Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: Summary
English II Honors
Summer Reading Response 1
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley “The different accidents of life are not so changeable as the feelings of human nature. I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room, and continued a long time traversing my bedchamber, unable to compose my mind to sleep… I beheld the wretch–— the miserable monster whom I had created. He held up the curtain of the bed; and his eyes, if eyes they may be called, were fixed on me. His jaws opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks. He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped, and rushed down stairs. I took refuge in the courtyard belonging to the house which I inhabited; where I remained the rest of the night, walking up and down in great agitation, listening attentively, catching and fearing each sound as if it were to announce the approach of the demoniacal corpse to which I had so miserably given life.” Pages 51-52 Victor is so confused, in the past months he was so dedicated to creating something that he can say he gave life to, but when he realizes what the final outcome is, he is flustered and disgusted. He can’t stand the sight of his own creation, of this monster. He disconnected himself from his family and friends to pour his heart in soul into completing his creation, but then turns his back on this very creation. He runs out of the house without a second thought, he can’t sleep or focus on anything else but the thought of the horrifying incident he just encountered. He spends that night outside, and he wakes up and starts
Summer Reading Response 1
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley “The different accidents of life are not so changeable as the feelings of human nature. I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room, and continued a long time traversing my bedchamber, unable to compose my mind to sleep… I beheld the wretch–— the miserable monster whom I had created. He held up the curtain of the bed; and his eyes, if eyes they may be called, were fixed on me. His jaws opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks. He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped, and rushed down stairs. I took refuge in the courtyard belonging to the house which I inhabited; where I remained the rest of the night, walking up and down in great agitation, listening attentively, catching and fearing each sound as if it were to announce the approach of the demoniacal corpse to which I had so miserably given life.” Pages 51-52 Victor is so confused, in the past months he was so dedicated to creating something that he can say he gave life to, but when he realizes what the final outcome is, he is flustered and disgusted. He can’t stand the sight of his own creation, of this monster. He disconnected himself from his family and friends to pour his heart in soul into completing his creation, but then turns his back on this very creation. He runs out of the house without a second thought, he can’t sleep or focus on anything else but the thought of the horrifying incident he just encountered. He spends that night outside, and he wakes up and starts