Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.10-24
and I remained idle, in a pause of consideration of whether I should `
` leave my labour for the night or hasten its conclusion by an `
` unremitting attention to it. As I sat, a train of reflection occurred `
` to me which led me to consider the effects of what I was now doing. `
` Three years before, I was engaged in the same manner and had created a `
` fiend whose unparalleled barbarity had desolated my heart and filled it `
` forever with the bitterest remorse. I was now about to form another `
` being of whose dispositions I was alike ignorant; she might become ten `
` thousand times more malignant than her mate and delight, for its own `
` sake, in murder and wretchedness. He had sworn to quit the `
` neighbourhood of man and hide himself in deserts, but she had not; and `
` she, who in all probability was to become a thinking and reasoning `
` animal, might refuse to comply with a compact made before her creation. `
` They might even hate each other; the creature who already lived loathed `
` his own deformity, and might he not conceive a greater abhorrence for `
` it when it came before his eyes in the female form? She also might `
` turn with disgust from him to the superior beauty of man; she might `
` quit him, and he be again alone, exasperated by the fresh provocation `
` of being deserted by one of his own species. Even if they were to `
` leave Europe and inhabit the deserts of the new world, yet one of the `
` first results of those sympathies for which the daemon thirsted would `
` be children, and a race of devils would be propagated upon the earth `
` who might make the very existence of the species of man a condition `
` precarious and full of terror. Had I right, for my own benefit, to `
` inflict this curse upon everlasting generations? I had before been `
` moved by the sophisms of the being I had created; I had been struck `
` senseless by his fiendish threats; but now, for the first time, the `
` wickedness of my promise burst upon me; I shuddered to think that `
` future ages might curse me as their pest, whose selfishness had not `
` hesitated to buy its own peace at the price, perhaps, of the existence `
` of the whole human race. `
` `
` I trembled and my heart failed within me, when, on looking up, I saw by `
` the light of the moon the daemon at the casement. A ghastly grin `
` wrinkled his lips as he gazed on me, where I sat fulfilling the task `
` which he had allotted to me. Yes, he had followed me in my travels; he `
` had loitered in forests, hid himself in caves, or taken refuge in wide `
` and desert heaths; and he now came to mark my progress and claim the `
` fulfilment of my promise. `
` `
` As I looked on him, his countenance expressed the utmost extent of `
` malice and treachery. I thought with a sensation of madness on my `
` promise of creating another like to him, and trembling with passion, `
` tore to pieces the thing on which I was engaged. The wretch saw me `
` destroy the creature on whose future existence he depended for `
` happiness, and with a howl of devilish despair and revenge, withdrew. `
` `
` I left the room, and locking the door, made a solemn vow in my own `
` heart never to resume my labours; and then, with trembling steps, I `
` sought my own apartment. I was alone; none were near me to dissipate `
` the gloom and relieve me from the sickening oppression of the most `
` terrible reveries. `
` `
` Several hours passed, and I remained near my window gazing on the sea; `
` it was almost motionless, for the winds were hushed, and all nature `
` reposed under the eye of the quiet moon. A few fishing vessels alone `
` specked the water, and now and then the gentle breeze wafted the sound `
` of voices as the fishermen called to one another. I felt the silence, `
` although I was hardly conscious of its extreme profundity, until my ear `
` was suddenly arrested by the paddling of oars near the shore, and a `
` person landed close to my house. `
` `
` In a few minutes after, I heard the creaking of my door, as if some one `
` endeavoured to open it softly. I trembled from head to foot; I felt a `
` presentiment of who it was and wished to rouse one of the peasants who `
` dwelt in a cottage not far from mine; but I was overcome by the `
` sensation of helplessness, so often felt in frightful dreams, when you `
` in vain endeavour to fly from an impending danger, and was rooted to `
` the spot. Presently I heard the sound of footsteps along the passage; `
` the door opened, and the wretch whom I dreaded appeared. `
` `
` Shutting the door, he approached me and said in a smothered voice, "You `
` have destroyed the work which you began; what is it that you intend? `
` Do you dare to break your promise? I have endured toil and misery; I `
` left Switzerland with you; I crept along the shores of the Rhine, among `
` its willow islands and over the summits of its hills. I have dwelt `
` many months in the heaths of England and among the deserts of Scotland. `
` I have endured incalculable fatigue, and cold, and hunger; do you dare `
` destroy my hopes?" `
` `
` "Begone! I do break my promise; never will I create another like `
` yourself, equal in deformity and wickedness." `
` `
` "Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself `
` unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe `
` yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of `
` day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master; `
` obey!" `
` `
` "The hour of my irresolution is past, and the period of your power is `
` arrived. Your threats cannot move me to do an act of wickedness; but `
` they confirm me in a determination of not creating you a companion in `
` vice. Shall I, in cool blood, set loose upon the earth a daemon whose `
` delight is in death and wretchedness? Begone! I am firm, and your `
` words will only exasperate my rage." `
` `
` The monster saw my determination in my face and gnashed his teeth in `
` the impotence of anger. "Shall each man," cried he, "find a wife for `
` his bosom, and each beast have his mate, and I be alone? I had `
` feelings of affection, and they were requited by detestation and `
` scorn. Man! You may hate, but beware! Your hours will pass in dread `
` and misery, and soon the bolt will fall which must ravish from you `
` your happiness forever. Are you to be happy while I grovel in the `
` intensity of my wretchedness? You can blast my other passions, but `
` revenge remains--revenge, henceforth dearer than light or food! I `
` may die, but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun `
` that gazes on your misery. Beware, for I am fearless and therefore `
` powerful. I will watch with the wiliness of a snake, that I may sting `
` with its venom. Man, you shall repent of the injuries you inflict." `
` `
` "Devil, cease; and do not poison the air with these sounds of malice. `
` I have declared my resolution to you, and I am no coward to bend beneath `
` words. Leave me; I am inexorable." `
` `
` "It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your `
` wedding-night." `
` `
` I started forward and exclaimed, "Villain! Before you sign my `
` death-warrant, be sure that you are yourself safe." `
` `
` I would have seized him, but he eluded me and quitted the house with `
` precipitation. In a few moments I saw him in his boat, which shot `
` across the waters with an arrowy swiftness and was soon lost amidst the `
` waves. `
` `
` All was again silent, but his words rang in my ears. I burned with `
` rage to pursue the murderer of my peace and precipitate him into the `
` ocean. I walked up and down my room hastily and perturbed, while my `
` imagination conjured up a thousand images to torment and sting me. Why `
` had I not followed him and closed with him in mortal strife? But I had `
` suffered him to depart, and he had directed his course towards the `
` mainland. I shuddered to think who might be the next victim sacrificed `
` to his insatiate revenge. And then I thought again of his words--"I `
` WILL BE WITH YOU ON YOUR WEDDING-NIGHT." That, then, was the period `
` fixed for the fulfilment of my destiny. In that hour I should die and `
` at once satisfy and extinguish his malice. The prospect did not move `
` me to fear; yet when I thought of my beloved Elizabeth, of her tears `
` and endless sorrow, when she should find her lover so barbarously `
` snatched from her, tears, the first I had shed for many months, `
` streamed from my eyes, and I resolved not to fall before my enemy `
` without a bitter struggle. `
` `
` The night passed away, and the sun rose from the ocean; my feelings `
` became calmer, if it may be called calmness when the violence of rage `
` sinks into the depths of despair. I left the house, the horrid scene `
` of the last night's contention, and walked on the beach of the sea, `
` which I almost regarded as an insuperable barrier between me and my `
` fellow creatures; nay, a wish that such should prove the fact stole `
` across me. `
` `
` I desired that I might pass my life on that barren rock, wearily, it is `
` true, but uninterrupted by any sudden shock of misery. If I returned, `
` it was to be sacrificed or to see those whom I most loved die under the `
` grasp of a daemon whom I had myself created. `
` `
` I walked about the isle like a restless spectre, separated from all it `
` loved and miserable in the separation. When it became noon, and the `
` sun rose higher, I lay down on the grass and was overpowered by a deep `
` sleep. I had been awake the whole of the preceding night, my nerves `
` were agitated, and my eyes inflamed by watching and misery. The sleep `
` into which I now sank refreshed me; and when I awoke, I again felt as `
` if I belonged to a race of human beings like myself, and I began to `
` reflect upon what had passed with greater composure; yet still the `
` words of the fiend rang in my ears like a death-knell; they appeared `
` like a dream, yet distinct and oppressive as a reality. `
` `
` The sun had far descended, and I still sat on the shore, satisfying my `
` appetite, which had become ravenous, with an oaten cake, when I saw a `
` fishing-boat land close to me, and one of the men brought me a packet; `
` it contained letters from Geneva, and one from Clerval entreating me to `
` join him. He said that he was wearing away his time fruitlessly where `
` he was, that letters from the friends he had formed in London desired `
` his return to complete the negotiation they had entered into for his `
` Indian enterprise. He could not any longer delay his departure; but as `
` his journey to London might be followed, even sooner than he now `
` conjectured, by his longer voyage, he entreated me to bestow as much of `
` my society on him as I could spare. He besought me, therefore, to `
` leave my solitary isle and to meet him at Perth, that we might proceed `
` southwards together. This letter in a degree recalled me to life, and `
` I determined to quit my island at the expiration of two days. Yet, `
` before I departed, there was a task to perform, on which I shuddered to `
` reflect; I must pack up my chemical instruments, and for that purpose I `
` must enter the room which had been the scene of my odious work, and I `
` must handle those utensils the sight of which was sickening to me. The `
` next morning, at daybreak, I summoned sufficient courage and unlocked `
` the door of my laboratory. The remains of the half-finished creature, `
` whom I had destroyed, lay scattered on the floor, and I almost felt as `
` if I had mangled the living flesh of a human being. I paused to `
` collect myself and then entered the chamber. With trembling hand I `
` conveyed the instruments out of the room, but I reflected that I ought `
` not to leave the relics of my work to excite the horror and suspicion `
` of the peasants; and I accordingly put them into a basket, with a great `
` quantity of stones, and laying them up, determined to throw them into `
` the sea that very night; and in the meantime I sat upon the beach, `
` employed in cleaning and arranging my chemical apparatus. `
` `
` Nothing could be more complete than the alteration that had taken place `
` in my feelings since the night of the appearance of the daemon. I had `
` before regarded my promise with a gloomy despair as a thing that, with `
` whatever consequences, must be fulfilled; but I now felt as if a film `
` had been taken from before my eyes and that I for the first time saw `
`
` leave my labour for the night or hasten its conclusion by an `
` unremitting attention to it. As I sat, a train of reflection occurred `
` to me which led me to consider the effects of what I was now doing. `
` Three years before, I was engaged in the same manner and had created a `
` fiend whose unparalleled barbarity had desolated my heart and filled it `
` forever with the bitterest remorse. I was now about to form another `
` being of whose dispositions I was alike ignorant; she might become ten `
` thousand times more malignant than her mate and delight, for its own `
` sake, in murder and wretchedness. He had sworn to quit the `
` neighbourhood of man and hide himself in deserts, but she had not; and `
` she, who in all probability was to become a thinking and reasoning `
` animal, might refuse to comply with a compact made before her creation. `
` They might even hate each other; the creature who already lived loathed `
` his own deformity, and might he not conceive a greater abhorrence for `
` it when it came before his eyes in the female form? She also might `
` turn with disgust from him to the superior beauty of man; she might `
` quit him, and he be again alone, exasperated by the fresh provocation `
` of being deserted by one of his own species. Even if they were to `
` leave Europe and inhabit the deserts of the new world, yet one of the `
` first results of those sympathies for which the daemon thirsted would `
` be children, and a race of devils would be propagated upon the earth `
` who might make the very existence of the species of man a condition `
` precarious and full of terror. Had I right, for my own benefit, to `
` inflict this curse upon everlasting generations? I had before been `
` moved by the sophisms of the being I had created; I had been struck `
` senseless by his fiendish threats; but now, for the first time, the `
` wickedness of my promise burst upon me; I shuddered to think that `
` future ages might curse me as their pest, whose selfishness had not `
` hesitated to buy its own peace at the price, perhaps, of the existence `
` of the whole human race. `
` `
` I trembled and my heart failed within me, when, on looking up, I saw by `
` the light of the moon the daemon at the casement. A ghastly grin `
` wrinkled his lips as he gazed on me, where I sat fulfilling the task `
` which he had allotted to me. Yes, he had followed me in my travels; he `
` had loitered in forests, hid himself in caves, or taken refuge in wide `
` and desert heaths; and he now came to mark my progress and claim the `
` fulfilment of my promise. `
` `
` As I looked on him, his countenance expressed the utmost extent of `
` malice and treachery. I thought with a sensation of madness on my `
` promise of creating another like to him, and trembling with passion, `
` tore to pieces the thing on which I was engaged. The wretch saw me `
` destroy the creature on whose future existence he depended for `
` happiness, and with a howl of devilish despair and revenge, withdrew. `
` `
` I left the room, and locking the door, made a solemn vow in my own `
` heart never to resume my labours; and then, with trembling steps, I `
` sought my own apartment. I was alone; none were near me to dissipate `
` the gloom and relieve me from the sickening oppression of the most `
` terrible reveries. `
` `
` Several hours passed, and I remained near my window gazing on the sea; `
` it was almost motionless, for the winds were hushed, and all nature `
` reposed under the eye of the quiet moon. A few fishing vessels alone `
` specked the water, and now and then the gentle breeze wafted the sound `
` of voices as the fishermen called to one another. I felt the silence, `
` although I was hardly conscious of its extreme profundity, until my ear `
` was suddenly arrested by the paddling of oars near the shore, and a `
` person landed close to my house. `
` `
` In a few minutes after, I heard the creaking of my door, as if some one `
` endeavoured to open it softly. I trembled from head to foot; I felt a `
` presentiment of who it was and wished to rouse one of the peasants who `
` dwelt in a cottage not far from mine; but I was overcome by the `
` sensation of helplessness, so often felt in frightful dreams, when you `
` in vain endeavour to fly from an impending danger, and was rooted to `
` the spot. Presently I heard the sound of footsteps along the passage; `
` the door opened, and the wretch whom I dreaded appeared. `
` `
` Shutting the door, he approached me and said in a smothered voice, "You `
` have destroyed the work which you began; what is it that you intend? `
` Do you dare to break your promise? I have endured toil and misery; I `
` left Switzerland with you; I crept along the shores of the Rhine, among `
` its willow islands and over the summits of its hills. I have dwelt `
` many months in the heaths of England and among the deserts of Scotland. `
` I have endured incalculable fatigue, and cold, and hunger; do you dare `
` destroy my hopes?" `
` `
` "Begone! I do break my promise; never will I create another like `
` yourself, equal in deformity and wickedness." `
` `
` "Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself `
` unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe `
` yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of `
` day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master; `
` obey!" `
` `
` "The hour of my irresolution is past, and the period of your power is `
` arrived. Your threats cannot move me to do an act of wickedness; but `
` they confirm me in a determination of not creating you a companion in `
` vice. Shall I, in cool blood, set loose upon the earth a daemon whose `
` delight is in death and wretchedness? Begone! I am firm, and your `
` words will only exasperate my rage." `
` `
` The monster saw my determination in my face and gnashed his teeth in `
` the impotence of anger. "Shall each man," cried he, "find a wife for `
` his bosom, and each beast have his mate, and I be alone? I had `
` feelings of affection, and they were requited by detestation and `
` scorn. Man! You may hate, but beware! Your hours will pass in dread `
` and misery, and soon the bolt will fall which must ravish from you `
` your happiness forever. Are you to be happy while I grovel in the `
` intensity of my wretchedness? You can blast my other passions, but `
` revenge remains--revenge, henceforth dearer than light or food! I `
` may die, but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun `
` that gazes on your misery. Beware, for I am fearless and therefore `
` powerful. I will watch with the wiliness of a snake, that I may sting `
` with its venom. Man, you shall repent of the injuries you inflict." `
` `
` "Devil, cease; and do not poison the air with these sounds of malice. `
` I have declared my resolution to you, and I am no coward to bend beneath `
` words. Leave me; I am inexorable." `
` `
` "It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your `
` wedding-night." `
` `
` I started forward and exclaimed, "Villain! Before you sign my `
` death-warrant, be sure that you are yourself safe." `
` `
` I would have seized him, but he eluded me and quitted the house with `
` precipitation. In a few moments I saw him in his boat, which shot `
` across the waters with an arrowy swiftness and was soon lost amidst the `
` waves. `
` `
` All was again silent, but his words rang in my ears. I burned with `
` rage to pursue the murderer of my peace and precipitate him into the `
` ocean. I walked up and down my room hastily and perturbed, while my `
` imagination conjured up a thousand images to torment and sting me. Why `
` had I not followed him and closed with him in mortal strife? But I had `
` suffered him to depart, and he had directed his course towards the `
` mainland. I shuddered to think who might be the next victim sacrificed `
` to his insatiate revenge. And then I thought again of his words--"I `
` WILL BE WITH YOU ON YOUR WEDDING-NIGHT." That, then, was the period `
` fixed for the fulfilment of my destiny. In that hour I should die and `
` at once satisfy and extinguish his malice. The prospect did not move `
` me to fear; yet when I thought of my beloved Elizabeth, of her tears `
` and endless sorrow, when she should find her lover so barbarously `
` snatched from her, tears, the first I had shed for many months, `
` streamed from my eyes, and I resolved not to fall before my enemy `
` without a bitter struggle. `
` `
` The night passed away, and the sun rose from the ocean; my feelings `
` became calmer, if it may be called calmness when the violence of rage `
` sinks into the depths of despair. I left the house, the horrid scene `
` of the last night's contention, and walked on the beach of the sea, `
` which I almost regarded as an insuperable barrier between me and my `
` fellow creatures; nay, a wish that such should prove the fact stole `
` across me. `
` `
` I desired that I might pass my life on that barren rock, wearily, it is `
` true, but uninterrupted by any sudden shock of misery. If I returned, `
` it was to be sacrificed or to see those whom I most loved die under the `
` grasp of a daemon whom I had myself created. `
` `
` I walked about the isle like a restless spectre, separated from all it `
` loved and miserable in the separation. When it became noon, and the `
` sun rose higher, I lay down on the grass and was overpowered by a deep `
` sleep. I had been awake the whole of the preceding night, my nerves `
` were agitated, and my eyes inflamed by watching and misery. The sleep `
` into which I now sank refreshed me; and when I awoke, I again felt as `
` if I belonged to a race of human beings like myself, and I began to `
` reflect upon what had passed with greater composure; yet still the `
` words of the fiend rang in my ears like a death-knell; they appeared `
` like a dream, yet distinct and oppressive as a reality. `
` `
` The sun had far descended, and I still sat on the shore, satisfying my `
` appetite, which had become ravenous, with an oaten cake, when I saw a `
` fishing-boat land close to me, and one of the men brought me a packet; `
` it contained letters from Geneva, and one from Clerval entreating me to `
` join him. He said that he was wearing away his time fruitlessly where `
` he was, that letters from the friends he had formed in London desired `
` his return to complete the negotiation they had entered into for his `
` Indian enterprise. He could not any longer delay his departure; but as `
` his journey to London might be followed, even sooner than he now `
` conjectured, by his longer voyage, he entreated me to bestow as much of `
` my society on him as I could spare. He besought me, therefore, to `
` leave my solitary isle and to meet him at Perth, that we might proceed `
` southwards together. This letter in a degree recalled me to life, and `
` I determined to quit my island at the expiration of two days. Yet, `
` before I departed, there was a task to perform, on which I shuddered to `
` reflect; I must pack up my chemical instruments, and for that purpose I `
` must enter the room which had been the scene of my odious work, and I `
` must handle those utensils the sight of which was sickening to me. The `
` next morning, at daybreak, I summoned sufficient courage and unlocked `
` the door of my laboratory. The remains of the half-finished creature, `
` whom I had destroyed, lay scattered on the floor, and I almost felt as `
` if I had mangled the living flesh of a human being. I paused to `
` collect myself and then entered the chamber. With trembling hand I `
` conveyed the instruments out of the room, but I reflected that I ought `
` not to leave the relics of my work to excite the horror and suspicion `
` of the peasants; and I accordingly put them into a basket, with a great `
` quantity of stones, and laying them up, determined to throw them into `
` the sea that very night; and in the meantime I sat upon the beach, `
` employed in cleaning and arranging my chemical apparatus. `
` `
` Nothing could be more complete than the alteration that had taken place `
` in my feelings since the night of the appearance of the daemon. I had `
` before regarded my promise with a gloomy despair as a thing that, with `
` whatever consequences, must be fulfilled; but I now felt as if a film `
` had been taken from before my eyes and that I for the first time saw `
`