Frankenstein, or, The Modern PrometheusFrankenstein was published in 1818, the work of a 21-year-old genius named Mary Shelley. Hundreds of movies, adaptations, and monster masks later, its reputation remains so lively that the title has become its own word in the English language. Victor Frankenstein, a scientist, discovers the secret of reanimating the dead. After he rejects his hideous creation, not even the farthest poles of the earth will keep his bitter monster from seeking an inhuman revenge. Inspired by a uniquely Romantic view of science’s possibilities, Shelley’s masterpiece ultimately wrestles with the hidden shadows of the human mind. |
From inside the book
Page 7
... thought of writing . As a child , I scribbled ; and my favorite pastime , during the hours given me for recreation , was to write stories . " Still I had a dearer pleasure than this , which was the formation of castles in the air ; the ...
... thought of writing . As a child , I scribbled ; and my favorite pastime , during the hours given me for recreation , was to write stories . " Still I had a dearer pleasure than this , which was the formation of castles in the air ; the ...
Page 9
... thoughts upon paper . These , as he brought them successively to us , clothed in all the light and harmony of poetry ... thought to clasp the bride to whom he had pledged his vows , found himself in the arms of the pale ghost of her whom ...
... thoughts upon paper . These , as he brought them successively to us , clothed in all the light and harmony of poetry ... thought to clasp the bride to whom he had pledged his vows , found himself in the arms of the pale ghost of her whom ...
Page 10
... thought and pondered -vainly . I felt that blank incapability of invention which is the greatest misery of authorship , when dull Nothing re- plies to our anxious invocations . Have you thought of a story ? I was asked each morning ...
... thought and pondered -vainly . I felt that blank incapability of invention which is the greatest misery of authorship , when dull Nothing re- plies to our anxious invocations . Have you thought of a story ? I was asked each morning ...
Page 12
... thought of a story . I began that day with the words , It was on a dreary night in November , making only a transcript of the grim terrors of my waking dream . At first I thought but of a few pages — of a short tale ; but Shelley urged ...
... thought of a story . I began that day with the words , It was on a dreary night in November , making only a transcript of the grim terrors of my waking dream . At first I thought but of a few pages — of a short tale ; but Shelley urged ...
Page 16
... thoughts were turned into the channel of their earlier bent . Six years have passed since I resolved on my present undertaking . I can , even now , remember the hour from which I dedicated myself to this great enterprise . I commenced ...
... thoughts were turned into the channel of their earlier bent . Six years have passed since I resolved on my present undertaking . I can , even now , remember the hour from which I dedicated myself to this great enterprise . I commenced ...
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Common terms and phrases
affection Agatha agony Albertus Magnus anguish appeared arrived beautiful became beheld beloved bestow calm Chamonix Clerval Cologny companion consolation Cornelius Agrippa cottage countenance cousin creature dared dark dear death delight desire despair destroyed discovered dreadful dream earth Elizabeth endeavored endured entered expressed eyes father fear feelings Felix felt Frankenstein Geneva gentle girl grief happy heard heart heavens hope horror human idea imagination Ingolstadt innocence journey Jura Justine kind Kirwin Krempe labors lake listened live looked Lord Byron Mark Lemon marriage mind miserable misfortunes MODERN PROMETHEUS monster Mont Blanc months morning mountains murder natural philosophy never night Paracelsus Paradise Lost passed peace perceived pleasure possessed promise reflected remained resolved revenge rienced Safie scene sensations smiles sometimes soon sorrow spirits strange suffered Switzerland tale tears thought tion torture tranquillity Victor voice wind wish wonder wood words wretch