Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.10-24
resolved not to fail in my purpose, and calling on heaven to support `
` me, I continued with unabated fervour to traverse immense deserts, `
` until the ocean appeared at a distance and formed the utmost boundary `
` of the horizon. Oh! How unlike it was to the blue seasons of the `
` south! Covered with ice, it was only to be distinguished from land by `
` its superior wildness and ruggedness. The Greeks wept for joy when `
` they beheld the Mediterranean from the hills of Asia, and hailed with `
` rapture the boundary of their toils. I did not weep, but I knelt down `
` and with a full heart thanked my guiding spirit for conducting me in `
` safety to the place where I hoped, notwithstanding my adversary's gibe, `
` to meet and grapple with him. `
` `
` Some weeks before this period I had procured a sledge and dogs and thus `
` traversed the snows with inconceivable speed. I know not whether the `
` fiend possessed the same advantages, but I found that, as before I had `
` daily lost ground in the pursuit, I now gained on him, so much so that `
` when I first saw the ocean he was but one day's journey in advance, and `
` I hoped to intercept him before he should reach the beach. With new `
` courage, therefore, I pressed on, and in two days arrived at a wretched `
` hamlet on the seashore. I inquired of the inhabitants concerning the `
` fiend and gained accurate information. A gigantic monster, they said, `
` had arrived the night before, armed with a gun and many pistols, `
` putting to flight the inhabitants of a solitary cottage through fear of `
` his terrific appearance. He had carried off their store of winter `
` food, and placing it in a sledge, to draw which he had seized on a `
` numerous drove of trained dogs, he had harnessed them, and the same `
` night, to the joy of the horror-struck villagers, had pursued his `
` journey across the sea in a direction that led to no land; and they `
` conjectured that he must speedily be destroyed by the breaking of the `
` ice or frozen by the eternal frosts. `
` `
` On hearing this information I suffered a temporary access of despair. `
` He had escaped me, and I must commence a destructive and almost endless `
` journey across the mountainous ices of the ocean, amidst cold that few `
` of the inhabitants could long endure and which I, the native of a `
` genial and sunny climate, could not hope to survive. Yet at the idea `
` that the fiend should live and be triumphant, my rage and vengeance `
` returned, and like a mighty tide, overwhelmed every other feeling. `
` After a slight repose, during which the spirits of the dead hovered `
` round and instigated me to toil and revenge, I prepared for my journey. `
` I exchanged my land-sledge for one fashioned for the inequalities of `
` the frozen ocean, and purchasing a plentiful stock of provisions, I `
` departed from land. `
` `
` I cannot guess how many days have passed since then, but I have endured `
` misery which nothing but the eternal sentiment of a just retribution `
` burning within my heart could have enabled me to support. Immense and `
` rugged mountains of ice often barred up my passage, and I often heard `
` the thunder of the ground sea, which threatened my destruction. But `
` again the frost came and made the paths of the sea secure. `
` `
` By the quantity of provision which I had consumed, I should guess that `
` I had passed three weeks in this journey; and the continual protraction `
` of hope, returning back upon the heart, often wrung bitter drops of `
` despondency and grief from my eyes. Despair had indeed almost secured `
` her prey, and I should soon have sunk beneath this misery. Once, after `
` the poor animals that conveyed me had with incredible toil gained the `
` summit of a sloping ice mountain, and one, sinking under his fatigue, `
` died, I viewed the expanse before me with anguish, when suddenly my eye `
` caught a dark speck upon the dusky plain. I strained my sight to `
` discover what it could be and uttered a wild cry of ecstasy when I `
` distinguished a sledge and the distorted proportions of a well-known `
` form within. Oh! With what a burning gush did hope revisit my heart! `
` Warm tears filled my eyes, which I hastily wiped away, that they might `
` not intercept the view I had of the daemon; but still my sight was `
` dimmed by the burning drops, until, giving way to the emotions that `
` oppressed me, I wept aloud. `
` `
` But this was not the time for delay; I disencumbered the dogs of their `
` dead companion, gave them a plentiful portion of food, and after an `
` hour's rest, which was absolutely necessary, and yet which was bitterly `
` irksome to me, I continued my route. The sledge was still visible, nor `
` did I again lose sight of it except at the moments when for a short `
` time some ice-rock concealed it with its intervening crags. I indeed `
` perceptibly gained on it, and when, after nearly two days' journey, I `
` beheld my enemy at no more than a mile distant, my heart bounded within `
` me. `
` `
` But now, when I appeared almost within grasp of my foe, my hopes were `
` suddenly extinguished, and I lost all trace of him more utterly than I `
` had ever done before. A ground sea was heard; the thunder of its `
` progress, as the waters rolled and swelled beneath me, became every `
` moment more ominous and terrific. I pressed on, but in vain. The wind `
` arose; the sea roared; and, as with the mighty shock of an earthquake, `
` it split and cracked with a tremendous and overwhelming sound. The `
` work was soon finished; in a few minutes a tumultuous sea rolled `
` between me and my enemy, and I was left drifting on a scattered piece `
` of ice that was continually lessening and thus preparing for me a `
` hideous death. In this manner many appalling hours passed; several of `
` my dogs died, and I myself was about to sink under the accumulation of `
` distress when I saw your vessel riding at anchor and holding forth to `
` me hopes of succour and life. I had no conception that vessels ever `
` came so far north and was astounded at the sight. I quickly destroyed `
` part of my sledge to construct oars, and by these means was enabled, `
` with infinite fatigue, to move my ice raft in the direction of your `
` ship. I had determined, if you were going southwards, still to trust `
` myself to the mercy of the seas rather than abandon my purpose. I `
` hoped to induce you to grant me a boat with which I could pursue my `
` enemy. But your direction was northwards. You took me on board when `
` my vigour was exhausted, and I should soon have sunk under my `
` multiplied hardships into a death which I still dread, for my task is `
` unfulfilled. `
` `
` Oh! When will my guiding spirit, in conducting me to the daemon, allow `
` me the rest I so much desire; or must I die, and he yet live? If I do, `
` swear to me, Walton, that he shall not escape, that you will seek him `
` and satisfy my vengeance in his death. And do I dare to ask of you to `
` undertake my pilgrimage, to endure the hardships that I have `
` undergone? No; I am not so selfish. Yet, when I am dead, if he should `
` appear, if the ministers of vengeance should conduct him to you, swear `
` that he shall not live--swear that he shall not triumph over my `
` accumulated woes and survive to add to the list of his dark crimes. He `
` is eloquent and persuasive, and once his words had even power over my `
` heart; but trust him not. His soul is as hellish as his form, full of `
` treachery and fiend-like malice. Hear him not; call on the names of `
` William, Justine, Clerval, Elizabeth, my father, and of the wretched `
` Victor, and thrust your sword into his heart. I will hover near and `
` direct the steel aright. `
` `
` `
` Walton, in continuation. `
` `
` August 26th, 17-- `
` `
` `
` You have read this strange and terrific story, Margaret; and do you not `
` feel your blood congeal with horror, like that which even now curdles `
` mine? Sometimes, seized with sudden agony, he could not continue his `
` tale; at others, his voice broken, yet piercing, uttered with `
` difficulty the words so replete with anguish. His fine and lovely eyes `
` were now lighted up with indignation, now subdued to downcast sorrow `
` and quenched in infinite wretchedness. Sometimes he commanded his `
` countenance and tones and related the most horrible incidents with a `
` tranquil voice, suppressing every mark of agitation; then, like a `
` volcano bursting forth, his face would suddenly change to an expression `
` of the wildest rage as he shrieked out imprecations on his persecutor. `
` `
` His tale is connected and told with an appearance of the simplest `
` truth, yet I own to you that the letters of Felix and Safie, which he `
` showed me, and the apparition of the monster seen from our ship, `
` brought to me a greater conviction of the truth of his narrative than `
` his asseverations, however earnest and connected. Such a monster has, `
` then, really existence! I cannot doubt it, yet I am lost in surprise `
` and admiration. Sometimes I endeavoured to gain from Frankenstein the `
` particulars of his creature's formation, but on this point he was `
` impenetrable. "Are you mad, my friend?" said he. "Or whither does your `
` senseless curiosity lead you? Would you also create for yourself and `
` the world a demoniacal enemy? Peace, peace! Learn my miseries and do `
` not seek to increase your own." Frankenstein discovered that I made `
` notes concerning his history; he asked to see them and then himself `
` corrected and augmented them in many places, but principally in giving `
` the life and spirit to the conversations he held with his enemy. "Since `
` you have preserved my narration," said he, "I would not that a `
` mutilated one should go down to posterity." `
` `
` Thus has a week passed away, while I have listened to the strangest `
` tale that ever imagination formed. My thoughts and every feeling of my `
` soul have been drunk up by the interest for my guest which this tale `
` and his own elevated and gentle manners have created. I wish to soothe `
` him, yet can I counsel one so infinitely miserable, so destitute of `
` every hope of consolation, to live? Oh, no! The only joy that he can `
` now know will be when he composes his shattered spirit to peace and `
` death. Yet he enjoys one comfort, the offspring of solitude and `
` delirium; he believes that when in dreams he holds converse with his `
` friends and derives from that communion consolation for his miseries or `
` excitements to his vengeance, that they are not the creations of his `
` fancy, but the beings themselves who visit him from the regions of a `
` remote world. This faith gives a solemnity to his reveries that render `
` them to me almost as imposing and interesting as truth. `
` `
` Our conversations are not always confined to his own history and `
` misfortunes. On every point of general literature he displays `
` unbounded knowledge and a quick and piercing apprehension. His `
` eloquence is forcible and touching; nor can I hear him, when he relates `
` a pathetic incident or endeavours to move the passions of pity or love, `
` without tears. What a glorious creature must he have been in the days `
` of his prosperity, when he is thus noble and godlike in ruin! He seems `
` to feel his own worth and the greatness of his fall. `
` `
` "When younger," said he, "I believed myself destined for some great `
` enterprise. My feelings are profound, but I possessed a coolness of `
` judgment that fitted me for illustrious achievements. This sentiment `
` of the worth of my nature supported me when others would have been `
` oppressed, for I deemed it criminal to throw away in useless grief `
` those talents that might be useful to my fellow creatures. When I `
` reflected on the work I had completed, no less a one than the creation `
` of a sensitive and rational animal, I could not rank myself with the `
` herd of common projectors. But this thought, which supported me in the `
` commencement of my career, now serves only to plunge me lower in the `
` dust. All my speculations and hopes are as nothing, and like the `
` archangel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained in an eternal hell. `
` My imagination was vivid, yet my powers of analysis and application `
` were intense; by the union of these qualities I conceived the idea and `
` executed the creation of a man. Even now I cannot recollect without `
` passion my reveries while the work was incomplete. I trod heaven in my `
` thoughts, now exulting in my powers, now burning with the idea of their `
` effects. From my infancy I was imbued with high hopes and a lofty `
` ambition; but how am I sunk! Oh! My friend, if you had known me as I `
` once was, you would not recognize me in this state of degradation. `
` Despondency rarely visited my heart; a high destiny seemed to bear me `
` on, until I fell, never, never again to rise." Must I then lose this `
`
` me, I continued with unabated fervour to traverse immense deserts, `
` until the ocean appeared at a distance and formed the utmost boundary `
` of the horizon. Oh! How unlike it was to the blue seasons of the `
` south! Covered with ice, it was only to be distinguished from land by `
` its superior wildness and ruggedness. The Greeks wept for joy when `
` they beheld the Mediterranean from the hills of Asia, and hailed with `
` rapture the boundary of their toils. I did not weep, but I knelt down `
` and with a full heart thanked my guiding spirit for conducting me in `
` safety to the place where I hoped, notwithstanding my adversary's gibe, `
` to meet and grapple with him. `
` `
` Some weeks before this period I had procured a sledge and dogs and thus `
` traversed the snows with inconceivable speed. I know not whether the `
` fiend possessed the same advantages, but I found that, as before I had `
` daily lost ground in the pursuit, I now gained on him, so much so that `
` when I first saw the ocean he was but one day's journey in advance, and `
` I hoped to intercept him before he should reach the beach. With new `
` courage, therefore, I pressed on, and in two days arrived at a wretched `
` hamlet on the seashore. I inquired of the inhabitants concerning the `
` fiend and gained accurate information. A gigantic monster, they said, `
` had arrived the night before, armed with a gun and many pistols, `
` putting to flight the inhabitants of a solitary cottage through fear of `
` his terrific appearance. He had carried off their store of winter `
` food, and placing it in a sledge, to draw which he had seized on a `
` numerous drove of trained dogs, he had harnessed them, and the same `
` night, to the joy of the horror-struck villagers, had pursued his `
` journey across the sea in a direction that led to no land; and they `
` conjectured that he must speedily be destroyed by the breaking of the `
` ice or frozen by the eternal frosts. `
` `
` On hearing this information I suffered a temporary access of despair. `
` He had escaped me, and I must commence a destructive and almost endless `
` journey across the mountainous ices of the ocean, amidst cold that few `
` of the inhabitants could long endure and which I, the native of a `
` genial and sunny climate, could not hope to survive. Yet at the idea `
` that the fiend should live and be triumphant, my rage and vengeance `
` returned, and like a mighty tide, overwhelmed every other feeling. `
` After a slight repose, during which the spirits of the dead hovered `
` round and instigated me to toil and revenge, I prepared for my journey. `
` I exchanged my land-sledge for one fashioned for the inequalities of `
` the frozen ocean, and purchasing a plentiful stock of provisions, I `
` departed from land. `
` `
` I cannot guess how many days have passed since then, but I have endured `
` misery which nothing but the eternal sentiment of a just retribution `
` burning within my heart could have enabled me to support. Immense and `
` rugged mountains of ice often barred up my passage, and I often heard `
` the thunder of the ground sea, which threatened my destruction. But `
` again the frost came and made the paths of the sea secure. `
` `
` By the quantity of provision which I had consumed, I should guess that `
` I had passed three weeks in this journey; and the continual protraction `
` of hope, returning back upon the heart, often wrung bitter drops of `
` despondency and grief from my eyes. Despair had indeed almost secured `
` her prey, and I should soon have sunk beneath this misery. Once, after `
` the poor animals that conveyed me had with incredible toil gained the `
` summit of a sloping ice mountain, and one, sinking under his fatigue, `
` died, I viewed the expanse before me with anguish, when suddenly my eye `
` caught a dark speck upon the dusky plain. I strained my sight to `
` discover what it could be and uttered a wild cry of ecstasy when I `
` distinguished a sledge and the distorted proportions of a well-known `
` form within. Oh! With what a burning gush did hope revisit my heart! `
` Warm tears filled my eyes, which I hastily wiped away, that they might `
` not intercept the view I had of the daemon; but still my sight was `
` dimmed by the burning drops, until, giving way to the emotions that `
` oppressed me, I wept aloud. `
` `
` But this was not the time for delay; I disencumbered the dogs of their `
` dead companion, gave them a plentiful portion of food, and after an `
` hour's rest, which was absolutely necessary, and yet which was bitterly `
` irksome to me, I continued my route. The sledge was still visible, nor `
` did I again lose sight of it except at the moments when for a short `
` time some ice-rock concealed it with its intervening crags. I indeed `
` perceptibly gained on it, and when, after nearly two days' journey, I `
` beheld my enemy at no more than a mile distant, my heart bounded within `
` me. `
` `
` But now, when I appeared almost within grasp of my foe, my hopes were `
` suddenly extinguished, and I lost all trace of him more utterly than I `
` had ever done before. A ground sea was heard; the thunder of its `
` progress, as the waters rolled and swelled beneath me, became every `
` moment more ominous and terrific. I pressed on, but in vain. The wind `
` arose; the sea roared; and, as with the mighty shock of an earthquake, `
` it split and cracked with a tremendous and overwhelming sound. The `
` work was soon finished; in a few minutes a tumultuous sea rolled `
` between me and my enemy, and I was left drifting on a scattered piece `
` of ice that was continually lessening and thus preparing for me a `
` hideous death. In this manner many appalling hours passed; several of `
` my dogs died, and I myself was about to sink under the accumulation of `
` distress when I saw your vessel riding at anchor and holding forth to `
` me hopes of succour and life. I had no conception that vessels ever `
` came so far north and was astounded at the sight. I quickly destroyed `
` part of my sledge to construct oars, and by these means was enabled, `
` with infinite fatigue, to move my ice raft in the direction of your `
` ship. I had determined, if you were going southwards, still to trust `
` myself to the mercy of the seas rather than abandon my purpose. I `
` hoped to induce you to grant me a boat with which I could pursue my `
` enemy. But your direction was northwards. You took me on board when `
` my vigour was exhausted, and I should soon have sunk under my `
` multiplied hardships into a death which I still dread, for my task is `
` unfulfilled. `
` `
` Oh! When will my guiding spirit, in conducting me to the daemon, allow `
` me the rest I so much desire; or must I die, and he yet live? If I do, `
` swear to me, Walton, that he shall not escape, that you will seek him `
` and satisfy my vengeance in his death. And do I dare to ask of you to `
` undertake my pilgrimage, to endure the hardships that I have `
` undergone? No; I am not so selfish. Yet, when I am dead, if he should `
` appear, if the ministers of vengeance should conduct him to you, swear `
` that he shall not live--swear that he shall not triumph over my `
` accumulated woes and survive to add to the list of his dark crimes. He `
` is eloquent and persuasive, and once his words had even power over my `
` heart; but trust him not. His soul is as hellish as his form, full of `
` treachery and fiend-like malice. Hear him not; call on the names of `
` William, Justine, Clerval, Elizabeth, my father, and of the wretched `
` Victor, and thrust your sword into his heart. I will hover near and `
` direct the steel aright. `
` `
` `
` Walton, in continuation. `
` `
` August 26th, 17-- `
` `
` `
` You have read this strange and terrific story, Margaret; and do you not `
` feel your blood congeal with horror, like that which even now curdles `
` mine? Sometimes, seized with sudden agony, he could not continue his `
` tale; at others, his voice broken, yet piercing, uttered with `
` difficulty the words so replete with anguish. His fine and lovely eyes `
` were now lighted up with indignation, now subdued to downcast sorrow `
` and quenched in infinite wretchedness. Sometimes he commanded his `
` countenance and tones and related the most horrible incidents with a `
` tranquil voice, suppressing every mark of agitation; then, like a `
` volcano bursting forth, his face would suddenly change to an expression `
` of the wildest rage as he shrieked out imprecations on his persecutor. `
` `
` His tale is connected and told with an appearance of the simplest `
` truth, yet I own to you that the letters of Felix and Safie, which he `
` showed me, and the apparition of the monster seen from our ship, `
` brought to me a greater conviction of the truth of his narrative than `
` his asseverations, however earnest and connected. Such a monster has, `
` then, really existence! I cannot doubt it, yet I am lost in surprise `
` and admiration. Sometimes I endeavoured to gain from Frankenstein the `
` particulars of his creature's formation, but on this point he was `
` impenetrable. "Are you mad, my friend?" said he. "Or whither does your `
` senseless curiosity lead you? Would you also create for yourself and `
` the world a demoniacal enemy? Peace, peace! Learn my miseries and do `
` not seek to increase your own." Frankenstein discovered that I made `
` notes concerning his history; he asked to see them and then himself `
` corrected and augmented them in many places, but principally in giving `
` the life and spirit to the conversations he held with his enemy. "Since `
` you have preserved my narration," said he, "I would not that a `
` mutilated one should go down to posterity." `
` `
` Thus has a week passed away, while I have listened to the strangest `
` tale that ever imagination formed. My thoughts and every feeling of my `
` soul have been drunk up by the interest for my guest which this tale `
` and his own elevated and gentle manners have created. I wish to soothe `
` him, yet can I counsel one so infinitely miserable, so destitute of `
` every hope of consolation, to live? Oh, no! The only joy that he can `
` now know will be when he composes his shattered spirit to peace and `
` death. Yet he enjoys one comfort, the offspring of solitude and `
` delirium; he believes that when in dreams he holds converse with his `
` friends and derives from that communion consolation for his miseries or `
` excitements to his vengeance, that they are not the creations of his `
` fancy, but the beings themselves who visit him from the regions of a `
` remote world. This faith gives a solemnity to his reveries that render `
` them to me almost as imposing and interesting as truth. `
` `
` Our conversations are not always confined to his own history and `
` misfortunes. On every point of general literature he displays `
` unbounded knowledge and a quick and piercing apprehension. His `
` eloquence is forcible and touching; nor can I hear him, when he relates `
` a pathetic incident or endeavours to move the passions of pity or love, `
` without tears. What a glorious creature must he have been in the days `
` of his prosperity, when he is thus noble and godlike in ruin! He seems `
` to feel his own worth and the greatness of his fall. `
` `
` "When younger," said he, "I believed myself destined for some great `
` enterprise. My feelings are profound, but I possessed a coolness of `
` judgment that fitted me for illustrious achievements. This sentiment `
` of the worth of my nature supported me when others would have been `
` oppressed, for I deemed it criminal to throw away in useless grief `
` those talents that might be useful to my fellow creatures. When I `
` reflected on the work I had completed, no less a one than the creation `
` of a sensitive and rational animal, I could not rank myself with the `
` herd of common projectors. But this thought, which supported me in the `
` commencement of my career, now serves only to plunge me lower in the `
` dust. All my speculations and hopes are as nothing, and like the `
` archangel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained in an eternal hell. `
` My imagination was vivid, yet my powers of analysis and application `
` were intense; by the union of these qualities I conceived the idea and `
` executed the creation of a man. Even now I cannot recollect without `
` passion my reveries while the work was incomplete. I trod heaven in my `
` thoughts, now exulting in my powers, now burning with the idea of their `
` effects. From my infancy I was imbued with high hopes and a lofty `
` ambition; but how am I sunk! Oh! My friend, if you had known me as I `
` once was, you would not recognize me in this state of degradation. `
` Despondency rarely visited my heart; a high destiny seemed to bear me `
` on, until I fell, never, never again to rise." Must I then lose this `
`