Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.1-9
returned until he heard that his former mistress was married according `
` to her inclinations. "What a noble fellow!" you will exclaim. He is `
` so; but then he is wholly uneducated: he is as silent as a Turk, and a `
` kind of ignorant carelessness attends him, which, while it renders his `
` conduct the more astonishing, detracts from the interest and sympathy `
` which otherwise he would command. `
` `
` Yet do not suppose, because I complain a little or because I can `
` conceive a consolation for my toils which I may never know, that I am `
` wavering in my resolutions. Those are as fixed as fate, and my voyage `
` is only now delayed until the weather shall permit my embarkation. The `
` winter has been dreadfully severe, but the spring promises well, and it `
` is considered as a remarkably early season, so that perhaps I may sail `
` sooner than I expected. I shall do nothing rashly: you know me `
` sufficiently to confide in my prudence and considerateness whenever the `
` safety of others is committed to my care. `
` `
` I cannot describe to you my sensations on the near prospect of my `
` undertaking. It is impossible to communicate to you a conception of `
` the trembling sensation, half pleasurable and half fearful, with which `
` I am preparing to depart. I am going to unexplored regions, to "the `
` land of mist and snow," but I shall kill no albatross; therefore do not `
` be alarmed for my safety or if I should come back to you as worn and `
` woeful as the "Ancient Mariner." You will smile at my allusion, but I `
` will disclose a secret. I have often attributed my attachment to, my `
` passionate enthusiasm for, the dangerous mysteries of ocean to that `
` production of the most imaginative of modern poets. There is something `
` at work in my soul which I do not understand. I am practically `
` industrious--painstaking, a workman to execute with perseverance and `
` labour--but besides this there is a love for the marvellous, a belief `
` in the marvellous, intertwined in all my projects, which hurries me out `
` of the common pathways of men, even to the wild sea and unvisited `
` regions I am about to explore. But to return to dearer considerations. `
` Shall I meet you again, after having traversed immense seas, and `
` returned by the most southern cape of Africa or America? I dare not `
` expect such success, yet I cannot bear to look on the reverse of the `
` picture. Continue for the present to write to me by every `
` opportunity: I may receive your letters on some occasions when I need `
` them most to support my spirits. I love you very tenderly. Remember `
` me with affection, should you never hear from me again. `
` `
` Your affectionate brother, `
` Robert Walton `
` `
` `
` `
` Letter 3 `
` `
` `
` `
` To Mrs. Saville, England `
` `
` July 7th, 17-- `
` `
` `
` My dear Sister, `
` `
` I write a few lines in haste to say that I am safe--and well advanced `
` on my voyage. This letter will reach England by a merchantman now on `
` its homeward voyage from Archangel; more fortunate than I, who may not `
` see my native land, perhaps, for many years. I am, however, in good `
` spirits: my men are bold and apparently firm of purpose, nor do the `
` floating sheets of ice that continually pass us, indicating the dangers `
` of the region towards which we are advancing, appear to dismay them. We `
` have already reached a very high latitude; but it is the height of `
` summer, and although not so warm as in England, the southern gales, `
` which blow us speedily towards those shores which I so ardently desire `
` to attain, breathe a degree of renovating warmth which I had not `
` expected. `
` `
` No incidents have hitherto befallen us that would make a figure in a `
` letter. One or two stiff gales and the springing of a leak are `
` accidents which experienced navigators scarcely remember to record, and `
` I shall be well content if nothing worse happen to us during our `
` voyage. `
` `
` Adieu, my dear Margaret. Be assured that for my own sake, as well as `
` yours, I will not rashly encounter danger. I will be cool, `
` persevering, and prudent. `
` `
` But success SHALL crown my endeavours. Wherefore not? Thus far I have `
` gone, tracing a secure way over the pathless seas, the very stars `
` themselves being witnesses and testimonies of my triumph. Why not `
` still proceed over the untamed yet obedient element? What can stop the `
` determined heart and resolved will of man? `
` `
` My swelling heart involuntarily pours itself out thus. But I must `
` finish. Heaven bless my beloved sister! `
` `
` R.W. `
` `
` `
` `
` Letter 4 `
` `
` `
` To Mrs. Saville, England `
` `
` August 5th, 17-- `
` `
` So strange an accident has happened to us that I cannot forbear `
` recording it, although it is very probable that you will see me before `
` these papers can come into your possession. `
` `
` Last Monday (July 31st) we were nearly surrounded by ice, which closed `
` in the ship on all sides, scarcely leaving her the sea-room in which `
` she floated. Our situation was somewhat dangerous, especially as we `
` were compassed round by a very thick fog. We accordingly lay to, `
` hoping that some change would take place in the atmosphere and weather. `
` `
` About two o'clock the mist cleared away, and we beheld, stretched out `
` in every direction, vast and irregular plains of ice, which seemed to `
` have no end. Some of my comrades groaned, and my own mind began to `
` grow watchful with anxious thoughts, when a strange sight suddenly `
` attracted our attention and diverted our solicitude from our own `
` situation. We perceived a low carriage, fixed on a sledge and drawn by `
` dogs, pass on towards the north, at the distance of half a mile; a `
` being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature, `
` sat in the sledge and guided the dogs. We watched the rapid progress `
` of the traveller with our telescopes until he was lost among the `
` distant inequalities of the ice. This appearance excited our `
` unqualified wonder. We were, as we believed, many hundred miles from `
` any land; but this apparition seemed to denote that it was not, in `
` reality, so distant as we had supposed. Shut in, however, by ice, it `
` was impossible to follow his track, which we had observed with the `
` greatest attention. About two hours after this occurrence we heard the `
` ground sea, and before night the ice broke and freed our ship. We, `
` however, lay to until the morning, fearing to encounter in the dark `
` those large loose masses which float about after the breaking up of the `
` ice. I profited of this time to rest for a few hours. `
` `
` In the morning, however, as soon as it was light, I went upon deck and `
` found all the sailors busy on one side of the vessel, apparently `
` talking to someone in the sea. It was, in fact, a sledge, like that we `
` had seen before, which had drifted towards us in the night on a large `
` fragment of ice. Only one dog remained alive; but there was a human `
` being within it whom the sailors were persuading to enter the vessel. `
` He was not, as the other traveller seemed to be, a savage inhabitant of `
` some undiscovered island, but a European. When I appeared on deck the `
` master said, "Here is our captain, and he will not allow you to perish `
` on the open sea." `
` `
` On perceiving me, the stranger addressed me in English, although with a `
` foreign accent. "Before I come on board your vessel," said he, "will `
` you have the kindness to inform me whither you are bound?" `
` `
` You may conceive my astonishment on hearing such a question addressed `
` to me from a man on the brink of destruction and to whom I should have `
` supposed that my vessel would have been a resource which he would not `
` have exchanged for the most precious wealth the earth can afford. I `
` replied, however, that we were on a voyage of discovery towards the `
` northern pole. `
` `
` Upon hearing this he appeared satisfied and consented to come on board. `
` Good God! Margaret, if you had seen the man who thus capitulated for `
` his safety, your surprise would have been boundless. His limbs were `
` nearly frozen, and his body dreadfully emaciated by fatigue and `
` suffering. I never saw a man in so wretched a condition. We attempted `
` to carry him into the cabin, but as soon as he had quitted the fresh `
` air he fainted. We accordingly brought him back to the deck and `
` restored him to animation by rubbing him with brandy and forcing him to `
` swallow a small quantity. As soon as he showed signs of life we `
` wrapped him up in blankets and placed him near the chimney of the `
` kitchen stove. By slow degrees he recovered and ate a little soup, `
` which restored him wonderfully. `
` `
` Two days passed in this manner before he was able to speak, and I often `
` feared that his sufferings had deprived him of understanding. When he `
` had in some measure recovered, I removed him to my own cabin and `
` attended on him as much as my duty would permit. I never saw a more `
` interesting creature: his eyes have generally an expression of `
` wildness, and even madness, but there are moments when, if anyone `
` performs an act of kindness towards him or does him any the most trifling `
` service, his whole countenance is lighted up, as it were, with a beam `
` of benevolence and sweetness that I never saw equalled. But he is `
` generally melancholy and despairing, and sometimes he gnashes his `
` teeth, as if impatient of the weight of woes that oppresses him. `
` `
` When my guest was a little recovered I had great trouble to keep off the `
` men, who wished to ask him a thousand questions; but I would not allow `
` him to be tormented by their idle curiosity, in a state of body and `
` mind whose restoration evidently depended upon entire repose. Once, `
` however, the lieutenant asked why he had come so far upon the ice in so `
` strange a vehicle. `
` `
` His countenance instantly assumed an aspect of the deepest gloom, and `
` he replied, "To seek one who fled from me." `
` `
` "And did the man whom you pursued travel in the same fashion?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Then I fancy we have seen him, for the day before we picked you up we `
` saw some dogs drawing a sledge, with a man in it, across the ice." `
` `
` This aroused the stranger's attention, and he asked a multitude of `
` questions concerning the route which the demon, as he called him, had `
` pursued. Soon after, when he was alone with me, he said, "I have, `
` doubtless, excited your curiosity, as well as that of these good `
` people; but you are too considerate to make inquiries." `
` `
`
` to her inclinations. "What a noble fellow!" you will exclaim. He is `
` so; but then he is wholly uneducated: he is as silent as a Turk, and a `
` kind of ignorant carelessness attends him, which, while it renders his `
` conduct the more astonishing, detracts from the interest and sympathy `
` which otherwise he would command. `
` `
` Yet do not suppose, because I complain a little or because I can `
` conceive a consolation for my toils which I may never know, that I am `
` wavering in my resolutions. Those are as fixed as fate, and my voyage `
` is only now delayed until the weather shall permit my embarkation. The `
` winter has been dreadfully severe, but the spring promises well, and it `
` is considered as a remarkably early season, so that perhaps I may sail `
` sooner than I expected. I shall do nothing rashly: you know me `
` sufficiently to confide in my prudence and considerateness whenever the `
` safety of others is committed to my care. `
` `
` I cannot describe to you my sensations on the near prospect of my `
` undertaking. It is impossible to communicate to you a conception of `
` the trembling sensation, half pleasurable and half fearful, with which `
` I am preparing to depart. I am going to unexplored regions, to "the `
` land of mist and snow," but I shall kill no albatross; therefore do not `
` be alarmed for my safety or if I should come back to you as worn and `
` woeful as the "Ancient Mariner." You will smile at my allusion, but I `
` will disclose a secret. I have often attributed my attachment to, my `
` passionate enthusiasm for, the dangerous mysteries of ocean to that `
` production of the most imaginative of modern poets. There is something `
` at work in my soul which I do not understand. I am practically `
` industrious--painstaking, a workman to execute with perseverance and `
` labour--but besides this there is a love for the marvellous, a belief `
` in the marvellous, intertwined in all my projects, which hurries me out `
` of the common pathways of men, even to the wild sea and unvisited `
` regions I am about to explore. But to return to dearer considerations. `
` Shall I meet you again, after having traversed immense seas, and `
` returned by the most southern cape of Africa or America? I dare not `
` expect such success, yet I cannot bear to look on the reverse of the `
` picture. Continue for the present to write to me by every `
` opportunity: I may receive your letters on some occasions when I need `
` them most to support my spirits. I love you very tenderly. Remember `
` me with affection, should you never hear from me again. `
` `
` Your affectionate brother, `
` Robert Walton `
` `
` `
` `
` Letter 3 `
` `
` `
` `
` To Mrs. Saville, England `
` `
` July 7th, 17-- `
` `
` `
` My dear Sister, `
` `
` I write a few lines in haste to say that I am safe--and well advanced `
` on my voyage. This letter will reach England by a merchantman now on `
` its homeward voyage from Archangel; more fortunate than I, who may not `
` see my native land, perhaps, for many years. I am, however, in good `
` spirits: my men are bold and apparently firm of purpose, nor do the `
` floating sheets of ice that continually pass us, indicating the dangers `
` of the region towards which we are advancing, appear to dismay them. We `
` have already reached a very high latitude; but it is the height of `
` summer, and although not so warm as in England, the southern gales, `
` which blow us speedily towards those shores which I so ardently desire `
` to attain, breathe a degree of renovating warmth which I had not `
` expected. `
` `
` No incidents have hitherto befallen us that would make a figure in a `
` letter. One or two stiff gales and the springing of a leak are `
` accidents which experienced navigators scarcely remember to record, and `
` I shall be well content if nothing worse happen to us during our `
` voyage. `
` `
` Adieu, my dear Margaret. Be assured that for my own sake, as well as `
` yours, I will not rashly encounter danger. I will be cool, `
` persevering, and prudent. `
` `
` But success SHALL crown my endeavours. Wherefore not? Thus far I have `
` gone, tracing a secure way over the pathless seas, the very stars `
` themselves being witnesses and testimonies of my triumph. Why not `
` still proceed over the untamed yet obedient element? What can stop the `
` determined heart and resolved will of man? `
` `
` My swelling heart involuntarily pours itself out thus. But I must `
` finish. Heaven bless my beloved sister! `
` `
` R.W. `
` `
` `
` `
` Letter 4 `
` `
` `
` To Mrs. Saville, England `
` `
` August 5th, 17-- `
` `
` So strange an accident has happened to us that I cannot forbear `
` recording it, although it is very probable that you will see me before `
` these papers can come into your possession. `
` `
` Last Monday (July 31st) we were nearly surrounded by ice, which closed `
` in the ship on all sides, scarcely leaving her the sea-room in which `
` she floated. Our situation was somewhat dangerous, especially as we `
` were compassed round by a very thick fog. We accordingly lay to, `
` hoping that some change would take place in the atmosphere and weather. `
` `
` About two o'clock the mist cleared away, and we beheld, stretched out `
` in every direction, vast and irregular plains of ice, which seemed to `
` have no end. Some of my comrades groaned, and my own mind began to `
` grow watchful with anxious thoughts, when a strange sight suddenly `
` attracted our attention and diverted our solicitude from our own `
` situation. We perceived a low carriage, fixed on a sledge and drawn by `
` dogs, pass on towards the north, at the distance of half a mile; a `
` being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature, `
` sat in the sledge and guided the dogs. We watched the rapid progress `
` of the traveller with our telescopes until he was lost among the `
` distant inequalities of the ice. This appearance excited our `
` unqualified wonder. We were, as we believed, many hundred miles from `
` any land; but this apparition seemed to denote that it was not, in `
` reality, so distant as we had supposed. Shut in, however, by ice, it `
` was impossible to follow his track, which we had observed with the `
` greatest attention. About two hours after this occurrence we heard the `
` ground sea, and before night the ice broke and freed our ship. We, `
` however, lay to until the morning, fearing to encounter in the dark `
` those large loose masses which float about after the breaking up of the `
` ice. I profited of this time to rest for a few hours. `
` `
` In the morning, however, as soon as it was light, I went upon deck and `
` found all the sailors busy on one side of the vessel, apparently `
` talking to someone in the sea. It was, in fact, a sledge, like that we `
` had seen before, which had drifted towards us in the night on a large `
` fragment of ice. Only one dog remained alive; but there was a human `
` being within it whom the sailors were persuading to enter the vessel. `
` He was not, as the other traveller seemed to be, a savage inhabitant of `
` some undiscovered island, but a European. When I appeared on deck the `
` master said, "Here is our captain, and he will not allow you to perish `
` on the open sea." `
` `
` On perceiving me, the stranger addressed me in English, although with a `
` foreign accent. "Before I come on board your vessel," said he, "will `
` you have the kindness to inform me whither you are bound?" `
` `
` You may conceive my astonishment on hearing such a question addressed `
` to me from a man on the brink of destruction and to whom I should have `
` supposed that my vessel would have been a resource which he would not `
` have exchanged for the most precious wealth the earth can afford. I `
` replied, however, that we were on a voyage of discovery towards the `
` northern pole. `
` `
` Upon hearing this he appeared satisfied and consented to come on board. `
` Good God! Margaret, if you had seen the man who thus capitulated for `
` his safety, your surprise would have been boundless. His limbs were `
` nearly frozen, and his body dreadfully emaciated by fatigue and `
` suffering. I never saw a man in so wretched a condition. We attempted `
` to carry him into the cabin, but as soon as he had quitted the fresh `
` air he fainted. We accordingly brought him back to the deck and `
` restored him to animation by rubbing him with brandy and forcing him to `
` swallow a small quantity. As soon as he showed signs of life we `
` wrapped him up in blankets and placed him near the chimney of the `
` kitchen stove. By slow degrees he recovered and ate a little soup, `
` which restored him wonderfully. `
` `
` Two days passed in this manner before he was able to speak, and I often `
` feared that his sufferings had deprived him of understanding. When he `
` had in some measure recovered, I removed him to my own cabin and `
` attended on him as much as my duty would permit. I never saw a more `
` interesting creature: his eyes have generally an expression of `
` wildness, and even madness, but there are moments when, if anyone `
` performs an act of kindness towards him or does him any the most trifling `
` service, his whole countenance is lighted up, as it were, with a beam `
` of benevolence and sweetness that I never saw equalled. But he is `
` generally melancholy and despairing, and sometimes he gnashes his `
` teeth, as if impatient of the weight of woes that oppresses him. `
` `
` When my guest was a little recovered I had great trouble to keep off the `
` men, who wished to ask him a thousand questions; but I would not allow `
` him to be tormented by their idle curiosity, in a state of body and `
` mind whose restoration evidently depended upon entire repose. Once, `
` however, the lieutenant asked why he had come so far upon the ice in so `
` strange a vehicle. `
` `
` His countenance instantly assumed an aspect of the deepest gloom, and `
` he replied, "To seek one who fled from me." `
` `
` "And did the man whom you pursued travel in the same fashion?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Then I fancy we have seen him, for the day before we picked you up we `
` saw some dogs drawing a sledge, with a man in it, across the ice." `
` `
` This aroused the stranger's attention, and he asked a multitude of `
` questions concerning the route which the demon, as he called him, had `
` pursued. Soon after, when he was alone with me, he said, "I have, `
` doubtless, excited your curiosity, as well as that of these good `
` people; but you are too considerate to make inquiries." `
` `
`