are excited. The picture I present to you is You could only refuse by using capricious You have been merciless to me, I see compassion in favorable moment and persuade you to promise "You have promised that you will leave the places live in the deserted jungles where the beasts You will be able to keep that promise of exile, you, who man? You would return, and seek his understanding, and Your evil passions would be rekindled, that would help you fulfill your desires of The monster answered vehemently: Just a moment ago you seemed moved by my pleas: why complaints? I swear, by the land I walk on, and If you grant me permission, I will move away from the presence wilder. My evil passions will disappear, because It will pass peacefully, far from everything, and His words had a strange effect on me. I I felt the urge to comfort him; But when I looked He moved and spoke, my heart became sick and my I tried to smother those emotions. I thought that even right to deny him the small portion of happiness "You swear you'll never harm anyone," I said, "but haven't Shouldn't I be suspicious of you? Isn't this I will be providing you with more -As…? —he exclaimed. I thought you had taken You refuse to grant me the only good that would If I have no relationships or affections, I will give myself over the reason for my crimes and I will become something daughters of a forced solitude that I abhor, and receive the understanding of an equal. I would feel in a link in the chain of being and events I paused for some time to reflect on everything he had employed. I thought of the promising virtues he and the subsequent ruin of all those kind the terror that his protectors had shown towards him. In nor its threats: a creature that could live hiding from their pursuers on the edges of inaccessible faculties that were impossible to cope with. After that justice owed both to him and to my fellow So, turning to him, I said: "I grant that you solemnly promise me that you will leave Europe, humans, as soon as I put in your hands the female "I swear," he cried, "by the sun and the blue skies of Paradise, you will see me again! Go home then and advance with uncontrollable anxiety, and don't worry, And saying that, he quickly walked away from me, I saw him descend the mountain faster than the view between the ripples of the sea ice. His story was over the horizon line when he left. immediately towards the valley, because very soon I heart was heavy, and he walked with slow steps. small paths, and setting my feet firmly as I advanced, in the emotions that the events of It was already very dark when I came to a resting next to the fountain. The stars shone from in front of them. The dark pines rose up in front broken trees lay on the ground; It was a landscape thoughts inside me. I wept bitterly and, —Oh, stars, and clouds, and wind… you all crush me and destroy me! And if not, stay away; They were crazy and desperate thoughts, to what extent the eternal twinkling of the stars gust of wind as if it were a frightful and It was already dawn when I arrived at the village of could hardly calm the fears of my family, all night, waiting for my return. The My father's intention with that trip had been to distract loss. But the medicine had proved fatal; and, that I seemed to be suffering, he hurried The calm of family life would gradually alleviate For my part, I hardly participated in all its preparations, Elizabeth was of no use in pulling me from What I had done to that demon weighed on my Dante's infernal hypocrites. All the pleasures before me as in a dream, and only that one as the true reality of life. Can anyone I suffered a kind of madness, or saw around inflicting on me incessant wounds that often made However, little by little, those feelings calmed If not with interest, at least with a certain amount of peace of mind. CHAPTER 10 Day after day, week after week passed and I didn't have enough courage to start the It was disappointing, however, I was unable to overcome I discovered that I was incapable of composing a woman without laborious tests. I had heard that an English philosopher whose knowledge would be very useful to me, and sometimes to visit England with that intention; but and I didn't decide to interrupt my recovered tranquility. resentful, had improved a lot; and, when the memory I was feeling quite excited. My father watched this change the best method to eradicate the remains of the and attacked me with its fierce darkness, At those times I took refuge in the most absolute lake, alone, in a small boat, looking at the clouds in silence and complete indifference. But the They often managed to restore my composure I responded to my friends' greetings with a more It was after returning from one of those Aside from that, he addressed me as follows: that you have returned to your old pleasures and it seems You are still sad and avoid our company. For about it and I couldn't even imagine what the cause An idea occurred to me, and if it is well founded, I beg Not only would it be completely useless, but it I visibly trembled when he finished that —I confess to you, my son, that I have always considered of our family happiness and the staff of my old age. You studied together and it seemed, given your characters for each other. But men are sometimes being the best to channel my plan may have ruined to a sister, without having in you any desire to make you have found another woman with whom you are in love; and, the future marriage with your cousin, that feeling —Dear Father, calm down. I love my cousin with No woman inspired in me, like Elizabeth, the My hopes and prospects for the future are based —My dear Victor, the confirmation of your greater joy than anything else has a long time. If that's what you feel, we'll be current circumstances may cast some sadness It has taken hold of your spirit with such force that I any objection to an immediate formal celebration of and recent events have taken away from us that family ailments require. You are young; However, having that an early marriage can interfere with any at the university or in public administration. In any happiness, or that a delay on your part would my words with simplicity and answer me, I beg I listened to my father in silence and for a I quickly went through a flood of thoughts My God…! The idea of an immediate wedding with my bound by a solemn promise that I had not yet fulfilled If I did so, how much unsuspected suffering could Could I celebrate a banquet with that deadly weight on the ground? I had to keep my promise: only then partner before I could afford to enjoy placed all my hopes for peace. I also remembered either by traveling to England or by starting a long country, whose knowledge and discoveries were indispensable This last way of getting accurate information Change would do me good, and I was delighted with the and with other occupations, far from my family; during that would give me back peace and happiness. I could Or perhaps some accident might happen that would finish forever. Those feelings dictated the response desire to visit England; But, hiding the true my intentions with the mask of a supposed desire to forever within the walls of my hometown. I presented and my father very soon agreed to my request… I don't or less tyrannical in the world. Our plan was immediately where I would meet Clerval, and then we would go down the in the cities of Holland, and we would in England. We would return through France. It My father was content with the idea immediately after my return to Geneva. "These and it will be the only delay that stands in the way May the time come when we are all together manage to disturb our family tranquility. Elizabeth and I will be more mature, and hopefully I sighed, but my father politely avoided asking the reason for my sadness. He hoped that from the trip they would give me back my peace of But a feeling came over me that filled me with fear leaving my family alone, unaware of the existence attacks, because maybe he would be furious when he saw that wherever I went: would he not come after me then terrifying, but reassuring in that The idea that the opposite could happen in which I was a slave to my creature, I only let myself and my feelings at that moment assured the devil would follow me and my family would be It was at the very end of August when I left the foreigner. Elizabeth accepted the reasons for my the same opportunities to expand their knowledge Anyway, he cried when he said goodbye and asked "We all need you," he said; And if you are I got into the carriage that was going to take me away without caring what was happening around me. I just more bitter, that I ordered my chemical instruments I decided to keep my promise while I was as a free man. Overwhelmed by all those terrible wonderful and majestic, but my eyes were I could only think about the purpose of my trip and After a few days in which I was plunged during which I traveled many leagues, I arrived days waiting for Clerval. Finally, he came; My God! What He was always attentive to everything; I enjoyed and he was even happier when he saw the sunrise and a colors of the landscape and the shades of the sky. —Now live! But you… my dear Frankenstein, Indeed, I was very busy with and neither did he see the appearance of the evening star And you, my friend, would surely have much more who observed the landscape with a sentimental and joyful a poor wretch trapped in a curse We had agreed to go down the Rhine by boat, from Strasbourg a ship bound for London. During that trip we some beautiful cities. We spent a day Leaving Strasbourg, we arrived in Mainz. The course picturesque. The river descends rapidly and but steep, and with beautiful shapes. We saw many high and inaccessible cliffs, surrounded by dark It presents a uniquely diverse landscape. At steep, ruined castles overlooking tremendous falling to the bottom... And suddenly, around the and populous cities emerge, and the meanders of a river landscape. We were traveling during the grape harvest we were moving downriver. Even I, with my spirit downcast gloomy feelings, even I could enjoy that. I I looked at the cloudless blue sky, and I was intoxicated dodges. And if those were my feelings, how can I describe transported to fairyland and enjoyed a "I have seen the most beautiful landscapes in my country," Uri, where snow-capped mountains plunge almost vertically black and impenetrable that make them gloomy and that soothe the eye with their cheerful appearance. I when the wind whips up swirling water and warns in the open ocean… and I have seen the waves break where the priest and his lover were buried by an avalanche their dying voices in the midst of the night blizzards. from the Pays de Vaud, but this region, Victor, The mountains of Switzerland are majestic and divine river there are charms like I have never seen before. and that other one too, on the island, almost hidden And now, look at that group of workers returning half hidden in the mountain ravine… Oh, surely protect this place has a soul more merciful in the glaciers or live on the inaccessible I smiled at my friend's enthusiasm and remembered They would have shone with joy at the sight of of those days was too painful; I enjoy a little peace, and that thought From Cologne we went down to the plains of Holland, and decided our way, because the wind was contrary and to drag the boat. Now we were arriving at a sandy and the wheels often sank into it. The the most pleasant part of the landscape. but we were often surprised at how impractical his order There was a windmill placed in such a way that the at one end of the path to prevent the blades from canals, where there was no room for more than another vehicle, which happened frequently, almost a mile, until we found one of the drawbridges where we got off with the carriage and waited for in the mud of their canals and hang it And when it's really hot, it's not easy to bear They are magnificent and the meadows are wonderful. It was a clear morning in the last days once the white cliffs of Great Britain. The banks They were flat but fertile, and almost every Tilbury Fort, and we remember the Spanish Armada; Gravesend, which I had already heard about in my country. In with St. Paul's towering above all the others, and the Tower, famous in English history. CHAPTER 11 So London was our destination; We decided famous and wonderful city. Clerval wished booming in those years; But for me that was concerned about the means by which I would obtain and quickly dispatched some letters addressed to the most distinguished philosophers place during my days of study and happiness, But a curse had fallen on my life, and I only to gather any information they could offer interested. Relationships with other people were let my imagination fly wherever it pleased me and so I could deceive myself with a temporary peace. They awoke a black despair in my heart. I saw an fellow human beings and I; That wall had been built with Those events filled my soul with anguish. But had been in the past; He was curious and eager The differences in customs that he observed were and entertainment. He was always busy, and the my sadness and my sad countenance. I tried since he should not take away the natural far from worries or bitter memories, she offers life. I often refused to accompany him, citing only. Then I also began to gather the necessary And that was like torture to me, like drops of Every thought I gave to it caused and every word he said about it made my After being in London for a few months, we received Scotland, which had once visited us in Geneva. He mentioned He asked if that did not have enough charm to north to Perth, where he lived. Clerval, enthusiastically, And I, although I hated any relationship with other and torrents and all the wonderful works that We had arrived in England at the beginning of So we decided to start our journey north On that trip we did not intend to go along the royal Oxford, Matlock, and the Cumberland Lakes, so this trip towards the end of July. I packed my chemical collected, and decided to complete the work in some We left London on March 27 and stayed a few days beautiful forest. For us mountain men, For us everything was new: the majestic and herds of lovely deer. From there the city. The university buildings were old and the landscape was beautifully arranged wide and placid pool of water and then runs towards presentation for several teachers, who received We found that the manners of that university But in fashion there is still a lot of intolerance and the intelligence of students and leads to in the conception of life. Many atrocities are still laughable for a foreigner, were seen in the university importance. Some gentlemen stubbornly insisted when the university norm was to wear dark but his students remained steadfast, Students were nearly expelled for this forced a notable change in the gentlemen's So, to our infinite astonishment, we topic of conversation when we arrived in the memories of the events that had taken place there It was there that Charles I had gathered his hosts; when the whole nation had abandoned him to join As we entered the city, the memory of that and the insolent Goring occupied all our thoughts, which was full of lawyers and students who those events. However, there are some vestiges time; Among others, we admire with curiosity the publishing of conflicts. They also showed us the building the discoverer of gunpowder, and of whom it was said wiser than that philosopher. The short, round-faced, He refused to pass the threshold, although we ventured and he probably could have done the same. Matlock, It was very reminiscent of the landscape of Switzerland; green hills lack the crown of the distant the pine-covered mountains in our country. We visited natural history cabinets, where the specimens are the Servox and Chamonix collections. That last and I hurried to leave Matlock, where everything From Derby, still traveling north, we spent two months place, I could almost imagine myself in the Swiss persisted on the north face of the mountains, the They seemed like familiar and dear landscapes to me. make me believe that I was happy. Clerval's His intelligence grew when he was in the company in itself a capacity and emotions greater he met less intelligent people. "I could And among these mountains I would hardly But he discovered that the life of a traveler, among His feelings are always in tension; and when he with which he has to leave in search of something new will have to leave due to other developments. We and Westmoreland, and we had barely begun We had to say goodbye to them to continue from the meeting with our Scottish friend. For my part, for some time, and feared the consequences if the stayed in Switzerland and had unleashed his revenge and tormented me in all those moments when, enjoyed the rest and peace. I waited for the letters I felt dejected and overwhelmed by a thousand fears; and when or my father's, I hardly dared to read them, for fear I thought that this diabolical being was following me and could When these thoughts plagued me, I never and followed him like a shadow to protect him from I felt like I had committed a huge crime, the I was innocent, but the reality was that curse, as deadly as that of a crime. I visited although that city could have captivated the interest of He liked it as much as Oxford, because the antiquity and the regularity of the new town of Edinburgh beautiful places in the world: Arthur's Throne, St. I was impatient to reach the final destination of We passed through Cupar, St Andrews and along the banks our friend. But I was not in the mood to laugh feelings or ideas with the good humor that is that I wanted to take a trip around Scotland by here. I'll be away for a month or two, Leave me alone for a while, and when I return, and more in line with your mood. Henry wanted so convinced, he stopped insisting. He "I would prefer to accompany you on your instead of staying with these Scots, whom and come back so I can feel at home, which is impossible if you're not here. CHAPTER 12 Having said goodbye to my friend, I decided and finish my work alone. I had no doubt that the monster ahead when he had finished, so he could pick I crossed the northern highlands and chose one of a very appropriate place for that task, because it They were cliffs constantly beaten by the waves. grass for a few starving cows and a little more than five people, whose emaciated and skeletal Vegetables and bread, when they could afford such They came from the mainland, which was about There were only three miserable huts, and one of them It had more than two rooms, and both showed all the The roof had collapsed, the walls were not plastered, I ordered it to be repaired a little, put some furniture would have caused some surprise if it had not been They were numbed by need and extreme poverty. In They didn't even notice me or bother me, and they barely To such an extent does suffering weaken even In that retreat, I dedicated the mornings to When time allowed, I would walk along to contemplate the waves that roared and broke at my always changing. I thought of Switzerland; It was so different hills are covered with vineyards and farms dot lakes reflect a delicate blue sky; and when the winds whip the play of a naughty child compared to the terrifying That's how I distributed my time when I This became more horrible and more detestable to me every to enter the laboratory for several days, and on other and night with the sole idea of finishing it once disgusting. During my first experiment, a kind at the horror of the work he was doing; my from my work and my eyes remained closed to doing it in cold blood, and my heart often In that situation, dedicated to the most detestable could claim my attention, apart from what resent. He was always restless and afraid. At harassed. Sometimes I would stand still with my eyes I was not going to encounter what I was so terrified my fellow men, lest when I was alone, companion. Meanwhile, I continued working, and I watched with pleasure the idea of ending The curse I was suffering was a joy One afternoon I was sitting in my workshop; The sun had moment beyond the sea. I didn't have enough light wondering if I should leave the task for that not for a moment in it. As I stood there, the concatenation the consequences of what he was doing. Three years way and had created a monster whose inconceivable had been drowned forever with the most bitter remorse. another being whose character was also completely unknown more wicked and evil than her companion and could She had sworn to me that she would stay away from and she, who would probably become a thinking fulfill a pact agreed upon before its creation. They may lived and hated his own deformity, would he not Did he see her reflected before his eyes in the form of a back to the superior beauty of man. Maybe she would turn alone, and would go mad at the new provocation of Even if they really left Europe and went They would have the intention of producing demons whose figure and mind would plunge just for my own benefit, to inflict this allowed himself to be convinced by the sophistries of the diabolical threats; And now, for the first time, the before me. A shiver ran through me at the thought were the plague, and they would say that, out of selfishness, at a price that perhaps endangered the survival and my heart stopped when I looked up illuminated by moonlight. A ghostly to where I was. Yes, he had followed me on my had hidden in caves or taken refuge in He came to see my progress and demanded that I keep my express the most inconceivable evil and betrayal. I to create another being like him and, trembling with The monster saw me destroy the creature of his future existence and, with a scream of I left the room and, closing the door, I swore undertake those works; and then, with trembling steps, There was no one near me to dispel the sadness and Several hours passed, and I remained by the window because the winds were silent, and all nature silent. Only a few fishing boats dotted the water, and of the voices when the fishermen called to each I was aware of its astonishing depth, until splash of oars near the shore, and a person Minutes later I heard my door creak, as very slowly. I was shaking from head and I thought of telling one of the peasants But I was stunned by that feeling of helplessness nightmares, when one tries in vain to flee from imminent Then I heard the sound of footsteps in the hallway, that I feared so much appeared. Closing the door, —You have destroyed the work you began… what do you I have endured calamities and miseries. I left the banks of the Rhine, between its small islets and many months on the moors of England and in the a tiredness you can't imagine, and cold and —Get away from me! —I answered. I break my promise! just as deformed and just as criminal! —Slave… reason with you once, but you have proven yourself I have the power; You think you are miserable, but daylight might be hateful to you. You are my “Monster,” I said, “the time of my weakness has passed, Your threats cannot force me to commit an in the decision not to create a partner In cold blood, to cast into the world another and destruction? Go away! I won't change my mind, and The monster saw the determination on in the impotence of his anger. and every animal has a companion… and feelings of affection, and all that came You can hate me, but be careful! Your hours and very soon the lightning bolt will strike you Do you think you're going to be happy while I You may deny me all my wishes, but revenge than light or food. And I can die, but before that sun that will see your misery. Be careful, because I am not watching, with the cunning of a snake, to bite you will regret the damage you inflict! and do not poison the air with your evil threats! and I'm not a coward to be scared by a "Very well," he said. I'll leave. But remember: I'll be with you on your wedding night! CHAPTER 13 I advanced resolutely towards him and death, make sure that you yourself are alive! I would and left the house hastily… a few moments that crossed the waters with the smoothness of Everything fell silent again; but I was burning with furious desires to pursue the the ocean. I paced up and down in my My imagination conjured up thousands of images before Why hadn't he chased him and engaged him in a had allowed him to escape, and had directed A chill ran through my body when I imagined who to his insatiable revenge. And then I thought again wedding night!» So… that was the deadline set At that moment, he would die and finally that monster That prospect did not inspire fear in me; However, in her tears and in her infinite sorrow when she realized lover in such a cruel way… the tears, the My eyes filled with tears, and I decided not to fall before The night passed, and the sun peeked out from behind If that state in which violent fury sinks into despair. I left the house, the ghastly scene and I walked along the beach by the sea, and I looked at it almost similar. Furthermore, the wish crossed my mind that I wished I could spend my life on that barren rock; daunting, oblivious to any fortuitous blow of misfortune. If seeing those I loved most die under the clutches I wandered the island like a lost soul, far from everything At noon, when the sun was already very high, a deep sleep. I had been awake all shattered and eyes swollen from wakefulness and and when I woke up, I felt as if I belonged and I began to reflect more calmly on what of that diabolical being continued to resonate in Those words appeared like a dream, although The sun was already very low, and I was still sitting who had become voracious, with an oatmeal cookie, land near where I was standing, and one of the men Geneva, and another from Clerval, urging me to meet him. a year since we left Switzerland and we still to leave my lonely island and join we could plan our next steps. That letter I decided to leave my island after two days. that I had to carry out, and which gave me chills chemical; and for that purpose I had to re-enter odious job; and I had to manipulate the utensils, sick. The next day, at dawn, I gathered enough The remains of the half-finished creature I had and I almost felt as if I had ripped apart the living recover and then entered the room. With trembling the room; but I thought I shouldn't leave the would horrify and make the peasants suspicious, a good quantity of stones and, putting it aside, I And in the meantime, I went back to the beach and was Nothing could be more absolute than the change the night the devil appeared. I had previously desperation, as something that had to be fulfilled, But now I felt as if the blindfold had been removed see clearly. The thought of returning to my by the head. The threat I had heard weighed on I could do nothing to get her out of my head. I To be diabolical like the one he had already done would be and I put out of my mind any thought that might Between two and three in the morning the moon rose, Inside a small sailing boat, I went out to sea absolutely lonely; Only a few boats were returning of them. I felt as if I were going to commit some dreadful any encounter with my fellow human beings. Then was suddenly covered with a thick cloud, and I took the basket to the sea. I listened to the bubbling as sky had clouded over; but the air was pure, although was getting up. But it revived me and filled me with such my stay in the water and, setting the helm, I lay They hid the moon, everything was dark, and I could cut the waves. That sound lulled me and I don't know how long I remained in that I discovered that the sun was already very high. A constantly threatened the safety of my little northeast and that I must have moved quite far from the the course, but I immediately knew that if I water at the moment. In such a situation, my wind. I confess I felt a little scared. I didn't have with the geography of that part of the world, so the wind could sweep me out into the open Atlantic and or I might be swallowed up by the unfathomable waters He had been in the boat for many hours and was beginning prelude to greater suffering. I looked up at the heavens, They flew with the wind only to be replaced by others. —Damn demon! —I exclaimed. Your I thought of Elizabeth, of my father, and of Clerval… terrifying that even now, when the world forever, I tremble when I remember her. But little by little, as the sun descended The wind changed into a light breeze, and but that gave way to a strong swell; I felt when suddenly I saw the profile of the mainland to suffering, that sudden hope of living and my eyes shed abundant tears. How Strange is that tenacious attachment we have to I prepared another sail with some of my clothing The shore looked rocky, but I clearly saw signs of crops. I saw Suddenly I found myself transported back to human civilization. landforms and I happily discovered a bell tower, behind a small promontory. As I was in a effort, I decided to head straight towards the where I could more easily get some food. As I rounded the promontory, I discovered I entered, my heart overflowing with While I was busy tying up the boat and lowering on the spot. They seemed very surprised at my appearance, They whispered and made gestures that at any slight feeling of alarm. But in such circumstances, They spoke English, and so I addressed them: "My Tell me what this town is called… and where I am? You may have arrived at a place that you don't like very where you would like to stay, I assure you. receiving such an unpleasant response I was puzzled to see the frowning and angry —Why are you answering me so abruptly? It is not the custom of the English to receive "I don't know what the customs of the English It is Irish to hate criminals. While that I noticed that the number of people gathered They expressed a mixture of curiosity and anger that I asked how to get to the inn, but no one and a murmur rose among the people as they followed unpleasant-looking man, coming forward, patted —Come, sir, follow me to Mr. Kirwin's house; —Who is Mr. Kirwin? -said-. And why do I Isn't this a free country? "Of free enough for honest people. Mr. Kirwin to report the death of a gentleman who was That answer surprised me, but I immediately and I could easily prove it. So I followed that the best houses in town. I was about to succumb Being surrounded by a crowd, I thought lest they take my physical weakness Little could I imagine the calamity that drowning in horror and despair all fear of because I need all my strength to bring to events that I am going to relate in detail. CHAPTER 14 I was immediately taken before the magistrate, with calm and affable gestures. However, he looked and then, turning to the people who had had been witnesses on that occasion. About and when the magistrate pointed to one, he said that with his son and his brother-in-law, Daniel Nugent, and A strong swell was rising from the north, and they very dark, because there was no moon; They did not dock in a cove about two miles further down. fishing gear, and his companions followed him the sand, tripped over something and fell to the ground and by the light of the lanterns they discovered To all appearances, he was dead. His first corpse of some person who had drowned and had surf. But after examining it, they discovered that it wasn't even cold yet. They immediately took him from the place and tried, in vain, to bring him back to life. He years old. Apparently he had been strangled, because black mark of fingers on his neck. had no interest whatsoever for me; but when I remembered my brother's murder and I got very nervous; the view, which forced me to lean on a chair with a penetrating look and, of course, drew The son confirmed the father's story. But when Daniel security that, just before his companion fell, a short distance from the shore; and, as far as same ship in which I had come ashore. A woman and was at the door of his house waiting for An hour before he knew of the discovery of the which was moving away from the part of the Another woman confirmed the story that it the body to his home. He wasn't cold, and they and Daniel went to the town to look for the Other men were questioned about my With the strong north wind that had picked up that I had been floundering for many forced to return to the same point from which he had left. would have brought the body from another place; and it was very could have entered the port without knowing the place where he had abandoned the body. He ordered me to be taken to the room where the body could be observed what effect the sight of it had I had shown when describing how the murder that such a procedure was proposed. So the to the inn. I couldn't help but be amazed at the place during that eventful night; but knowing I had been talking to several people on I was perfectly calm about the I entered the room where the body How can I describe what I felt…? I still feel like I'm dying that terrible moment without feeling chills and remember the dreadful torments I suffered when of the magistrate and the witnesses passed like a dream of Henry Clerval lying before me. I gasped for air; and, —My dear Henry… have my criminal schemes taken killed two people; other victims await their turn. My body could no longer bear the agonizing They were taken out of the room in horrible convulsions. on the verge of death. My delusions, as I later of being the murderer of William, Justine and to help me destroy the diabolical being that I felt the monster's fingers clutching my throat Fortunately, since I was speaking in my native language, But my gestures and my cries of bitterness were Why didn't I give in to death then? He was more So why didn't I sink into silence It snatches away from many children in the prime who adore them. How many brides and young lovers and hope and the next they were already victims grave! What was I made of that I could resist Like the constant turning of a wheel, they But I was condemned to live and two months from a dream, in a prison, lying on a miserable padlocks, bolts, and all the wretched apparatus of when I woke up in that state. I had forgotten the I felt as if a great misfortune had befallen and I saw the barred windows and the narrowness of the cell where my memory and wept bitterly. Those moans woke a chair, next to me. She was a paid caretaker, and his appearance reflected all those bad qualities His face was hard and implacable, like that of people show no understanding. His voice expressed absolute and in his words I could recognize the voice —Are you better now, sir? -said. I answered -I think so; But if all this is true, I regret being still alive to continue "If that's why," replied the old woman, "if you're I think it would be better if you were dead, because it seems They are going to hang you when the next Anyway, it's none of my business. They told me to take duty and I have a clear conscience; We would I turned my back in disgust on that woman who could insensitive to a person who had just been saved, but I felt weak and unable to think about everything life appeared as if in a dream. Sometimes I doubted because the facts never acquired in my As the images floating before me became darkness closed around me; I had no one around of affection; no loving hand comforted me. The and the old woman prepared them for me; but indifference in the first, and a grimace in the gesture of the second. Who could be but the executioner who was going to earn his But I soon learned that Mr. Kirwin had done They prepared for me the best cell in the prison (it and he was the one who had provided the doctor and He hardly came to see me, because, although he ardently Any human being would not want to witness the So he came a few times to check that he They were short and very occasional. One Little by little, they sat me down on a chair, like those of a dead person. I was overwhelmed if I should not seek death instead of waiting released into a world filled with misfortunes. I guilty and suffer the punishment of the law, which, consolation that he was able to admit. Such from the cell and Mr. Kirwin entered. His face revealed a chair next to mine and addressed me in French. —I'm Is there anything I can do to make you feel better? "Thank There is nothing in the world that —I know that the understanding of a stranger is struck down by such a strange tragedy… But place… because, without a doubt, evidence can easily the criminal charges against him… —That's through a succession of strange events, I have Persecuted and tormented as I am, and as I —Indeed, nothing can be more unpleasant and have occurred lately. By some amazing chance, well known for their hospitality. He was immediately and the first thing that came to his eyes in that atrocious way, and that some evil As Mr. Kirwin said this, despite the agitation my sufferings, I was also considerably seemed to have respect for me. I imagine my face did for Mr. Kirwin hastened to say: "It was illness when I thought I should examine his allow me to send your family a note explaining disease. I found several letters, among others, I immediately understood that it would be his father's. It's been almost two months since I sent trembling… You seem unwilling to —Not knowing what happened is a thousand times awful. Tell me what new death scene has taken place "Your family is all perfectly well," someone who loves you is coming to visit you. I don't mind, but it instantly crossed my mind of my misfortune and to laugh at me for the death to fulfill their diabolical desires. I covered my —Oh, take it away…! I can't see it! For the Mr. Kirwin looked at me with a disgruntled expression. He could be understood as a confirmation of my guilt, —I would have thought, young man, that your father's produce such a violent aversion in him. —My and every muscle in my body went from my father? My good father, my good father…! But… The change in my behavior surprised Perhaps he thought my previous exclamation was a immediately, he returned to his former benevolence. and a moment later, my father came in. At that as happy as my father's presence. I held out —So… are you okay…? And Elizabeth…? And Ernest? My father They were fine and telling me that they hadn't I had mentioned to him that I was sick. looking gloomily at the barred windows and the miserable to seek happiness, but fate seems to The name of my unfortunate murdered too big for my weakness to bear. —My God… yes, my father, —I said—, some and it seems I must live to fulfill it; Otherwise, he would have died on Henry's coffin. CHAPTER 15 We were not allowed to talk for long, as the precarious take all necessary precautions that Mr. Kirwin came in and insisted that my strength emotions. But my father's presence was and little by little I regained my A black and gloomy melancholy was taking over me that nothing ghostly image of Clerval murdered. On more than Those memories drove me and made my friends fear My God! Why did they persist in maintaining such a miserable that I could fulfill my destiny, to which I Death will silence these beatings of my heart and that sinks me into the mud; and when the sentence I will be able to give myself over to rest. At that time Although the desire to die was always present for hours on end without moving or speaking, wishing to destroy me and, in such destruction, also The court sessions of the region were approaching. and, although I was still weak and in constant danger one hundred miles to the county seat, where He was in charge of carefully gathering all the witnesses shame of appearing publicly as a criminal, before the court that decides the death penalty. The proven that I was in the Orkney Islands at friend. And just fifteen days after my transfer, I was upon seeing myself acquitted of the humiliating charges It allowed me to breathe fresh air and return to my because for me the walls of a dungeon or those of a life was poisoned forever; and although the Happy and joyful, I saw nothing around me that no light could penetrate, except the light of Henry's cheerful eyes, languishing in death, by the eyelids and the long eyelashes that bordered turbid and watery of the monster, as I first My father tried to awaken feelings of affection in we would return… from Elizabeth, from Ernest. But sighs. Sometimes, I actually wanted beloved cousin and return to the blue lake that but the usual state of my emotions the same as a palace in the most beautiful and such a state was often interrupted by At such times I often tried to put and this made constant attention and vigilance necessary horrible act of violence. I remember when I was "He may be innocent of murder, but he certainly Those words shocked me. Bad conscience! security: he had a guilty conscience. dead due to my hellish machinations. —And —he cried. Ah, father…! Let's get out I can forget myself, where I can forget My father immediately agreed to my wishes; and, we quickly headed to Dublin. When the freighter and I left forever that country that had been for if a heavy burden had been lifted from me. It was in the cabin, and I remained on deck looking at of the waves. I was grateful for the presence of that and my pulse beat with feverish joy when I thought The past seemed to me then a horrible nightmare; I was there, the wind blowing from the hateful They assured me, indeed, that I had not suffered any deceptive most beloved companion, had died, victim of my actions I recalled my whole life: the peaceful happiness the death of my mother, and my departure for the mad enthusiasm that had driven me and I brought to mind the night in which he the thread of my reasoning. A thousand emotions Since I recovered from the fever, I had acquired nights a small amount of laudanum, because only enough to keep living. Distressed by the double dose and soon I fell deeply asleep. of memory and pain; My dreams were filled with Towards dawn I had a kind of nightmare. I felt throat and I couldn't get rid of it. Screams who was always watching me, noticing my restlessness, which we were already entering. We cross the country to Portsmouth… and from there, mainly because I was afraid of seeing again those peaceful days with my dear Clerval. And I thought with people we had met together and who would undoubtedly A simple memory made me feel again everything As far as my father is concerned, his wishes and restored to both health and peace of mind. attentions were constant, my pain and sadness were At times I thought I felt deeply ashamed of a murder charge, and was trying to show —Oh, Father…! —I told him. How little you their feelings and their passions would be effectively could feel proud. Justine, poor, unhappy and was accused of the same thing… she died for it. And Justine and Henry… all three of them died because of statement during my imprisonment. When he accused give him an explanation; and at other times he probably of my delirium, and that during my illness some in my imagination, and that the memory of I avoided giving an explanation; I kept a permanent that had been created. I had the feeling that they would my tongue, when in reality I would have given the On one of those occasions, my father said to me with —What do you mean, Victor? You're crazy…? Don't say such strange things again... —I'm heavens who have seen me act can attest that I speak absolutely innocent victims… And they died because of my machinations! own blood, drop by drop, for having saved their I couldn't sacrifice the entire human race… to my father that he was deranged; so he to try to alter the thread of my thoughts. I wished, memory of the scenes that occurred in Ireland and never my misfortunes. As time went by, I in my heart, but I never spoke in that It was enough for me to be aware of them. With imperious of misfortune, which sometimes wanted to He became calmer and more restrained than before, as Even my father, who watched over me like a bird I thought that the black melancholy that had and that my native country and the company of my loved would restore my health and my former joy. We We immediately traveled to Paris, where my that we were detained there for a few weeks. In that city TO VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN My dearest friend: It receive a letter from my uncle dated Paris. You and I can count on seeing you within two weeks. My poor I'm afraid I'll find you even sicker than when terrible winter; But, although happiness has I hope to see peace in your face and completely deprived of peace and quiet. However, feelings that made you so unhappy a year over time. I would not like to bother you at this But a conversation I had with my uncle before his departure necessary before we meet. "An explanation?" "What could Elizabeth possibly have to explain?" If you really answered, and I have nothing more to do than sign very far away, and you may be afraid and yet grateful the possibility that such may be the case, I dare I have wanted to comment to you very often and have You know well, Victor, that my uncles always childhood. That's what we were told when we were young event that would undoubtedly take place. We childhood and, I think, good and sincere friends A sister maintains a loving relationship without desiring our case too? Tell me, dear Victor… Answer mutual, with a simple truth: do you love another? You have life in Ingolstadt; And I confess to you, my friend, Fleeing from contact with people and seeking only solitude that perhaps you regretted our commitment and that with the will of our parents, even if it was a false reasoning. I confess to you, my cousin, that I have imagined for my future you have been my faithful lover and mine too, when I tell you that our unhappy unless it was the result of the dictates Now I weep to think that, harassed as you are by by your word of honor, all hopes of love and happiness, to get you back to what you were. I, who I could be increasing your misfortune a thousand times Victor, you can be sure that your cousin and for you enough to make you unhappy. Be happy, my friend; You can be sure that nothing in the world will ever Don't let this letter bother you. Don't not even until you come, if it causes news about your health; and if I see even Whether it's because of this letter or anything else of mine, who loves you, ELIZABETH LAVENZA. CHAPTER 16 This letter revived in my memory what I had already He visited me in the Orkney Islands: "I will be with you That night that demon would use all his tricks to of happiness that promised, at least in part, to decided to complete his crimes with my death. a fight to the death would take place in which, and his power over me would be over. If I won, freedom—that which a peasant endures when his family His farm has been burned, his lands laid waste, penniless, and alone—but freedom at last! That would At least I would have a treasure, my God, that guilt that would haunt me to death! Sweet and dear and some tender feelings took to whisper to me heavenly dreams of love and and the angel's arm was already showing me that I would give my life to make her happy; If the monster However, I thought again that perhaps my marriage the devil had decided to kill me. Indeed, my death If my pursuer suspected that I was postponing my marriage would find other, and perhaps more terrible, means to would be with me on my wedding night. However, that that moment would come... because, as if he wanted to He had murdered Clerval immediately after I concluded that if my immediate marriage to my cousin was My adversary's threats against my life should In this state of mind I wrote to Elizabeth. My letter "My beloved girl," he said, "there is little However, all that I can enjoy resides in you. Only to you have I dedicated my life and my Elizabeth, a terrible secret. It will horrify And then, far from being surprised by my misfortunes, I will reveal this story of suffering and terror Dear cousin, there must be absolute trust between don't mention it or allude to it. I ask you with all About a week after Elizabeth's we returned to Geneva. Elizabeth welcomed There were tears in his eyes when he saw my I also discovered a change in her. She was thinner wonderful joy that had once enchanted me. But her made her the most appropriate woman for a However, the peace I was enjoying at that moment did were driving them crazy. And when I thought about what of me. Sometimes I would get angry and explode into fits I felt dejected. He neither spoke nor saw, but remained misfortunes that loomed over me. Only Elizabeth had the dejection. Her sweet voice calmed me when I was when I was sinking into apathy. She cried with He gently reprimanded me and tried to instill resignation unfortunates resign themselves. But for the guilty They poison the pleasure that is sometimes found Shortly after my arrival, my father spoke of I remained silent. —So… Are you in love with another woman? I think about our future wedding with great pleasure. Set and my death to the happiness of my cousin. —My Misfortunes have befallen us, but all To what we have left, and the love we felt to those who are still alive. Our family is small, but shared misfortunes. And when the passage of time worries will be born to replace those of which Such were my father's advice, but the obsess. And it cannot surprise anyone that, omnipotent diabolical in his bloodthirsty crimes, I almost since he had uttered the words "I will be with you threatening destiny as something inevitable. But death because it entailed the loss of Elizabeth; and so, I agreed with my father that the ceremony would ten days… and so I sealed my fate, or so I thought. imagined what the diabolical intentions of I would have preferred to leave my country forever, around the world, rather than consent to that unfortunate The monster had hidden his true intentions I was preparing my own death, I only managed As the date of our marriage approached, feeling of foreboding, I felt more and more dejected. of a joy that brought smiles of joy to my deceive Elizabeth's most attentive and discerning with quiet joy, although not without some and I was afraid that what now seemed like a certain suddenly in an ethereal dream, and will not leave a trace, Preparations were made for the who congratulated us, and everything seemed adorned It was possible, I hid deep in my heart the with apparent sincerity everything that my father as a backdrop for my tragedy. A house was so we could enjoy the pleasures of the countryside close enough to Geneva to visit my father inside the city, by Ernest, so that he could Meanwhile, I took every precaution to defend would like to attack me. He always carried pistols and ambushes, and so I managed to enjoy a certain As the date approached, the threat began It was worth taking into account, as it probably wouldn't while the happiness I expected from my marriage appearance of true reality as the day and I heard about it as an event that Elizabeth seemed pleased with the change she saw forced into a serene joy. But the day my wishes she was melancholic; A bad feeling came over her, and secret that I had promised to reveal to him the overflowing with happiness and, in the hustle and bustle of niece the modest shyness of a bride. After a big party took place at my father's house; I should spend that afternoon and that evening we would return. It was a nice day; and, as the wind Those were the last moments of my life feeling of happiness. We were sailing very We were protected by a kind of canopy, while Sometimes we turned towards one end of the lake, the charming banks of Montalegre and, in the the magnificent Mont Blanc and the whole group of On other occasions, bordering the opposite challenging with its dark slopes the ambition of anyone showing itself as an insurmountable barrier to I took Elizabeth's hand. If you knew what I have suffered and what I may still have the tranquility and absence of despair that "Be happy, my dear Victor," replied Elizabeth; I trust You can be sure that my heart is happy, even if Something tells me not to put too much hope in I don't want to hear those sinister voices. Look how fast darken and sometimes rise above the dome of Mont be even more beautiful. Look also at the countless fish where you can clearly see all the stones lying How happy and serene all nature seems! This thoughts and mine of any reflection but his mood was very fickle. Joy shone for but happiness constantly gave way to In the sky, the sun was setting; We passed in front through the chasms of the mountains and the Here, they come very close to the lake, and we were which form its eastern end. The Evian needle forests that surrounded it, and over the mountain The wind, which until that very moment had It turned into a pleasant breeze at dusk; the water and produced a lovely movement in a delicious perfume of flowers and hay floated horizon when we jump ashore; and when I stepped and fears were reborn in me, and that soon they were going to catch me and mark me forever. CHAPTER 17 It was eight o'clock when we landed; We shore, enjoying the changing lights of the sunset, and we contemplate the enchanting landscape They were hiding in the darkness, and yet their which had almost disappeared in the south, the moon had reached its zenith in the The clouds swept across the sky ahead of vulture and blurred its light, while the lake reflected and was further agitated by the restless waves a violent rainstorm broke out. But as soon as the night began to blur the outlines took over my mind. I was distressed and alert, gun that he had hidden in his chest. Every noise face my life and would not avoid the confrontation or that of my adversary, would be extinguished. I silently suppressed my concern for a —Why are you nervous, my dear Victor? —Oh, calm down, calm down, my love…! —I answered and then we can be sure… But tonight is horrible, I spent an hour in that state of nerves, and It would be for my wife to witness the fight that from and so I earnestly begged him to go to her until I knew something about my enemy. I was going back and forth through the corner that could serve as a hiding place for my consider the possibility that some fortunate prevented the execution of his threat, when suddenly It came from the room to which Elizabeth had I understood everything… My arms fell exhausted and from my body stopped; I could feel the blood creeping That state lasted only a moment, the scream the room. My God! Why didn't you kill me destruction of my most cherished hope and the death She was lifeless and inert, lying side to side pale and deformed, half covered by his hair. No matter image: her lifeless arms and her dead body thrown How could I see that and still live? My with more force where there is most hatred. So, all I When I came to, I found myself in the midst clearly a frightful terror, but the horror a shadow of the feelings that gripped me. I where Elizabeth's body lay… my love… my wife… My dear... my precious... They had changed her position seen; and now, as she lay, with her head on face and neck, you might have thought she was madly, but the deadly coldness of his body reminded arms had already ceased to be the Elizabeth that The murderers of that demon still remained on his While I still held her in my arms, in the look up. The bedroom had become almost dark, seeing how the pale moonlight illuminated With a feeling of horror that cannot be described, odious and abhorrent figure. There was a He seemed to be laughing at me as he pointed with his I lunged towards the window and, pulling the dodging me, he fled with a jump and, running with the Hearing the gunshot, many people I indicated where he had fled, and we pursued him with After spending several hours searching for him, we accompanied them believed that that figure had only After returning to land, they began to search the countryside, They scattered in different directions through the I was exhausted; a veil clouded my vision; fever. In that state I lay down on a bed, barely and my eyes wandered around the room as if they In the end I thought that my father would anxiously I would return alone. That reflection brought tears time. I thought of my misfortunes and their cause, and I and horror. William's death, Justine's execution, My wife's... at that time I couldn't even would be safe from the evil of that monster; My father under the murderous claw, and Ernest could be feel chills and brought me back to reality. I got Geneva as quickly as I could. There and I had to go back by the lake; but the wind was unfavorable Anyway, it was barely dawn and I would probably I hired a few men to row, and I took an oar It has always provided me with some relief from The pain I felt and the terrible agitation I suffered effort. I dropped the oar and, holding my head the sinister ideas that tried to assault me. They were familiar, from my happy times and which in the company of the one who was now nothing more my eyes. I looked at the lake, the rain had stopped for a just as she had seen them only a few hours seeing. Nothing is so painful to the human The sun could shine, or clouds could cover the sky… nothing The devil had snatched all hope of future happiness No creature had ever been so unhappy as were absolutely unusual in this world. events that followed this unbearable tragedy? horror. I have already reached the climax; find it tedious, now that I have narrated snatched away one after another, and I was I am very tired, and I can only describe in a few I arrived in Geneva. My father and Ernest were still the very painful news that I brought them. I can and wonderful. His gaze was lost in the void, because of living and his joy: his niece, who was more than all the affection of a man who, in the twilight He clings more fervently to those that He poured pain on his gray hair and condemned He could not live surrounded by the horrors He suffered a stroke and a few days What happened to me then? Don't know. I was unable to feel chains and darkness. Actually, I sometimes dreamed through flower-filled meadows and enchanting valleys; a dungeon. Afterwards, melancholy came over me, but of my misfortunes and my situation, and then they took and for many months, as I later learned, he had been Freedom would have been a useless concession for me if, would have awakened to revenge. While the memory I began to think about its cause… the monster thrown into the world for my own destruction. in it… and he ardently wished and prayed that he and indelible resentment on his damned head. Of a long time to a useless wish; I started to think hunt him; and for that purpose, approximately criminal judge of the city and told him that murderer of my family and that I asked him to exercise The magistrate listened to me "You may be assured, sir," he said, "that on my part no in the media, to discover that evil one. the statement I have to make. It is really such a strange I would believe it if it weren't for the fact that there is something your reality. The story is too well woven and I have no reason to lie. My gestures, They were vehement but calm; I had made the until death; and that purpose calmed my anguish I reconciled myself with life. At that time and precision, pointing out dates with certainty and without At first the magistrate seemed absolutely incredulous, He became more attentive and interested. Sometimes Absolute surprise, unmixed with disbelief, When I had finished my story, I said: to stop and punish with all his might. That is your duty feelings as a human being do not allow him to That request produced a notable change in the listened to my story with that kind of half-credulity tales of spirits and ghosts; but when he was He immediately recovered all his disbelief. In —I would gladly give you all the help I can; speech seems to have powers capable of defying to an animal that can cross the sea ice and live would you venture to enter? Furthermore, several months have crimes and no one can even imagine where he may have "I have no doubt," I replied, "that he is lurking If he had taken refuge in the Alps, they could hunt him to a beast of prey. But I know what you're and has no intention of pursuing my enemy As I spoke, anger flashed in my "You are mistaken," he said; I'll try; and if it You can be sure that you will receive the punishment which will be impossible, from what you yourself have While taking all appropriate measures, you —That's impossible! —I said angrily. But My revenge is of no importance to you; However, I confess that it is the only passion that devours I think that the murderer whom I myself threw into fair request. I have but one way, and I will dedicate I trembled with nervousness as I said that; There was a of that proud courage that, they say, for a Genevan magistrate, whose thoughts were occupied and heroism, that greatness of spirit was quite similar like a nanny trying to reassure a child, and attributed -Men…! —I shouted. How ignorant you are and Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about! Furious and mad, I went to meditate on some other course of action. CHAPTER 18 At that time, my situation was such that disappeared. I was swept away by anger. Only It shaped my feelings and allowed me to think that otherwise delirium or death would have taken Geneva forever. My country, which I loved when I became a hateful place. I got hold of a small that had belonged to my mother, and I left. that will not end until I die. I have traveled vast the hardships that adventurers often face I hardly know how I managed to survive; Many times on the same ground, exhausted and with no one death. But revenge kept me alive. I didn't When I left Geneva, my first task was to follow the trail of my diabolical enemy's steps. for many hours around the city, without should continue. As night fell, I found myself at Elizabeth and my father. I entered and approached It remained silent except for the leaves of the It was almost nightfall, and the scene would a disinterested observer. It seemed to me that the spirits air, around me, and cast a shadow that was of the one who cried for them. The deep pain that gave way to rage and despair. They were dead, his murderer and, to destroy him, I had to prolong earth and with trembling lips I exclaimed: kneeling, for these shadows that surround me, for I swear! And for you, oh Night, and for the spirits that diabolical being who caused this suffering, Only for that purpose will I preserve my life. To execute sun and tread on the green grass of the earth, always. And I call upon you, spirits of the dead, that you help me and guide me in this task! Let that feces the chalice of agony! Let him feel I had begun my oath with a solemnity and reverential They assured me that the shadows of my loved ones were But the furies took hold of me when I finished, the stillness of the night, a loud and devilish It echoed in my ears long and darkly; the mountains Hell itself would surround me, mocking and I would have let myself go mad and ended my I had sworn my oath and my life had been definitively fading away and then a disgusting and well-known —I'm glad... poor wretch: you've decided I ran towards the place where the voice came from, The enormous lunar disk lit up and shone upon while fleeing at superhuman speed. I chased persecution has been my only goal. Guided by a very slight Rhône, but it was all in vain. I arrived at The creature boarded a ship one night that was about I went after him—I knew which ship he had hidden I know how. In the uncharted lands of Tartary and Russia, was already following in his footsteps. Sometimes, the They informed me of their path; on other occasions If I lost track of him, I might despair and die, The snow fell upon me, and I saw the imprint of his that you are just beginning your life, and anguish, unknown, how can you understand what I Needs and fatigue were the lesser evils demon and I have to suffer an eternal hell in my followed and guided my steps, and when I most regretted seemed like insurmountable difficulties. Sometimes, collapsed in exhaustion, found a restorative It gave me back my strength and encouraged me. The food those regions; But I had no doubt that this had invoked to help me. Often, when everything was and my thirst was burning, some little clouds appeared in rain that revived me, and then vanished. Whenever rivers; But the monster mainly avoided them, because settle the rural populations. In other regions, and in those areas I generally subsisted on I had some money and I gained the friendship of the villagers meat from some animal I had hunted, which, after portion, I gave it to those who provided This is how my life was going on, in and only during sleep I felt a little When I felt most miserable, I sank into rest and ecstasy. The angel who was guarding me surely those hours of happiness in which I could gather Deprived of these moments of relief, I would have Day I was sustained and encouraged by the hopes loved ones, my wife, and my beloved country; I heard the silvery voice of my Elizabeth and could see When I was exhausted after a grueling march, I would and that night would come and then I would truly enjoy What an anguished longing I felt for them! How When they appeared to me sometimes, even and I was able to convince myself that they were still alive! The inner flame was extinguished in my heart, and I continued demonic more like a task that pleased the heavens, of some power of which I was not aware, but What did the one he was chasing feel? I can't written on the bark of trees or engraved in stone, "My reign is not yet over," read one of the that my power is absolute. Follow me…! I'm going in search of pain of cold and ice, which I do not flinch at. much, you will find a dead hare; eat it and you will death, but before that moment arrives, long That's how you mock, you damn demon! I swear revenge that I will make you suffer and kill you; I will never perish. And then, with what pleasure I will join my Elizabeth reward for my painful and horrible pilgrimage. The snows became more abundant, and the cold increased resist it. The peasants locked themselves in their huts They ventured out to hunt animals that had to look for something to eat. The rivers were covered nothing. The triumph of my enemy was magnified by the left said the following: "Get ready! Your sufferings Cover yourself with skins and stock up on food, for Your sufferings will satisfy my eternal hatred. My courage difficulties; I decided not to give up on my purpose; I advanced with irremediable passion and crossed immense in the distance and drew the last frontier of the blue seas of the south! Covered with ice, it could It was more desolate and more rugged. The Greeks from the hills of Asia, and celebrated with feverish But I knelt down and thanked my guardian angel, safe and sound to the place where, despite the threats shoot him down. A few weeks before that time I was able to cross the snow at great speed. I don't but I found that, just as I had been daily Now she was winning him over so quickly that when I first He had a day's lead and hoped to catch I continued without fainting and two days later I arrived I asked if they had seen that monster and gigantic, they said, had arrived there the night before. and putting to flight the inhabitants of a lonely appearance, had snatched all the provisions and putting them on a sled, he had attached to That same night, to the delight of the shocked and terrified across the frozen sea, heading nowhere; and they thought that ice or frozen in those eternal glaciers. Hearing attack of despair. It had escaped me; and now an extremely dangerous because of the mountains of ice that few human beings from that part can A man born in a kind and sunny climate would At the idea that that demon could live and Revenge returned, like a powerful wave, After a slight rest, during which the spirits encouraged to continue in pursuit of destruction I traded my land sled for one prepared for the After stocking up on provisions, I left the mainland. since then, but I have endured sufferings that except for the eternal feeling of just revenge Steep mountains of ice barred my way, and I often of the sea floor breaking, which threatened and the sea paths became safe again. Judging I have consumed, I would say that three weeks of travel They often drew bitter tears from my eyes. had taken hold of me and would soon have plunged me that the poor animals that were dragging me the top of an ice mountain, and stopped to rest—and from the effort, he died—, I could see distressed the my; when suddenly my gaze stopped on a dark my eyes to find out what it could be and uttered sled, dogs, and the deformed proportions of a excitement hope burned again in my heart! I quickly moved aside so that they wouldn't prevent me from They prevented me from seeing well, until, releasing But this was no time to linger. I unloaded the dogs generous portion of food and, after resting for an However, bitterly angry, I continued on my way. I never lost sight of him again, except for those some ice crag hid it from me with its annoying gaining ground on the object of my pursuit. And I saw myself no more than half a mile away. My Then, when I seemed to have the monster almost suddenly, and I lost all trace of him, absolutely, before. Then the sea was heard… The roar of The waves grew beneath my feet, each step becoming more but it was in vain. A blizzard arose; the sea an earthquake, the icy surface cracked and shattered Soon it was all over: in a few minutes, an enemy and me. And I was left floating on a fragment of The step became smaller and thus warned Several hours passed like this: several of my succumb to so many hardships, when I saw this anchored hope of obtaining help and being able to save one's north and I was truly amazed by such a vision. to build oars and with those means I was able, towards his ship. I had decided that if you were mercy of the seas before abandoning my purpose. to lend me a boat and some provisions with which enemy. But you were going north. I was brought on and I would soon have succumbed to the weight of death that I still fear, because my goal has not yet guiding me to him, will he grant me the rest I so long Swear to me, Walton, that you will not escape, that you will But… how dare I ask him to take charge of that I have endured? No, I'm not that selfish; However, If the heralds of vengeance were to lead him to where that he will not emerge victorious from all my misfortunes… and unfortunate like me. Oh…! He is eloquent and had some power in my heart… but I didn’t trust it. rotten with betrayal and diabolical evil… don’t listen Justine, Clerval, Elizabeth, my father's and the in the depths of his heart. I will be by your side and show you the way to steel. Walton's narrative continues August 26th You have strange and terrifying story, Margaret, and don't how does it freeze even me at this very moment? from anguish, he could not continue his story; On other uttered the words I have transcribed. Her They were kindled with indignation, now they were extinguished Sometimes he could master his gestures and expression, and he calm, avoiding any trace of commotion… and then, His face would suddenly change and take on an expression curses on the monster that haunted him. His story so that it simply seemed the truth; However, Felix and Safie, who showed me, and the appearance of convinced me more of the truth of his story than and coherent as they were. That monster is real, a little confused, and I'm torn between amazement and He told me the details of his creation, but on "My friend?" he asked me; "Where are you trying to get You are going to create a hellish demon for yourself questions? Calm down, calm down… Learn from my misfortunes, Frankenstein discovered that I was jotting down or taking and he himself corrected and increased them to give life and strength to the conversations he "You have some notes," he said, "I wouldn't want history So a week has passed, while I have been listening no imagination has ever concocted. My guest all the feelings of my soul have been caught has been encouraging with his story and the kindness How can I advise someone so miserable, of any hope and comfort? Oh no…! The only joy when he prepares his disturbed feelings Yes, he enjoys a small joy, the fruit of loneliness and conversations with loved ones in dreams, and derives Their misfortunes or courage for their revenge, these but the real beings who visit him from the regions a certain solemnity to his delusions, which I find almost Our conversations are not always limited to your own remarkable knowledge of literature and a quick and It is vehement and moving: I certainly cannot eyes when he narrates a pathetic event or when pity or love. What an extraordinary person If he is so noble and kind when he is much that is worth and the greatness of its "I felt like I was destined for some big company. But he possessed such balanced judgment that notable worth in relation to myself encouraged me in those for he considered it a crime to waste could be useful to my fellow men. When I nothing less than the creation of a sensitive and rational all other scientists. But that feeling that encouraged to sink even deeper into the mud. All my fantasies that archangel who aspired to omnipotence, now My imagination was vivid, but I also had a great conjunction of both qualities I was able to conceive Now, I cannot recall without emotion my delusions when sky in my dreams... sometimes exultant with my intelligence, its consequences. From childhood I conceived ambitions, and now I'm sunk...! Oh my friend! I wouldn't recognize myself in this state of degradation. A great future seemed to await me… until I fell, Am I going to lose this admirable being? I have could understand and appreciate me. And you see, But I fear I have gained a friend only to learn his with life, but rejects that idea. "I appreciate such good intentions for such a miserable relationships and new affections, do you think there that any man can be what Clerval was for Elizabeth? And even if affections are not due Our childhood companions always have an influence that hardly any other later childhood feelings, which, although they altogether; and can judge our actions with more suspect that the other person is deceiving or lying given in one of them previously; while another friend, You may feel, even in spite of yourself, the pang not only by kinship relations, but by themselves… my Elizabeth or Clerval's conversation are always and in this horrible solitude only one feeling I was engaged in a noble task or a project like, then I could live to carry it out. But and destroy the being to which I gave life; Then my September 2nd My I write to you surrounded by danger and I don't know dear England and to the dear friends who live that do not allow us to move and at every moment Men, whom I convinced to be my companions, I have nothing to offer. There is something terribly my courage and my confidence do not abandon me. We can of my Seneca and I will die with good spirits. you? You will not know of my death, and you will wait and sometimes you will fall into despair and my dear sister…! The painful disappointment of terrible than my own death. But you have a lovely May Heaven bless you, and allow you to be! My understanding, tries to give me hope and speaks It reminds me how often these incidents have the same seas. Despite myself, he encourages me They notice the beneficial influence of his eloquence It revives their courage, and they end up believing that that will vanish before the determined will and every day of frustrated hope only instills fear desperation leads to a riot. September Something so strange has happened that, although it is My dear Margaret, I cannot help but record it here. we are still in constant danger of being crushed in the and many of my unfortunate comrades have already scene of desolation. Frankenstein is getting sparkles in his eyes, but he is exhausted, and if he falls back into a complete stupor. I that he had on the occasion of a mutiny. This My friend's face, his eyes half closed and half a dozen sailors who wished to be received and his boss turned to me. He told me that he and his sailors to come on commission in order to demand We were trapped between walls of ice and But they feared that if the ice thawed, which I were bold enough to continue my dangers after having been able to happily overcome made a solemn promise: that if the ship was released, That conversation worried me. I had not not at all about returning, if the ice freed us. However, in my hands, deny them that request? I hesitated who had remained silent at first and, in fact, listen, he sat up. Her eyes sparkled, and vigor. Turning to the men, he said, “What your captain? So you abandon your work so expedition was glorious? And why would it be glorious? simple and placid like a southern sea, but because because with each new difficulty more of your courage… because when death and danger surrounded you would overcome everything. That's why it was a glorious expedition... From now on, everyone would greet you as benefactors They would be honored as those of brave men the benefit of humanity. And look at you now…! At At the first important and terrifying test to which You prefer to leave like men who do not have the All right, poor in spirit: "They were cold and returned Oh! We didn't need so many preparations for that far away, nor drag your captain into the you are cowards. Oh…! Be men… or be more than men! firm as a rock. This ice is not made of He is weak, and cannot defeat you, if you say he to your families with the stigma of defeat marked who have fought and conquered and have not known He said this in a spirit so appropriate to his harangue, and with a look full It was no wonder that those men were and were unable to answer. I spoke. I told them to back It had been said that he would not take them further I hoped they would think it over and regain my friend, but he had sunk into a deep stupor I don't know how all this will end. But I would without achieving my goal. However, I believe that such fervor, ideas of glory and honor never have the September 7th The I have agreed to return if we do not perish due to cowardice and lack of courage. I will return home without It takes more philosophy than I know to bear September 12th It's all I have lost all hope of being useful to others lost my friend. But I will try to describe my dear sister. And if the winds carry me to England September 9th: The ice began to give way, could be heard in the distance as the islands all directions. We were in extreme danger. remain passive, I devoted all my attentions to to the point that he always remained in and the icebergs were quickly carried northwards. precise quadrant… and on the 11th a passage to When the sailors saw it, and realized that the assured, they burst into cries of uncontrollable who was dozing, woke up and asked the reason to answer him. He asked again… “They are shouting,” I said, "So... are you really coming back?" «Well… your requests. I can't lead them into danger «Do it if you want, but not me. You may abandon Heaven, and I can't do it. I am very weak, My revenge will grant me enough strength…" And saying but the effort was too much for him; consciousness. It was a long time He often thought that life had completely abandoned He was breathing with difficulty and unable to speak. He ordered us not to disturb him. Then he told he didn't have many hours left to live. Thus I could regret it and resign myself. I sat by his and I thought I was sleeping. But then he called me with He said to me: "My God…!" The forces I trusted have abandoned and he, my enemy and my stalker, may still that in the last moments of my existence I feel of revenge that I told him one day; but I have the right Over the past few days I've been examining my past In a fit of passionate madness I created to provide you, as far as possible, with happiness but there was an even greater duty than that. more strength because the happiness or misfortune Pressed by this prospect, I refused, and was right first creature. He showed an unusual evil. He dedicated himself to the destruction of beings wonderful. And I don't know where that thirst for cannot make others unhappy, he must die. The but I have failed. On one occasion, when he was acting I asked him to complete my unfinished work; and I am induced to do so by reason and virtue. to his country and his loved ones to carry You are returning to England, you will have I leave to you the consideration of those details and as their true duties. My reason and my ideas are death. I dare not ask you to do because I may still be disturbed by passion. »It drives living to be an instrument of evil, and I await another for my release, the only hour of I can already see the images of my dead loved hug them. Goodbye, Walton. Seek happiness in tranquility the seemingly innocent ambition to excel what do I say that? I myself have failed in such His voice weakened further; and, exhausted by that About half an hour later he tried to speak again, and her eyes closed as a kind Margaret… what can I say? Can I make amazing? My God! Anything I can say would tears run down my face. But I am already traveling to I'm interrupted. What do those noises mean? It's and the bridge lookout barely That noise... and it comes from the cabin Frankenstein. I have to get up and go see what's My God! You don't know what just happened! I am seen. I hardly know if I will have the strength to tell The story I have transcribed so far would be incomplete I entered the cabin where the remains of my a figure for whose description I have no disproportionate and deformed. As he was leaning towards long strands of shaggy hair; but his outstretched because I don't know of anything else that could be similar He saw her come in, interrupted his exclamations I have never seen anything so hideous as his I closed my eyes involuntarily as I yelled Looking at me in amazement and then turning to seemed to forget my presence, although all his more violent anger. "This is my victim too," he exclaimed. Oh, Frankenstein…! Be generous and selfless…! Will that I killed you because I killed those you loved His voice seemed muffled; and my first impulse, dying friend and finish off his enemy, now seemed and compassion. I approached him, although I didn't terrifying and superhuman in its horrendous ugliness. on my lips. The monster continued blaming himself and reproaching I said, "Your repentance is of no use now. Before you had carried your diabolical revenge to this "Do you think I was insensitive said that demonic being. "He," he added, "He has not suffered more in the consummation of the A terrible selfishness animated me, while my heart Do you think Clerval's moans were music to and understanding; and when misfortunes pushed me the violence of change without suffering such When Clerval died, I returned to Switzerland, compassion for Frankenstein and his bitter I hated myself. But when I saw that he who while heaping misfortunes and despair feelings and passions that were absolutely forbidden indignation and thirst for revenge. I remembered my threat died… no, at that moment I didn't regret it… distress. I enjoyed myself madly in my absolute I decided to conclude my diabolical plan. And I was moved by the lamentations for their misfortunes, regarding his eloquence and his persuasiveness; At the remains of my friend, my indignation So you come here to whine about the misfortunes torch in the middle of a village, and when it has ruins and you regret that they have burned… Damned If he were alive, you would continue to harass and persecute What you feel… is only sorrow because your "That's not it…" said the demonic spawn, that you have of me, because such seems to have been the No one who understands my misfortune… I know it absolutely and I will be able to find. When I sought her, at first, I only feelings of happiness and joy. But now that and happiness and joy have turned into despair, comprehension? No… I am content to suffer alone, as I will accept that hatred and disgrace rest upon He delighted in dreams of virtue, fame, and that, ignoring my external appearance, he would appreciate me At that time I was filled with the high ideals Vileness has sunk me into a beastly vermin… to mine; and when I look back over the horrendous I am he whose thoughts were once animated visions of love and beauty. But that's how it is. But he… even he, the enemy of man, had friends "You, who call yourself a friend of Frankenstein, seem to know In the account he may have given you of my sufferings, hours and months of misery I have endured while Because when I destroyed their future, who were as fiery and devouring as ever. I still and they always looked down on me. Wasn't this when all humanity has sinned against me? Why his house to whom he truly appreciated? Or why don't who saved his daughter? No, of course not: they are the miserable and the downtrodden, I am only beaten and hated! Even now my blood boils "But it's true that I'm a miserable person. I have destroyed everything innocents while they slept and I have strangled damage. I have led my creator to suffering But his hatred cannot even compare I look at the hands that committed these acts, and I hate myself. Fear not: I will do no more I don't need you or anyone else to consummate it, I'm enough carried out the sacrifice. I will abandon your ship; I will look for the northernmost tip of land that funeral pile and I will be consumed in ashes, no curious and naive wretch who can be capable I will die. I will no longer feel the anguish that dissatisfied and yet eternal. He who created from me will die forever. I will never see the sun on the face. Light, feelings and reason will Some years ago, when the images of the world when I felt the joyful warmth of summer and heard the the birds, and that was all to me, I would have comfort. Mired in crime and corroded will I be able to find rest, except in death? "Bye that my eyes see. And goodbye, Frankenstein! If in This would be more satisfied if I continued living You wished for my utter destruction so that I could and now you would only wish for him to live so that he would My agony is greater than yours, because my wounds and tortures me to madness. "But hands, "and what I feel now I will no longer painful wounds… will no longer exist. I and the flames that consume my body And after saying that, he jumped out an ice floe that remained next to the ship; and The waves carried him away, and very soon he was lost Thank you for sharing this moment Tells you". If you want to express your opinion do in the video comments. And I also invite pleasant moment and want to hear more stories, subscribe to the channel.