frankenstein

简介

或许以这个悲伤而恐怖的故事拍成的电影要比世界上由任何其

他故事拍成的电影都要多。为什么有这么多的人喜欢它因为当我们第

一次读到它时，它就好像是出自我们梦中的记忆一样。

这是一个古老的故事，也是一个新的故事。说它“古老”是因为

它创作于一百五十多年以前，那时的科学发展才刚刚起步；说它

“新”是因为弗兰肯斯坦的问题也就是我们今天所面临的问题。科学

给予我们力量去改造世界，但这种力量也可能与我们作对并毁灭我

们。弗兰肯斯坦创造了一个新的人，他比任何其他人都要巨大和强壮

——然而弗兰肯斯坦控制不了他，这个怪物毁灭了弗兰肯斯坦所爱的

一切。今天的科学家正在创造着巨大的机器、电脑和武器，他们声称

这些东西对我们有益——但我们能够驾驭它们吗

玛丽·雪莱（1797—1851）是维多利亚时代的一位重要作家。她

的丈夫是英格兰最著名的诗人之一——珀西·比希·雪莱。

1

‘Captain！Somethingismovingontheice．Lookover

there！’

Thesailorstoodatthetopofthemast，highabovethe

Captain．Hishandpointedawayfromtheship，acrossthemiles

oficethatcoveredthea．

TheCaptainlookedtothenorth，wherethesailorwas

pointing．Hesawsomethingcomingfasttowardstheshipacross

theice．Heputhistelescopetohiye，andthroughithe

couldetheshapesoftendogspullingasledgeoverthe

ice．Hecouldalsoethedriverofthesledge—ahugefigure，

muchbiggerthanaman．

Thesledgecamenearerandnearertothea．Soonitwas

onlyaquarterofamilefromtheship．Nooneneededatelescope

nowtoethehugefigureofthedriver．

Suddenlythesledgewentbehindamountainoficeand

disappeared．Atthatmomentanothersledgeappeared．It，too，

wasmovingfast，andwasclearlychasingthefirstsledge．This

driverwasasmallerfigure，morelikeanordinaryman．Faster

andfasterthedogsran；thenthecondsledgealsodisappeared

behindthemountainofice．

Twohourspasd．Thesledgesdidnotappear

again．Nothingmovedontheice．Soonnightcame，andinthe

nighttherewasastorm．Inthemorning，thesailorssawthat

greatpiecesoficewerefloatingroundtheship．Suddenlythe

sailoronthemastshoutedagain：

‘Captain，Icaneamanontheice．’

Thesailorwaspointingtoapieceoficethatwasfloating

neartheship．Amanwassittingontheice，andnearhimwas

abrokensledge．Themanwasnearlydeadfromcoldandcould

notwalk．Thesailorscarriedhimcarefullyontotheship，

andtookhimtotheCaptain，whosaid：

‘Welcometomyship．IamtheCaptainandmynameisRobert

Walton．’

‘Thankyou，CaptainWalton，’themansaid．‘Myname

isFrankenstein，VictorFrankenstein．’

Thenhefaintedandsaidnomore．

Twodayspasdbeforethemanwasstrongenoughtotalk

andthentheCaptainaskedhimtotellhisstory．

‘Iamtryingtocatchsomeone，’saidFrankenstein．‘That

iswhyIhavecomesofarnorthontheice．’

‘Wesawyoufollowingsomeone，’theCaptainsaid．‘He

washuge，muchbiggerthanaman．Wesawhissledgejustin

frontofyouonthenightbeforethestorm．’

‘Iampleadyouallsawthathugefigure，’Frankenstein

said．‘Perhapsthatwillhelpyoutobelievemystory．’

Duringthedays，whiletheCaptainworkedontheship，

Frankensteinwrotedownhisstory，andeacheveningheread

whathehadwrittentotheCaptain．

HereisVictorFrankenstein'sstory．

2

IwasborninSwitzerland，inthetownofGeneva．My

parentslovedeachotherverymuch，andIlearntfromthe

exampleoftheirlove．Ilearntthattoloveandtobepatient

arethemostimportantthingsintheworld．

MymotherhopedtohaveadaughterafterIwasborn，but

forfiveyearsIwastheonlychild．Andthenmymotherfound

asisterforme．Shewashelpingafamilyinwhichtherewere

fivechildren．Theywereverypoor，andthechildrenwerethin

andhungry．Oneofthechildrenwasalittlegirl，withgolden

hairandblueeyesHernamewasElizabeth．Mymothertookthe

littlegirlintoourfamily，andElizabethbecamethedaughter

thatmymotherhadalwayswanted．AsIgrewolder，mylove

forElizabethbecamestrongerallthetime．

Latermymotherhadtwoothersons，ErnestandWilliam．A

youngwomancalledJustinecametoliveinthehoutohelp

mymotherwiththechildren．Welovedherasmuchassheloved

us．

Theyearspasdhappily，andwehadeverythingthatwe

needed．AtschoolImetanotherveryfineperson．Hisname

wasHenryClerval，andhewasveryclever．Myfamilyalsoliked

himverymuch，sohewasawelcomevisitortoourhou．

Istudiedveryhardatschool．Iwantedtoknowthecrets

oflife，and，mostofall，Iwantedtoknowhowtomakeliving

things．IreadallthebooksthatIcouldfind．Oneday，some

－thinghappenedthataddedanewideatotheideasthatIal

－readyhad．Iwasfifteenatthetime，andwewereonholiday

inthemountains．Therewasawildstorm，andwithitcame

themostfrighteningthunderandlightningthatIhadeveren

inmylife．Abouttwentymetresinfrontofourhouwasa

greattree．Suddenlyahugeforkoflightninghitthetree．After

afewconds，therewasnothingleftofitexceptablackpiece

ofwoodtwometreshigh．Thelightninghaddestroyedit．

Isawhowstrongelectricitywas．Ibegantoreadallthe

booksthatIcouldfindaboutelectricityanditsterrible

power．

维克多的故事开始了

3

Forventeenyearsmylifewasveryhappy．Thenthefirst

sadthinghappened．Mymotherbecameveryill，andsoonshe

knewthatshewasdying．Justbeforeshedied，sheasked

Elizabethandmetogotoherroom．Sheheldourhandsandsaid：

‘Mychildren，Iamveryhappybecauyouloveeachother，

andbecauonedayyouwillgetmarried．Everyoneinthefamily

lovesyou，Elizabeth．Willyoutakemyplaceinthefamily，

mydearIcandiehappyifyouwilllookafterthemwhenIhave

gone．’

Mymotherdied，andwewereverysad，becauweloved

herdearlyElizabethwasbraveandhelpedus；hersweetsmile

gaveussomehappinessintheunhappydaysaftermymother's

death．

Thetimecameformetogotouniversity．Ididnotwant

toleavemysadfamily，butweallknewthatIshouldgo．It

washardtoleave，too，becautheparentsofmygoodfriend

HenryClervalwouldnotlethimgotouniversitywithme．And

soIhadtogoalone．

OnmyfirstdayattheuniversityImetmyteacher，

ProfessorWaldman，whowasoneofthegreatestscientistsin

theworld．Hegaveawonderfultalktoallthestudentswho

werestartingattheuniversity．Heendedhistalkbysaying：

‘Someofyouwillbecomethegreatscientistsoftomorrow．You

muststudyhardanddiscovereverythingthatyoucan．Thatis

whyGodmadeyouintelligent—tohelpotherpeople．’

Aftertheprofessor'stalk，Ithoughtverycarefully．I

rememberedthestormwhenIwasfifteen．Irememberedhowthe

lightninghaddestroyedthetree．Iwantedtouelectricity

tohelppeople，andIwantedtodiscoverthecretsoflife．I

decidedtoworkonthetwothings．Ididnotknowthenthat

myworkwoulddestroymeandthepeoplethatIloved．

Istartedworkthenextday．Iworkedveryhardandsoon

ProfessorWaldmanandIrealizedthatIcouldlearntobeavery

goodscientist．

Theprofessorhelpedmeverymuch，andotherimportant

scientistswhowerehisfriendshelpedme，too．Iwasinterested

inmyworkandIdidnottakeoneday'sholidayduringthenext

twoyears．Ididnotgohome，andmyletterstomyfamilywere

veryshort．

AftertwoyearsIhaddiscoveredmanythingsandIbuilt

ascientificmachinethatwasbetterthananythinginthe

university．Mymachinewouldhelpmeanswerthemostimportant

questionofall．HowdoeslifebeginIsitpossibletoputlife

intodeadthingsToanswerthequestionsaboutlifeIhadto

learnfirstaboutdeath．Ihadtowatchbodiesfromthemoment

whentheydiedandthewarmlifeleftthem．Inthehospital

andintheuniversity，Iwatchedthedyingandthedead．Day

afterday，monthaftermonth，Ifolloweddeath．Itwasadark

andterribletime．

Thenoneday，theanswercametome．SuddenlyIwassure

thatIknewthecretoflife．IknewthatIcouldputlife

intoabodythatwasnotalive．

Iworkedharderandhardernow．Isleptforonlyashort

timeeachnight，andIdidnoteatmuchfood．Iwrotetomy

familylessoften．Buttheylovedmeanddidnotstopwriting

tome．TheysaidtheyunderstoodhowbusyIwas．Theydidnot

wantmetostopworktowriteortoethem．Theywouldwait

untilIhadmoretime．Theyhopedtoemeverysoon．

TheprofessorsrealizedthatIwasdoingveryimportant

work，andsotheygavememyownlaboratory．Therewasasmall

flatabovethelaboratory，whereIlived，andsometimesI

stayedinsidethebuildingforaweekanddidnotgoout．

AbovethelaboratoryIbuiltaverytallmast．Itwas

150metreshigh，andhigherthanthetallestbuildinginthe

city．Themastcouldcatchlightningandcouldndthe

electricitydowntomymachineinthelaboratory．Ihadnever

forgottenthelightningthathaddestroyedthetree．Therehad

beensomuchpowerintheelectricityofthatlightning．I

believedIcoulduthatelectricitytogivelifetothings

thatweredead．

Iwillsaynomorethanthat．Thecretofmymachinemust

diewithme．Iwasaverycleverscientist，butIdidnot

realizethenwhataterriblemistakeIwasmaking．

4

InmylaboratoryImadeabody．Iboughtorstoleallthe

piecesofhumanbodythatIneeded，andslowlyandcarefully，

Iputthemalltogether．

Ididnotletanybodyentermylaboratoryormyflatwhile

Iwasdoingthisawfulwork．Iwasafraidtotellanybodymy

terriblecret．

Ihadwantedtomakeabeautifulman，butthefaceofthe

creaturewashorrible．Itsskinwasthinandyellow，andits

eyeswereasyellowasitsskin．Itslongblackhairandwhite

teethwerealmostbeautiful，buttherestofthefacewasvery

ugly．

Itslegsandarmsweretherightshape，buttheywerehuge．I

hadtoubigpiecesbecauitwastoodifficulttojoinsmall

piecestogether．Mycreaturewastwoandahalfmetrestall．

ForayearIhadworkedtomakethiscreature，butnowit

lookedterribleandfrightening．Ialmostdecidedtodestroy

it．ButIcouldnot．IhadtoknowifIcouldputlifeinto

it．

Ijoinedthebodytothewiresfrommymachine．Morewires

joinedthemachinetothemast．Iwassurethatmymachinecould

uelectricityfromlightningtogivelifetothebody．I

watchedandwaited．TwodayslaterIsawdarkcloudsinthesky，

andIknewthatastormwascoming．Ataboutoneo'clockin

themorningthelightningcame．Mymastbegantodoitswork

immediately，andtheelectricityfromthelightningtravelled

downthemasttomymachine．Wouldthemachinework

Atfirstnothinghappened．ButafterafewminutesIsaw

thecreature'sbodybegintomove．Slowly，terribly，thebody

camealive．Hisarmsandlegsbegantomove，andslowlyhe

satup．

Thedeadbodyhadbeenanuglything，butalive，hewas

muchmorehorrible．SuddenlyIwantedtoescapefromhim．I

ranoutofthelaboratory，andlockedthedoor．Iwasfilled

withfearatwhatIhaddone．

ForhoursIwalkedupanddowninmyflat．AtlastIlay

downonmybed，andfellasleep．Butmysleepwasfullof

terribledreams，andIwokeupsuddenly．Thehorriblething

thatIhadcreatedwasstandingbymybed．Hisyelloweyeswere

lookingatme；hismouthopenedandhemadestrangesoundsat

me．Onhisyellowfacetherewasanawfulsmile．Oneofhis

hugehandsreachedtowardsme…

Beforehecouldtouchme，Ijumpedoffthebedandran

downstairsintothegarden．Istayedthereallnight，butI

couldnotthinkclearly．Iwasafraid．Andwhenmorningcame，

Iwentoutintothetownandbegantowalkabout．

IdidnotnoticewhereIwaswalking，butsoonIcameto

thestation．AtrainfromGenevahadjustarrived，andthe

pasngerswereleavingthestation．Oneofthemrantowards

mewhenhesawme．ItwasmydearfriendHenryClerval．

Hewasverypleadtoeme．Hetookmyhandandshook

itwarmly．

‘MydearVictor！’hesaid．‘Whataluckychancethat

youarehereatthestation．Yourfather，andElizabethand

theothers，areveryworriedaboutyou，becauyouhavenot

visitedthemforalongtime．Theyaskmetomakesurethat

youarewell．AndIhaveverygoodnews．Myfatherhasagreed

toletmestudyattheuniversity，soweshallbeabletospend

alotoftimetogether．’

Iwasveryhappytohearthisnews，andforamomentI

for-gotmyfears．ItookHenrybacktomyflatandaskedhim

towaitoutsidewhileIwentintolook．Iwasafraidthatthe

creaturewasstillthere．Buthehaddisappeared．Atthattime

Ididnotthinkofotherpeople，andwhatthecreaturecould

dotothem．ItookHenryintotheflatandcookedamealfor

us．ButHenrynoticedhowthinIwas，andthatIwaslaughing

toomuchandcouldnotsitstill．

Suddenlyhesaid：‘MydearVictor，whatisthematterwith

youAreyouillHassomethingawfulhappened’

‘Don'taskmethat，’Icried．Iputmyhandsovermy

eyes．IthoughtIcouldethehorriblecreaturethereinfront

ofme．Ipointedwildlyacrosstheroom，andshouted：‘He

cantellyou．Saveme！Saveme！’Itriedtofightthecreature，

buttherewasnothingthere．ThenIfaintedandfelltothe

floor．

PoorHenry！Idonotknowwhathethought．Hecalleda

doctorandtheyputmetobed．Iwasveryillfortwomonths，

andHenrystayedandlookedafterme．Hislovingcaresaved

mefromdeath．

Iwantedtogohomeandemyfamilyassoonas

possible．WhenIwaswellenough，Ipackedmyclothesand

books．Allmyluggagewasready，andIwasfeelingveryhappy

whenthepostmanarrivedwithsomeletters．Oneoftheletters

endedmyshorttimeofhappiness．

5

TheletterwasfrommyfatherinGeneva，andthisiswhat

hewrote：

MydearVictor，

Iwantyoutoknowbeforeyouarrivehomethatanawfulthing

hashappened．Yourdearyoungestbrother，William，isdead．He

wasmurdered．IthappenedlastThursdayeveningwhenElizabeth

andIandyourtwobrothers，ErnestandWilliam，wentfora

walkoutsidethecity．WilliamandErnestwere

playing．WilliamhadhiddenfromErnest，andErnestasked

ElizabethandmetohelpfindWilliam．Weallbegantoarch

forhim，butwecouldn'tfindhim．Wearchedallnight．At

fiveinthemorningIfoundhim．Hewaslyingonthegrass，

whiteandstill．Icouldethemarksoffingersonhis

neck—themurdererhadstrangledhim．

Elizabethhadlethimwearagoldchainofhersroundhis

neck．Onthechainwasaverysmallpictureofyourmother．We

allthinkthatsomeonemurderedWilliamtostealthegold

chain．PoorElizabethisterriblyunhappyatWilliam's

death．Shethinkshediedbecaushelethimwearthe

chain．Hurryhome，mydearVictor．Youaretheonlyonewho

canhelpElizabeth，andweallneedyou．

Withallourlove，

YourFather

Henryhelpedmetocatchthetrain．Thejourneyemedvery

long，anditwaslateatnightbeforethetrainreached

Geneva．Idecidedtospendthenightinavillageoutsidethe

townandgohomeearlyinthemorning．Iwantedtoetheplace

whereWilliamhaddied．

AsIstartedmywalk，astormbrokeandlightninglitthe

sky．Thepolicehadputpostsroundtheplacewherethemurderer

hadstrangledWilliam，soIfounditeasily．Icriedsadlyas

Istoodthere．Mypoorbrotherhadbeenakindandhappyboy，

andwehadalllovedhim．

Againthelightninglitthesky，andIsawahugefigure

standingintherain．WhenIsawit，Iknewatoncewhatit

was．ItwasthecreaturethatIhadmade．

WhatwashedoingthereButalthoughIaskedmylfthe

question，Iknewtheanswer．Hehadmurderedmybrother．I

wassurethatIwasright．

Idecidedtotryandcatchhim．ButasImoved，heranto

－wardsthemountains．Heranmuchfasterthananyman．He

climbedthemountaineasily，reachedthetop，anddisappeared．

Istoodthereinthedarkandtherain，andknewthatI

hadcreatedamonster．Andhehadmurderedmybrother．

6

AtfirstIdecidedtotellthepolicemystory．Butwould

theybelievemeIhadbeenveryill．Whenthepolicelearnt

aboutmyillness，theywouldthinkthemonsterwasjustone

ofmybaddreams．IdecidedthatIcouldnottellanybody．

Iwenthometomyfamilyandtheywereverypleadtoe

me．Thentheytoldmethatthepolicehadfoundthe

murderer．Perhapsyouwillthinkthatthiswasgoodnews，

butIhavenottoldyouwhothepolicehadarrested．

AsIwentintothehou，Inoticedthatonepersondidnot

cometomeetme．ItwasJustine，theyoungwomanwholooked

afterthechildrenandwhowaslikeasistertous．Anditwas

Justinethatthepolicehadarrested．

Afewdaysafterthemurder，thepolicehadarchedthe

houandhadfoundthegoldchaininJustine'scoat

pocket．EveryoneinthefamilyknewthatJustinehadnot

murderedWilliam．Iknewwhothemurdererwas，butIcould

nottellanyone．WeweresurethatJustinewouldbefreeafter

thetrial，becaunobodycouldbelievethatshewasa

murderer．Butwewerewrong．

ThetrialdidnotgowellforJustine．Therewereanumber

ofstrangefactsthatweredifficulttoexplain，andthejudge

decidedthatshewasthemurderer．Thepunishmentformurder

wasdeath．Wearguedandcried．Wesaidshecouldnotmurder

anyone．Butnothingcouldchangethejudge'sorder．

SoIgotupearlyandwenttothejudge'shouandtold

himaboutthemonster．Hedidnotbelieveme．HethoughtI

waslyinginordertosaveJustine'slife．

IntheprisonJustinewaitedquietlyfordeath．Wespent

manyhourswithher，andshespokecalmlyandkindlytous．She

washappybecauwebelievedthatshehadnotkilled

William．Andshewasalmostlookingforwardtodeath，be

－cauthenshewouldbewithWilliamandourdearmotherin

aplaceofpeace．

Herloveandgentlenessaddedtomygreatunhappiness．I

knewshewasgoingtodiebecauofme．Iknewmybrotherhad

diedbecauofme．Ihadbroughtnothingbutsadnessandmiry

tomyfamily．

ItookaboatandwentoutonLakeGeneva．Whydidn'tI

endmylifethenTwothingsstoppedme．Myfatherwasoldand

anotherdeathwouldprobablykillhim．AndIhadtostay

alive—tokeepmyfamilysafefromthemonster．

Fearformyfamilyandhateformymonsterwerewithmeday

andnight．Ibecameillagain，andElizabeth'slovecouldnot

helpme．Ineededoescapeforawhile—toleavemyunhappiness

behindme．SoIwenttowalkaloneintheAlps．Ihopedthe

wildbeautyofthemountainswouldhelpme．

SlowlyIbecamecalmeramongthebeautifulmountains．I

learnttosleepagain，andfordaysIdidnoteanybody．Then

onemorningIsawafigurecomingtowardsmefasterthanany

mancouldgo．ItjumpedeasilyovertherocksandIsawwith

horrorthemonsterthatIhadcreated．Onhisfacewasalook

ofdeepsadness，butalsoofevil．AtfirstIcouldnotspeak

be－cauIhatedhimsomuch．ButatlastIsaid：

‘Youareanevilcreature．IshallkillyouifIcan，

becauyouhavekilledtwopeoplethatIlove．’

Themonster'syelloweyeslookedatme．‘Iamthe

unhappiestcreatureintheworld，butIshallfightformy

life，’hesaid．‘Iambiggerandstrongerthanyou，butI

willnotstartthefight．Ishallalwaysbegentletoyou

becauyouaremykingandcreator．Youmademe，andyoushould

lovemeandbekindtome，likeafather．WilliamandJustine

diedbecauyoudidnotloveme．Whydidyoucreatemeifyou

werenotreadytoloveme’

‘Weareenemies，’Isaid．‘Leavemenow，orletusfight

untiloneofusisdead．Youareamurderer．HowcanIbekind

toyou’

‘YousayIamamurderer，’themonstersaid，‘butyou

wanttokillyourowncreature．Isn'tthatwrong，tooIask

youtodoonethingforme—listen．Comewithmetoawarmer

place，andlistentomystory．Thenyoucandecide．’

Ithoughtcarefullyaboutwhathehadsaid．Itwastruethat

IhadgivenhimlifebutIhadnotgivenhimlove．Idecided

togowithhimandlistentohisstory．

Hetookmetoamountainhutwherehelitafire．Wesat

downbythefireandhebegantotellmehisstory．

7

AfterIhadleftthelaboratory，Iescapedintothecountry

outsidethetown．Isoonfelthungryandthirsty，andmyfirst

foodwasfruitwhichIfoundonsometreesnearariver．Idrank

fromtheriverandthenlaydownandwenttosleep．

Atfirstmyeyesandearsdidnotworkverywell，butafter

awhileIbegantoeandhearclearly．

Oneday，snowbegantofall．Ofcour，Ihadneverwalked

insnowbefore，andIfoundthatitmademyfeetverycold．I

realizedthatIneededfoodandaplacetogetwarm．SoonIsaw

asmallhutwhereanoldmanwascookinghisbreakfastovera

fire．Whentheoldmansawme，heshoutedloudlyandranaway

asfastashecould．Ididnotunderstandwhatthemanwasdoing，

butIwantedtobenearthefire．SoIsatdowninthewarm，

andatetheman'sbreakfast．ThenIwalkedacrosmptyfields

forsomehoursuntilIreachedavillage．Iwentintooneof

thehous，buttherewerechildreninside．Theybeganto

screamwhentheysawme，andtheirmotherfainted．Thewhole

villagecametoewhatwasthetrouble．Someofthepeople

ranawaywhentheysawme，buttheothersshoutedandthrew

stonesatme．Theywantedtokillme．Iwasbadlyhurt，but

Iescapedandranintotheopencountry．

Later，Ifoundanemptyhut，whichwasbuiltagainstthe

wallofasmallhou．Iwasafraidtogointothehouafter

whathadhappenedinthevillage，soIhidinthehut．There

Iwassafe，andcouldescapefromthecold，andhidefrompeople

whowishedtohurtme．

AndthenIfoundthattherewasasmallholeinthewall

betweenthehutandthehou．ThroughthisholeIcoulde

in－totheroomnexttothehut．Threepeoplelivedinthe

hou—abeautifulgirl，anoldman，andayoungman．

DayafterdayIwatchedthethreepeople．Isawhowkind

theyweretoeachother．Iwantedsomuchtogointothehou

andbewiththem，butIknewImuststayinthehut．Icould

notforgethowthevillagepeoplehadhurtmewhenItriedto

gointothehouthere．

Eachnight，afterthepeopleinthehouhadgonetobed，

Istolesomeoftheirfoodformylf．ButsoonIrealizedthat

theoldmanwasblind．AndIrealizedtoothatoftenthethree

ofthemdidnothaveenoughtoeat．Isawthetwoyoungpeople

putextrafoodontheblindman'splate，althoughtheywere

hungrythemlves．

WhenIsawthat，Istoppedstealingtheirfood．Theirlife

wasalreadyhardenough，soIwentbacktothewildfruitin

thewoods．Itriedtohelptheminotherways，too．During

thenightIcutfirewoodforthem，andaddeditcretlyto

thewoodwhichtheyoungmanhadcutduringtheday．Iwasvery

happytoehowmuchthispleadtheyoungman．

AfterawhileIbegantounderstandsomeofthenoisthat

thepeoplemadetoeachother．ThefirstwordsthatIunder

－stoodwerewordslike‘fire’，and‘bread’．Ialsolearnt

thatthethreepeoplecalledeachotherbynames．Thegirlwas

Agatha，theyoungmanwasFelix，andtheoldmanwascalled

Father．Itriedtomakethenoisthattheymade，andslowly

Ibegantospeak．

Thetwoyoungpeoplewereverybeautiful．OnedayIsaw

myownfaceinthewateroftheriver．Itwasaterribleface．I

understoodwhypeoplewerefrightened，whytheyshoutedand

threwstones．IknewthenthatIcouldnotletthebeautiful

peopleeme．Theywouldbefrightenedbymyhorribleface

andbody．

Summerwascoming，andIcontinuedtowatchandlearn．I

alsocontinuedtohelpthetwopeopleandtheirfather，and

didmanyjobsfortheminthenight．Theywerealwayssurprid

inthemorningwhentheysawwhatIhaddone．Iheardthemtalk

aboutthe‘goodcreature’whodidthe‘wonderful’things．

Butthefamilywereoftensad，andIwishedIcouldmake

themhappy．IlookedforwardtothetimewhenIcouldspeakwell

enoughtotalktothem．AndIwashappybecauIwassureI

wouldsoonhavethreegoodfriends．

8

Onedayinsummeraladyonhorbackrodeuptothehou

andknockedonthedoor．Shehaddarkhair，andwasvery

beautiful．Thefamilywereallverypleadtoeher．Isoon

learntthathernamewasSophie．

Shecouldnotspeakthefamily'slanguage，andeachevening

Felixtaughthersomewords．Thiswasaverygreathelptome，

becauIwasabletolearnthemeaningofmanywordsthatI

hadnotbeenabletounderstandbefore．FelixtaughtSophie

frombooksaboutwhathadhappenedintheworldinthepast．So

IlearntabouttheGreeksandRomans，andaboutChrist，and

aboutthefirstwhitemeninAmericaandthesadstoryofthe

Indians．Icouldnotunderstandwhymenwhoknewallaboutgood

andevilcouldhateandkilleachother．

Ilearntotherthingstoo．Ilearntthatpeoplethinkit

isveryimportanttohavemoneyandtocomefromagoodfamily．I

learntofthelovebetweenmotherandfatherandchild．And

IrealizedthatIhadnofamily．ThemoreIlearnt，themore

Ithought，andthemoreunhappyIbecame．

SoonIdiscoveredwhoSophiewas．Thetwofamilieshadmet

inFranceafterSophieandherfatherarrivedtherefromTurkey，

theirowncountry．Sophie'sfatherwasputinprisonbythe

French，butFelixandhisfatherhelpedhimtoescapeandleave

France．WhentheFrenchdiscoveredthis，Felixandhisfamily

lostalltheirlandsandmoney，andhadtoleaveFrancefor

ever．NowIknewwhytheyweresosad，andwhytheywerepoor．

Butthatwasnotall．SophieandFelixlovedeachother，

andSophie'sfatherhadpromidthattheycouldmarry．Then，

whenhelearntthatFelixhadlostallhismoney，hebrokehis

promi．ButSophielovedFelixverymuch，soshetooksome

moneyandescapedfromherfathertoarchforFelix．

IhadlearnttolovethegoodpeopleandIcouldnotwait

anotherdaytointroducemylf．Idecidedtospeakfirstto

thefather，becauhewasblind，andwouldnotbefrightened

bymyterriblefaceandbody．

Onedaythethreeyoungpeoplewentforawalkwhilethe

oldmanrested．Whentheyhadgone，Iwenttothedoorofthe

houandknockedonit．

Theoldmantoldmetoenter，andtositdown．

‘Thankyou，’Isaid．‘Iamatraveller，andI'mtired

andsad．Ihavenofamilyorfriends．ThepeoplethatIwant

tohaveasmyfriendshaveneverenme．Iftheydon'ttake

meintotheirhome，Ishallbealoneintheworld．’

‘Don'tbesosad，’theoldmansaid．‘Youwillfindthat

theheartsofmenarefulloflove．Ifthefriendsaregood

people，theywillwelcomeyou．’

‘Theyarekind，andthebestpeopleintheworld，’I

said．‘Butwhentheymeetme，theymaynoteakindcreature

whohashelpedthem．Insteadtheymayeamonster，andthey

willhateme．’

‘Thatmustn'thappen，’theoldmansaid．‘Myfamilyand

Ihavehadourdifficulttimes，andwe'llhelpyou．’

‘Youareaverygoodman，’Isaid，‘andifyouhelpme，

Ishallbeabletolivewithmyfriendsandenjoytheirlove．’

AtthatmomentIheardtheyoungpeoplereturningfromtheir

walk．Icaughttheoldman'shand，andcried，‘Nowisthetime！

Savemeandhelpme！Youandyourfamilyarethefriendsthat

Iamtalkingabout．’

Thenthedooropened，andincameFelix，Sophie，and

Agatha．Theirfaceswerefilledwithhorrorandfearwhenthey

sawme．Agathafainted，andSophieranoutofthehou．Felix

ranforwardandpulledmeawayfromhisfather．Hethrewmeto

thegroundandhitmeagainandagainwithhisheavystick．I

didnotliftahandagainsthim．Ididnotwanttohurthim—or

anyofthem．Myheartwasheavy，andallhopeleftme．Iran

outofthehouandlaterreturnedsilentlytomyhut．Nobody

sawme．

9

Isatinmydarkhut，andfeltbothangryandsad．Onehalf

ofmewantedtohurtthepeoplewhohadhurtme．Theotherhalf

ofmestilllovedthem．IntheendIdecidedtotrytospeak

totheoldmanagain．Ifellintoanunhappysleep，butwhen

Iwokeinthemorning，thefamilyhadgone．Theyhadleftthe

houduringthenight．

Iknewthenameofonlyoneotherperson．AlthoughIhad

enyou，Frankenstein，foronlyafewmoments，Iknewthat

Ibelongedtoyou．WhenIhadleftyourhou，Ihadpickedup

asmallbag．Therewasabookinthebag，andIcouldnowread

it．FromitIlearntmycreator'snameandaddress．Youhad

mademe，butwhyhadyounotlookedafterme，andsavedme

fromthispainandunhappinessIdecidedtogotoGeneva，to

findyou．

OnedayasIwastravelling，Isawayounggirlrunning

alongthesideofariver．Suddenlyshefellintothewater．I

jumpedintotheriver，foughtagainstthefast－movingwater，

andbroughtherbacktoland．WhileIwasdoingthis，thegirl's

father，whowaslookingforher，reachedus．Hewascarrying

agun，andwhenhesawme，hefired．Thebullethitmyarmand

brokeit．Ifelltothegroundingreatpain，andthemanand

thegirlranintothewoodsasfastastheycould，andleftme．

Thebulletwasdeepinmyarm，andIlostalotof

blood．Aftersomedaysmyarmbegantogetbetter，butIbecame

sadderandangrierthanbefore．Ihadsavedthegirl'slife，

andhowdidtheythankmeWithabulletinthearm！Ibeganto

realizethattherewasnohappinessformeinlife．Hategrew

strongerinmeeveryday．Hateforyou，mycreator，whohad

mademe．

Twomonthslater，IreachedGeneva．ThateveningIhid

amongsometreesoutsidethetown，andwenttosleep．ButI

wokewhenalittleboyranintomyhidingplace．IthoughtI

wouldcatchthechildandmakehimmyfriendbeforehewasold

enoughtobefrightenedofmyterribleface．Icaughtthelittle

boy，butwhenthechildsawme，hecoveredhiyeswithhis

handsandscreamedloudly．

‘Letmego，youmonster，’thechildshouted．‘Letme

go，orIwilltellmyfather，MrFrankenstein．Hewillcall

thepolice，andthey'llpunishyou．’

‘Frankenstein！’Ishouted．‘Youbelongtomyenemy，the

manthatIwanttohurt．’

Thechildfoughtandscreamed，andIputmyhandroundhis

necktostophimshouting．Inamoment，thechildlaydeadat

myfeet．Ilookeddownathisbody，andwaspleadwithwhat

Ihaddone．Iknewthatthedeathofthischildwouldhurtyou，

VictorFrankenstein，mycreator．

ThenIsawsomethingbrightroundthechild'sneck．Itwas

agoldchain，andontheendofitwasapictureofaverybeau

－tifulwoman．Iknewthatabeautifulwomanwouldneversmile

atme，andIwantedtorunintoGenevaandkillasmanypeople

asIcould．ButIstoppedmylf，andwenttolookforan-other

hidingplace．SoonIfoundahut，whichemedtobeempty，

butwhenIenteredIsawaprettyyoungwomanasleeponthe

floor．Ihatedherbecaushewaspretty．SoIputthegold

chainintooneofherpockets，andthen，beforeshecouldwake

up，Iranaway．Iknewthepolicewouldthinkthatshehadkilled

thelittleboy．

10

Themonsterfinishedtellingmehisstory，andthenhe

said：

‘Iamaloneandmirable．OnlysomeoneasuglyasIam

couldloveme．Youmustmakeanothercreaturelikeme，awoman

monstertobemywife．’

‘Ishallnevermakeanothercreaturelikeyou，’Ishouted

‘Youhavedoneenoughevilonyourown．’

‘Ifyoudon'thelpme，Ishallmakeyoumoremirablethan

youhaveeverbeeninyourlife．Youwillwishyouwere

dead，’themonstersaid．‘Butifyoumakeanothermonsterto

bemyfriend，wewon'thurtanyone．Bekindtomenow，andI

willlearntoloveandbekind．’

Ithoughtlongandhardaboutthemonster'swords．Ifelt

sorryforhim．Hewassomirable．PerhapsIshouldhelphim．

‘Ishalldowhatyouask，’Itoldhim．‘Butyoumust

promitolivesomewhereintheworldwherenobodylives．You

mustpromitostayawayfromotherpeople．’

‘Ipromi！Ipromi！hecried．‘Pleastartyourwork．I

shallwatchyou，andwhenyouareready，youcanbesureIwill

comeback．’Heturnedandleftme，andrandownthemountain．

IwentbacktoGenevaimmediately．Myfamilywerevery

worriedwhentheysawme．Iwaspaleandmyeyeswerewild．I

couldnotforgetmypromitothemonster，andtheawfulwork

thatwaitedforme．ButIhadtodoit．Itwastheonlyway

tokeepmyfamilysafe…safefromhismurderinghandsaround

theirnecks．

Ineededtostudyforveralmonthstomakeawomanmonster

successfully．IheardthatanEnglishscientisthaddonesome

ufulwork，soIdecidedtogotoEngland．BeforeIwent，

myfatheraskedme：‘AreyougoingtomarryElizabeth，ordo

youloveanotherwomanIsthiswhyyouaresounhappy’

‘No，father，’Ireplied．‘IhavealwayslovedElizabeth，

andIwanttomarryher．ButImustdoonemorepieceof

scientificworkbeforewecanmarry．ImustgotoEnglandto

dotheworkandIwanttomarryElizabethwhenIreturn．’

MyfatherandElizabethdidnotwantmetogotoEngland

alone，becauIhadbeensoill．Theyspoketomyoldfriend

HenryClerval，andhewasveryhappytotravelwithme．Iwas

pleadthathecouldcome，althoughIdidnotwanthimto

discoveranythingaboutmyhorriblework．

HenryandIreachedLondoninearlyOctoberandstayedthere

forafewmonths．ImetandtalkedwithEnglishscientists，

andlearntmanyufulthingsfromthem．ThenHenrywasinvited

tovisitsomefriendsinScotland．Iplannedtotravelwithhim，

butItoldhimthatIwantedtogowalkinginthemountains

alone．Henrywasnothappywithmyplan，butintheendhe

agreed．

IboughtallthatIneededforalaboratory，andnt

every-thingtoScotland．HenryandItravelledtoEdinburgh

together，andthenIwentfurthernorth，tofindagoodplace

formylaboratory．AtlastIfoundtherightplaceonanisland

offthenorthcoast．Itwasawildandlonelyplace．Onlyfive

peoplelivedontheisland，soIcouldworkalone，andnobody

woulddiscovermyawfulcret．

Therewasalarge，emptyhutontheisland，andIbrought

buildersfromScotlandtomakethehutintoalaboratoryfor

me．Ishowedthemhowtobuildmymast，andsooneverythingwas

readyformetostartworkonthewomanmonster．

11

OneeveningtwomonthslaterIwassittinginmy

lab-oratory．Mostofmyworkwasdone，andIcouldfinishthe

womanmonsterthatnight．ButIwonderedifIshouldfinishthe

work．

WasImakingamonstermoreevilthanthefirst

creaturePerhapsathousandtimesmoreevil．HowcouldIknow

Perhapsthewomanmonsterwouldbeanothermurderer．Shehad

notpromidtostayawayfromotherpeople．Perhapsthetwo

monsterswouldhateeachother…andwouldkill，andmurder，

anddestroy…withoutend．

AsIthoughtthethings，Ilookedupatthe

window．Suddenly，inthemoonlight，Isawthemonster'sawful

facelookingatme．AndinhisyelloweyesIcouldeonlyhate

andevil．Iknewhewouldnotkeephispromi．

Iwentovertothelaboratorytablewherethenewcreature

waslying．Ipulledoffthewiresthatjoinedhertomymachine．I

tookasharpknifeandcutthroughthebodythatIhadjoined

togethersocarefully．Throughthewindowthemonstersawme

destroyhiswoman．Withaloudandmirablescreamofsadness

andlosthope，heranintothelaboratory．

‘Youhavedestroyedallmyhopesofhappiness，’he

cried．‘Youhaveleftmewithonefeeling—hate…andwithone

wish—todestroyyourhappiness．Youwillbesorrythatyouwere

everborn．Rememberthis：Ishallbewithyouonyourwedding

night．’

Heranquicklyoutofthelaboratory，andIwatchedhimas

helefttheislandinhisboatandsailedawayacrossthea．

IsatandcriedasIthoughtofthedangertoElizabeth．But

Iknewthatthemonsterwouldnotvisitusuntilourwedding

night．Iwouldnotdieeasily，andIwouldtrytokillhimbefore

hecouldkillme．

ThenextmorningIreceivedaletterfromHenry．Hetold

methathewaswaitingformetoreturn．Idecidedtoclearthe

laboratoryandtoleavetheislandonthefollowingday．SoI

re-turnedtothelaboratory，wherethepiecesofthewoman

monster'sbodystilllayonthefloor．Iputthemallinalarge

bagwithsomeheavystones．ThenItookthebagtomyboatand

sailedouttoa．Ithrewthebagintodeepwater，andwatched

itdisappear．

IwashappierthanIhadfeltformonths．IknewIhaddone

therightthing，andnowtherewouldbenocondmonsterto

followthefirst．

Iwasverytired，andIwenttosleepintheboat．Idonot

knowhowlongIslept，butwhenIwokeup，Iwasinthemiddle

ofastorm．Thewindwasdrivingmefurtherouttoaandmy

boatbegantofillwithwater．IknewIwasingreatdanger．After

somehoursthestormpasd，andIsawlandtothesouth．Soon

Icouldethebeach…andacrowdofpeoplestandingand

watchingme．Theirfaceswerecoldandunfriendly．

AsIlanded，fourofthemencametowardsmeandtookme

bythearms．

‘WearetakingyoutoMrKerwin，thejudge．Hewantsto

askyousomequestionsaboutthemurderofamanherelast

night，’oneofthementoldme．

Iwassadtohearofthemurder，butIdidnotworryabout

it．Ihadbeenfarawayatthetime，andknewnothingaboutany

murder．Itwouldbeeasytoexplainthat．SoIwentwiththe

mentothelargehouwhereJudgeKerwinlived．

12

Thejudgewasanold，kindman，buthisfacewasvery

riousashelookedatme．Heaskedanumberofmentotell

mewhattheyhadenandfoundthenightbefore．

Thefirstmantoldhisstory．Heandhissonwerecoming

homefromalongday'sfishing．Itwasadarknight，andonthe

beachtheyhadfallenoverthedeadbodyofaman．Theyhad

carriedthebodytothenearesthou，andfoundthatitwas

agood-lookingyoungmanabouttwenty－fiveyearsold．There

werethemarksoffingersroundhisneck．Whentheyspokeof

themarksoffingers，Irememberedthemurderofmybrotherand

Ifeltaterriblefear．

Thesonthentoldhisstory．Hehadenaboatwithaman

init，notfarfromthebeach．Hethoughtitwasmyboat．A

womanhadalsoenamaninaboatsailingawayfromthe

beach．ShethoughtIwastheman．

ThenIwastakentotheroomwherethedeadbodylay．How

canItellyouwhatIfeltwhenIsawthebodyIputmyarmsround

itandcried：‘WhathaveIdoneMyfriend！Mydearfriend！’The

bodywasHenryClerval's，andsonowIhaddestroyedanother

person．

Thisthirddeathwastoomuchforme．Ifelldowninakind

ofmadness，andtheyhadtocarrymefromtheroom．Fortwo

monthsIwasveryillandwishedonlytodie．Butslowlymy

madnessleftme，andmyhealthbegantoreturn．AtlastIwas

abletospeaktoJudgeKerwin，andIaskedfornewsofmyfamily．

‘Thereissomeoneherewhocanansweryourquestionbetter

thanIcan，’hesaid．‘Yourfatherarrivedafewminutesago，

andiswaitingtoeyou．’

ForthefirsttimesinceHenry'sdeathIfeltsome

happiness．Iheldoutmyhandstomyfatherashecameintothe

room，andhetookmeinhisarms．Hegavemethegoodnews

thatElizabethandErnestweresafeandwell．

Iwasreallytooilltotravel，butIaskedmyfatherto

takemehomeimmediately．Thepolicehadfoundsomebodywhohad

enmeonmyislandatthetimeofthemurder，andsothejudge

letmegofree．

Myfatherlookedaftermeonthelongjourneyhome，andsat

withmeforeveryminute．NightafternightwhileIwasasleep，

IshoutedthatIwasthemurdererofWilliam，Justine，and

Henry．MyfatheraskedmewhyIsaidtheawfulthings．Iwanted

toanswerhisquestion，butIcouldnottellhimmyterrible

cret．HethoughtthatIwasstillalittlemad．

WestayedforafewdaysinParisonthewayhome，and

Elizabethwrotetomeatourhotel．Thisiswhatherlettersaid：

MydearestVictor，

Iamsohappytoknowthatyouwillsoonbehome．ButIam

afraidthatHenry'sdeathisnottheonlyreasonforyour

sadness．Doyoustillwanttomarryme，ordoyoulovean-other

womanYoumusttellme．

Iloveyou，Victor，andIdreamofthedaywhenIshallbe

yourwife．ButIdonotwantyoutomarrymejustbecauyour

parentswantedit．Icanonlybehappyifyouarehappy．

Donotanswerthisletter．Waituntilyouarrivebeforeyou

givemeyouranswer．Butifyouarewell，andifIcanmakeyou

smile，Ineednothingmoretomakemehappy．

Withallmylove，

Elizabeth

Irepliedimmediately．ItoldherthatIlovedherverymuch

andwantedtomarryher．

Irememberedthemonster'spromitobewithmeonthe

nightofmywedding．Lethimcome．Wewouldfighttothedeath

onthatnight．Andafterthatfight，Iwouldeitherbedead

andatpeace，oraliveandfree…freetobehappywith

Elizabeth．

WearrivedinGenevasoonaftermyletterhadreached

Elizabeth．Itwaswonderfultoeheragain．Sheranintomy

armsandIheldherclo．Shecriedwhenshesawhowthinand

oldIlooked．She，too，wasthinnerbecaushehadworried

aboutmesomuch．Buthergentlenessandherlovemadeheras

beautifulaver．

Weagreedthattheweddingwouldbeintendays'time．As

thedaycamenearer，Ibecamemoreandmoreafraid．Itriedto

hidemyfear，andlaughedandsmiledasoftenasI

could．ElizabethknewthatIwasunhappy，butshewassureshe

couldgivemehappiness．Shelookedforwardtoourwedding．

IbegantocarryagunandaknifewithmeeverywhereIwent．

13

Aftertheweddingalargenumberofourfriendscametoa

partyatourhou．Whenthepartyhadstarted，Elizabethand

Isaidgoodbyeandleftforourhoneymoon．Wetravelledfirst

byboat，andplannedtospendthenightatahotelontheother

sideofthelake．Themountainsandthelakewerecalmand

beautiful，andatlastElizabethandIweretogether．Forthe

firsttimeformonths，andforthelasttimeever，Ienjoyed

thefeelingofhappiness．

Intheeveningthewindbecamestrongerandsoonagreat

stormbrokeaboveus．Everynoifrightenedme，andIkeptmy

handonmygunundermycoat．Isawthemonsterinevery

shadow．SuddenlyIrealizedhowterriblethefightwouldbefor

Elizabeth．IaskedhertogotobedandIdecidedtoarchfor

themonster．IplannedtojoinherwhenIwassurehewasnot

inoraroundthehotel．

ElizabethleftmeandIarchedeverycornerofthe

hotel—everydarkdoorwayandstairca．Icouldnotfindhim，

andIbegantohopethathehadnotfollowedustothehotel．But

suddenly，Iheardaloudandterriblescream．

Itcamefromourroom．

Then—toolate—Iunderstood．Themonsterhadpromidto

bewithmeonmyweddingnight，buthehadnotplannedtokill

me．

Thescreamcameagain，andIrantoourroom．WhydidI72not

diethereandthen

Onthebed，Elizabethlaystill，inthecoldsleepof

death．Itookherinmyarms…andsawthemarksofthe

murderer'sfingersonherneck．

Otherpeopleinthehotelhadheardthescreamsandcame

intoourroom．Intoneofthemtocallthepolice．Theothers

leftmealonewithmymiry．IheldElizabethclo，andas

Iheldher，Isawthemonsterwatchingmethroughtheopen

windowoftheroom．Therewasanevillaughonhisface．Ipulled

mygunfrommycoatandfiredathim．Imisd，andheran

fromthewindowandjumpedintothelake．Theotherpeopleheard

thenoioftheshotandcamebackintotheroom．Ishowed

themtheplacewherethemonsterhadjumpedintothelake．We

archedtheedgeofthelake，butwecouldnotfindhim．I

returnedtoourroomandlayonthebednexttomydearwife．

SuddenlyIhadanotherterriblethought．Atthisverymoment

perhapsmyfatherwasfightingthemonster，withErnestdead

athisfeet．IleftthehotelandreturnedtoGenevaasfast

asIcould．MyfatherandErnestweresafe，buttheawfulnews

ofElizabeth'sdeathkilledmyfather．HehadlovedElizabeth

dearly．Hebe－cameill，andafterafewdayshediedinmy

arms．Sotheevilmonsterhadbroughtunhappinessanddeathto

adearoldmanwhohadneverhurtanybody．

Idonotknowwhathappenednext．IthinkIleftthereal

world，andenteredadangerousworldofdreamsand

madness．LaterIfoundthattheyhadputmeinprisonbecau

ofmymadness．

Aftermanymonthstheyletmefree．Ihadonlyonewish—to

findandkillthemonster．

14

IdecidedtoleaveGenevaforever．Itookallthemoney

thatIneeded，andleftthetown．BeforeIleft，Iwenttovisit

theplacewhereWilliam，Elizabeth，andmyfatherlayatrest．I

stoodthereandpromidthemthatIwouldstayaliveuntilI

hadkilledthemonster．

Aloud，evillaughrangoutthroughthesilentnight．Then

Iheardthemonsters'svoice：‘Itpleasmethatyouhave

decidedtolive，becauthatisjustwhatIwant．’

Irantowardsthevoice，butIcouldnotcatchthemonster．I

sawhimrunningaway，butheranfasterthananymancould

go—toofastformetocatch．ButIfollowedhim，andIhave

beenfollowinghimsincethatday．IshallstayaliveuntilI

cancatchhim．Hewantsmetoliveaslongaspossible．Hewants

metofeel，dayafterday，thepainandmirythathehasgiven

me．Heleavesmessagestotellmewhereheis．Heknowsthat

Ishallfollowhim．

IamonlyhappywhenIamasleep．IdreamthatIamwith

myfamily，andElizabethandHenry．WhenIamawake，Ilook

forwardtomydeath，tothedaywhenIshallbewiththem．

Inhislastmessagethemonstertoldmethathewasgoing

north．Hewantedtotakemewherethecoldwouldhurtmeand

makememoremirable．Ifollowedhimtothecoldlandsofthe

north，andboughtdogsandasledge．Untilnow，hehasalways

leftmefurtherandfurtherbehindwhenIchahim．Butthe

dogswereveryfastandIwasgettingclorandclorto

him．Soonhewasonlyoneday'sjourneyinfrontofme．Hewas

goingtowardsthea，andIhopedtocatchhimbeforehe

reachedit．Thechaovertheicecontinuedforaboutthree

weeks．Thepainfromthecoldwasverygreat，andIbeganto

lohope．IthoughtIwouldnevercatchhim．Mydogscouldnot

runmuchfurther，andoneofthemdied．ThenIsawsome-thing

ontheiceinfrontofme．Itwasthemonsterandhis

sledge．SuddenlyIwasfullofhopeagain，andIgaveagreat

shoutofhappiness．

Igotclorandclortohim．Thenagreatstorm

started．Theicebegantobreak，andtheacarriedhimaway

fromme．Mysledgewasbroken，andIlostmydogs．Iwasleft

onapieceoficethatwasbecomingsmallerallthetime．Many

hourswentby，andthenIsawyourship．Therestyouknow．I

askyou，CaptainWalton，tochathemonsterandkillhim．Do

notlistentowhathesays．Heknowshowtoargue，andperhaps

youwillfeelsorryforhim．Butrememberthatheis

evil．RememberthedeathsofWilliam，Justine，HenryClerval，

Elizabeth，myfather…andrememberme，VictorFrankenstein．

Thereisnomoreformetosay，excepttothankyou，Captain

Walton，foryourhelpandkindness．Thankyoualsoforlistening

tomystory．Iwantyoutotelltheworldthatthemonsteris

adangertoeveryone．

IknowthatIhaveonlyafewhourslefttolive，butIcan

feelmylovedonesnearme，andIwelcomedeath．

Goodbye．ThisistheendofVictorFrankenstein'sstory．

15

I，CaptainRobertWalton，haveaddedthisfinalnotetothe

story．Whenyouhavereadit，youwillknowthatVictor

Frankenstein'sstorywastrue．

VictorFrankensteindiedafewhoursafterhehadwritten

hislastword．Iwassadtoehimdie，becauhehadbecome

agoodfriend．Buthewillnotbeunhappyorinpainanymore，

andIamhappyforhim

Welaidhisbodyinacabinnearmyown．LaterIhearda

voicecomingfromthecabin．Iwentintothecabinandsawa

hugeshapestandinsoverthedeadbody．Iknewthatthehorrible

creaturewhichwasstandingtherewasFrankenstein'smonster．

‘SoIhavekilledyou，too，’themonstersaidto

Frankenstein'sbody．‘Oh，Frankenstein，forgiveme．HowIwish

youcouldanswerme．’

Iwenttowardshim，andsaid：‘Itistoolatefor

Frankensteintoforgiveyou．Heisdead．Hispaininded．’

‘YoudonotknowhowmuchpainandunhappinessIhave

felt，’saidthemonster．‘IknewthatIwasdoingevilthings，

butIcouldnotstopmylf．DoyouthinkIenjoyedkilling

peopleMyheartwasmadeforlove，likeaman'sheart．AfterI

killedHenryClerval，Ihatedmylf．ButIcouldnotstopmylf

frommoremurder．Frankensteinwouldnotgivemeawife，but

hehopedtofindhappinesswithawifeofhisown．Hewasnot

fairtome．Butnowitinded．Frankensteinisthelastperson

Ishallkill．

‘Ihavedoneallthoevilthings，butamItheonlyperson

whohasdonewrongIwantedloveandfriendship．Thinkabout

Felixandhisfamily，whohatedmeafterIhadgiventhem

love．ThinkaboutthemanwhoshotmeafterIhadsavedhislittle

girlfromtheriver．ButIknowthatIhavedoneevil，andI

hatemylfmorethanyouhateme．Myowndeathisnear．Ishall

leavethisshipandgonorth，acrosstheice．Ishallbuilda

greatfire，andliedownonittodie．Ishallwelcomethepain

ofthefire，becauitwillhelpmetoforgetthepaininmy

heart．IhavefeltmorepainthanFrankenstein．Andwhenthe

firehasdieddown，Ishallbeatpeace．’

Themonsterjumpedfromthecabinwindowashesaidthis．He

gotintothesmallboatinwhichhehadreachedtheship．The

asooncarriedhimaway，andhewaslostinthedarkness．