Introduction near the lake. It was a very wet summer.

They could not go out for walks, or go

sailing on the lake. So to amuse themselves, the friends told stories. Frightening
Success! The body was moving. After years of work, here was a human life! I stories were very popular at that time. Late one night, Byron suggested a game. Who
looked at him. How can I describe my feelings? The man was terribly ugly. He could write the most interesting horror story ?
had thick black hair and white teeth, but his skin was yellow and dry. His eyes were Mary's story was the best, and it became famous later as the book Frankenstein.
very pale. He was a monster. The book was a big success for the young writer. People were very surprised that it
was written by a young woman.
If you say the name Frankenstein, people immediately think of a large, ugly When Mary Shelley wrote her book, she was living in Switzerland. She described
monster. A terrible monster that kills people. But the monster in this story does not the beautiful mountains, and the glacier, the 'Sea of Ice', in her story. These places
have a name — Frankenstein is the name of a young scientist. He learns the secret are now very popular for holidays. But when she was in Switzerland, there were no
of life and creates a monster from parts of dead bodies. The monster is clever and trains or buses. It was not easy to travel through the mountains. It was slow and
strong. At first he looks for love and wants to be kind. But he is also very large and uncomfortable, and the roads were very steep.
very ugly. When people see him, they fear and hate him. Soon, the monster Mary Shelley learned a lot from her father's ideas and from all the books that she
learns to hate people and he becomes evil. Terrible things happen. Frankenstein read. She put these ideas into her story. She wanted to show that the monster was
has learned how to create life. But will this life destroy him ? good at first. He became evil because people were stupid and unkind. The story
The story of Frankenstein is known all over the world. A lot of film makers also shows that scientific work can be very, very dangerous.
have taken ideas from the story. Sometimes, writers have changed the story,
making it even more frightening. But the scientist and his terrible creation are
always at the centre of the story.
Frankenstein is probably the most famous horror story in the world. The book
was the work of a young woman called Mary Shelley. She wrote it in the summer
of 1816, when she was only nineteen years old.

Mary Shelley was born in 1797. Her parents were both famous writers and
thinkers. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, died when she was a baby. She
wrote an important book about the position of women. Mary's father, William
Godwin, believed that people are not bad. They be come bad because bad things
happen to them. If people learn about evil, they become evil. Mary’ father was her
teacher, and she agreed with a lot of his ideas. father was her teacher, and she
agreed with a lot of his ideas.
At that time, people were also learning a lot of new things about science. They
were, for example, discovering something very important called electricity. Perhaps
this was the secret of life? Mary Shelley read and talked about these new ideas with
her father and her friends.
In May 1814, Mary met Percy Bysshe Shelley. Shelley later became a popular
English writer, and his poems are very famous. He and Mary fell in love, and two
months later Mary left England with him. They travelled around Europe together.
When Shelley's first wife died, in December 1816, he married Mary.
Mary and Shelley spent the summer of 1816 in Switzerland, at Lake Geneva. They
were very happy there. Another friend of theirs, Byron, was also staying at a house

1
 The First Letter Chapter 1 Young Frankenstein

My dear sister Margaret My name is Victor Frankenstein. I come from Geneva, in Switzerland, and my
I am writing to you from my ship. We have travelled a long way, and we are family is one of the most important in that country. When I was very young, my
now in the far north. It has been a difficult and dangerous journey, but we are safe. parents travelled a lot. I was their only child, and they took me with them. My
There is ice all around the ship and it is very cold. We are waiting for an parents were kind and they loved me very much. My earliest memories are happy
improvement in the weather before we continue. ones.
I have something interesting to tell you. A few days ago, we found a man in the When I was about five years old, we stayed for a week at Lake Como in Italy.
sea. He was travelling across the ice, but his dogs died. He was alone. We were My mother was a kind woman and visited a poor family on a farm. They had five
hundreds of miles from land, so we were very surprised. children. Four had dark hair like the man and his wife but the other child, a girl,
'Where are you going?' he asked. He was from a foreign country, but he had fair hair and looked quite different. The farmers wife told my mother the
spoke in English. I told him about our journey to the North Pole*. child's history.
The man climbed onto the ship. He was half-dead with cold and tiredness. He The girl's name was Elizabeth Lavenza, and she was the daughter of a rich
was thin and ill and could not say very much. We took him to the kitchen so he man from Milan. Her mother died when she was born. Elizabeth's father died too,
could warm himself. The poor man was completely frozen. We gave him dry, trying to free his country from a bad government. He lost everything — his house
warm clothes. Then he ate some soup and slept. and his money. It was all taken away. His child was left with this family.
Now our strange visitor feels better. He is a very interesting man, but he is very My mother wanted to have another child very much. And she wanted a
unhappy. He wants to come to the North Pole with us. He often looks out into the daughter. When she saw Elizabeth, she loved her immediately. She wanted to
water. He is looking for something — or somebody. I do not know who he is. But bring Elizabeth up as her own child. She talked to the farmer and his wife about
I can see that he has suffered terribly. His eyes are sad and sometimes he seems her idea. The farmer and his wife loved the girl, but they agreed. They were not
quite crazy. rich. They wanted Elizabeth to have a good life. So they agreed that the child
At first, I did not want to ask him too many questions. He seemed very could live with us.
nervous. Then, when he was not so hungry and cold, we had some interesting Everyone loved Elizabeth. She and I were brought up together, and she
conversations. I started to like the man and I wanted to be his friend. He has a was like a sister to me. We were good friends and never fought. The differences
quick and intelligent mind. I told him a little about myself. He knows now that I between us brought us closer together. Elizabeth was calm and happy. She
left England on my travels six years ago. And here I am, looking for the North enjoyed reading poems and she loved the mountains around our home in
Pole. I will not return home until I succeed. Switzerland. I was interested in facts. I wanted to discover everything about the
'You have hope,' he said to me. 'You have no reason to be unhappy. But I have world around me. The world, to me, was full of secrets, and I wanted to find the
lost everything and I cannot start life again.' He looked extremely sad as he said answers to them.
this. Then he was silent and went to bed. My parents then had another son, Ernest. He was seven years younger than me.
Yesterday, the man promised to tell me about his life. Later, another brother was born. His name was William. We stopped travelling and
'My story is very strange, sad and frightening. But perhaps people will learn moved to Geneva. We also had a country house at Belrive, on the eastern side of
something from it,' he said. the lake. Belrive was away from the city and we enjoyed a quiet life there. We
I have decided to write it all down, in his own words. When I have done that, I spent more and more time at the country house. I became close friends with a boy
will send it to you. I know it will be very strange, Margaret. But I think it will called Henry Clerval. He was the son of a businessman from Geneva. He was a
also be very interesting. very clever boy and he read a lot of adventure stories.
I will write to you again soon, I was extremely happy as a child. My parents were always kind to us. They did
Your loving brother not have many rules and we always enjoyed ourselves. We could do what we liked.
Robert Walton Life was amusing and fun.
But my mind was full of questions. I wanted to learn, not to play children's

2
games. I read a lot of books on science. The most interesting subject to me was forget everything that I already knew.
chemistry. I was interested in the secrets of the sky and the earth, of the natural ' If you want to become a real scientist,' he said, ' you must learn all the
world. My friend Henry was interested in history, adventures and dreams. Elizabeth sciences. But I want to teach you chemistry. That is an area of science that is
loved us and had a very kind heart. Her goodness shone like a light in our calm, growing. We are discovering new things all the time. So it is a very important
pleasant home. Her smile, soft voice and beautiful eyes brought happiness to our subject.'
lives. I listened carefully to Mr Waldman. He took me to his laboratory and
One day, when I was about fifteen years old, we saw a terrible storm at our showed me his experiments. I was very excited by everything that I saw. Mr
house in Belrive. It came from behind the mountains. I stayed and watched it Waldman gave me a list of new books to read.
with excitement. As I stood by the door, I suddenly saw a stream of fire pour from At the end of the day, I was tired but happy. I will always remember that day,
an old and beautiful tree. It was about 60 feet from our house. When the lightning because it decided my future.
disappeared, only the bottom of the tree was left. The tree was completely
destroyed. Chapter 2 Frankenstein Creates Life
After that, I never forgot the power of the lightning. I was very interested in
electricity, and in the power that exists in all natural things. I wanted to learn more I became a good student. From the first day, chemistry was my favourite subject.
about different kinds of science. So I started to study these subjects with even Mr Waldman was an excellent teacher and I met the other scientists at the
more excitement than before. At that time, perhaps, an idea began to form in my university. I worked on experiments in the laboratory all the time. Sometimes I
mind. But that idea brought only misery to my later years. stayed there all night until the stars disappeared from the sky. In the mornings, I
When I reached the age of seventeen, my parents decided to send me to the was tired but happy. I went to my lessons, read a lot of books and understood
University of Ingoldstadt. But before I left, a terrible thing happened. It was the more and more.
first of many terrible things that happened in my life. For two years I worked hard and did not visit Geneva. I wanted to discover
Elizabeth became very ill and her life was in danger. My mother did not where life came from. I wanted to experiment with science as much as
want to leave Elizabeth's bedside. She looked after her day and night. After three possible. I wanted to create life. But first I had to understand death. I studied the
days, Elizabeth got better but then my mother quickly became very ill too. We human body. I also studied dead bodies. I was very interested in the change from
soon realized that she was dying. As she lay in bed, close to death, she took my life to death. I saw how a body changes. I learned how bodies are made.
hand and Elizabeth's hand. And what was the result of all my experiments ? I discovered the secret of life. I
' Children,' she said,' I am putting all my hopes in the two of you. I want you to learned how to create life. I was very surprised and extremely happy. At first, I did
marry. I believe that your marriage will bring you future happiness. It will not know what to do with my new powers. I could create life, but life needs to be
make your father happy too. Elizabeth, my love, I want you to take my place. inside a body. So I went to hospitals and looked at more dead bodies. I took parts
Look after my younger children. I am sorry that I am leaving you all. It is so of human bodies back to my laboratory. After a few months, I began to create a
hard. But I must hope that I will meet you in another world.' human form.
Without my mother, the house was empty and cold. Elizabeth was very sad, but It was difficult work. I decided to make the person very large and tall. It was
she helped me and the rest of my family. We tried to forget about death; we had easier to work on a large body. I worked in secret in my laboratory at the top of
to live for the future. Elizabeth was sweet and kind to us, and I loved her very the house. The summer months passed. The weather was beautiful, but I never
much. went outside. I was too busy. I did not want to stop my work for anything. I
The day came when I had to leave for Ingoldstadt. Henry Clerval spent the forgot about my friends and my family. I did not write to them. I knew that my
last evening with us. He could not come to university with me, because his father father and Elizabeth and Henry worried about me. I received letters, but I did not
wanted his son to work with him. It was difficult for me to leave my best friend. answer them. I thought only about my experiment.
We did not want to say goodbye. But in the morning they were all there - my Autumn came. My work was nearly finished, but my health was not good. I
father, Henry and Elizabeth. They watched me leave and I promised to write. could not eat or sleep. I did not talk to anyone Every night I felt ill and very
I arrived at Ingoldstadt and started studying. I was good at science and decided nervous. I was afraid. But I could not stop.
to give all my time to it. On my first day, my new teacher, Mr Waldman, told me to
3
 One cold night in November, I saw the first result of my hard work. The I have not rested enough. But I hope that this work is now finished. I am free.'
body of the man in front of me had no life in it. It was one o'clock in the We arrived at the door of my house. I did not want to see the monster. I did
morning, and rain was falling outside. Nervously I used my tools to create not want Henry to see it. So I told Henry to wait at the bottom of the stairs. I
life inside the< body. Then I saw his yellow eyes open. He breathed and went up to my room and I opened the door slowly. I went inside but it was empty.
moved his arms and legs. ' The monster has run away,' I thought. I could not believe my good luck. My
Success! The body was moving. After years of work, here was a human life! I enemy was not there.
looked at him. How can I describe my feelings The man was terribly ugly. He I went downstairs to get Henry. We went to my room and had breakfast. But
had thick black hair and whit( teeth, but his skin was yellow and dry. His eyes were I could not sit at the table. I was so happy. I jumped over the chairs and laughed
very pale. He was a monster. wildly.
After nearly two years of this experiment, I looked at the ugly monster and 'My dear Victor,' Henry cried. 'What is the matter? Do not laugh like that.You
misery and fear filled my heart. My dream disappeared. I ran out of the are ill! How did this happen ?'
laboratory and went to my bedroom I threw myself on the bed and tried to forget ' Do not ask me,' I cried. Then I thought I saw the monster in the room. I put my
about the monster. hands in front of my eyes.' Oh, save me!' I shouted, and fell on the floor.
But when I fell asleep, I had wild dreams. I thought I saw Elizabeth. She was This was the beginning of a long nervous illness. For many months, Henry
walking in Ingoldstadt. When I kissed her, her mouth became cold. It was like a was my only nurse. He did not tell my family about my illness. He did not
kiss of death. want to worry them.
I woke up, shaking with fear. The yellow light of the moon was shining During my illness, I talked about the monster. Henry could not understand
through the window, and the monster was standing next to my bed. He looked at me. He believed that I was imagining strange things. But I returned to the same
me. His mouth opened and he made some sounds, but I could not listen. The subject again and again. He realized that it was not a dream. There was a terrible
monster touched my arm, but I escaped from him. I ran downstairs, out of the reason for my illness.
house, and stayed away until early morning. Then, slowly, I went inside and Slowly, Henry brought me back to good health and I became calm again. One
listened for every sound. I did not ever want to see him again. I felt fear and day, when I looked out of the window, I noticed new leaves on the trees. It was
misery. But I was also very sad. My dream was dead, and my hopes were spring. I felt much better.
destroyed. ' Dear Clerval,' I said,' how can I thank you ? You have been so kind to
At six o'clock I went outside again, for a walk. The sky was black and it was me.You came here to go to university. But you have been a nurse all winter. I am
raining heavily. I was afraid to go back to my room. So I continued walking and very sorry.'
got wetter and wetter. I came to a hotel and waited outside for a few minutes. ' It does not matter, Victor,' he replied. ' You do not need to thank me. I will be
Then I saw Henry Clerval. happy if you are well. That is enough for me. But promise me one thing. Please
' My dear Frankenstein,' he cried,' I am so glad to see you! I have just come write a letter to your father and to Elizabeth. You have been silent for a long time,
from Geneva. At last, my father has given me permission to study at the university and they are very worried about you. They do not really understand how ill you
here.' have been.'
For the first time in many months, I felt happy and calm. I welcomed my ' Of course I will,' I replied. ' They are the most important people in my life.
friend happily. I took his hand and in a few minutes I forgot all my misery. They are always in my thoughts.'
We walked towards the university together.' I am very pleased to see you, 'Then maybe you are well enough to read this.' Henry gave me a letter.' It
Henry,' I said. 'Tell me about my family. How are my father and brothers? And arrived a few days ago.'
Elizabeth?' It was from Elizabeth, and it was a very kind, friendly letter. She told me
' Very well, and very happy. But they are worried because you do not write to about my father and my brothers. She asked me to write back. I was very
them.' Henry stopped and looked at my face. ' My dear Victor,' he continued,' happy to read her letter, and I wrote back immediately.
you seem so thin and pale — so ill.You look tired. Have you been awake all Two weeks later, I was able to leave my room, and I returned to the university.
night?' But I did not want to study science now. I took everything out of my laboratory.
'You have guessed right, Henry. I have been very busy with one piece of work. When I saw my chemistry equipment, I felt very nervous again. I hated chemistry.
4
 Henry did not like science. He wanted to study foreign languages, I was very I walked home through the heavy rain. It was beautiful but frightening.
happy to study with him and I enjoyed my new classes. I did not want to leave 'Dear, sweet little brother William,' I thought.'Is this storm for you?' Suddenly I
Henry alone in a place he did not know very well. So we spent the summer stopped.There was someone behind a tree.'No,' I thought. 'It cannot be ...' Yes! It
together happily and I decided to return to Geneva at the end of the autumn. I was the monster! I saw him clearly when lightning lit up the sky. I knew that it
was ready to go home. was him. It was the terrible, ugly monster that I created in Ingoldstadt.
Winter arrived, and there was a lot of snow. The roads were terrible. It Why was he here ? Then a thought came into my mind. Was he the murderer
was impossible to travel and I had to wait until the spring. of my little brother? I knew immediately that he was. I looked again for the
The month of May arrived, I waited for a letter from my father before I monster. I saw him climbing the mountain; then he disappeared in the grey rock.
decided on a date for my return. While we waited, Henry and I went on a holiday. Oh, why did I create that terrible monster? I thought about my experiments.
We walked in the countryside around Ingoldstadt. It was very beautiful, and we I remembered another rainy night, two years ago
enjoyed ourselves. Henry was an excellent friend to travel with. My health was - the night that I gave him life.' My own creation has murdered my brother!' I
much better now. The blue sky and lovely green fields made me strong. When we thought. Nobody can imagine my misery. I could not tell my father the true story.
arrived back at the university, we both felt calm and happy. I could not tell anyone.
I arrived home early in the morning.
'They have found the murderer, Victor!' said my brother, Ernest.
Chapter 3 William Is Dead 'How did they do that?' I cried.'Nobody can follow him! It is impossible!'
Ernest did not understand what I was saying.' The police have arrested Justine
A letter from my father was waiting for me. He had terrible news. My sweet Moritz. She murdered William!'
young brother William was dead! I looked at Ernest. Justine was a sweet girl who helped Elizabeth. She
' Last Thursday, we all went for a walk to Plainpalais,' wrote my father. ' The worked hard and looked after William. Elizabeth was very kind to her, and
evening was warm and calm. William and Ernest were playing a game. Suddenly, everybody loved her.When my mother was dying, Justine was her nurse.
we noticed that William was lost. We searched for him everywhere. Then we ' Nobody can believe that!' I cried.' It is wrong!'
returned to the house, but he was not there. I found my dear son later, but he was 'We found the picture of mother in her pocket. She stole it from William.
dead. He was murdered! William had a small picture of your mother in his pocket, That proves it, doesn't it ?'
and this picture was stolen. Was this the reason for the murder ? Oh,Victor, we are We were soon joined by Elizabeth. She was six years older too and she was more
all so sad! Please come home to Geneva. Elizabeth spends all day crying. Only you beautiful now. She welcomed me warmly, but her eyes were full of sadness.
с help her.' ' I do not believe that Justine is guilty. She is not a criminal,' said Elizabeth.
Henry watched me as I read. My happiness turned to misery. I threw the letter on ' I hope that we can prove it,' I replied.
the table and covered my face with my hands. The trial was the next day, and we defended Justine. But I could not say who
' Frankenstein!' cried Henry. ' My dear friend. What has happened?' the real criminal was. We tried to prove that Justine was not guilty. Justine did not
While Henry read the letter, I walked up and down the room. know why the picture was in her pocket. She could not explain it. The judge
• 'I must go to Geneva immediately,' I told Henry. My eyes did not believe her. The court decided that she was guilty. The punishment
were full of tears.' Come with me to order the horses.' was death.
I travelled to Geneva alone, and my journey was very sad and lonely. So many I felt very unhappy. I was responsible for the deaths of two people - my little
thoughts came into my mind. brother William, and kind, sweet Justine. I was responsible for my family's pain and
' I have not been to Geneva for six years,' I said to myself,' and a lot of things misery. My father and brother and Elizabeth were all suffering and I could not
have changed.' I felt afraid but I did not know why. help them. I could not make them all happy again. And I had a terrible feeling. '
The road ran by the side of Lake Geneva. I looked up at the mountains. I loved There will be more tears,' I thought.' The monster will return.'
the view, but I felt so unhappy. As I crossed the lake in a boat, a storm began. I
watched the lightning on the top of the mountains. Then the weather got worse.
5
 Chapter 4 Frankenstein Finds the Monster much kinder to me than people are. The mountains and cold ice are my only
home. You say that I am a murderer. But you want to murder me! Believe me,
After the trial, we went back to Belrive. I liked staying there. I loved the lake. Frankenstein. At first, I was kind and good, but people were unkind to me. The law
Often, at night, I waited until the rest of the family were asleep and took a says that a person can defend himself. Even if he is guilty. Please listen to my story.
boat onto the water. Sometimes I went into the middle of the lake. It was quiet Then you can judge me.'
and calm, and I could sit in the boat with my thoughts. My family were still
crying for William. Justine was dead, and the true murderer was free. But I
could not tell Elizabeth my thoughts. I was the real criminal. Chapter 5 The Monster's Story
I was in a state of complete misery. I knew that I was responsible. I was
guilty because the monster was my creation. I wanted to find him and destroy him. When I heard the monster's words, I felt kinder towards him.Yes, I created him. I
Nearly two months after the death of Justine, I decided to leave the house was responsible for his happiness or unhappiness. I decided that I must listen to
and travel to the mountains. I wanted to go to Chamonix. It was a place that I his story. He went across the ice, and I followed him. It started raining again. We
knew well. I often visited it when I was a boy. I went on a horse for the first part of sat down by a fire in a small hut on the mountain. The monster began to speak.
the journey. It was the middle of August, and the weather was good. I travelled 'At first I was alone and I was hungry. I took some clothes from your house,
through the valley. The high mountains around me were wonderful. I loved but I was cold. I do not remember very much, but I remember the forest near
their mystery, and the power of nature made me less afraid. Ingoldstadt. I quickly learned how to live there. I ate leaves and fruit, and I
I crossed the river Arve and arrived in the valley of Chamonix. It was beautiful. drank from the river. I was not quite human, so I did not need good food. I did
There was snow on the tops of the mountains, and between the trees there were not know who I was. I did not know where I came from. But learned about life.
small, pretty houses. In the evening, I came to the village. Tired after my journey, I I enjoyed the song of the birds. My eyes saw light and dark - the sun in the day
fell asleep immediately. and the moon at night.
The next day, I decided to climb to the top of one of the mountains, ' Sometimes, I searched for food all day. I did not know how to make a fire. I
Montanvert. The path was difficult and dangerous. It was raining and the sky could not get warm. One day, I saw a little hut on a hill. The door was open, so I
was dark. When I arrived at the top, it was nearly midday. I sat on a rock and went inside. An old man sat by the fire. He turned when he heard a noise. He
looked down. Below was the great glacier, like a sea of ice. Soon, the clouds looked at me and screamed. Then he ran outside, across the fields, as quickly as he
disappeared and I climbed down onto the glacier. I spent two hours crossing it, could. There was some bread, milk and cheese on the table. It was the man's
then I stood and looked at the mountains of Mont Blanc and Montanvert. The breakfast. I was very hungry, and I ate it quickly. I liked the hut because it was dry
sun came out above the clouds. The ice shone brightly. and warm. I fell asleep on the floor.
Suddenly, I saw a man on the ice. He was quite far away, but he was coming 'Later, I continued walking across the fields. Evening came and I arrived in a
quickly towards me. The man took long steps across the ice. Then I realized who village. It seemed so wonderful! I looked at the houses and other buildings.
it was. It was the monster! I was angry and I was frightened. I wanted to fight Vegetables grew in the gardens. I went into a farmhouse. The people in there
him. I wanted to kill him. looked at me and screamed. Everyone in the village became angry. Children ran
' Go away, you terrible monster!' I screamed.' Or stay and die! I want to destroy away, but men attacked me with stones. I escaped to the fields. I was frightened and
you. But I cannot bring back the two people that you have killed!' unhappy.
'Everybody hates me, and you hate me too,' replied the monster. 'But you 'I found another small hut, and I went inside. I could not stand up inside it,
created me. You are responsible for me. You made me, but now you want to but I slept on the floor. I was happy to find a dry place. There I could escape from
destroy me. You do not know my misery. How can you play with life like this ? the bad weather. And I could escape from the cruel world of people.
Please listen to me and help me. Do what I ask. Then I will leave you and be 'I stayed in my hut. Nobody saw me there. I cleaned it and covered the holes in
good. I will never see you again. I will not make any trouble for you. And I will the walls with wood and stones. Near the hut was a pool of water. I found a cup
not hurt anyone again. If you refuse, I will kill all your friends! to drink from. I had to steal food, but I was safe.
'You cannot understand how I feel,' continued the monster. 'The dark sky is 'At the side of the hut was a small house. I watched the people who lived there.
6
Later I learned their names. There was an old man, Mr de Lacey, and his son '" I believe you," said the old man. " I can only judge your words. But how can
Felix and daughter Agatha. I listened to their voices. Slowly I learned some words I help you ? "
and began to understand their language. I found it easy to copy the sounds. 'There was a noise at the entrance to the house. Felix and Agatha were
At first, I only learned words like "sister", "brother", "bread" and "wood". coming home. It was time to speak!
Later, I could speak and understand more and more. I enjoyed my simple life '" Oh please save me and protect me!" I cried. " I have no family or friends.
living next to the de Laceys. Only you. I know you are kind and good. I need you ..."
' The de Laceys came from a good family in France, but now they were quite But who are you ? " cried Mr de Lacey.
poor. They grew vegetables in the garden, but they were often hungry. They only ' The door opened. Felix and Agatha saw me and their father together. I cannot
had a little money for milk and bread. So I did not steal any food from them. I describe their faces. They thought that I was attacking Mr de Lacey.
ate what I could find in the forest. ' When they looked at me, they started screaming. Agatha fell to the ground in
' Agatha was a sweet, kind young woman, and I wanted to be her friend. I fear. Felix pulled me away from his father. He picked up a stick and hit me very
thought she was beautiful and good. She made me happy. I watched Felix go into hard. I was in pain and very unhappy. Quickly, I escaped and went back to my hut.'
the forest every morning. He stayed there all day. When he returned, he was
carrying wood for the fire. He worked very hard, so I decided to help them. At Chapter 6 The Monster Wants a Wife
night, I went into the forest and cut wood for the family fire. I left piles of wood
outside the door of the house. They were very pleased, and I enjoyed helping '" Oh, why am I alive ?" I cried to myself. I hated the person who created me. I
them. Now Felix had more time for work in his garden or repairs to the house. I did not want to kill myself: I was angry with the world of people, and I wanted
tried to help them in other ways too. I swept the snow from the path. I revenge.
watched Felix working, and then I did some of his work at night. They never saw ' When night came, I went into the forest. I did not try to hide now. I screamed
me. They did not know who was helping them. But they were always grateful. and cried loudly. Like a wild animal, I ran through the trees and destroyed
' I watched the de Lacey family and learned a lot from their love and their things. It was a terrible night! The stars shone in the sky, but the trees had no
kindness. They were beautiful and polite. Mr de Lacey went for walks with his leaves and it was cold and lonely. Everyone in the world was sleeping or happy.
son. Agatha often sang to her father. Their lives were simple and good. But I was not. I was unwanted, hated and feared by everyone.
'But I saw my face in a pool of water. They could not love me or be kind to me. I ' Soon I became tired. I lay on the ground and cried. There was not one kind
was an ugly monster. When the family went out, I went into the house. I looked at person in the world. Everyone was my enemy. I hated all humans. More than
their books and slowly I learned to read. You gave me intelligence. From their anything, I hated my creator. It was time for war.
books I learned about the world. I learned about different countries, about ' The sun came up and I heard some men's voices. I knew that I could not go
history and science. More than anything, I wanted friends and I wanted love. But I back to my hut. So I hid myself in some trees. I spent the day thinking," What
frightened people. They thought I was cruel. They thought that I wanted to hurt shall I do? Where shall I go?"
them. ' I felt calmer in the warm sun and clean air. I fell asleep, but I had bad dreams.
'One day, I tried to talk to old Mr de Lacey. His eyes were very bad, and he When I woke up, it was night. I was hungry. I found some food to eat. Then I went
could not see anything." He will talk to me," I thought." He cannot see me, so he back to my little hut and stayed there quietly. Morning came, but the family
will not judge me." I waited until Agatha and Felix were out of the house. were not there. The inside of the house was dark and silent.
' I knocked at the door. ' Soon Felix came along the path with two other men.
" Who is there ? " said the old man. '"It is impossible," he said. "We cannot live here now. My father's life is in
'" Excuse me," I replied." I am a tired traveller. Please can I sit near your fire for danger. My sister will never forget what we saw. We must leave this place."
a few minutes ?" ' He went inside for a few minutes. Then he left. I never saw anyone from the de
'" Come in," said Mr de Lacey. " You can sit here with me and rest." Lacey family again.
'" I am alone," I told Mr de Lacey." I have no friends. I need help, but I am ' I stayed in my hut for the rest of the day. I was sad and angry, and I wanted
afraid to ask people for it. When I meet people, they send me away. They see me revenge. My friends, the de Laceys, were gone. Now I had nothing. I did not
as a terrible monster. But I am not a criminal." belong to the world. I started thinking about death. I remembered my friends'
7
kind faces and I felt calmer. Then my anger came back. I was alone and I could "They will think that she is the murderer," I thought. Then I ran away as fast as
not take revenge on them. So I decided to destroy the house. I could.
' I waited until night time. There was a strong wind, and the clouds ' So, Frankenstein,' the monster said,' that is my story. I came to these mountains,
disappeared from the sky. I lit a dry piece of wood and danced angrily around the hoping to find you. You must not go until you have promised me something. I
house. Then I pushed the burning wood into the wall. The house burned quickly. am alone. My life is misery, and humans will never be my friend. So I want you to
I watched the orange and yellow fire destroy the de Laceys' home, then I ran ; far create another monster. I want a wife.'
away as possible. The monster finished speaking. He looked at me carefully, waiting for my
' I decided to find you, Frankenstein.You created me.You were responsible for reply. I was very surprised. I did not know what to say. Then he continued.
me. When I left your laboratory, I took a piece с paper with me. It had your name ' You must create a female for me, as ugly and terrible as I am. I will be able to
on it. I knew the names с towns from the de Laceys' conversations and from their live with her and have a friend. Only you can do this. Then I will not be lonely and
books. I discovered that you were in Geneva. So I went after you. I had to follow unhappy. You are responsible for me, and you cannot refuse.'
the sun, because I had no map. I felt only hate towards you, but I wanted you to ' I do refuse,' I shouted.' Shall I create another monster like you ? Then two
help me. You gave me a heart wit feelings, and then you sent me into the cruel evil monsters will live in the world. Go away! You can do what you want to me. I
world. You also made me an ugly monster that humans hated and feared. will never agree.'
' It was late in the autumn when I left. There was no sun. Rain and snow fell ' You are wrong,' answered the monster. 'And I will explain. I am bad because I
around me. The rivers were frozen, and the earth was hard and cold. I only am unhappy. I am hated by everyone. There is no reason for me to like humans.
travelled at night. I did not want to meet anyone. I suffered a lot. My heart grew They do not like me. If I cannot have love, I will create fear. I will take revenge on
cold and hard. I thought only of revenge. my enemy — you, Frankenstein.' The monster looked very angry when he
' After a long time, I arrived in Geneva. It was spring, and the world was green spoke.' But if you agree, I promise to leave you alone. We will go far away and
again. In the evening, I found a hiding place i some fields. I felt terrible because I live in the forests of South America.
was so hungry and tired. I was falling asleep when a noise woke me. It was the ' I do not eat the same food as humans. I do not kill animals for food. I only eat
sound of a child who ran into my field. Suddenly, I had an idea. This child was leaves and fruit. My wife will be the same as me. We will sleep on a bed of dry
young. He did not have fear or hate in his heart." I will take him and talk to him," I leaves. We will live quietly, and you will never see us again.'
thought." He will not hate me because I am ugly. I will make him my friend. Then I listened to the monster's words. I understood him better now. I was not so
I will not be so lonely i; this world." angry and afraid. Perhaps he was right. The monster showed that he had deep
' So I pulled the boy towards me. When he looked at me, he screamed in fear. feelings. I, his creator, had the power to give him happiness.
' "Child," I said."I will not hurt you. Listen to me." 'Do you promise that you will never return to Europe? Do you promise that
'" Stop!" the boy cried." You are a monster! You want to eat me! Stop, or I will you will never hurt anyone again ?' I asked.
tell my father!" ' Yes,' cried the monster.' I promise.'
'" Boy, you will never see your father again. You must come with me." ' Then I agree to your request.'
'" Ugly monster, go away! My father is Mr Frankenstein. He will punish you." ' Go and start work, and I will wait. When she is ready, I will come back to
'" Frankenstein! So you belong to my enemy. Now I can have my revenge." you.'
' The child fought me and tried to escape. But I put my hands around his neck, With these words, the monster disappeared across the ice.
and in a few minutes he was dead. I looked at the body that lay on the ground.
My hands left black marks on his neck. My heart felt happy and proud.
"'Frankenstein will know suffering too now!" I said to myself. Chapter 7 Frankenstein in England
' Then I noticed a small picture in the child's pocket. I looked at it. It was a
beautiful woman. This made me angrier. A beautiful woman could never love me. I I left Chamonix and returned to Geneva. I was nervous and frightened. My
took the picture and walked to a hut in the field. I wanted somewhere to hide. In meeting with the monster was a very unpleasant memory. And now I had to
the hut, a young woman was sleeping. I watched her. She must not wake up and make another monster. What a terrible promise!
see me. Then I had an idea. I put the small picture in the pocket of her dress.
8
 Days passed. I did not feel brave enough to start my work. I was afraid of the Henry pointed to all the mountains and lakes on the journey. He was excited by
monster's revenge. I could not make a female without more scientific information. I everything. My good friend was full of love for life!
knew that I had to go to England. I needed to visit some scientists there. There I We travelled through Holland, to Rotterdam, and took a ship to England. On a
could do some more experiments and start work on the new monster. clear day in December, I first saw the white coast of Britain. On the way to
My health was much better now. When I was able to forget about my promise, London, we passed through places that we knew from English history. At last,
I felt happy. I tried to enjoy myself. I went out on the lake in my boat. The sun and Henry and I arrived in that famous city.
fresh air calmed me. My father noticed that I was happier. We decided to stay in London for a few months. It was a wonderful,
One day, he spoke to me about an important subject. interesting place. Henry wanted to learn as much as he could. I wanted to talk to
' My dear son, I have always hoped that you and Elizabeth will marry. You have the scientists who worked there. I wanted to enjoy our visit, but one thing was
been friends since you were children. You studied together.You like the same always in my mind — my promise to the monster. I tried to hide my misery from
things. I believe that you will be happy together. Do you love her only as a sister? my friend as much as possible. I did not want him to worry about me. I often
Or do you hope that she will be your wife? Tell me,Victor, have you given your refused to go out with him. I told him that I was busy. I had to be alone. I began to
heart to another woman ?' collect the things that I needed for the monster. I hated thinking about the job. I hated
' My dear father,' I replied,' I love my cousin very much. She is the loveliest and every minute that I spent on it. But I had to continue.
most interesting woman that I have ever known. I want to marry her. The marriage After a few months in London, we were invited to visit Scotland. We both
will bring future happiness for all of us.' wanted to go, but I did not want to meet a lot of people. I wanted to leave the city and
My father was pleased.' I am very glad to hear you say this, Victor. When you see mountains and lakes. It was now February. We decided to make a journey through
marry, this will become a happy home again. You are young and have enough England and to arrive in Scotland at the end of July. I took my chemistry equipment
money. Do you want to marry now? Or do you have any other plans?' and the things that I needed. I decided to find a quiet place in the north of Scotland.
I listened to my father in silence. I waited before I answered him. I could not I could finish my work there.
marry Elizabeth yet! The thought filled me with horror and misery. I had to keep a We left London in March, and visited Windsor and Oxford. I enjoyed these famous
terrible promise. I had to make the female monster. Then the two monsters could old cities. I remembered my own past with sadness. When I was young, I was never
go away together. Elizabeth and I had to wait for our happiness. unhappy. Everything interested me. Now, I was like a tree that was hit by lightning. I
I also had to travel. I wanted to learn from the work of the English scientists, was very different now.
and I did not want to create the monster in my father's house. So I told him that I After some time, we moved north. We visited the Lake District* in the north of
wanted to travel and study for a few months. When I returned, I wanted to marry England. It was wonderful, like our own country, with its beautiful mountains and
Elizabeth. lakes.
My father thought that travelling was a good idea. My health was better, but I ' I would like to spend my life here and forget Switzerland!' cried Henry.
needed a holiday. So he did not refuse my request. He and Elizabeth suggested that But I remembered my promise. I felt nervous because the monster was waiting.' He
Henry joined me. I agreed to start my journey with my friend. Henry was amusing, will be angry,' I thought,' if his wife is not ready soon.' I lived in fear. The monster
and I enjoyed spending time with him. But I wanted to be alone when I started my knew where my family lived. He could kill them at any time.
work. I did not want Henry to meet the monster. When we arrived in Scotland, we visited Edinburgh for a week. Our friend lived
Henry and I agreed on our holiday plans. I prepared for my journey. Elizabeth in the city of Perth. He was waiting for us to arrive. But I did not want to laugh and
was sad and she worried about me. She wanted me to return quickly. When she talk with other people. I wanted to continue without Henry. 'Please enjoy
said goodbye, there were tears in her eyes. yourself, Henry,' I said. 'I would like to be alone. I will be happier when I
I travelled to Strasbourg and waited there for Henry. After two days, he arrived, return.'
and we left together. He was happy and amused by everything that he saw. But I Henry sadly agreed, and I promised to write to him often. I went to the north
had unhappy thoughts and did not notice the beautiful country around me. I of Scotland. I wanted to be as far away as I could from people. I felt sure that the
thought about the horror of the monster and the work that I had to do. It was monster was following me. ' When the female is ready, he will visit me,' I thought.
impossible to enjoy myself. I found a small island in the Orkneys.* This was a good place to create my
We travelled along the river Rhine and passed beautiful towns and villages. terrible monster. The island was like a large rock with a few huts on it. Nothing
9
grew there. It was not pleasant or friendly. I had to get food from a larger island, 'You have destroyed the work which you began.Why did you do that? Are you
five miles away. I stayed in one of the huts. It had two rooms, and one of them going to break your promise? I have waited for a long time. I left Switzerland with
became my laboratory. you. I followed you through the hills and mountains and fields of England and
In the mornings, I worked. In the evenings, I walked on the stony beach. It was Scotland. Do you think that it was an easy journey ? I have been very tired, and
a cold, lonely place. My work became more and more difficult. My heart felt sick hungry, and cold. Why are you destroying all my hopes ?'
when I looked at my equipment and the body parts for the female monster. But ' Go away! Yes, I am breaking my promise. I will never create another
soon I hoped to finish my job and leave that terrible, lonely island. monster like you,' I replied.
' Remember that I have power,' said the monster.' You believe that you are
unhappy now. But I can bring you more misery. Then you will not want to
Chapter 8 Another Murder live.You created me, but I have power too. Do what I tell you!'
' You have power. But I will not do something that I know is wrong. If you
I sat in my laboratory one evening. The moon was shining over the sea, but I did do not have a wife, you cannot do bad things together. Should I make
not have enough light for my work. I thought about my life - and my work. My another monster like you? A monster who enjoys death and misery?'
brother was murdered by my own creation. The monster murdered my brother. The monster looked at me angrily. 'Every man has a wife; every animal
And now I was creating another monster. has a female! Why do I have to be alone? Be careful, Frankenstein! You will
' Will she be worse than her husband ?' I thought.' Will she enjoy being cruel? never be happy again. I will have my revenge! You can destroy my dreams and
Will they go away to the forests of South America ? He has promised. But what hopes, but revenge will be more important to me than light or food! I will die,
will happen if the female refuses? What will he do if she does not love him? Will but first you will be sorry! Remember, I have no fear, and so I have power. I
she hate the monster because he is ugly ? Will she prefer a handsome man and leave will watch you.You will be sorry!'
him ? What will he do then, when he is unhappy again ? ' Stop!' I cried.' You cannot change my mind.'
'Or will the monster want to have children? Imagine a family of monsters! ' I will leave. But remember this: I will be with you on your wedding night.'
I cannot be responsible for that danger to the world! Everything was silent again, but I heard the monster's words in my head. I
' How can I create this female monster?' I asked myself.' It is a crazy, terrible was very angry. I wanted to throw him into the ocean and kill him. I walked
thing to do. I cannot do it. The world will never forgive me!' up and down my room.' Why did I not follow him? I should fight him until
I was shaking with fear. I looked up. By the light of the moon, I saw the one of us is dead,' I thought. But he was not on the island now. I was afraid
monster. He was standing by the window with a terrible smile on his face. Yes, of his revenge. ' Who will he murder next ?' I asked myself. I remembered his
he was following me. He was waiting in the forests, hiding in the mountains and words:' I will be with you on your wedding night.'
sleeping in fields. He was watching me. He was there for his female. I imagined the monster's plan.' He is going to kill me on my wedding night,'
I looked at him. His face was evil and cruel. I thought about my promise. I I thought.' Then he will have his revenge.' I was not afraid to die, but I
knew that I could not create another monster like him. I destroyed the body on the thought of my dear Elizabeth. I thought of her crying sadly after my death.
table. Tears poured from my eyes. I knew that I must be strong.' I will not let my
The monster saw me destroy his future happiness. With an angry scream, he enemy destroy me. Not without a fight,' I decided.
disappeared from the window. I left the room and locked the door. In my The night passed, and the sun came up. I felt calmer. I left the house and walked
bedroom, I was alone with my thoughts. I was very frightened. on the beach. The sea was like a wall between me and the rest of the world. It
Many hours passed. I stayed near the window and looked out at the sea. It was protected me. I wanted to stay on that rock forever. I told myself,' If I go back to
a calm night. The quiet moon looked down on the water. I saw some boats, but the world, the monster will kill me. Or he will kill the people that I love.' But I
everything was silent. Suddenly, I heard a boat arrive at the beach. Someone was was his creator and I had to do something.
walking towards my hut. I knew that it was the monster. Nobody could help me. I sat on the beach all day. Then a boat arrived and brought me some letters.
It was like a terrible dream. I could not move. Soon I heard the monster's steps Some were from Geneva. One was from Henry, asking me to join him again in
outside. He opened the door and came in. Perth. He was bored and wanted to see me. Then we could travel south to
London together. I decided to leave in two days.
10
 First, I had to go back to my laboratory and put all my equipment away. This years old. There was no sign of a fight, but there were black marks around his
was not a pleasant job. I had to touch all the tools that I now hated. So the next neck. The killer was very strong.'
day I opened the door. I cleaned and put away the chemistry equipment. The half- I listened nervously.The monster! I had to sit down because I was shaking with
finished monster lay in pieces on the floor. I did not want the local people to fear.
discover the body, so I put the pieces into a bag with a lot of stones. I decided to Then we saw a boat. I here was only one man in it. He was not far from the coast,'
throw the bag into the sea. the man said. He looked at me strangely.
At three o'clock in the morning, I got in a boat and sailed a few miles out. It The judge asked some other people to tell their story. They all saw a man in a
was very dark and I threw my bag into the water. Nobody saw me. boat - but I was still on the island at that time. Mr Kirwin took me into a room
I enjoyed sailing on the water. I decided not to return immediately. I lay in where the body lay. How can I describe the horror that I felt? I saw my dear
the bottom of the boat and soon fell asleep. friend Henry Clerval lying dead in front of- me. I threw myself on the body and
I do not know how long I was asleep. But the sun was high in the sky when I cried.
woke up. The wind was in the north-east. I was far away from the island. But I 'Has my terrible work killed you too, my dearest Henry? I have already
did not know.which way to sail the boat. I was lost on the water and I was very destroyed two people. But you, Henry, my friend
thirsty. I imagined my death at sea. I thought of the unhappiness of Elizabeth, Two men carried me out of the room. I screamed and cried and became very ill.
of my father and of Henry.' Monster!' I cried.' You will have your revenge.' For two months I lay in bed, near to death. During my illness, I had terrible dreams
The boat continued to move for a few more hours. I was very tired and and talked like a crazy person. I asked people to help me destroy the monster. I was,
frightened. I did not know where I was going. Suddenly, I saw some land. I said I, the murderer of Justine, William and Henry. I thought that I could feel the
cried with happiness. monster's fingers on my neck. I screamed loudly. I felt great fear and sadness.' I hope
When I came nearer to the coast, I saw some ships. There was a town near the that I will die,' I thought.
beach. I was tired and dirty and untidy, but I had money with me. I could buy When I woke up, I was in a dark room in prison. I looked around and saw bars
some food and drink. I arrived at the coast and got out of my small boat. A crowd on the window. Then I remembered everything. It was not a dream. It was real
of people were waiting for me. horror and pain. I could not do anything or go anywhere. I had to stay in the
I spoke to them in English.' Good friends,' I asked.' Please can you tell me where prison, waiting for the trial.
I am ? What is the name of this town ?' Mr Kirwin came to see me. He was interested in me and wanted to help me.' Are
'You will know that very soon,' replied a man with a deep voice.' But you will you comfortable ? Is there anything that I can do for you ?' he asked.
not like it here.You will not sleep in a hotel tonight. I can tell you that.' ' Thank you, but there is nothing in the world that can help me,' I replied.
' Why are you so rude ?' I asked. ' I know that you are far from home. You arrived in this country and were
' We do not like criminals in Ireland,' said the man. arrested for murder. I was there when you saw the body of your friend. I believe that
More people arrived. They looked at me strangely. you are not guilty.'
' You must come to Mr Kirwin's,' said another man. ' It does not matter to me,' I replied sadly. ' Death will not be unwelcome.'
' Who is Mr Kirwin ?' I asked. ' When you became ill, I looked at your papers. I found some letters. One was from
' A man was found dead here last night. I am arresting you,' the man said.' For your father. I wrote to him, and he has come to visit you.'
murder.' A few minutes later, my father came into the room. I was very pleased to see
Chapter 9 Frankenstein in Prison him and held out my hand to him.
' You are safe, father - and Elizabeth - and Ernest ?'
I was taken immediately to see Mr Kirwin, the local judge. He was a kind old My father calmed me.
man, but he looked at me seriously. He told some men to come into the room. He ' The family are well,' he told me.' A prison is not a happy place, my son. And
asked one of them to describe what happened last night. poor Clerval
'I was on my boat with my son, catching fish. It was very windy, and so we The name of my friend brought tears to my eyes. I was still quite ill and weak. But
returned to the coast. We walked along the beach. Then we saw the body of a my father looked after me and I slowly got better. He believed that my illness was an
man on the ground. Dead. He was a handsome young man of about twenty-five illness of the mind. I did not explain, or tell him about the monster. I was always
11
silent about that.' People will think I am crazy/ I thought. But the story was too are my husband. But I do not only want my happiness - I want your
frightening to tell. happiness too. I cannot marry you if it will make you unhappy. You
I stayed in prison for three months. Then we went to the court for the trial. At the must be free to choose. If you are happy, I will not be lonely or sad.
trial, the judge believed my story. I was on the Orkney Islands when Henry's body was Do not answer this letter if it is painful. My uncle will send me news of
found. This proved that I was not guilty. I was free to leave prison at last. your health, and we will meet soon. I hope that you will have a smile on
your face. Then I will not need any other happiness. Elizabeth Lavenza

Chapter 10 Back in Switzerland I read the letter. Then I remembered the monster's words:' I will be with you on
your wedding night' He wanted to take away my only hope of happiness. He
My father and I started our journey home to Switzerland. When we arrived in Paris, I planned to kill me.' There will be a fight between us,' I thought.' If the monster
was very tired. I needed to rest before we continued. I did not want to meet people or wins, I will be dead. He will have no more power over me. But if I destroy him,
talk to anybody. My father could not understand that. I will be free at last. Then I can be happy with Elizabeth.'
'Justine was not guilty of murder,' I said to him.'But she died. I murdered her. Sweet, lovely Elizabeth. I read the letter again and again. I dreamed of
William, Justine and Henry - they all died because of me.' love. I decided that we must marry very soon.' If I wait, the monster will
' My dear son,' replied my father with surprise.' Please do not talk like this! You take revenge in another way,' I thought. I •wrote a letter to Elizabeth.
are imagining all these terrible things.' ' Do not be afraid,' I wrote.' I love only you. I promise that I will try to
' No father, I am not crazy. It is true. They were not guilty, but my work has bring you happiness. But I have a terrible secret that I must tell you. When
killed them.' you hear it, you will look at me in horror. I will tell you my story of misery
My father thought that I was still not well. He changed the subject of our the day after our marriage, because, my sweet cousin, there must be no secrets
conversation. He never spoke about Ireland again, or about what happened there. between us. But until then, I will say nothing more about this subject.'
As time passed, I felt calmer. I hated myself, and was sorry for everything. But I We returned to Geneva a week later. Elizabeth welcomed me, but there were
did not talk about my crimes again. I tayed calm and silent. tears in her eyes. I was not the same person. I was thin after my long illness.
A few days before we left Paris, a letter arrived. It was from Elizabeth. She was different too. She was thinner, and her face was not as bright and
happy as before. But she was warm and kind. I needed her calmness and
My dear friend sweetness.
I was very pleased to receive a letter from my uncle, from Paris. You My father spoke to me about the wedding.
are not very far away now. I hope to see you in less than two weeks. My ' Do you love another woman ?' he asked.
poor cousin, you have suffered so much! I have been very worried ' No. Only Elizabeth. Let's decide on a date for the wedding. I promise that, in
about you. But I hope that you are completely well now. life or in death, I will give myself to her.'
I do not want you to worry about anything. But I want to ask you a When I thought about the monster, I felt terrible. There were days when I did
question. not speak to anybody. I was angry and crazy. Elizabeth was the only person
Since we were children, your parents have wanted us to marry. We have who could help me. Her quiet voice calmed me. But the monster's words were
always been good friends, but perhaps this is enough for you. Tell me, dearest in my ears: '/ will be with you on your wedding night.'
Victor, do you love another woman ?
You have travelled a lot and spent a long time at Ingoldstadt. When I saw
you last year, you looked very unhappy. You wanted to be alone. I guessed Chapter 11 Elizabeth
that you did not want to marry me. Are you sorry about the promise that you
made to your mother? And are you worried about your father's Everyone prepared for the wedding. We all tried to be happy. Relatives and
unhappiness if the marriage does not happen ? friends came to visit us. I laughed and smiled. We planned to have a quiet
Victor, I must tell you that I love you. In my dreams of the future, you holiday after the wedding. My father thought that I was happy. But Elizabeth
12
knew that something was wrong. I had a secret to tell her. But also, I was looked for the monster everywhere, but I could not find him. Suddenly, I
preparing for my own death. heard a loud scream. It came from Elizabeth's room. Then, of course, I
I looked around for the monster everywhere I went. I carried a gun with understood the monster's plan! A second later, the scream was repeated. I ran
me. But I felt safer and calmer as the day of our marriage came closer. into the room.
Elizabeth seemed shy and quiet on the wedding day. My father did not think Oh, why did I not die then and there ? Why did I live to tell this horror story ?
that this was strange. She was just a young woman who was getting married. Elizabeth was lying across the bed - dead. Her head hung down and her hair
But I could see that she was worried. Perhaps she knew that danger was near. covered her face. She was murdered, on her wedding night. I fell to the floor.
After the wedding, there was a large party. Then Elizabeth and I said For a few minutes I could remember nothing.
goodbye to everyone and began our holiday. It was a lovely day. Everyone When I opened my eyes, people from the hotel were standing around me.
smiled as we left. We started our journey by water. We planned to stay the night There was horror in their eyes. I ran back to the bed where Elizabeth lay.
at a hotel, and continue our journey the next day. Somebody had moved her body, and she seemed to be asleep. I held her in my
That was the last happy day of my life. The sun was hot, and we enjoyed arms and kissed her, but her skin was cold and she was not breathing. The marks
the beautiful country. The wonderful mountains were high above us, at the of the monster's evil hands were on her neck.
side of the lake. I looked up for a minute. The window was open, and the yellow light of the
I took Elizabeth's hand. ' You are sad, my love! You do not know what I have moon shone into the room. Then I saw him. He stood outside with a terrible,
suffered. But let's enjoy this beautiful day together and not be sad.' ugly smile on his face. He seemed to laugh as he pointed towards Elizabeth's
' Be happy, dear Victor,' replied Elizabeth.' Do not worry, my heart is not sad. body. I ran to the window and pulled out my gun. I shot at him, but he
Something tells me that I must not be too happy. But I will not listen to that moved quickly and escaped. He ran away very fast and jumped into the lake.
terrible voice. Look at the pretty clouds above Mont Blanc. Look at the fish in When they heard the sound of the gun, a large group of people came into
the clear water of the lake. It is a wonderful day! Look! Everything in the world is the room. I pointed outside and everybody came with me to the lake. We
happy today!' followed the monster's path, but he was gone.
We watched the sun go down over the lake. There was a light, warm wind over After a few hours, we returned. People searched around the lake, but they
the water. It moved softly through the trees, and we could smell beautiful flowers. found nothing. Nobody saw the monster. They believed that I was imagining
But when we arrived at the side of the lake, my fears about the monster returned. him.
It was eight o'clock when the boat arrived. We walked for a short time near the We searched the forest next, but I became weak and ill. Some people had to
lake. It was getting dark, and the mountains were black against the sky. We carry me back to the hotel. I was put on a bed. I looked around the room, but I
enjoyed the dying light, and then went to the hotel. could not think clearly about anything. I was too unhappy.
The wind was stronger now, and the moon was in the sky. The water on the lake After a short time, I got up. I went to the room wher e Elizabeth lay. Women
became rougher. Suddenly, it started to rain. There was a bad storm. were standing by the bed, crying. I started to cry too. I was responsible for the
As night came, a thousand fears came into my mind. I was nervous. I looked all deaths of William, Justine, Henry, and now Elizabeth - my wife for only a few
around me for the monster. I knew that he was there somewhere. He was waiting hours. But were my father and brother safe ? Perhaps the monster planned to kill
to kill me. I jumped every time that I heard a sound. But I decided to fight my them too. This idea made me scream with fear. I decided to return to Geneva as fast
enemy. I could not run away from him.' I must fight until one of us is dead,' I as possible.
said to myself. I could not get any horses that night, so I had to travel across the lake. There was
Elizabeth watched me.' What is it, my dear Victor ?' she asked. ' What are you still a storm, and the rain was heavy. Two men sailed the boat for me. I felt too sick
afraid of?' to do it myself. My arms were not strong enough. I rested my head in my hands.
'Everything will be safe, after tonight,' I replied. 'But tonight will be terrible.' Just yesterday, Elizabeth and I were on this lake together. Now she was dead. Her
I watched and waited like this for an hour. Then I realized that it was very life was a memory. Tears poured down my face.
unpleasant for Elizabeth. I suggested that she went to bed. I did not want to join All my future happiness was gone — stolen by the monster. A monster that I
her yet. I wanted to find out where the monster was hiding. created. Nobody has ever been as unhappy as me, in the history of the world.
Elizabeth left me and went to the bedroom. I walked up and down the hotel. I I arrived in Geneva. My father and brother Ernest were still alive. I had to tell
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them about Elizabeth. My father heard the news, but it was too terrible for him. I continue living to destroy the monster. He knew where I was. But I did not
can see him now — an excellent and kind old man. His eyes lost their brightness. know where he was.
His Elizabeth was dead! He could not live with this new horror. He could not get One night I heard him. I was outside in the woods when I heard a cruel laugh.
out of his bed, and a few days later he died in my arms. He spoke to me.' I am happy, Frankenstein. You are still alive, so I am happy!'
I moved towards the sound of his voice, but he disappeared into the dark
shadows.
Chapter 12 The End of the Monster So this is my story. For many months, I have followed the monster. I have
been all over Europe. He knows that I am following him. But I can never catch
What happened to me? After my father died, I could not do anything. him. Sometimes he leaves me messages. He writes on stone, or on the side of a
Sometimes I dreamed about my younger days. I was walking in lovely green tree. His messages are cruel.
fields with my friends. Then I woke up, and I was alone. I was in a small, dark Now it is winter, and it is very cold. I have followed the monster to these glaciers. I
room. I thought it was a prison. But it was a hospital. People thought that I was have had to look for food under the ice. The monster is going farther and farther
crazy. So I was kept alone in a small room in the hospital for many months. north. It is very difficult to travel through the snow and ice, even with dogs. I hate
I thought about the monster. He was still free, somewhere in the world. I life now. I prefer to sleep, because in my dreams I see my old friends.
wanted to find him. I needed my revenge. One day, I arrived in a village. The people there were talking about a terrible,
I went to the police. ' I know who my wife's murderer is. I know who has ugly monster. He was carrying guns, and frightened everybody. He stole all their
destroyed my family,' I told them. food. I was very angry to hear this. The monster has escaped from me again and
'Do not worry, Mr Frankenstein,' the judge said in a kind voice.' We will try again. But I must continue my slow journey across the ocean of ice.
to find the murderer. We will do everything that we can.' When I saw your ship, Walton, I wanted to ask for your help. I wanted a boat
' Please listen to my story,' I said.' It is very strange, but it is all true.' I then told to continue my journey to the top of the world. I need to find my enemy and
him about the monster. I told him all the facts in a calm voice. destroy him. But I am tired and weak. I am dying and I cannot continue.
The judge listened to me. At first, he seemed surprised but interested. Then he Death will be welcome, but the monster is still alive! If I die, Walton, will you
looked at me in horror. I thought that he did not believe me. look for him ? I want revenge! He will come here after I am dead.Will you promise
' I want to help you,' he said slowly, after I finished my story. 'But this monster to destroy the evil monster?
is stronger and more powerful than a human. We cannot follow him across
glaciers and mountains. It is impossible! And we do not know where he has
gone now.The murder happened a few months ago.' The Last Letter
' I am sure that he is near my house,' I replied.' If he is in the mountains, you can
search for him like an animal. But I see that you do not believe me.' My dear sister Margaret
'If we find this monster, then we will arrest him for his crimes,' the judge You. have probably finished reading my friend's terrible story now. It is the
said.' But I am afraid that it will be difficult to find him.' saddest, strangest and most frightening story that I have ever heard. But I must
' Then I must look for him alone. I will not rest until I find the monster. I will tell you now what happened next.
spend the rest of my life looking for him. You cannot understand my feelings. I For some time, the ship was in danger in the thick ice. The men on the ship
created this monster, and he still exists. I must destroy him.' were afraid of dying far away from home. Frankenstein lay, very ill, in bed.
My face was red with anger while I spoke. The judge looked at me. He thought ' My men want me to return,' I told him.' I cannot take them into more danger.
that I was crazy. So he spoke to me kindly, like a nurse to a child. I became I must return to England. I had a dream, and I do not want to fail. But my men's
angrier and ran from his office. lives are more important than the North Pole.'
I decided to leave Geneva. When I was happy, it was a beautiful place. But ' I will not return with you,' he replied.' I must stay here and find the monster.'
now I hated it. I took some money and left. I had to look for the monster. He tried to get up, but he was not strong enough. He fell back in his bed and
William, Elizabeth and my father were dead, but I was still alive. I had to closed his eyes.
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 I sat by the bed and watched him. I thought that he was sleeping. After a few
hours, he opened his eyes and spoke to me in a quiet, weak voice.
' I am going to die, Walton,' he said.' I want revenge and I want to see the end of
the monster. The monster was cruel and evil.
He destroyed my brother, my best friend, and my wife. I am afraid that he will
kill more people. But I cannot ask you to stay here, in the cold ice, and look for
him.
' Goodbye, Walton. Do not try to find the secret of life! I failed.

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