Essay

Frankenstein is a Genevese; (these people are not naturally romantic) but Frankenstein’s
mind has been early warped by a perusal of those authors who deal in the marvellous. His
father is a respectable Syndic, and has taken under his protection a niece, born in Italy. In
due time, Frankenstein and his fair cousin become lovers, and their union is sanctioned by
his father. He has also the blessings of a sincere friend, Henry Clerval, of a stronger mind
than the Prometheus, who is absorbed in the study of natural philosophy, which he
declares as “the genius that regulated his fate.”—When he becomes a student at the
University of Ingoldstadt, he bewails, as his first misfortune, the death of his mother; and
when his grief has begun to subside, he devotes himself entirely to chemistry and his
favourite science: the structure of the human frame particularly excites his attention, and,
indeed, every animal endowed with life: he then proceeds to examine the cause of life and
death—(how vain)—and finds himself capable (we use the writer’s own words) “of
bestowing animation on lifeless matter!!!”
This reminds us of the famous philosopher who declared, that, give him but matter
enough, and he could create a world! Why, then, could he not form one in miniature, about
the size of an egg or a walnut?
To return to Frankenstein; he had no longer any doubt but what he could create a perfect
man! But his workshop, and the process he was compelled to observe, disgusted him; for
he tells Walton, that “the dissecting-room, and the slaughter-house, furnished him with
materials.” On a dark night of November he completes his work, and the eye of the
creature opens; whom, in order to make superior to his species, he has formed eight feet
high! He is soon after surprised by a visit from his friend Clerval; and trembles at the idea
of his seeing the monster he has created: he steals up softly to his apartment, and finds
that the demon has fled.
After a fit of illness, which causes a cessation of his studies, he is afflicted, on his return to
them, by a letter from his father, acquainting him that his little brother William is
murdered; the picture he wore round his neck being found in the pocket of an interesting
young girl, the attendant on Elizabeth, Frankenstein’s cousin, she is accused, and suffers
innocently. After visiting the parental roof, as the unfortunate Prometheus is wandering
among the Alps, he beholds the frightful being he has formed, and he feels convinced in
his own mind that he is the murderer of his brother.—This being seems, indeed, to have a
supernatural power of following his maker wherever he goes, and he soon after meets with
him near Mont Blanc. He here relates to Frankenstein how he has supported his miserable
existence; but he feels the charm, and the imperious want of society, by having beheld, in
a cottage, an old peasant and his daughter, with a young man; they are indigent, but, in
comparison with his forlorn state, most happy. Delighted with the picture of social life and
its affections, he seeks to contribute to their wants; piles wood before their cottage, when
they want fuel, and other offices unperceived: by listening, he gains speech, and
understands the meaning of different words. The arrival of an Arabian lady serves to
complete the savage’s education: he hears the young man read to her, and obtains a slight
knowledge of history. This part of the work is rather prolix and unnatural; the monster
learns to read, and is