Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.10-24
that existed who would pity or assist me; and should I feel kindness `
` towards my enemies? No; from that moment I declared everlasting war `
` against the species, and more than all, against him who had formed me `
` and sent me forth to this insupportable misery. `
` `
` "The sun rose; I heard the voices of men and knew that it was `
` impossible to return to my retreat during that day. Accordingly I hid `
` myself in some thick underwood, determining to devote the ensuing hours `
` to reflection on my situation. `
` `
` "The pleasant sunshine and the pure air of day restored me to some `
` degree of tranquillity; and when I considered what had passed at the `
` cottage, I could not help believing that I had been too hasty in my `
` conclusions. I had certainly acted imprudently. It was apparent that `
` my conversation had interested the father in my behalf, and I was a `
` fool in having exposed my person to the horror of his children. I `
` ought to have familiarized the old De Lacey to me, and by degrees to `
` have discovered myself to the rest of his family, when they should have `
` been prepared for my approach. But I did not believe my errors to be `
` irretrievable, and after much consideration I resolved to return to the `
` cottage, seek the old man, and by my representations win him to my `
` party. `
` `
` "These thoughts calmed me, and in the afternoon I sank into a profound `
` sleep; but the fever of my blood did not allow me to be visited by `
` peaceful dreams. The horrible scene of the preceding day was forever `
` acting before my eyes; the females were flying and the enraged Felix `
` tearing me from his father's feet. I awoke exhausted, and finding that `
` it was already night, I crept forth from my hiding-place, and went in `
` search of food. `
` `
` "When my hunger was appeased, I directed my steps towards the well- `
` known path that conducted to the cottage. All there was at peace. I `
` crept into my hovel and remained in silent expectation of the `
` accustomed hour when the family arose. That hour passed, the sun `
` mounted high in the heavens, but the cottagers did not appear. I `
` trembled violently, apprehending some dreadful misfortune. The inside `
` of the cottage was dark, and I heard no motion; I cannot describe the `
` agony of this suspense. `
` `
` "Presently two countrymen passed by, but pausing near the cottage, they `
` entered into conversation, using violent gesticulations; but I did not `
` understand what they said, as they spoke the language of the country, `
` which differed from that of my protectors. Soon after, however, Felix `
` approached with another man; I was surprised, as I knew that he had not `
` quitted the cottage that morning, and waited anxiously to discover from `
` his discourse the meaning of these unusual appearances. `
` `
` "`Do you consider,' said his companion to him, `that you will be `
` obliged to pay three months' rent and to lose the produce of your `
` garden? I do not wish to take any unfair advantage, and I beg `
` therefore that you will take some days to consider of your `
` determination.' `
` `
` "`It is utterly useless,' replied Felix; `we can never again inhabit `
` your cottage. The life of my father is in the greatest danger, owing `
` to the dreadful circumstance that I have related. My wife and my `
` sister will never recover from their horror. I entreat you not to `
` reason with me any more. Take possession of your tenement and let me `
` fly from this place.' `
` `
` "Felix trembled violently as he said this. He and his companion `
` entered the cottage, in which they remained for a few minutes, and then `
` departed. I never saw any of the family of De Lacey more. `
` `
` "I continued for the remainder of the day in my hovel in a state of `
` utter and stupid despair. My protectors had departed and had broken `
` the only link that held me to the world. For the first time the `
` feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom, and I did not strive to `
` control them, but allowing myself to be borne away by the stream, I `
` bent my mind towards injury and death. When I thought of my friends, `
` of the mild voice of De Lacey, the gentle eyes of Agatha, and the `
` exquisite beauty of the Arabian, these thoughts vanished and a gush of `
` tears somewhat soothed me. But again when I reflected that they had `
` spurned and deserted me, anger returned, a rage of anger, and unable to `
` injure anything human, I turned my fury towards inanimate objects. As `
` night advanced I placed a variety of combustibles around the cottage, `
` and after having destroyed every vestige of cultivation in the garden, I `
` waited with forced impatience until the moon had sunk to commence my `
` operations. `
` `
` "As the night advanced, a fierce wind arose from the woods and quickly `
` dispersed the clouds that had loitered in the heavens; the blast tore `
` along like a mighty avalanche and produced a kind of insanity in my `
` spirits that burst all bounds of reason and reflection. I lighted the `
` dry branch of a tree and danced with fury around the devoted cottage, `
` my eyes still fixed on the western horizon, the edge of which the moon `
` nearly touched. A part of its orb was at length hid, and I waved my `
` brand; it sank, and with a loud scream I fired the straw, and heath, `
` and bushes, which I had collected. The wind fanned the fire, and the `
` cottage was quickly enveloped by the flames, which clung to it and `
` licked it with their forked and destroying tongues. `
` `
` "As soon as I was convinced that no assistance could save any part of `
` the habitation, I quitted the scene and sought for refuge in the woods. `
` `
` "And now, with the world before me, whither should I bend my steps? I `
` resolved to fly far from the scene of my misfortunes; but to me, hated `
` and despised, every country must be equally horrible. At length the `
` thought of you crossed my mind. I learned from your papers that you `
` were my father, my creator; and to whom could I apply with more fitness `
` than to him who had given me life? Among the lessons that Felix had `
` bestowed upon Safie, geography had not been omitted; I had learned from `
` these the relative situations of the different countries of the earth. `
` You had mentioned Geneva as the name of your native town, and towards `
` this place I resolved to proceed. `
` `
` "But how was I to direct myself? I knew that I must travel in a `
` southwesterly direction to reach my destination, but the sun was my `
` only guide. I did not know the names of the towns that I was to pass `
` through, nor could I ask information from a single human being; but I `
` did not despair. From you only could I hope for succour, although `
` towards you I felt no sentiment but that of hatred. Unfeeling, `
` heartless creator! You had endowed me with perceptions and passions `
` and then cast me abroad an object for the scorn and horror of mankind. `
` But on you only had I any claim for pity and redress, and from you I `
` determined to seek that justice which I vainly attempted to gain from `
` any other being that wore the human form. `
` `
` "My travels were long and the sufferings I endured intense. It was `
` late in autumn when I quitted the district where I had so long resided. `
` I travelled only at night, fearful of encountering the visage of a `
` human being. Nature decayed around me, and the sun became heatless; `
` rain and snow poured around me; mighty rivers were frozen; the surface `
` of the earth was hard and chill, and bare, and I found no shelter. Oh, `
` earth! How often did I imprecate curses on the cause of my being! The `
` mildness of my nature had fled, and all within me was turned to gall `
` and bitterness. The nearer I approached to your habitation, the more `
` deeply did I feel the spirit of revenge enkindled in my heart. Snow `
` fell, and the waters were hardened, but I rested not. A few incidents `
` now and then directed me, and I possessed a map of the country; but I `
` often wandered wide from my path. The agony of my feelings allowed me `
` no respite; no incident occurred from which my rage and misery could `
` not extract its food; but a circumstance that happened when I arrived `
` on the confines of Switzerland, when the sun had recovered its warmth `
` and the earth again began to look green, confirmed in an especial `
` manner the bitterness and horror of my feelings. `
` `
` "I generally rested during the day and travelled only when I was `
` secured by night from the view of man. One morning, however, finding `
` that my path lay through a deep wood, I ventured to continue my journey `
` after the sun had risen; the day, which was one of the first of spring, `
` cheered even me by the loveliness of its sunshine and the balminess of `
` the air. I felt emotions of gentleness and pleasure, that had long `
` appeared dead, revive within me. Half surprised by the novelty of `
` these sensations, I allowed myself to be borne away by them, and `
` forgetting my solitude and deformity, dared to be happy. Soft tears `
` again bedewed my cheeks, and I even raised my humid eyes with `
` thankfulness towards the blessed sun, which bestowed such joy upon me. `
` `
` "I continued to wind among the paths of the wood, until I came to its `
` boundary, which was skirted by a deep and rapid river, into which many `
` of the trees bent their branches, now budding with the fresh spring. `
` Here I paused, not exactly knowing what path to pursue, when I heard `
` the sound of voices, that induced me to conceal myself under the shade `
` of a cypress. I was scarcely hid when a young girl came running `
` towards the spot where I was concealed, laughing, as if she ran from `
` someone in sport. She continued her course along the precipitous sides `
` of the river, when suddenly her foot slipped, and she fell into the `
` rapid stream. I rushed from my hiding-place and with extreme labour, `
` from the force of the current, saved her and dragged her to shore. She `
` was senseless, and I endeavoured by every means in my power to restore `
` animation, when I was suddenly interrupted by the approach of a rustic, `
` who was probably the person from whom she had playfully fled. On `
` seeing me, he darted towards me, and tearing the girl from my arms, `
` hastened towards the deeper parts of the wood. I followed speedily, I `
` hardly knew why; but when the man saw me draw near, he aimed a gun, `
` which he carried, at my body and fired. I sank to the ground, and my `
` injurer, with increased swiftness, escaped into the wood. `
` `
` "This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human being `
` from destruction, and as a recompense I now writhed under the miserable `
` pain of a wound which shattered the flesh and bone. The feelings of `
` kindness and gentleness which I had entertained but a few moments `
` before gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by `
` pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind. But the `
` agony of my wound overcame me; my pulses paused, and I fainted. `
` `
` "For some weeks I led a miserable life in the woods, endeavouring to `
` cure the wound which I had received. The ball had entered my shoulder, `
` and I knew not whether it had remained there or passed through; at any `
` rate I had no means of extracting it. My sufferings were augmented `
` also by the oppressive sense of the injustice and ingratitude of their `
` infliction. My daily vows rose for revenge--a deep and deadly `
` revenge, such as would alone compensate for the outrages and anguish I `
` had endured. `
` `
` "After some weeks my wound healed, and I continued my journey. The `
` labours I endured were no longer to be alleviated by the bright sun or `
` gentle breezes of spring; all joy was but a mockery which insulted my `
` desolate state and made me feel more painfully that I was not made for `
` the enjoyment of pleasure. `
` `
` "But my toils now drew near a close, and in two months from this time I `
` reached the environs of Geneva. `
` `
` "It was evening when I arrived, and I retired to a hiding-place among `
` the fields that surround it to meditate in what manner I should apply `
` to you. I was oppressed by fatigue and hunger and far too unhappy to `
` enjoy the gentle breezes of evening or the prospect of the sun setting `
` behind the stupendous mountains of Jura. `
`
` towards my enemies? No; from that moment I declared everlasting war `
` against the species, and more than all, against him who had formed me `
` and sent me forth to this insupportable misery. `
` `
` "The sun rose; I heard the voices of men and knew that it was `
` impossible to return to my retreat during that day. Accordingly I hid `
` myself in some thick underwood, determining to devote the ensuing hours `
` to reflection on my situation. `
` `
` "The pleasant sunshine and the pure air of day restored me to some `
` degree of tranquillity; and when I considered what had passed at the `
` cottage, I could not help believing that I had been too hasty in my `
` conclusions. I had certainly acted imprudently. It was apparent that `
` my conversation had interested the father in my behalf, and I was a `
` fool in having exposed my person to the horror of his children. I `
` ought to have familiarized the old De Lacey to me, and by degrees to `
` have discovered myself to the rest of his family, when they should have `
` been prepared for my approach. But I did not believe my errors to be `
` irretrievable, and after much consideration I resolved to return to the `
` cottage, seek the old man, and by my representations win him to my `
` party. `
` `
` "These thoughts calmed me, and in the afternoon I sank into a profound `
` sleep; but the fever of my blood did not allow me to be visited by `
` peaceful dreams. The horrible scene of the preceding day was forever `
` acting before my eyes; the females were flying and the enraged Felix `
` tearing me from his father's feet. I awoke exhausted, and finding that `
` it was already night, I crept forth from my hiding-place, and went in `
` search of food. `
` `
` "When my hunger was appeased, I directed my steps towards the well- `
` known path that conducted to the cottage. All there was at peace. I `
` crept into my hovel and remained in silent expectation of the `
` accustomed hour when the family arose. That hour passed, the sun `
` mounted high in the heavens, but the cottagers did not appear. I `
` trembled violently, apprehending some dreadful misfortune. The inside `
` of the cottage was dark, and I heard no motion; I cannot describe the `
` agony of this suspense. `
` `
` "Presently two countrymen passed by, but pausing near the cottage, they `
` entered into conversation, using violent gesticulations; but I did not `
` understand what they said, as they spoke the language of the country, `
` which differed from that of my protectors. Soon after, however, Felix `
` approached with another man; I was surprised, as I knew that he had not `
` quitted the cottage that morning, and waited anxiously to discover from `
` his discourse the meaning of these unusual appearances. `
` `
` "`Do you consider,' said his companion to him, `that you will be `
` obliged to pay three months' rent and to lose the produce of your `
` garden? I do not wish to take any unfair advantage, and I beg `
` therefore that you will take some days to consider of your `
` determination.' `
` `
` "`It is utterly useless,' replied Felix; `we can never again inhabit `
` your cottage. The life of my father is in the greatest danger, owing `
` to the dreadful circumstance that I have related. My wife and my `
` sister will never recover from their horror. I entreat you not to `
` reason with me any more. Take possession of your tenement and let me `
` fly from this place.' `
` `
` "Felix trembled violently as he said this. He and his companion `
` entered the cottage, in which they remained for a few minutes, and then `
` departed. I never saw any of the family of De Lacey more. `
` `
` "I continued for the remainder of the day in my hovel in a state of `
` utter and stupid despair. My protectors had departed and had broken `
` the only link that held me to the world. For the first time the `
` feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom, and I did not strive to `
` control them, but allowing myself to be borne away by the stream, I `
` bent my mind towards injury and death. When I thought of my friends, `
` of the mild voice of De Lacey, the gentle eyes of Agatha, and the `
` exquisite beauty of the Arabian, these thoughts vanished and a gush of `
` tears somewhat soothed me. But again when I reflected that they had `
` spurned and deserted me, anger returned, a rage of anger, and unable to `
` injure anything human, I turned my fury towards inanimate objects. As `
` night advanced I placed a variety of combustibles around the cottage, `
` and after having destroyed every vestige of cultivation in the garden, I `
` waited with forced impatience until the moon had sunk to commence my `
` operations. `
` `
` "As the night advanced, a fierce wind arose from the woods and quickly `
` dispersed the clouds that had loitered in the heavens; the blast tore `
` along like a mighty avalanche and produced a kind of insanity in my `
` spirits that burst all bounds of reason and reflection. I lighted the `
` dry branch of a tree and danced with fury around the devoted cottage, `
` my eyes still fixed on the western horizon, the edge of which the moon `
` nearly touched. A part of its orb was at length hid, and I waved my `
` brand; it sank, and with a loud scream I fired the straw, and heath, `
` and bushes, which I had collected. The wind fanned the fire, and the `
` cottage was quickly enveloped by the flames, which clung to it and `
` licked it with their forked and destroying tongues. `
` `
` "As soon as I was convinced that no assistance could save any part of `
` the habitation, I quitted the scene and sought for refuge in the woods. `
` `
` "And now, with the world before me, whither should I bend my steps? I `
` resolved to fly far from the scene of my misfortunes; but to me, hated `
` and despised, every country must be equally horrible. At length the `
` thought of you crossed my mind. I learned from your papers that you `
` were my father, my creator; and to whom could I apply with more fitness `
` than to him who had given me life? Among the lessons that Felix had `
` bestowed upon Safie, geography had not been omitted; I had learned from `
` these the relative situations of the different countries of the earth. `
` You had mentioned Geneva as the name of your native town, and towards `
` this place I resolved to proceed. `
` `
` "But how was I to direct myself? I knew that I must travel in a `
` southwesterly direction to reach my destination, but the sun was my `
` only guide. I did not know the names of the towns that I was to pass `
` through, nor could I ask information from a single human being; but I `
` did not despair. From you only could I hope for succour, although `
` towards you I felt no sentiment but that of hatred. Unfeeling, `
` heartless creator! You had endowed me with perceptions and passions `
` and then cast me abroad an object for the scorn and horror of mankind. `
` But on you only had I any claim for pity and redress, and from you I `
` determined to seek that justice which I vainly attempted to gain from `
` any other being that wore the human form. `
` `
` "My travels were long and the sufferings I endured intense. It was `
` late in autumn when I quitted the district where I had so long resided. `
` I travelled only at night, fearful of encountering the visage of a `
` human being. Nature decayed around me, and the sun became heatless; `
` rain and snow poured around me; mighty rivers were frozen; the surface `
` of the earth was hard and chill, and bare, and I found no shelter. Oh, `
` earth! How often did I imprecate curses on the cause of my being! The `
` mildness of my nature had fled, and all within me was turned to gall `
` and bitterness. The nearer I approached to your habitation, the more `
` deeply did I feel the spirit of revenge enkindled in my heart. Snow `
` fell, and the waters were hardened, but I rested not. A few incidents `
` now and then directed me, and I possessed a map of the country; but I `
` often wandered wide from my path. The agony of my feelings allowed me `
` no respite; no incident occurred from which my rage and misery could `
` not extract its food; but a circumstance that happened when I arrived `
` on the confines of Switzerland, when the sun had recovered its warmth `
` and the earth again began to look green, confirmed in an especial `
` manner the bitterness and horror of my feelings. `
` `
` "I generally rested during the day and travelled only when I was `
` secured by night from the view of man. One morning, however, finding `
` that my path lay through a deep wood, I ventured to continue my journey `
` after the sun had risen; the day, which was one of the first of spring, `
` cheered even me by the loveliness of its sunshine and the balminess of `
` the air. I felt emotions of gentleness and pleasure, that had long `
` appeared dead, revive within me. Half surprised by the novelty of `
` these sensations, I allowed myself to be borne away by them, and `
` forgetting my solitude and deformity, dared to be happy. Soft tears `
` again bedewed my cheeks, and I even raised my humid eyes with `
` thankfulness towards the blessed sun, which bestowed such joy upon me. `
` `
` "I continued to wind among the paths of the wood, until I came to its `
` boundary, which was skirted by a deep and rapid river, into which many `
` of the trees bent their branches, now budding with the fresh spring. `
` Here I paused, not exactly knowing what path to pursue, when I heard `
` the sound of voices, that induced me to conceal myself under the shade `
` of a cypress. I was scarcely hid when a young girl came running `
` towards the spot where I was concealed, laughing, as if she ran from `
` someone in sport. She continued her course along the precipitous sides `
` of the river, when suddenly her foot slipped, and she fell into the `
` rapid stream. I rushed from my hiding-place and with extreme labour, `
` from the force of the current, saved her and dragged her to shore. She `
` was senseless, and I endeavoured by every means in my power to restore `
` animation, when I was suddenly interrupted by the approach of a rustic, `
` who was probably the person from whom she had playfully fled. On `
` seeing me, he darted towards me, and tearing the girl from my arms, `
` hastened towards the deeper parts of the wood. I followed speedily, I `
` hardly knew why; but when the man saw me draw near, he aimed a gun, `
` which he carried, at my body and fired. I sank to the ground, and my `
` injurer, with increased swiftness, escaped into the wood. `
` `
` "This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human being `
` from destruction, and as a recompense I now writhed under the miserable `
` pain of a wound which shattered the flesh and bone. The feelings of `
` kindness and gentleness which I had entertained but a few moments `
` before gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by `
` pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind. But the `
` agony of my wound overcame me; my pulses paused, and I fainted. `
` `
` "For some weeks I led a miserable life in the woods, endeavouring to `
` cure the wound which I had received. The ball had entered my shoulder, `
` and I knew not whether it had remained there or passed through; at any `
` rate I had no means of extracting it. My sufferings were augmented `
` also by the oppressive sense of the injustice and ingratitude of their `
` infliction. My daily vows rose for revenge--a deep and deadly `
` revenge, such as would alone compensate for the outrages and anguish I `
` had endured. `
` `
` "After some weeks my wound healed, and I continued my journey. The `
` labours I endured were no longer to be alleviated by the bright sun or `
` gentle breezes of spring; all joy was but a mockery which insulted my `
` desolate state and made me feel more painfully that I was not made for `
` the enjoyment of pleasure. `
` `
` "But my toils now drew near a close, and in two months from this time I `
` reached the environs of Geneva. `
` `
` "It was evening when I arrived, and I retired to a hiding-place among `
` the fields that surround it to meditate in what manner I should apply `
` to you. I was oppressed by fatigue and hunger and far too unhappy to `
` enjoy the gentle breezes of evening or the prospect of the sun setting `
` behind the stupendous mountains of Jura. `
`