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Walton in continuation.
Walton in continuation. August
August
1 3 You
1 3 ^3 You
have read this strange & terrific story,
Marg ea ret
Marg eea ^a ret
and
^do not you
^^^do^do not you
feel your blood
congealedcongealed
with
horror ✗—Mine of ten did as he related it —✗
horror ✗—Mine of ten ^ten did as he related it —✗
like that which even now curdles
mine – WhenSometimes seized with ^sudden agony
mine – WhenWhenSometimes^Sometimes seized with ^^^sudden^sudden agony
he could not continue
orororhis
tale,
at
others ^his
his
tale,
tale,
at
others
others
his voice
broken
broken
yet
piercing described some of the scenes
piercing described some of the scenesdescribed some of the scenesuttered the words
of which it is ^uttered the words
of which it is
of which it is composed. he had passedthrough –
composed. ^composed. he had passedhe had passedthroughthrough –
His fine & lovely eyes
^were now lighted up
^^^were now^were now lighted up
^with^^^with^with
indignation
indignation ororornow ^now subdued
by^to downcastbyby^^^to downcast^to downcast
sorrow
sorrow
& infinite wretchedness. Sometimes he commanded his countenance &
tones
tones
and related the most horrible incidents with a
smotheredtranquilsmotheredsmotheredtranquil^tranquil
voice
voice
suppressing every mark of
indi agitation – andthen indiindi agitation – andandthen ^then
like a volcano bursting
forth
forth
his face would suddenly change to an expression of the wildest
rage
rage
as he shrieked
forthforthforthout
^out
out
his imprecations
his imprecations
of^ ofof^ ^^ on
^on
on
hi ms hi mms ^s
persecutor. ¶ His tale is
connected
connected
& told with an appearance of the simplest
truth
truth
yet I own to you
my sister that the letters of Felix &
my sister that the letters of Felix &Maimouna^Safie MaimounaMaimouna^^^Safie ^Safie
which he
shewed
shewed
me
me
& the apparition of the
monster
monster
seen from our
ship
ship
brought to me a greater conviction of the
facttruth of his narrative than his
factfacttruth ^truth of his narrative ^of his narrative than his
asserverations—
asserverations—
however earnest & connected.
^however earnest & connected.
Such a monster didhas then really exist ence, I diddidhas ^has then reallyly exist ence, ^ence, I couldnotcouldcouldnotnotcannot ^cannot doubt
it
it
yet I
waswaswasam
^am
am
lost in
surpri zs e &admiration.
surpri zzs ^s e &admiration.
Sometimes I endeavoured to gain
from
from
said
he,
he,
or
or
whither does your senseless curiosity lead
you –Would
you –Would
you also create for yourself
& for the world a dæmonical ene nm y or to what does your questions tend.
& for ^ for the world a dæmonical ^al ene nnm ^m y or to what doeses your questions tend.
Peace,
peace;
peace;
learn my
miseries &do
miseries &do
not seek to
encrease
encrease
your
own.
own.
¶ Frankenstein discovered that I
detailed or made notes concerning his
detailed or made notes concerning his
history
history
he asked to see
them
them
& himself corrected
^and augmented them in many
^^^and augmented^and augmented them in many
places
places
but principally in
guvgiving the life & spirit
guvguvgiving the life & spirit
of
of
the
theconversations he held with his
thetheconversations he held with his
enemies–Since
enemies–Since
you have
made an account
made an account ^^^^said
he^said
he
he I
I
would not that a mutilated one should ^should go down to
posterity.
posterity.
¶ Thus
have ten days
have ten days
passed
away
away
while I have listened to the strangest tale that ever imagination formed. My
thoughts
thoughts
& every feeling of my
soul &
soul &&hahahahave ^have been drunk up by the
interrest
interrest I felt inI felt inI felt infor ^for my
guest
guest ^which this
x tale, & his own elevated & gentle
manners
have
created^^^which this
x tale, & his own elevated & gentle
x tale, & his own elevated & gentle
mannersmanners
have
createdcreated
I wish
ed to soothe
eded to soothe
him
him
yet
couldcan I
couldcouldcan^can I
tellcounsel one so infinitely
telltellcounsel one^counsel one so infinitely
miserable. Whose mind continually dwelt on horrors
miserable. Whose mind continually dwelt on horrorsWhose mind continually dwelt on horrorsso destitute of every hope of
consolation
consolation
to
live ? Oh no – the only joy he live ?? Oh no – the only joy he could feelcould feelcould feelcan now
feel know
^can now
feel know
feelfeel know
waswaswill be
^will be
will be
inininwhen he
^when he
when he
compos ines g his shattered mind^feelings compos inines ^es gg his shattered mindmind^^^feelings ^feelings
to peace &
death —
death —
Yet
onefeeling he
oneonefeelingfeeling he
enjoys,
enjoys,
one comfort, the
soursesoursesourseoffspring
^offspring
offspring
of solitude &
delirium —
delirium —
he
tho believed that
thotho believed that
when in dreams he
sawsawsawholds converse with
^holds converse with
holds converse with
his friends,
who consoled& derives from that communion consolation for his
who consoledwho consoled& derives from that communion consolation for his
miseries
miseries
or
instigated himexcitementinstigated himinstigated himexcitement^excitement
to
^his^^^his^his
vengeance
vengeance
that they
wereare not the creations of his
werewereare^are not the creations of his
fancy but the real beings that hesawbeheld and conversed withfancy but the real beings that hethat hesawsawbeheld beheld ^beheld and conversed withand conversed withwho visit him from the regions of a
remoter world –This
remoter world –This
faith
^faith
g ai ve s g aai ^i ve s ^s
a solemnity to his reveries that
mademademaderender
ed^render
render
ededed them
them
peculiarlyinterresting.peculiarpeculiarlylyinterresting.interresting.to
me,
almost as imposing
&inte ^to
to
me,
me,
almost as imposing
&inte
&inte resting
as truth. ^restingresting
as truth. ¶ Our conversations
havehavehaveare
^are
are
not always
been confined to his own history &
beenbeen confined to his own history &
misfortunes– andoO n
misfortunes– andandooO ^O n
every point of general literature he displays unbounded
knowledge
knowledge
and a quick & piercing apprehension. His eloquence is forcible &
touching
touching
nor can I hear
him
him
when he
narrates
narrates
a pathetic
incident
incident
or endeavours to move the passions of ^of pity
& love
& love
without tears. What a glorious creature must
this he have been in
thisthis he have been in
his
his
days of
prosperity
prosperity
when he is thus noble & godlike in
ruin –
ruin –
He seems to feel his own
worth
worth
& the greatness of his fall.
I have felt, said he, great &When younger,
I have felt, said he, great &I have felt, said he, great &When younger,
said he,
I felt as if I was destined for some great enterprize.
I felt as if I was destined for some great enterprize.
My feelings are
profound
profound
but I possessed^ed a coolness of
judgementjudgement
that fitted me for
✗—gr aneat denterprises—✗illustrious atchievements .
✗—gr ananeat ^eat ddenterprises—✗illustrious atchievements .
This sentiment of the worth of my nature supported
me
me
when others would ^would have
sunk
sunk
for I deemed it criminal to throw away in useless
grief;
grief;
those talents that might be useful to my
fellow creatures –
fellow creatures –
When I reflected on the work
that I had
that I had
compleated,
compleated,
no less a one than the creation of a sensitive
&rational animal
&rational animal
I could not rank myself with the herd of common projectors. But this
feeling
feeling
which supported me
onlyonlyonlynow serves
^only to
^^^only^only to
sinksinksinkplunge
^plunge
plunge
me lower in
^^^^the
^the
the
dust—
dust—
All my speculations & hopes are as
nothing and
nothing and
like the Archangel who aspired to
omnipotence
omnipotence
I am
nowchained in an eternal hell. My imagination was
nownowchained in an eternal hell. My imagination was
vivid
vivid
yet my
app powers of application
appapp powers of application
were
intense –
intense –
by the union of these qualities I
ex conceived the
exex conceived the
idea
idea
and executed the
desig creation of a
desigdesig creation of a
man–
man–
Even now I cannot
recollect
recollect
without
passion
passion
my reveries while the work was
incomplete –I
incomplete –I
trod heaven in my
thoughts –
thoughts –
now exulting in my
powers –
powers –
now
wi burning with the idea of their
wiwi burning with the idea of their
consequen sc es.
consequen ssc ^c es.
From my infancy I was imbued with high hopes and a lofty
ambition
ambition
but how am I
sunk – Oh
sunk – Oh
my
friend –
friend –
if you had
know mn know mmn ^n
me as I once
was who
was whowho
you would not
recognize
recognize
me
even in this
eveneven in this
misery^miserymisery^^^state of
dgr degradation ^state of
state of
dgr degradation dgrdgr degradation DespondancyDespondancy
rarely visited my
heart
heart
a high destiny seemed to bear me on,
untill
untill
I
fe el l oh, never
fe eel ^l l oh, never
never
^again to
^^^again^again to
rise" again .
rise" againagain .
¶ Must I lose this Must I lose this creaturecreaturecreature^^^^admirable being^admirable being? I have longed for a
friend,
friend,
I have sought ^I have sought one who would
sympathize
sympathize
with & love me.
Behold
Behold
on these
desart
desart
seas I have found
oneoneonesuch
an one ^such
such
an one
an one – but
– but
I
fear
fear
I have ^have gained him
but
but
to know his
value
value
& lose
him –I
him –I
would reconcile him
with life
with life
but he repulses the
thought.
thought.
"I thank
you,"
you,"
Walton," he said,
✗—but When —✗ for
✗—but When —✗ for
your kind intentions
towards
towards
so miserable a
wretch –
wretch –
but when you speak of new
connectionsconnectionsconnectionsties
and
^ties
ties
and
thinkthinkthinkfresh
^fresh
fresh
affections
affections
think you that ^you that any can replace those
I have lost.I have lostI have lost..which
are gone? ^which
which
are gone? Can any man be to me as Clerval
was
was
or any woman another
Elizabeth.
Elizabeth.
Even where the affections are not strongly moved by any superior
excellenceexcellence
the companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our
mind that
mind that
hardly any
other later friend can obtain. They know our infantine
other later friend can obtain. They know our infantine
feelings which
feelings which
however they may be afterwards
modified
modified
are never
entirely changed^eradicated entirely changedentirely changed^^^eradicated ^eradicated
and they can judge of our actions with
greater certainty –
greater certainty –
A sister or brother can never, unless indeed such
symtoms
symtoms
have been
shewn
shewn
early
early
suspect the other of ^of fraud or false
dealing
dealing
when another
friend
friend
however strongly he may be
attatched may feelbe in spite of himself
attatched may feelfeelbe ^be in spite of himself
invaded
invaded
by
by
suspicion. But I enjoyed
friends
friends
dear not only
by association
by association
but
for
for
their
e own sake –and
ee own sake –and
wherever I
am
am
the soothing voice of my
Eliszabeth or
Eliszabeth or
the conversation of
ClervalClerval
will be ever whispered
to^toto^^^in
^in
in
my ear. They are
dead
dead
& but one feeling
couldcan in such a
couldcouldcan ^can in such a
situationsituationsituationsolitude
^solitude
solitude
keep me alivekeep me alivekeep me alivepersuade me to preserve my life^persuade me to preserve my life. If I
w h ere
w hh ere
engaged in any high undertaking or
design
design
fraught with extensive utility to my
fellow creatures
fellow creatures
then could I live to fulfil
it—But
it—But
such is not my
destiny –I
destiny –I
must pursue & destroy the
creaturecreaturecreaturebeing
^being
being
to whom I gave
existence
existence
then my
task
task
will be
fulfilled
fulfilled
& I may
die.
die.
August 2731 August 272731 ^31 My
My
beloved
sS ister ssS ^S ister I write to
you
you
encompassed by
peril
peril
and ignorant
if
if
I am ever doomed to see again
my dear
mymy dear
England
England
& the dearer friends that inhabit it. I am surrounded by mountains of
ice
ice
which admit of no
escape
escape
and threaten every moment to crush my vessel. The brave
fellows whom I
fellows whom I
persuaded to be my
companions
companions
look
at
at
me for
aid
aid
but I have none
^^^^to bestow.
^to bestow.
to bestow.
There is
somthing
somthing
terribly appalling in our
situation
situation
Yet my courage & hopes do not desert
me — We may survive & if we do not – I will repeat the lessons of my Seneca & die with a good heart.
me — We may survive & if we do not – I will repeat the lessons of my Seneca & die with a good heart.
¶ Yet
Yet
what, Margaret, will be
your state –
your state –
You will not hear of my
destruction
destruction
and you will anxiously
awai dt
awai ddt ^t
my
return –
return –
Years will
pass
pass
and you will have visitings of
despair &yet
despair &yet
be
cheered
cheered
by hope.
Oh
Oh
my beloved
sister
sister
the
siskness sicknening
sisknesssiskness sicknening
failings
failings
of your
heart felt
heart felt
expectations
have are
havehave are
in
prospect
prospect
more terrible to me than my own
death –But
death –But
you have a
husband
husband
and lovely
children—
children—
you may be
happy —
happy —
Heaven bless
you &make
you &make
you
so.
so.
¶ My
in unfortunate
inin unfortunate
gu i est
gu ii est
regards me with the tenderest
compassion –
compassion –
He
fills endeavours to fill me with
fillsfills endeavours to fill me with
hope –
hope –
And talks as if life were a
thing
thing
which he
loved
loved
He reminds me how often the same accidents have happened to other navigators, who have attempted
the same sea. In spite of myself
the same sea. In spite of myself
he fills me with cheerful
augu i ries.
augu ii ries.
Even the sailors feel the
benefit
benefit
of his
eloquence –
eloquence –
when he
speaks
speaks
they no longer
despair –
despair –
he
rouzes
rouzes
their
energies&
energies&
they believe
^when these vast mountains of ice
^when ^^^when ^when these vast mountains of ice
andandandare
^are
are
mole hills
mole hills
which will vanish before the
resolution s
resolution s ^s
of man.
But this is but transitory and
ButBut this is but transitory and
each
days
days
expectation
delayed,
delayed,
fills them
fear &I
fear &I
almost dread
the the ^the
mutiny
of despair
^of despair
of despair
September
6
6 A scene has just passed of such
curiouscuriouscuriousuncommon
^uncommon
uncommon
interrestinterrest
that although it is highly probable that
the
the
papers may never reach you,
my dear Margeret, yet I cannot forbear recording it.
my dear Margeret, yet I cannot forbear recording it.
We are still
surrounded by
surrounded by ^^^^mountains of
^mountains of
ice
ice
still in
ei m minenteei ^i m minent
danger of being crushed in their conflict.
^of being crushed in their conflict.
— The cold is
— The cold is
excessive &
excessive &many
of ^many
many
of my unfortunate comrades have already found a grave
admidst
admidst
this scene of desolation. Frankenstein has
declined daily his
declined daily hishis
in
health
health
a feverish fire still glimmers in his
eyes
eyes
but he is
ex ^h austed &when
ex ^^^h ^h austed &when
suddenly
rouzed
rouzed
to any
exertion
exertion
he speedily sinks again
tototointo
^into
into
apparent lifelessness. ¶ I mentioned
I mentioned
my last letter the fears I
had
had
of
mutiny.
mutiny.
This
morning
morning
as I sat watching the wan ^wan countenance of my
friend his
friend his
eyes half
closed
closed
and his limbs hanging
listlessly I
listlessly I
was
rouzed
rouzed
by half a dozen of the
sailors
sailors
who
desired
desired
admission into the
cabincabin
they
enter r ed
enter rr ed
& their leader
adressed
adressed
me. He told me that he & his companions had been chosen by the other sailors to come in deputation to
me
me
to make
a demand which
a demand which
in
justice
justice
I could not refuse. We were immured
by ice &would
by ice &would
probably never
escape
escape
but they feared that if, as was
possible
possible
the ice should
be dissipated
be dissipated
and a free passage
opened
opened
I should be rash enough to continue my
voyage
voyage
& lead them
to
to
fresh
dangers
dangers
after they
hadhadhadmight
^might
might
soso happily have ^have surmountedthis.thisthis..this.
^this.
this.
They
desired therefore
desired therefore
that I should
make
make
a solemn
promise ✗—that when —✗
promise ✗—that when —✗
if the vessel should be
freed,
freed,
^that I would instantly direct my course
^^^that ^that I would instantly direct my course
to ✗—England. —✗Archangel.
to ✗—England. —✗Archangel. ^Archangel. ¶ This speech
tro ^u bled b
tro ^^^u ^u bled bb
me. I
did^diddid^^^had
^had
had
not
despair
despair ed
^ed
ed
nor had I yet conceived the idea of
returning
returning
if set free. Yet could
I
I ^^^^in ^in justice, or even in
possibility
possibility
refuse
th ei s emendemand .
th eei ^i s eemenmendemand ^demand .
I hesitated before I
answered
answered
when
^when
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
who had
hitherto at first been
hithertohitherto at first been
silent & indeed
silent & indeed
appeared ^appeared hardly to have force enough to
attend
attend
now
rouzed himself. His eyes sparkled an d
rouzed himself. His eyes sparkled an d ^d
his
cheek
cheek
flushed
was with momentary
was ^was with momentary
vigo u r. andvigo u ^u r. andand
Turning
to
to
the
men
men
he
said; What
said; What
do you mean? What do you demand of your captain? Are you then so easily turned from your design? Did you
n ot expectnn ot expectexpect
call this a glorious
expedition
expedition
&whywhywhywherefore
^wherefore
wherefore
was it
soglorious? Not because the way was smooth & placid as a
sosoglorious? ^glorious? Not because the way was smooth & placid as a
summer lakesummer lakesummer lakesouthern
sea ^southern
southern
sea
sea
but because it was full of dangers
&terror – because
&terror – because
at every new
incident
incident
your fortitude was to be called
forth
forth
& your courage
exhibited–
exhibited–
Because
death & danger surrounded you
death & danger surrounded you
& these
& these
you were to brave & overcome. For this was it a
glorious;
glorious;
for this was it
&^&&^^^an
^an
an
honorable undertaking. You were to ^be hereafter hailed as the honorable undertaking. You were to ^^^be ^be hereafter hailed as the ^the
benefactors of your
species –
species –
Your
names
names
adored
adored
as
the
the
brave men who encountered death for
honor
honor
&glorygloryglorythe benefit of mankind.
^the benefit of mankind.
the benefit of mankind.
– And
– And
now behold
now behold
with the first
strawstrawstrawimagination of
danger ^imagination of
imagination of
danger
danger –or
–or
if you
will –
will –
The first mighty & terrific trial
you shri of your
you shriyou shri of your
courage
courage
you shrink
away & are content to be handed
away & are content to be handeddangerdangerdangerto endure ^to endure cold &
peril –
peril –
And
so
so
poor
souls
souls
they were
chilly
chilly
& returned to their warm
fire sides–Why
fire sides–Why
that requires not this
preperation –Ye
preperation –Ye
need not
co have come thus
coco have come thus
far
far
& dragged
to your Captain to the shame of a
toto your Captain to the shame of a
defeat
defeat
to prove yourselves cowards.
Oh
Oh
be
men
men
or be
formore than
forformore than
men –
men –
be steady to your
purposes&
purposes&
firm as
rock.
rock.
this ice is not made of such stuff as your hearts
might
be. ^as your hearts
might
might
be.
be.
it is
mutable &
mutable &
cannot
withand you
withand you
if you say that it shall not. Do not return to your
famil i es
famil i ^i es
with
s the stigma of disgrace marked on your
ss the stigma of disgrace marked on your
brows–
brows–
return
return
as heroes who have fought &
conquered
conquered
& who know not what it is to turn their backs on the
foe s .
foe ss .
¶ He spoke
thus
thus
with a voice so modulated to the different feelings expressed in his
speech –
speech –
with an eye so full of
high
high
design &
heroism
heroism
that can you wonder that
the n
the nn
men were
moved –They
moved –They
looked at one
atho^athoatho^^^another
^another
another
& were unable to reply. I
spoke.
spoke.
I told them to
retire
retire
& consider of what had been
said.
said.
That I would not lead them
further
further
north
north
if they
streneously d esired
streneously d ^d esired
the
contrary
contrary
but that I hoped
that
that
with
reflection their courage would return.
reflection their courage would return.
They
retired
retired
and I turned
to
to
my
friend
friend
but he was sunk
s in
ss in
languor
languor
and almost deprived of life. ¶ How
itwill all this
ititwillwill all this
^^^^will
^will
will
terminate
terminate
I know
not.
not.
But I had rather
die
die
&&&than
^than
than
return
shamefully, my
shamefully, my
purpose
unfulfilled–Yet
unfulfilled–Yet
I fear
thatthatthatthatthatthatsuch
^such
such
will be my
fate
fate
The
men unf unsupported
men unfunf unsupported
by
the ideas of glory and
the ideas of glory and
honor
honor
can
d never willingly continue to endure their present hardships. dd never willingly continue to endure their present hardships. ¶ September
September
7
7 The die is
cast.
cast.
I have consented to
return
return
if we are not destroyed. Thus are my hopes
blasted–
blasted–
by cowardice and
indecision –
indecision –
I come back
bringing no newignorant &
bringing no newbringing no newignorant ^ignorant &
dissa ^p pointed –It
dissa ^^^p ^p pointed –It
requires
✗—a great deal of —✗more ✗—a great deal of —✗more ^more
philosophy
^^^^than I
possess ^than I
than I
possess
possess
to bear this injustice with
patience –
patience – ¶
September
1 72 1 ^1 772 ^2 It is
past.
past.
I am returning to
EnglandArchangel .
EnglandEnglandArchangel ^Archangel .
I have lost my hopes of utility &
glory –I
glory –I
have lost my friend. But
if I
ifif I
am^amam^^^will
^will
will
atat endeavour to detail
endeavour to detail
the
the
bitter circumstances to you, my dear
sister – And
sister – And
while I am wafted towards
England
England
& towards
you
you
I will not
despair. Sepdespair. SepSep¶ September
9
9
The ice began to
move
move
and roarings like thunder
was
was
heard at a
distance
distance
as the
mountainsmountainsmountainsislands
^islands
islands
split & cracked in every direction. We were in the most
eminent peril – But
eminent peril – But
as we could only remain
passive
passive
my chief attention was
co occupied by my unfortunatecoco occupied by my unfortunate
guest
guest
whose illness
encreased to
encreased to
such a
degree
degree
that
to he was entirely confined to his bed. The ice cracked behindtoto he was entirely confined to his bed. The ice cracked behind
us
us
and was driven with force towards the
north –
north –
a
bree hz e
bree hhz ^z e
sprung from
that quarter –
that quarter – ^^^^and ^and on the
11 th^on the
11 th
11 th
the passage towards the south
waswaswasbecame
^became
became
free on th free on thon thWhen the sailors saw
this
this
& that their return
towards
towards
their native country was apparently
assured
assured
a shout of
tumutuous
tumutuous
joy broke from
them
them
loud &
long continued.– Frankenstein
long continued.– Frankenstein
who was
dozing awoke kd e
dozing awoke kkd ^d e
& asked the
reason
reason
of the
tumult ^of the
tumult
tumult – I was unable to reply. He asked again – They shout
– I was unable to reply. He asked again – They shout
I
said because
said because
they will soon return to
England.
England.
¶ Do
Do
you then really
return.
return.
¶ Alas yes.
Alas yes.
I cannot
with a stand
with aa stand
their
demands –
demands –
I cannot lead them
to dangerunwi ttll ingly
to dangerto dangerunwi ttttll ^ll ingly
to
dangerer
^to
dangerer
dangerer
& I must
return.
return.
¶ Do so
Do so
if you
will, said my friend,
will, said my friend,said my friend,
but I will not. You may give up your
purposepurpose
but mine is assigned to
b ey heaven
b eey ^y heaven
and I dare not. I am
weak, ✗—continued he sinking down g again —✗
weak, ✗—continued he sinking down gg again —✗
but surely the
✗—ministers—✗spirits ✗—ministers—✗spirits ^spirits
who assist my vengeance will endow me with sufficient
strength –
strength –
Saying
this
this
endeavoured to spring from the
bed
bed
but the exertion was too great
frorfrorfrorfor
^for
for
him
him
he fell
back & fainted.
back & fainted.
It was long ^long before he was
restored
restored
I often thought that life was entirely
extinct – butaA t
extinct – butbutaaA ^A t
length he opened his
eyes – but
eyes – but
he breathed with
difficulty
difficulty
and was unable to
speak –
speak –
The
ph yi syciansurgeon, ph yi sycianph yyi ^i syciansurgeon, ^surgeon, ordered us to giveordered us to giveordered us to givegave him a ^gave him a composing
draught
draught
and ordered us to leave him
qu undisturbed.
ququ undisturbed.
I n
I n ^n
the mean time he told
me
me
that my friend had certainly not many hours to live. ¶ His sentence was
pronounced
pronounced
& I could only
grieve
grieve
& be
pass patient. I sat by
passpass patient. I sat by
he his
hehe his
bed
bed
watching
him –his
him –his
eyes were
closed
closed
and I thought he
slept.
slept.
But presently he called to me in a feeble
voice and
voice and
bidding me come
near said– Alas!
near said– Alas!
the strength I relied on is
gone –
gone –
I feel that I shall soon
die
die
and
he
he
my enemy
&persecutor
&persecutor
may still be in being. Think not, Walton,
than
than
in the last moments of my existence I feel that burning
hatred
hatred
& ardent desire of
revenge that
revenge that
I once
expressed
expressed
but I feel myself justified in desiring the
monsters death.
monsters death.
During these last days I have been occupied in
ex ' ha examining my past
ex ' haex ' ha examining my past
conduct
conduct ananannor ^nor do I find it
blamable.
blamable.
In In a fit of enthusiastic madness I created a rational
InIn In a fit of enthusiastic madness I created a rational
creature
creature
& was bound
by towards
byby towards
him
him
to
assure
assure
as far as
in me lay
in me lay
his happiness &
well being–
well being–
this was my
duty–
duty–
but there was
one
one
still paramount to
this. Itwas My duties towards
this. ItItwaswas My duties towards
my
fellow creatures had greater claims
fellow creatures had greater claims
because they
ei ncluded
eei ^i ncluded
a greater
portion
portion
of happiness or
misery– ^or
misery–
misery– .
.
Urged by this
view
view
I
refused
refused
and I did right in
refusing
refusing
to
cre create a companion for the first
crecre create a companion for the first
creature–
creature–
He
shewed unparelled malignity.
shewed unparelled malignity.
He destroyed my
friend – beings who hadpossessed exquisite sensations – happiness & wisdom he devoted to destruction
friend – beings who hadhadpossessed exquisite ^possessed exquisite sensations – happiness & wisdom he devoted to destruction
Nor do I know Where this thirst for
g vengeance may end. Miserable himself, that he may render
gg vengeance may end. Miserable himself, that he may render
knowknowknowno
^no
no
other wretched,
also he ought to
alsoalso he ought to
die – Th ise
die – Th isise ^e
task of his destruction was
mine
mine
but I have failed.
In Once I demanded when actuated by selfish and vicious
InIn Once I demandedI demanded when actuated by selfish and vicious
motives
motives
I asked you to undertake my unfinished
work
work
and I renew this request
now
now
when I am only induced
to make it by reason & virtue.
to make it by reason & virtue. ¶ Yet
Yet
I cannot ask you to renounce your country &
friends
friends
to fulfil this
task, –And y now
task, ^task, –And yy now
that you
r are returning to
rr are returning to
England you
England you
have little chance of
me ^e ting
me ^^^e ^e ting
with ^with him.– But the consideration of these
points
points
and the
well balancing
well balancing
of what you may esteem your
duties
duties
I leave to
you —
you —
My
judgement
judgement
& ideas
^& ideas
isisisare
^are
are
already disturbed by
^^^^the near approach of
^the near approach of
the near approach of
death –
death –
I dare not ask you
do to do what I think
dodo to do what I think
right
right
for I may still be misled by passion. ¶ That
That
he should live to
destroy& be
destroydestroy&& be
the means
the means
of
misery
misery
disturbs
me else
me else
this
hour
hour
when I
h momentarily expect
hh momentarily expect
deathdeathdeathmy
release ^my
my
release
release
is the only happy one
I have n
I have nnenjoyed for
^^^^several
^several
several
years. The forms of the beloved dead flit before
me
me
and I hasten to their arms.
Farewell Walton.
Farewell Walton.
Seek happiness in
tranquillity
tranquillity
and avoid
ambitionambition
even if
the it be only the apparently innocent one of
thethe it be only the apparently innocent one of
shining
shining
in science & discoveries. Yet
I why do I say this? I have myself been blasted in these
II why do I say this? I have myself been blasted in these
hopes but
hopes but
another may
succeed."–
succeed."–
¶ His voice became fainter
&exhausted with thehis effort he
&exhausted with thethehis ^his effort he becamebecamebecame^^^^sunk
ult into
^sunk
ult into
ultult into
silen tce –
silen ttce ^ce –
About half an hour afterwards he
endeavoured
endeavoured
to speak, but was
unable –
unable –
he pressed my hand
feebly and his eyes closed while
feebly and his eyes closed while
a gentle smile
played on
played on
his lips. ¶ Marg ea ret – What can I say—Can I Marg eea ^a ret – What can I say—Can I
all that ^that I
can say
can saysay
express
must
must
be inadequate and feeble. My tears
flow s –
flow ss –
But I journey towards
England
England
and I may there find consolation. ¶ I am
interrupted –
interrupted –
What do
the se
the se ^se
sounds portend? It is
midnight—the
midnight—the
breeze blows
fairly
fairly
and the watch on deck scarcely
stir–Again
stir–Again
there is a sound
and
and
it comes from the cabin where the
premains of
ppremains of
Frankenstien
Frankenstien
still
lie s
lie ss
I must
goarise gogoarise ^arise
and examine. Good
night
night
my sister.
_____Great God! What a scene has just taken
_____¶ Great God! What a scene has just taken
place.
place.
I am yet dizzy with the remembrance of it.– I hardly know whether I shall have the power to
recordrecordrecorddetail
^detail
detail
it
it
yet
I will try for the tale
I will try for the tale
I have recorded
is imcomplete
is imcomplete
without this final and wonderful catastrophe. ¶ I entered the
cabin
cabin
where lay the remains of my
miserable guest.
miserable guest.
Over him hung a form
– which I cannot find words to
– which I cannot find words to
describe,
describe,
gigantic in
stature –
stature –
yet
uncouth& distorted – his face was hid as he hung over the coffin
uncouth& distorted – his face was hid as he hung over the coffin
by long
lo nc ks
lo nnc ^c ks
of ragged
hair – but his extended hand appeared like those of the mummies for to nothing else can I compare its colour & apparent texture.
hair – but his extended hand appeared like those of the mummies for to nothing else can I compare its colour & apparent texture.
When he heard
a noise & saw me enter
a noise & saw me enter
he ceased
his exclamations of grief
his exclamations of grief
and sprung towards the window. Never
was any thing
was any thing
so
hideous
hideous
as
h is face so disgustingh ^h is face so disgusting
yet
apalling –
apalling –
I shut my eyes
involuntarily while I called on him to stay.
involuntarily while I called on him to stay.
He
paused.
paused.
Looking
at
at
me with
wonder & thenagain
wonder & thenagain
turning towards the lifeless form of his
creator
creator
he seemed to forget my
presence while
presence while
every feature & gesture seemed instigated by the wildest
rage. That
rage. That
is also my
victim,
victim,
he
exclaimed—In
exclaimed—In
his murder my crimes are
ren consum m ate d – Oh Frankenstein – Generous & self devoted creature dare I ask ren ren ^ren consum m ^m ate dd – Oh Frankenstein – Generous & self devoted creature dare I ask youyouyouthee ^thee to pardon
me – I who
me – I who
destroyed thee by destroying
those
those thouyouthouthouyouyouthou
^thou
loved st . Alas
loved st ^st . Alas
he is
dead and may not
dead and may not
answer
me.
me.
¶ His voice seemed
suffocated
suffocated
& my first
impulse
impulse
which had
been at first
been at firstat firstto
obey
obey
the dying request of my
friend
friend
in destroying his
enemy do
enemy dodo
now
diedawaywas overwhelmed in
dieddiedawayawaywas overwhelmed ^was overwhelmed in
a mixture of curiosity &
pity.
pity.
I approached
him – yet
him – yet
I dared not
look on him
look on him
there was
somthing
somthing
so
unearthly 2 & scaring ^unearthly 2^2 & scaring ^^^^in his ugliness. I attempted to
speak
speak
but the words died away on my
lips –
lips –
The Monster continued to utter wild & incoherent
self reproaches
self reproaches
at length I
said. Your repentance is
said. Your repentance is
now
useless.
useless.
If you had
felt
felt
the stings of
remorse before you
remorse before you
urged
to extremity your diabolical vengeance
to extremityto extremity your diabolical vengeance
^^^^to
itsthis
extremity
^to
to
itsitsitsthis
^this
this
extremity
extremity
Frankenstein would yet have
live d
live d ^d ¶ And
And
do you
think,
think,
said the
dæmon
dæmon
that I was then dead to
anguish
anguish
and
remorse?— He –
remorse?— He –
he
continued
continued
pointing to the corpse,
he suffered not more in the completion of the deed
he suffered not more in the completion of the deed
that
I did in
I did in
its execution. A frightful selfishness hurried me
on
on
while my heart was
torn
torn
with
agony.
agony.
Think
ye
ye
not that the groans of Clerval were music to my
not that the groans of Clerval were music to my
ye ear.
yeye ear.
My heart was
made for
made for
love
&sympathy and
&sympathy and
when wrenched
to by misery to vice &
toto by misery to vice &
hatred
hatred
it did
not not endure the violence of the
not not endure the violence of the
change
change
without torture such as you
XX cannot even
imagine^such as you
XX cannot even
XX cannot even
imagineimagine – When Clerval died
– When Clerval died
I returned to
Switzerland ✗—howmany ti—✗ heart broken
Switzerland ✗—howmany ti—✗ heart broken
&
overcome –I
overcome –I
pitied
Frankenstein and his bitter sufferings –
Frankenstein and his bitter sufferings –
my pity amounted to
horror –
horror –
I abhorred
my self –
my self –
But when I
saw
saw
that
^he again he^^^he ^he again hehe
dared to ^to hope for
happiness–
happiness–
That while he
heaped
heaped
wretchedness & despair
on me
on me
he sought his own enjoyment in feelings & passions from
whic the indulgence of which I was for ever
whicwhic the indulgence of which I was for ever
barred – I was again rouzed to
barred – I was again rouzed to
indignation
& revenge.
& revenge.
I
remembered
remembered
my
threat
threat
& resolved
to execute it—Yet
to execute it—Yet
when she
died— Nay
died— Nay
then I
d was not
dd was not
miserable –I
miserable –I
cast off all
feeling &
feeling &
all
anguish
anguish
I rioted
I rioted
in the
extent
extent
of my
despair & being
despair & being
urged thus
far –
far –
I
resolved
resolved
to
finish
finish
my demoniacal
design. And it is now finishedended –
design. And it is now finishedfinishedended ^ended –
There is my last
victim.
victim.
¶ I was
I was
touched by the expressions of his
misery ^yet I remembered
misery ^^^yet ^yet I remembered
what Frankenstein had said of his
eloquence &persuasion –
eloquence &persuasion –
& when I again cast my eyes on
^the
form of ^^^the
form of ^the
the
form of my
friend sform my
friend ssformform my
indignation was
kindled – Wretch
kindled – Wretch
I said,
It
It
is well that you come here to whine over the
miserymisery
you have
created –
created –
you throw a torch
among
among
a pile of
buildings
buildings
&
&
when they are
consumed
consumed
you
si dt amid
si ddt ^t amid
the
ruins
ruins
& lament
their
their
fall. Hypocritical
fi Fiend! If he whom you
fifi Fiend! If he whom you
lament
lament
still
lived still
lived still
would
you persue him with
you persue him with
your accursed vengeance. It is not pity
that you feel – it is sorrow that your power of mischief
that you feel – it is sorrow that your power of mischief
is
at an end. anihilated
at an end.at an end. anihilated
¶ I par It is not thus, said the dæmon, &yet I parI par It is not thus, said the dæmon, &yet ^^^^such must be
^such must be
you r must think soimpression since such
you r ^r must think somust think soimpression ^impression since such
appears to
have been
have been
the purport of my actions.
But
But
I
do not seek
do not seek sympathysympathysympathy^^^^a
fellow feeling ^a
fellow feeling
fellow feeling
in my
misery–I feel it deeply & truly & for
misery–I feel it deeply & truly & for
sympathy
that
that
I
may never
may never
find. When I first sought
it–
it–
it was
inininthe
^the
the
love of virtue,
it was init was inin
feelings of happiness &
content
content
that I wished to be participated. But
now
now
that virtue
is
is
to me
merely a
merely a
shadow and
shadow and
happiness &
content
content andandand^^^^are ^are turned into
despair shall
despair shall
I seek for
sympathy in that. No–I
sympathy in that. No–I
am content to suffer
alone
alone
while
I do suffer – And
I do suffer – And
when I
die I am
die I am
satisfied that
death hatred
deathdeath hatred
& opprobrium should load my memory. Once my fancy was soothed
by
by
dreams of
virtue
virtue
of
fame
fame
& of ^ of enjoyment.
Once I
Once I
hoped to meet with
one who
one who
pardoning my outward
form
form ^^^^would ^would love me for the excellent qualities
thatthatthatwith which
^with which
with which
I
displayeddisplayeddisplayedwas
so eminently capable of
bringing forth.
^was
was
so eminently capable of
so eminently capable of
bringing forth.
bringing forth.
– I was
– I was
then filled
then filled
with high thoughts of honour &
self devotion – But now crimevice
self devotion – But now crimecrimevice ^vice has
s unk
s ^s unk
me
below
below
the meanest
ofanimal– no crimes
ofofanimal– no crimes
can
equal mine &
equal mine &
when I
call
call
over the frightful
cataloguecatalogue
I cannot believe that I am
he
he
whose thoughts were once filled with sublime &
transcendant visions
transcendant visions
of
loveliness.
loveliness.
But it is even
so –
so –
The fallen Angel becomes a malignant
devil—Yet he
devil—Yet he
even
he Mans enemy
he Mans enemy
had friends &
associate s , while
associate s ^s , whilewhile
I am quite
I am quite
alone. ¶ You
You
who call Frankenstein your
friend &
friend &^&
seem to have a knowledge of my crimes
&his misfortunes – But
&his misfortunes – But
in the detail
that he gave
that he gave
of
them
them
he could not sum up the hours & months of misery
that
that
I
endured burning with
endured burning with
impotent
rage –
rage –
For
when
when
I destroyed his
hopes
hopes
I did not
relieverelieverelievesatisfy
^satisfy
satisfy
my own
wantswantswantsdesires.
^desires.
desires.
– They were
– They were
as craving & ardent as fef before When Elizabeth died– her destru
as craving & ardent as feffef before When Elizabeth died– her destruWhen Elizabeth died– her destruStill I desired love &
fellowship
fellowship
and I was still
spurned –
spurned –
Was there no injustice in this?
And am I
And am I
the only
criminal while
criminal while
all
mankindmankind
sinned against me? Why do you not hate
Felix
Felix
who drove his friend from his door
or
or
the
man
man
who
would have destroyed
would have destroyed
the saviour of his child?
Nay they
Nay they
are virtuous &
immalculate beings– While I
immalculate beings– While I
the miserable &
tra pm bled ontrap trampeled on,
tra pm bled ontra ppm ^m bled ontraptrap trampeled on,
am
the devilthe devilthe devilan
abortion ^an
an
abortion
abortion
to be
^be
spurned
spurned
&
kicked
kicked
&
hated!
hated!
Even now my blood boils at the
memory
memory
of this
injustice –
injustice –
¶ But
But
it is true
^^^^that
^that
that
I am a wretch. I have murdered the lovely & the
helpless.
helpless.
I have
seized
seized
the innocent as they
slept
slept
and grasped
his throat to death
his throat to death
who never injured
me. I
me. I
devoted my
creator
creator
to
misery &
misery &
have
followedhim followedhim ^him
even to
his death destruction –
his deathdeath destruction –
You hate
me
me
but your
a ^b horrence cannot equal mine for myself–I
a ^^^b ^b horrence cannot equal mine for myself–I
look on
my
my
hands
that
that
executed the
deed s
deed ss
I think
of
of
the heart
that formed
that formed
the
plans & I loathe myself. Fear
plans & I loathe myself. Fear
not that I shall
do more mischief
do more mischief
my work is nearly
complete –It needs not
complete –It needs not
yours
yours
or
or
any
mans death
mans death
to
consumate it
consumate it
but it
meneedsmemeneedsneedsrequires
^requires
requires
my own.
And
And ^^^^do not
^do not
do not
think
tnot that I shall be slow to perform
ttnotnot that I shall be slow to perform
that sacrifice
that sacrifice
I shall quit your vessel
& on the
& on the
ice raft that
ice raft that
brought me
I
I
shall seek
to the most Northern extremity of
toto the most Northern extremity of
land that the
land that the
globe affords –
globe affords –
I shall collect my funeral
pile
pile
and consume
myself to ashes –
myself to ashes –
that
my
my
remains may afford no light to any curious & unhallowed
wretch
wretch
who would create such
another.
another.
I shall die. I shall no longer feel the
anguish that
anguish that
now
consumes me
consumes me
or be the prey of feelings
unsatisfied
unsatisfied
yet unquenched. He is dead who
created me
created me
and when I
die the
die the
remembrance of
me
me
will
be lost for ever. YetStrange
be lost for ever. YetYetStrangeStrange
I shall no longer see the sun
andandandor
^or
or
stars ofofofor ^or feel the winds play on my
cheeks– Light feeling
cheeks– Light feeling
&
sense
sense
will
die.
die.
And in
this
this
must I find my happiness. Some years
ago when the images
ago when the images
this world affords first opened
on me
on me
when I felt the cheering
war m th of sum mer & heard the rustling of leaves &the
war m ^m th of sum mer & heard the rustling of leaves &the
chirping
chirping
of
birds
birds
& these were all to
me
me
I should have wept to
die &
die &
now it is my only consolation.
Stained
Stained
by
crimes
crimes
and torn by the bitterest
remorse
remorse
where can I find
consolation^consolationconsolation^^^rest
^rest
rest
but in
death.
death.
¶ Farewell;
Farewell;
I leave
you
you
and
with
with
you the last of
men that
men that
these eyes will ever behold. Farewell,
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
If
a desire for myunhapiness revenge remain es dto you in death
a desire for mymyunhapinessunhapiness revenge remain ees ^s ddto you in death
it would be better
satisfied
satisfied
in my life than in my
destruction – B
destruction – BB
But it was not
so. You wished for
so. You wished for
my
extinction
extinction
that I might not cause greater
misery^ wretchedness to others & now you will not desire my life for my own misery. In destroying youmiserymisery^^^ wretchedness ^ wretchedness to others & now you will not desire my life for my own misery. In destroying youIn destroying youMiserableMiserablMiserableeBlasted ^Blasted as
you were
you were
my
wretchedness^wretchednesswretchedness^^^agony
^agony
agony
is
is
superior to
yours
yours
for
remorse is the bitter sting that rankles
remorse is the bitter sting that rankles
in my wounds
& tortures me to madness.
& tortures me to madness.
¶ But soon,
But soon,
he
cried clasping his hands I
cried clasping his hands I
shall
die
die
and what I now feel
will no longer be felt –
will no longer be felt –
soon these
thoughts –these burning miseries will be
thoughts –these burning miseries will be
extinct –I shall ascend my
extinct –I shall ascend my
pile
triumphantly &
triumphantly &
the
flame
flame
that
consumes
consumes
my
body
body
will
give
give rest & blessingsrest & blessingsrest & blessingsenjoyment
or
tranquillity ^enjoyment
enjoyment
or
tranquillity
tranquillity to my mind.
to my mind.
¶ He sprung from the
cabin window
cabin window
as he said
this
this on toon toon toupon
^upon
an ice raft that
an ice raft that
lay close to the
vessel p^&& pushing himself off he was carried
vessel pp^^^&&&^& pushing himself off he was carried
away by the
waves
waves
and
I soon lost
I soon lost
sight of him in
sight of him in
the darkness & distance.
the darkness & distance.
