FrankensteinFrankenstein was Mary Shelley's immensely powerful contribution to the ghost stories which she, Percy Shelley, and Byron devised one wet summer in Switzerland. Its protagonist is a young student of natural philosophy, who learns the secret of imparting life to a creature constructed from relics of the dead, with horrific consequences. Frankenstein confronts some of the most feared innovations of evolutionism: topics such as degeneracy, hereditary disease, and mankind's status as a species of animal. The text used here is from the 1818 edition, which is a mocking expose of leaders and achievers who leave desolation in their wake, showing humanity its choice - to live co-operatively or to die of selfishness. It is also a black comedy, and harder and wittier than the 1831 version with which we are more familiar. |
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affection Agatha agony Albertus Magnus anguish appeared arrived beautiful became beheld beloved bestow child Clerval companion consolation cottage countenance cousin creature crime dared dark death delight desire despair destroyed discovered dream Elizabeth endeavoured endured entered EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN expressed eyes father fear feelings Felix felt forever Frankenstein Geneva gentle glaciers grief happiness heard heart heaven hope horror human imagination Ingolstadt inhabitants innocent journey Justine kind Krempe labours lake Lake Geneva letter live looked Mary Shelley MEL BROOKS mind miserable misfortunes monster Mont Blanc morning mountains murderer natural philosophy nature never night Northwest Passage passed passion peace perceived Percy Shelley PETER CUSHING pleasure possessed pursue reflect remained resolved Safie scene sensations Shelley's smiles sometimes soon sorrow soul spirit strange suffered Switzerland tale tears thought Vaud visited voice William wind wish wonder wood words wretch YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN