Frankenstein: Chapters 17-18

Summary

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Storytime for Grownups — Frankenstein: Chapters 17-18

Host: Faith Moore
Date: October 13, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of Storytime for Grownups with Faith Moore continues Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, focusing on chapters 17 and 18. Moore offers an engaging blend of literary analysis, guided reading, and community discussion. The episode dives into the aftermath of the Creature’s story, grappling with ethical questions around sympathy, guilt, and creation. It explores the tragic nature of Shelley’s narrative, especially as Victor is faced with the Creature’s demand: to fashion him a female companion.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recap of Previous Chapters and Events

(Recap starts at 04:03)

• The Creature's Education and Isolation: The Monster has read Paradise Lost and ponders his identity—likening himself both to Adam and to Satan for his loneliness and alienation.
• The Theft and Revelation: The Monster steals Victor's journals and discovers the truth of his origins, cursing his creator for making him so hideous.
• Failed Attempt at Connection: The Monster tries to reveal himself to the cottagers, but is violently rejected after an initial, hopeful encounter with the blind father.
• Growing Rage and Revenge: After further rejections—including saving a child but being shot at—the Monster’s pain transforms into rage. He kills a young boy (William) and frames an innocent girl (Justine) out of spite and hopelessness.
• Demand: The Monster confronts Victor, telling his story and demanding Victor create a female for him.

2. Community Responses and Moral Questions

(Listener letters from 06:31 to 08:03)

• Megan Pack: "By the end of these chapters, the monster has lost my sympathy... To kill a child is beyond evil... I am neither on Team Victor nor Team Monster... A friend asked me to describe this book in one word, and I said, tragic." (06:34)
• Corinthia: "This chapter gives us a full view of the monster's tragic descent... What began as a plea for compassion has twisted into calculated cruelty..." (07:10)
• Anne: "I actually had to listen to the chapters twice because I couldn't believe the turn in the monster... Victor really did create a sociopath... If I want to be gracious, like a child who can't control their own emotions, I still dislike Victor more." (07:37)

3. Thematic Exploration: Tragedy and Moral Complexity

(Starts at 08:09)

• Absolute Condemnation of Murder: Faith makes clear her (and the show’s) unwavering stance: "By stating unequivocally that murder is wrong... Killing a small child is not something that we can get over." (08:09–09:09)
• Tragic Inevitability: The podcast examines the idea of literary tragedy—events are driven by inherent flaws or circumstances that make them inevitable. Faith explains, "Tragedy is inevitability coupled with the sense that it could have been avoided... That's what makes it so hard to bear." (13:46–13:57)
• The 'If Only's' of Tragedy: Both Victor and the Monster are haunted by regrets and hypothetical alternatives ("If only..."), but their fates seem sealed by their circumstances.
• The Monster’s Humanity and Monstrosity: Despite committing murder, the Creature’s potential for goodness is emphasized—he is both deeply sympathetic and deeply culpable.

4. Reader Empathy and Literary Nuance

(14:47–15:19 and 22:03–23:10)

• Sympathy for the Monster: Faith argues that the reader, unlike characters in the story, perceives the Monster’s underlying humanity, making his crimes more tragic.
• Reader’s Dilemma: "Can we still love him? Can we sympathize with him?" (15:20–15:27)

5. The Monster’s Request: Creation of a Female Companion

(23:12–25:03 and 26:34 onward)

• Genesis Parallels: The Monster wants an "Eve," having read Paradise Lost. Faith highlights the deep biblical and literary resonance: "The creature is Victor's Adam, but unlike the actual God and the actual Adam, this God and this Adam are really pretty messed up." (24:00–24:10)
• Threat of Procreation: Faith notes that granting the Monster’s wish may lead to a race of beings, raising profound ethical questions: "What will that mean for the creature, Victor, for the world?" (24:58)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Faith Moore on tragedy:
  "Tragedy is inevitability coupled with the sense that it could have been avoided— even though it really couldn't have. That's what makes it so hard to bear." (13:46)

• Listener Megan Pack:
  "To kill any human is evil, but to kill a child is beyond evil. To me, I am neither on Team Victor nor Team Monster. He should be punished for his actions." (06:34)

• The Monster, pleading with Victor:
  "You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being. This you alone can do, and I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede." (26:49)

• Victor’s turmoil:
  "Shall I create another like yourself, whose joint wickedness might desolate the world? Begone. I have answered you." (27:37)

• The Monster’s tragic logic:
  "If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear..." (28:34)

• Faith Moore, reflecting on sympathy:
  "While I can't condone the murder, I do still kind of feel for the creature. And I think that's allowed because it's a book and not a true story." (23:05)

• Victor, resigned:
  "I consent to your demand, on your solemn oath to quit Europe forever, and every other place in the neighborhood of man, as soon as I shall deliver into your hands a female who will accompany you in your exile." (36:15)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Episode Recap/Previous Chapters: 04:03–06:25
• Listener Letters/Community Reflections: 06:31–08:03
• Faith’s Analysis of Tragedy: 08:09–14:47
• Discussion of the Monster's Humanity and Crime: 14:47–23:10
• Introduction to Companion Request: 23:12–26:34
• Reading Begins (Chapters 17–18): 26:28
  • Monster's Plea for a Companion: 26:49–30:57
  • Victor’s Inner Debate and Reluctant Consent: 31:05–37:03
  • Victor Returns Home, Remorse and Planning: 39:15–45:16
  • Plans for Journey to England with Clerval: 45:16–55:02
  • Clerval’s Joy vs. Victor’s Despair: 55:10–57:36
  • Arrival in England: 58:28
• Closing Call for Listener Responses: 59:01

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Episode Highlights & Tone

• Tone: Warm, engaging, and thoughtful. Faith guides listeners through both the narrative and the deeper philosophical and emotional currents of Frankenstein.
• Memorable Moments: Faith’s compassionate but clear-eyed take on the Monster’s crimes; the connection drawn between classical tragedy and Shelley's modern myth; insightful, heartfelt listener letters.
• Community Feel: The podcast maintains a friendly, book club-style atmosphere, encouraging listeners to write in and share their own moral, emotional, and literary takeaways.

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Summary of Chapter Content Read Aloud

• Victor is confronted by the Monster’s demand for a mate. Initially appalled, Victor is swayed by the Monster’s eloquence but fears the consequences—namely, the potential for the creatures to harm humanity or propagate their own kind.
• After much internal debate, Victor reluctantly agrees to the Monster’s demand on the promise that the pair will leave human society forever.
• Victor returns home, burdened by the task. He delays beginning the new creation, feigning a need for further study, which leads to a planned trip to England, accompanied by his steadfast friend, Clerval.
• The contrast between Clerval’s delight in the world and Victor’s gloomy obsession is underscored during their journey.

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Questions Posed for Further Reflection

• Should Victor make another creature? Does he owe the Monster this “Eve”?
• Can the Monster ever be forgiven or sympathized with after his actions?
• What responsibilities does a creator have toward their creation—and toward humanity?

(Write in to share your answers: faithkmoore.com/contact)

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Transcript

[Faith Moore]

Hello and welcome to Storytime for Grown Ups.

[Victor Frankenstein]

I'm Faith Moore and this season we're.

[Faith Moore]

Reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Each episode I'll read a few chapters.

[Victor Frankenstein]

From the book, pausing from time to time to give brief explanations so it's easier to follow along. It's like an audiobook with built in notes.

[Faith Moore]

So brew a pot of tea, find.

[Victor Frankenstein]

A cozy chair and settle in. It's story time.

[Narrator/Host]

Oh my gosh, you guys do.

[Faith Moore]

We have a lot to talk about.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Wow.

[Narrator/Host]

Okay, a lot happened in those last chapters, so we have to get to it.

[Faith Moore]

But first, welcome.

[Narrator/Host]

I'm so happy that you're here. Thank you for joining me on Storytime.

[Faith Moore]

For Christmas Grown Ups.

[Victor Frankenstein]

It has finally become fall where I am.

[Narrator/Host]

It has been beautiful for a long time, but warm. And now finally there's that crisp bite.

[Faith Moore]

In the air that makes it fall.

[Narrator/Host]

And I just love it.

[Faith Moore]

I'm here for it, especially because this.

[Narrator/Host]

Book is definitely descending into darkness into spooky season right along with us. So it's really fun to be reading this book with you guys. And like I said, I'm really, I'm really glad you guys are here because I just have so much, so much to say and otherwise I would be just talking to myself. So thank you for being here to listen to what I have to say, but also to this wonderful book, Frankenstein. So before we get into all of.

[Victor Frankenstein]

That, just a couple of reminders.

[Faith Moore]

There are two dates coming up that.

[Victor Frankenstein]

You might want to know about.

[Faith Moore]

One is that this Saturday, this coming Saturday, you will get the trailer for.

[Narrator/Host]

Our very early Christmas Spectacular, which begins November 3rd.

[Faith Moore]

So October 18th, the Saturday, is when.

[Narrator/Host]

That trailer is going to drop.

[Faith Moore]

So please make sure that you are.

[Narrator/Host]

Subscribed to this show and that way the trailer will just drop and it'll be a surprise and you'll be like, wow. And get to listen to it as opposed to having to go looking for it. And that's no fun. So subscribe to the show and look out for that on the 18th.

[Faith Moore]

The other date to be aware of is October 28th at 8pm Eastern is the next tea time.

[Narrator/Host]

I'll remind you as it gets closer.

[Faith Moore]

But if you would like to join and you're not yet a member of.

[Narrator/Host]

The drawing room community and you're not not in the landed gentry membership tier, you should sign up.

[Faith Moore]

This is a good time to do that.

[Narrator/Host]

I've noticed that we've had some new signups, which is amazing. I'm hoping to hear some new voices in the chat and also to get.

[Faith Moore]

To check in with my old friends. So sign up for the drawing Room.

[Narrator/Host]

Online community if you haven't done that already. And you would like to join us.

[Faith Moore]

On the 28th at 8pm Eastern for tea time, just scroll into the description of this episode. There's a link there. You can click on it and find.

[Narrator/Host]

Out a little bit more about what.

[Faith Moore]

The drawing room is and what tea time is. And I hope you'll do that. And I hope that you will join.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Us on the 28th. Okay.

[Narrator/Host]

Other than that, just the usual things. Please subscribe. Tap the five stars if you're enjoying the show.

[Faith Moore]

If you have a couple of extra.

[Narrator/Host]

Seconds and you're enjoying the show, please.

[Faith Moore]

Leave a positive review and tell a.

[Narrator/Host]

Friend, Please, please, please share about this show with people that you know that you think might like it, first of.

[Faith Moore]

All, because then we'll have more listeners.

[Narrator/Host]

And that's always wonderful because the more the merrier.

[Faith Moore]

But also you will have someone in.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Real life to talk to about these books.

[Narrator/Host]

And that is a wonderful and fantastic thing.

[Faith Moore]

And scroll into the show notes, check.

[Narrator/Host]

Out the links, go to the merch store, buy some me. Our designer, Cynthia Angulo, is working on the Frankenstein design.

[Faith Moore]

So soon there will be a new.

[Narrator/Host]

Design in there for this book, and.

[Faith Moore]

I will let you know when that comes out.

[Narrator/Host]

But there's all kinds of other great designs in there right now that you can check out. So please check out the links and.

[Victor Frankenstein]

See what's of interest to you.

[Faith Moore]

Okay, enough of that.

[Narrator/Host]

Let's get into this. This intro today is going to be.

[Victor Frankenstein]

A little bit long.

[Narrator/Host]

I will warn you, we have a.

[Faith Moore]

Lot to talk about. A lot happened last time and it.

[Narrator/Host]

Means a lot for our story and our characters and all of that. So we're going to have a bit of a longer intro. Not forever, but a bit of a longer intro. Then we'll get to the chapters, but first we should remind ourselves of what happened, if we need a reminder.

[Faith Moore]

So last time we read chapters 15 and 16.

[Narrator/Host]

Today we're going to be reading chapters 17 and 18.

[Victor Frankenstein]

So let's first do the recap.

[Faith Moore]

All right, so where we left off, the monster tells Victor that he found.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Some books in the woods, including Milton's.

[Faith Moore]

Paradise Lost, and he read them. He compares himself to Adam the first man, but also to Satan, because he has no one to love him. He also reveals that he stole Victor's journals from his rooms before he ran off. And now that he can read, he reads them and he learns how he was created.

[Victor Frankenstein]

So he curses Victor for making him.

[Faith Moore]

Such an ugly creature that everyone hates. Finally, the monster decides to reveal himself.

[Narrator/Host]

To the cottagers because he can't go.

[Faith Moore]

On living this way, and he craves human connection. So he goes in when only the blind father is there, and because the father can't see him, he speaks kindly to him. But when Agatha, Saffy, and Felix come back, they see him and they're horrified. Felix attacks the monster and he runs away. The monster is filled with rage, but he ultimately decides to try to talk.

[Victor Frankenstein]

To the father again.

[Faith Moore]

But when he arrives at the cottage, there's nobody there, and he discovers that they've left, never to return, so as not to risk ever encountering the monster again. So he is enraged, and he decides to hunt Victor down. On his way to Geneva, he saves a beautiful little girl from drowning, but the father sees him and shoots him.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Assuming that he was trying to harm her.

[Faith Moore]

It takes a long time for him to heal, and during that time, his rage and his desire for revenge grow and grow. And so finally, he makes it to Geneva, where he meets a young boy, and he tries to talk to him.

[Narrator/Host]

But the boy also is terrified of.

[Faith Moore]

Him and says that his father, Frankenstein.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Will come and save him.

[Faith Moore]

So the monster realizes that this boy.

[Narrator/Host]

Is affiliated with Victor. We know it was his brother, but.

[Faith Moore]

The monster doesn't know that, and the monster kills him.

[Victor Frankenstein]

The monster goes to a barn to.

[Faith Moore]

Hide out, but he finds a beautiful girl sleeping there. And he's angry that he will never be allowed to commune with someone as beautiful as this. And so he puts the portrait that.

[Victor Frankenstein]

He stole from the boy into the girl's pocket.

[Faith Moore]

And this is essentially the end of the monster's story. But the last thing that he tells Victor is that he has told him.

[Victor Frankenstein]

All of this and sought him out in order to demand that Victor make a female counterpart. Okay, so I am going to read.

[Narrator/Host]

Three questions, and then I'm going to keep this as brief as possible. But as I say, it's going to be a long one because we have.

[Victor Frankenstein]

A lot to talk about.

[Narrator/Host]

So the first one comes from Megan Pack.

[Faith Moore]

She writes, by the end of these chapters, the monster has lost my sympathy.

[Victor Frankenstein]

To kill any human is evil, but to kill a child is beyond evil. To me, I am neither on Team.

[Narrator/Host]

Victor nor Team Monster.

[Faith Moore]

He should be punished for his actions. A friend asked me to describe this.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Book in one word, and I said, tragic.

[Faith Moore]

Although everyone has said that it's wrong to create a human, I think maybe I would have been okay with Victor making him a companion had he not turned Murderer. Although would that be fair to the companion? Would it actually be the right thing.

[Victor Frankenstein]

To do just because the monster is lonely?

[Faith Moore]

The second one comes from Corinthia.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Wow.

[Faith Moore]

This chapter gives us a full view of the monster's tragic descent from an innocent being wronged by his creator to a vengeful murderer. What began as a plea for compassion has twisted into calculated cruelty as he kills a child and frames an innocent woman simply because she could never love him. I was never Team Victor, but now I can't side with the creature either. At this point, can I just be on Team Justice?

[Narrator/Host]

And the third one comes from Anne.

[Faith Moore]

She writes.

[Narrator/Host]

Wow.

[Faith Moore]

I actually had to listen to the chapters twice because I couldn't believe the turn in the monster. I'm glad I did, because while I find his actions appalling, I see his reasoning more clearly. Victor really did create a sociopath, a creature who has little regard for others unless it serves himself. If I want to be gracious, like.

[Narrator/Host]

A child who can't control their own.

[Faith Moore]

Emotions, I still dislike Victor more than.

[Victor Frankenstein]

The monster, but, boy, oh, boy, let's.

[Faith Moore]

See how this thing unfolds. All right, so, yes, let's just begin.

[Narrator/Host]

By stating unequivocally that murder is wrong.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Okay?

[Narrator/Host]

I don't think we actually have to state this. I think you know that.

[Faith Moore]

But let's just lay our cards on.

[Narrator/Host]

The table here, because we need to discuss what the creature did. So it's best to have some, like, non negotiables here. Okay? So murder is wrong, and murdering a.

[Faith Moore]

Child is extra wrong. So the creature in the last chapter.

[Narrator/Host]

Did something that is completely beyond the pale. We cannot condone it or accept it or allow it. It's, Dare I say it, monstrous.

[Faith Moore]

The creature really was the murderer of William. It turns out he really did frame Justine. It was him. He's guilty.

[Victor Frankenstein]

We can't get around it, okay?

[Faith Moore]

He killed William because he was associated with Frankenstein and because he wouldn't see past the creature's ugliness. And he framed Justine because he got.

[Narrator/Host]

Angry that a woman like that could.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Never look on a being like him.

[Faith Moore]

With anything other than hatred. So I think we can all be in agreement that regardless of which camp.

[Narrator/Host]

Or team you've been on so far, Team Victor or Team Monster, I think.

[Faith Moore]

We can all be in agreement that.

[Narrator/Host]

Killing a small child is not something that we can get over.

[Faith Moore]

It's morally abhorrent, and it can't be overlooked.

[Victor Frankenstein]

It is just wrong. Okay?

[Narrator/Host]

So now that we've gotten that sorted.

[Faith Moore]

Out, I do think that we can look at things with a little more.

[Narrator/Host]

Nuance because this is a novel and not a true account. Thank goodness.

[Faith Moore]

A murderer in a novel is different.

[Narrator/Host]

Than a murder in real life because no one actually gets hurt.

[Faith Moore]

So we can look at it more.

[Narrator/Host]

Kind of thematically, let's say, than we would a real murder. We can look at it with a.

[Faith Moore]

Little more understanding, perhaps, than we could a real murder. Because obviously, in real life, a child.

[Narrator/Host]

Killer deserves the severest punishment that the law can give. And any explanation he might give or any wrongs he's suffered don't necessarily really.

[Faith Moore]

Factor into our decisions about him or what ought to happen to him now. But all along we have been delving into the thematic and sort of metaphorical meanings of this story, and I don't.

[Narrator/Host]

Think this is the time to stop.

[Faith Moore]

I think that the murder of William is happens narratively and thematically because of a very specific series of events that involve everything that has happened to the creature up until this point. And I think just completely writing him.

[Narrator/Host]

Off now and saying, well, he's killed William, so he was obviously evil all along, and Victor was right, then let's hunt him down and kill him, or whatever.

[Faith Moore]

I mean, not that you guys are.

[Narrator/Host]

Saying that that would be, like, the most extreme example, but I'm saying that.

[Faith Moore]

I think that completely writing the creature off as just plain bad isn't necessarily.

[Narrator/Host]

A correct narrative reading of the story, even though it would be the correct reading of the situation if this really happened.

[Faith Moore]

Because I think what we're supposed to get here in this last sequence, this.

[Narrator/Host]

Sequence that begins with the creature revealing himself to the cottagers and then ends.

[Victor Frankenstein]

With him killing William.

[Faith Moore]

I think what we're supposed to get here is a sense of tragedy, okay?

[Narrator/Host]

Both Megan and Corinthia used the word.

[Faith Moore]

Tragic or tragedy in their letters. And I think that's exactly the right word here.

[Narrator/Host]

So obviously, the events of this story are tragic in, like, the everyday colloquial use of this word.

[Faith Moore]

But tragedy is also a really specific.

[Narrator/Host]

Literary or dramatic art form. You can think of, like Shakespearean tragedies, for example, or the tragedies of ancient.

[Faith Moore]

Greece or whatever you want. And one of the elements that makes a literary tragedy what it is is the concept of inevitability, okay? In a tragedy, there is usually a.

[Narrator/Host]

Hero of some kind, a person who seems like they've got everything going for them. Things look like they're going to go, well, they're on a good pat.

[Faith Moore]

And then because of some thing about this person or their situation. So A character trait, a prophecy that's been told about them, the people that are around him, whatever it is, because of something associated with him and his.

[Narrator/Host]

Life, his downfall is inevitable.

[Faith Moore]

A tragedy is usually a sort of slow, steady decline into darkness, because whatever thing is pushing that character in that.

[Narrator/Host]

Direction is just relentlessly there, and it can't be be stopped.

[Faith Moore]

And I think that's a fantastic description.

[Narrator/Host]

Of what is going on in this book.

[Faith Moore]

Because Victor created this creature and then.

[Narrator/Host]

Abandoned it, death and destruction were inevitable. Even though the creature was clearly capable of love and deep feeling and intellectual.

[Faith Moore]

Thought and kindness and loyalty and joy. The fact that he was created in a lab looking like he did, and the fact that he was abandoned to fend for himself without any kind of instruction or guidance or help in overcoming his physical deformities. It meant that his story was always.

[Narrator/Host]

Going to end in some horrible thing. And Victor's story was always going to end horribly, too.

[Faith Moore]

Because really, and this is not to.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Let the creature off the hook for.

[Narrator/Host]

The murder, I don't want to do that at all. But I do think that really, everything.

[Faith Moore]

The creature does is an offshoot of what Victor did. And it's in that way that the two are linked forever. That the monster is, in a way, as we've talked about before, a kind of extension of Victor or a representation of his hubris in thinking that he could play God.

[Narrator/Host]

Another part of tragedy that's pretty much.

[Faith Moore]

Universal is the concept of if only.

[Narrator/Host]

Okay, if only this hadn't happened, or I hadn't done this, or he hadn't.

[Faith Moore]

Done that, then everything would be fine.

[Narrator/Host]

And we got a lot of that in Victor's narrative.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Remember?

[Faith Moore]

It was part of the melodrama.

[Narrator/Host]

If only I'd never created this creature, or if only I wasn't bogged down with grief, then I'd be a good.

[Faith Moore]

Son and boyfriend, or if only I'd killed the creature the moment I made.

[Narrator/Host]

Him, or whatever it was, and.

[Faith Moore]

And the creature thinks the same way. If only I didn't look so hideous.

[Narrator/Host]

Or if only I knew who my.

[Faith Moore]

Creator was and could seek him out.

[Narrator/Host]

Or if only I could get these.

[Faith Moore]

Cottagers to accept me. All of these if onlys are part of what makes tragedy tragedy, because there.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Are always if onlys in life, but.

[Faith Moore]

There'S also no way to go back.

[Victor Frankenstein]

And do it again.

[Faith Moore]

It is what it is.

[Victor Frankenstein]

It's inevitable.

[Faith Moore]

So tragedy is inevitability coupled with the.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Sense that it could have been avoided.

[Narrator/Host]

Even though it really couldn't have.

[Faith Moore]

That's what Makes it so hard to bear. That's what we have here. For several chapters now, we've been given a picture of what the creature could have been if only he had been made to look more normal, or if only he had had a family or friends, if only the cottagers had accepted him, if only he'd gone about reaching out to them in a different way.

[Narrator/Host]

You know, I had a lot of letters this week from people saying, why didn't he write them a letter first explaining everything?

[Faith Moore]

Why didn't he explain himself more quickly to the father? Why didn't he go about this differently?

[Victor Frankenstein]

Right.

[Faith Moore]

If only, if only.

[Victor Frankenstein]

But he didn't.

[Faith Moore]

And he didn't in large part because.

[Narrator/Host]

He'D literally never spoken to another person before.

[Faith Moore]

He had no experience with this, no one to guide him. He was operating out of pure longing and imagination. And so this is what he did. If only. Yes, but also, it was inevitable that it would go wrong based on this.

[Narrator/Host]

Situation and all the various elements that are at play.

[Faith Moore]

But we've seen now that this creature.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Could have been wonderful.

[Faith Moore]

He could have been brilliant, he could have been kind, he could have been loyal, he could have been devoted and filled with gratitude and joy.

[Narrator/Host]

We've come to love him in a lot of ways. We've certainly come to sympathize with him.

[Faith Moore]

We've viewed him as no one in the story really can, as a real person, a person deserving of care and love and attention. And the truly awful, tragic thing is he is still that. He's still all of those things, and.

[Victor Frankenstein]

He'S killed a child.

[Narrator/Host]

I mean, what do we do with that? Can we still love him?

[Faith Moore]

Can we sympathize with him? Or do we have to cast him.

[Narrator/Host]

Out into the darkness that he has now embraced?

[Faith Moore]

I mean, let's look just for a.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Moment at the series of events that lead to William's murder.

[Faith Moore]

Okay, so it begins, of course, with.

[Victor Frankenstein]

The creature revealing himself to De Lacey, the old blind father of the cottagers.

[Faith Moore]

And we think for a moment that this is working, right? Delacy is sympathetic. He can't see how ugly the creature is. And he's moved by this story that the creature is telling him, which implies.

[Narrator/Host]

By the way, that it is simply.

[Faith Moore]

The monster's exterior that is the problem, which, of course, is terrible, because if.

[Narrator/Host]

It'S just that he looks bad on the outside, but is actually good on.

[Faith Moore]

The inside, then anyone who judges him badly at this point is at fault.

[Narrator/Host]

Okay?

[Faith Moore]

So the father can't see him, and so he sympathizes with him, and he offers his help.

[Narrator/Host]

But then everyone else comes back, and.

[Faith Moore]

They see the creature, and they assume that he is a monster trying to kill the father. And they assume it's simply because he looks the way he does. Here is what the creature who can describe their horror and consternation? On beholding me, Agatha fainted, and Saffie, unable to attend to her friend, rushed.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Out of the cottage.

[Faith Moore]

Felix darted forward and with supernatural force.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Tore me from his father, to whose.

[Faith Moore]

Knees I clung in a transport of fury. He dashed me to the ground and.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Struck me violently with a stab stick.

[Faith Moore]

Okay, so on the one hand, that might be what you or I would do, right? If we saw what looked like a monster crouching over our aged father, we.

[Narrator/Host]

Might rush in to get the monster away.

[Faith Moore]

But given what we know about the creature, we would be wrong to do it. So all this time, the creature has been falling in love with these people. They've been his only connection to the human world. And he knows that they are good, kind people, but when they see him, they want to kill him immediately. Just because he looks the way he looks, that's bad. But it's not just that.

[Narrator/Host]

That's the first thing that happens.

[Faith Moore]

But then he goes and tries to save a little girl from drowning. He does save a little girl from.

[Narrator/Host]

Drowning and gets shot with a gun for his troubles.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Because he looks the way he looks.

[Faith Moore]

Because he looks like a monster. Then he sees William, and he thinks that maybe a child as young as this won't have the prejudice that everyone else has. Maybe he can teach this little boy that he is not a monster. And then maybe the little boy can.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Be for him what Victor should have.

[Faith Moore]

Been, a kind of protector and guide into the world, to sort of pave.

[Victor Frankenstein]

The way for him with other people.

[Faith Moore]

To teach them that he's not a monster on the inside. He only looks like one on the outside. But even this boy, this little child, takes one look at him and calls him a monster. So what is he learning here? He's learning that there is no hope. That there is no such thing as a human being who can look past his monstrous exterior and see the good, kind, loving, intelligent being that is underneath. And what happens in that moment, that moment of realization which begins with the.

[Narrator/Host]

Rejection of the cottagers and flows through this series of additional rejects.

[Faith Moore]

What happens in that moment is that the creature rejects humanity. All this time, he's been trying to. To become human, trying to figure out how even though he is what he is and looks how he looks, how he can join this community of human beings and live among them and be as one of them. But suddenly he sees that, no, this cannot happen. He cannot be human.

[Victor Frankenstein]

He isn't human.

[Faith Moore]

And that's the tragedy of it, right? Because he isn't human.

[Victor Frankenstein]

He wasn't conceived in the natural way.

[Faith Moore]

He didn't grow in a mother's womb.

[Victor Frankenstein]

He didn't begin as an infant and grow into adulthood.

[Narrator/Host]

He wasn't loved and cared for and nurtured.

[Faith Moore]

No matter how much we might have.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Come to love him and sympathize with.

[Faith Moore]

Him and feel for him and think that he's just like us, he isn't. He's not a human man. He's something else, something that never should have been, but is. And that's what he realizes through this series of rejections. And in deciding that he isn't human and can never be human, he vows.

[Narrator/Host]

Vengeance on the entire human race, right?

[Faith Moore]

It's essentially as if, in realizing that he will never be seen as anything other than a monster, he embraces his monster identity. He becomes a monster through being treated as a monster. He wanted to be human, but humanity said, no, you're a monster. So he accepts that. He accepts that he is something other, something non human. And in throwing off all pretense of humanity, he throws off all. All the rules that humans are bound by. And he becomes a monster who is capable of murder. But it's not really as simple as this, because he could have been like a human. He could have been introduced into the world as a new kind of man, A man in all but outward appearance and mode of birth. I mean, maybe. Could he have been?

[Narrator/Host]

I mean, we'll never know, right?

[Faith Moore]

But we sure felt he could be for a while there, didn't we? We sure felt. Felt fellow feeling toward him the way we would toward any man. We sure wanted him to be accepted into the human community, which implies that we felt he deserved to be there. And even the creature, though he says he rejects humanity and wants to be only what he is and vows revenge on all humanity, even so, he keeps kind of going back and forth between.

[Narrator/Host]

His new monster identity and his old kind of nearly human identity.

[Faith Moore]

After his extreme experience with the cottagers.

[Narrator/Host]

Here is what he says.

[Faith Moore]

I bent my mind towards injury and death. When I thought of my friends, of the mild voice of Delacy, the gentle eyes of Agatha and the exquisite beauty of the Arabian. These thoughts vanished, and a gush of.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Tears somewhat soothed me.

[Faith Moore]

But again, when I reflected that they.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Had spurned and deserted me, anger returned a Rage of anger.

[Faith Moore]

Okay. At one point, he says, the mildness of my nature had fled, and all within me was turned to gall and bitterness. But at another time, he says, I felt emotions of gentleness, pleasure that had long appeared dead, revived within me.

[Narrator/Host]

So Anne, in her letter, calls the creature a sociopath.

[Faith Moore]

Right.

[Narrator/Host]

Someone who does whatever is best for.

[Faith Moore]

Himself without thinking of others. And I think there may be some of that going on, but I don't.

[Narrator/Host]

Actually think he's a sociopath specifically.

[Faith Moore]

I think Anne's other point, that he's like a child who can't control his emotions.

[Narrator/Host]

I think that's definitely true.

[Faith Moore]

I mean, he hasn't learned how to control his feelings. This is his first actual disappointment.

[Narrator/Host]

I mean, he's been sad and lonely.

[Faith Moore]

And dejected and confused, but until the moment when he actually tries to talk to the cottagers, he's been sort of sitting there watching the world and not entering it. So this is really his first try at entering the world, and it goes horribly wrong. And he has no experience or strategies.

[Victor Frankenstein]

For dealing with that.

[Faith Moore]

And like a child, he's basically like.

[Narrator/Host]

Well, I'll get you for that. Right.

[Faith Moore]

He vows revenge. He says, from that moment, I declared everlasting war against this species and more than all, against him who had formed.

[Narrator/Host]

Me and sent me forth to this insupportable misery.

[Faith Moore]

And then he has a temper tantrum.

[Narrator/Host]

Okay. He says, no longer restrained by the fear of discovery, I gave vent to my anguish and fearful howlings.

[Faith Moore]

I was like a wild beast that had broken the toils, destroying the objects that obstructed me, and ranging through the.

[Narrator/Host]

Woods with a stag like swiftness. I don't know about you, but I have had toddlers, and that is a description of a temper tantrum.

[Faith Moore]

Okay, so he really is like a child, but he's also not a child at all. He's a man with a man's intellect and a man's power. And he uses that intellect to decide that he is not human, and that in being not human, he is not bound by the laws of humanity. And then he uses that power to kill. So it's wrong, but it's also tragic. And maybe this is wrong of me, but I'll just confess that while I can't condone the murder, I don't do.

[Narrator/Host]

Still kind of feel for the creature.

[Faith Moore]

And I think that's allowed because it's.

[Narrator/Host]

A book and not a true story.

[Faith Moore]

But there's one last thing that we.

[Narrator/Host]

Haven'T discussed yet, and it is, of.

[Faith Moore]

Course, what it is.

[Narrator/Host]

That the creature wants Victor to do.

[Faith Moore]

Which is to create him, a female companion. He wants an Eve, okay? And his reasoning is that if he can't be a part of the human.

[Narrator/Host]

Race, if he's his own thing, whatever.

[Faith Moore]

That thing is, and if Victor created him, then Victor, like the God of the Bible, should provide him with a.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Female companion, somebody like him.

[Narrator/Host]

The creature has now read Paradise Lost, right?

[Faith Moore]

So he knows about Adam and Eve.

[Narrator/Host]

And Satan and everything like that. And if this were a literature class, we would spend a ton of time, I am sure, discussing why Mary Shelley.

[Faith Moore]

Had the creature read this particular book and what it all means. But really, for narrative purposes, we can.

[Narrator/Host]

Just say that it's so that the creature can compare. Compare himself as we already have, right, to Adam.

[Faith Moore]

The creature is Victor's Adam, but unlike the actual God and the actual Adam.

[Narrator/Host]

This God and this Adam are really pretty.

[The Creature/Monster]

A mess.

[Narrator/Host]

They're really pretty messed up.

[Faith Moore]

But nevertheless, the creature is saying that he wants an Eve and that Victor owes him an Eve because it isn't fair that he should have to be the only one of his kind on the whole earth. And like Megan said in her letter, we might actually have some sympathy for this, right? Maybe not now that the creature has killed William, but before, we might have thought, well, yeah, I mean, Victor owes.

[Narrator/Host]

Him that, at least since he totally.

[Faith Moore]

Abandoned him and the whole world apparently wants to just kill him on sight. But of course, the thing that happens.

[Narrator/Host]

When you bring women into the picture is procreation.

[Faith Moore]

The exact thing that Victor overlooked or cut out when creating the creature is the thing that the creature wants. He may not know that he wants that. He may not be specifically asking for that.

[Narrator/Host]

But when you've got a man and a woman together, procreation is possible.

[Faith Moore]

But what will that mean for the creature, right?

[Victor Frankenstein]

For Victor, for the world?

[Narrator/Host]

We will talk much more about that, I am sure, but I am actually going to stop for now because I've been talking for far too long at this point. I'm sorry, but there was just so much juicy stuff to discuss today. But now let's actually stop and get back to it.

[Faith Moore]

Because of course, the question now is, will Victor do it right? Will he create a female creature? And also should he?

[Narrator/Host]

So write in faith k.moore.com you can click on Contact or scroll into the show notes of this episode and click.

[Faith Moore]

The link that's there.

[Narrator/Host]

You can answer that question. You can respond to anything I said.

[Faith Moore]

And I would love it if you.

[Narrator/Host]

Would respond to the chapters that we're about to read. So please do write in.

[Faith Moore]

And also I keep meaning to say I do reply to your letters. I try to get to them within a week.

[Narrator/Host]

There's a lot of them, which is fantastic and wonderful, but there are many. So I try to get back to.

[Faith Moore]

You within a week, unless you type.

[Narrator/Host]

Your email address wrong in the contact form, and then when I try to reply, it says undeliverable, and that has.

[Faith Moore]

Happened a couple of times recently.

[Narrator/Host]

So I just wanted to say that.

[Faith Moore]

If you haven't heard back from me.

[Narrator/Host]

Within about a week of writing, it's probably because your email bounced back when I tried to reply. So do check that you're putting your email correctly into the box that says email, otherwise I will not be able to write back, even though I will get your letter. So please do write to me, and I will try to get back to you.

[Victor Frankenstein]

All right, let's get started with chapters 17 and 18 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

[Faith Moore]

It's story time.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Chapter 17. The being finished speaking and fixed his looks upon me in the expectation of a reply. But I was bewildered, perplexed, and unable to arrange my ideas sufficiently to understand the full extent of his proposition.

[The Creature/Monster]

He continued, you must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being. This you alone can do, and I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede.

[Victor Frankenstein]

The latter part of his tale had kindled anew in me the anger that had died away while he narrated his peaceful life among the cottagers.

[The Creature/Monster]

And as he said this, I could.

[Victor Frankenstein]

No longer suppress the rage that burned within me. I do refuse it, I replied, and no torture shall ever extort a consent from me.

[The Creature/Monster]

You may render me the most miserable of men, but you shall never make me base in my own eyes.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Shall I create another like yourself, whose joint wickedness might desolate the world. Begone, I have answered you.

[The Creature/Monster]

You may torture me, but I will never consent. You are in the wrong, replied the fiend. And instead of threatening, I am content to reason with you. I am malicious because I am miserable, am I not? Shunned and hated by all mankind. You, my creator, would tear me to pieces and triumph. Remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities me. You would not call it murder if you could precipitate me into one of those ice rifts and destroy my frame, the work of your own hands.

[Faith Moore]

If Victor threw the monster off a.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Cliff, Victor wouldn't think of it as a murder.

[The Creature/Monster]

Shall I Respect man. When he condemns me, let him live with me in the interchange of kindness. And instead of injury, I would bestow every benefit upon him. With tears of gratitude at his acceptance. But that cannot be. The human senses are insurmountable barriers to our union. Yet mine shall not be the submission of abject slavery. I will revenge my injuries. If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear. And chiefly towards you, my arch enemy. Because, my Creator do I swear in extinguishable hatred. Have a care. I will work at your destruction. Nor finish till I desolate your heart. So that you shall curse the hour of your birth.

[Victor Frankenstein]

So he's saying that if Victor doesn't make a female monster. Then the monster will destroy Victor and everything he loves. A fiendish rage animated him as he said this. His face was wrinkled into contortions too horrible for human eyes to behold. But presently he calmed himself and proceeded.

[The Creature/Monster]

I intended to reason. This passion is detrimental to me. For you do not reflect that you are the cause of its excess. If any being felt emotions of benevolence toward me. I should return them a hundred and a hundredfold. For that one creature's sake, I would.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Make peace with the whole kind.

[The Creature/Monster]

But I now indulge in dreams of bliss that cannot be realized. What I ask of you is reasonable and immoderate. I demand a creature of another sex, but as hideous as myself. The gratification is small, but it is all that I can receive. And it shall content me. It is true we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world. But on that account we shall be more attached to one another. Our lives will not be happy. But they will be harmless and free from the misery I now feel. O my Creator, make me happy. Let me feel gratitude towards you for one benefit.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Let me see that I excite the sympathy of some existing thing.

[The Creature/Monster]

Do not deny me my request.

[Victor Frankenstein]

I was moved. I shuddered when I thought of the possible consequences of my consent. But I felt that there was some justice in his argument. His tale and the feelings he now expressed. Proved him to be a creature of fine sensations.

[Faith Moore]

And did I not, as his Maker. Owe him all the portion of happiness.

[Victor Frankenstein]

That it was in my power to bestow? He saw my change of feeling.

[The Creature/Monster]

And if you consent, neither you nor.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Any other human being shall ever see us again.

[The Creature/Monster]

I will go to the vast wilds of South America. My food is not that of man. I do not destroy the lamb and the kid to glut my appetite. Acorns and berries afford me sufficient nourishment. My companion will be of the same nature as myself, and will be content with the same fare. We shall make our bed of dried leaves. The sun will shine on us as on man and will ripen our food.

[Victor Frankenstein]

The picture I present to you is.

[The Creature/Monster]

Peaceful and human, and you must feel that you could deny it only to.

[Victor Frankenstein]

The wantonness of power and cruelty.

[The Creature/Monster]

Pitiless, as you have been towards me, I now see compassion in your eyes. Let me seize the favorable moment and persuade you to promise what I so ardently desire.

[Victor Frankenstein]

You propose, replied I, to fly from the habitations of man to dwell in those wilds where the beasts of the field will be your only companions. How can you, who long for the love and sympathy of man, persevere in this exile? You will return and again seek their kindness, and you will meet with their detestation. Your evil passions will be renewed, and you will then have a companion to aid you in the task of destruction.

[The Creature/Monster]

This may not be. Cease to argue the point, for I cannot consent.

[Faith Moore]

So he's saying that the monster won't be content to live in the wilderness.

[Victor Frankenstein]

With just this one other monster.

[Faith Moore]

He'll come back. And when he does, and when people still won't accept him, then there will.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Be two monsters to wreak destruction on the world.

[The Creature/Monster]

How inconstant are your feelings. But a moment ago you were moved by my representations. And why do you again harden yourself to my complaints? I swear to you by the earth which I inhabit, and by you that made me that with the companion you bestow, I will quit the neighbourhood of man and dwell, as it may chance, in the most savage of places. My evil passions will have fled, for I shall meet with sympathy. My life will flow quietly away, and in my dying moments I shall not curse my Maker.

[Victor Frankenstein]

His words had a strange effect upon me. I compassionated him and sometimes felt a wish to console him. But when I looked upon him, when I saw the filthy mass that moved and talked, my heart sickened and my feelings were altered to those of horror and hatred. I tried to stifle these sensations. I thought that, as I could not sympathize with him, I had no right to withhold from him the small portion of happiness which was yet in my power to bestow. You swear I said, to be harmless, but have you not already shown a degree of malice that should reasonably make me distrust you? May not even this be a feint that will increase your triumph by affording a wider scope for your revenge?

[Faith Moore]

So a faint is like a fake.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Out.

[Faith Moore]

So he's saying what if you're just.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Saying that, you'll leave everyone alone.

[Faith Moore]

But then when I make you this.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Female monster, you'll destroy everyone anyway.

[The Creature/Monster]

How is this? I must not be trifled with, and I demand an answer. If I have no ties and no affections, hatred and vice must be my portion. The love of another will destroy the.

[Faith Moore]

Cause of my crimes.

[The Creature/Monster]

And I shall become a thing of whose existence everyone will be ignorant. My vices are the children of a.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Forced solitude that I abhor. So he's saying he acts badly because he's forced to live alone, without love.

[The Creature/Monster]

And my virtues will necessarily arise when I live in communion with an equal. I shall feel the affections of a sensitive being. And become linked to the chain of existence and events from which I am now excluded.

[Victor Frankenstein]

I paused some time to reflect on all he had related. And the various arguments which he had employed. I thought of the promise of virtues which he had displayed on the opening of his existence. And the subsequent blight of all kindly feeling by the loathing and scorn which his protectors had manifested towards him. His power and threats were not omitted in my calculations. A creature who could exist in the ice caves of the glaciers. And hide himself from pursuit among the.

[Faith Moore]

Ridges of inaccessible precipices. Was a being possessing the faculties it.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Would be vain to cope with.

[Faith Moore]

So he's saying.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Part of his consideration is how dangerous the monster is. And what he might do to him if he refuses to make him this female. After a long pause of reflection, I concluded that the justice due both to.

[Faith Moore]

Him and my fellow creatures demanded of.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Me that I should comply with his request. Turning to him, therefore, I said, I consent to your demand on your solemn oath to quit Europe forever. And every other place in the neighborhood of man. As soon as I shall deliver into your hands a female who will accompany you in your exile. I swear, he cried, by the sun.

[The Creature/Monster]

And by the blue sky of heaven.

[Victor Frankenstein]

And by the fire of love that.

[The Creature/Monster]

Burns in my heart. That if you grant my prayer while they exist, you shall never behold me again. Depart to your home and commence your labors. I shall watch their progress with unutterable anxiety. And fear not but that when you are ready, I shall appear.

[Faith Moore]

Okay, so Victor's gonna make his new creature.

[Victor Frankenstein]

And the monster will show up when he's done to claim her. Saying this, he suddenly quitted me. Fearful perhaps of any change in my sentiments. I saw him descend the mountain with greater speed than the flight of an eagle. And quickly lost among the undulations of the sea of ice. His tail had occupied the whole day.

[Faith Moore]

And the sun was upon the verge of the horizon.

[Victor Frankenstein]

When he departed. I knew that I ought to hasten my descent towards the valley, As I should soon be encompassed in darkness. But my heart was heavy and my steps slow. The labor of winding among the little paths of the mountain and fixing my feet firmly as I advanced perplexed me, Occupied as I was by the emotions which the occurrences of the day had produced. Night was far advanced. When I came to the halfway resting place and seated myself beside the fountain. The stars shone at intervals as the clouds passed from over them. The dark pines rose before me, and every here and there a broken tree lay on the ground.

[Faith Moore]

It was a scene of wonderful solemnity.

[Victor Frankenstein]

And stirred strange thoughts within me. I wept bitterly, and clasping my hands in agony, I exclaimed, O stars and clouds and winds, Ye are all about to mock me. If ye really pity me, Crush sensation and memory, let me become as naught. But if not, depart, depart and leave me in darkness. These were wild and miserable thoughts. But I cannot describe to you how the eternal twinkling of the stars weighed upon me me, and how I listened.

[Faith Moore]

To every blast of the wind as if it were a dull, ugly siroc.

[Victor Frankenstein]

On its way to consume me. A siroc is a hot, dust filled wind. Morning dawned before I arrived at the village of Chamounix. I took no rest, but returned immediately to Geneva. Even in my own heart I could give no expression to my sensations. They weighed on me with a mountain's weight, and their excess destroyed my agony beneath them.

[Faith Moore]

Thus I returned home and, entering the.

[Victor Frankenstein]

House, presented myself to the family. My haggard and wild appearance awoke intense alarm. But I answered no question. Scarcely did I speak.

[Faith Moore]

I felt as if I were placed.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Under a ban, as if I had no right to claim their sympathies, as if never more might I enjoy companionship with them. Yet even thus I loved them to adoration, and to save them, I resolved to dedicate myself to my most abhorred task. The prospect of such an occupation made every other circumstance of existence pass before me like a dream. And that thought only had to me the reality of life. Chapter 18 Day after day, week after week passed away on my return to.

[Faith Moore]

Geneva, and I could not collect the.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Courage to recommence my work. I feared the vengeance of the disappointed fiend.

[Faith Moore]

Yet I was unable to overcome my.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Repugnance to the task which was enjoined me. I found that I could not compose a female without again devoting several months to profound study and laborious disquisition. So disquisition is a long and elaborate essay or discussion of something I had heard of, some discoveries having been made by an English philosopher, the knowledge of which was material to my success, and I sometimes thought of obtaining my father's consent to visit England for this purpose. But I clung to every pretence of delay and shrank from taking the first.

[Faith Moore]

Step in an undertaking whose immediate necessity.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Began to appear less absolute to me. A change indeed had taken place in me. My health, which had hitherto declined, was now much restored, and my spirits, when unchecked by the memory of my unhappy promise, rose proportionably.

[Faith Moore]

My father saw this change with pleasure.

[Victor Frankenstein]

And he turned his thoughts towards the best method of eradicating the remains of my melancholy, which every now and then would return by fits and with a devouring blackness, overcast, the approaching sunshine. At these moments I took refuge in the most perfect solitude. I passed whole days on the lake, alone in a little boat, watching the clouds and listening to the rippling of the waves, silent and listless. But the fresh air and bright sun.

[Faith Moore]

Seldom failed to restore me to some.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Degree of composure, and on my return, I met the salutations of my friends with a readier smile and a more cheerful heart. It was after my return from one of these rambles that my father, calling me aside, thus addressed me. I am happy to remark, my dear son, that you have resumed your former pleasures and seem to be returning to yourself, and yet you are still unhappy and still avoid our society. For some time I was lost in conjecture as to the cause of this, but yesterday an idea struck me, and if it is well founded, I conjure you to avow it. Reserve on such a point would be not only useless, but draw down treble misery on us all.

[Faith Moore]

So he's saying that Victor should tell him.

[Victor Frankenstein]

If what he's about to say is true. I trembled violently at his exordium, and my father continued. An exordium is like introductory remarks. I confess, my son, that I have always looked forward to your marriage with our dear Elizabeth as the tie of our domestic comfort and the stay of my declining years. You were attached to each other from your earliest infancy. You studied together and appeared in dispositions and tastes entirely suited to one another. But so blind is the experience of man that what I conceive to be the best assistance to my plan may have entirely destroyed it. You perhaps regard her as your sister without any wish that she might become your wife. Nay, you may have met with another whom you may love, and considering yourself as bound in honour to Elizabeth. This struggle may occasion the poignant misery which you appear to feel.

[Faith Moore]

So he's asking if Victor's problem is.

[Victor Frankenstein]

That he loves someone other than Elizabeth and doesn't want to marry Elizabeth anymore. My dearest father, reassure yourself. I love my cousin tenderly and sincerely. I never saw any woman who, excited as Elizabeth does, my warmest admiration and affection. My future hopes and prospects are entirely bound up in the expectation of our union. The expression of your sentiments of this subject, my dear Victor, gives me more.

[Narrator/Host]

Pleasure than I have for some time experienced.

[Victor Frankenstein]

If you feel thus, we shall assuredly be happy, however present events may cast gloom over us. But it is this gloom which appears to have taken so strong a hold of your mind that I wish to dissipate. Tell me, therefore, whether you object to an immediate solemnization of the marriage. We have been unfortunate, and recent events have drawn us from that everyday tranquillity befitting my years and infirmities. You are younger yet. I do not suppose, possessed as you are, of a competent fortune, that an early marriage would at all interfere with any future plans of honour and utility that you may have formed. Do not suppose, however, that I wish to dictate happiness to you, or that a delay on your part would cause me any serious uneasiness. Interpret my words with candour and answer me. I conjure you, with confidence and sincerity. I listened to my father in silence and remained for some time incapable of offering any reply. I revolved rapidly in my mind a multitude of thoughts and endeavoured to arrive at some conclusion. Alas, to me, the idea of an immediate union with my Elizabeth was one of horror and dismay. I was bound by a solemn promise which I had not yet fulfilled and dared not break. Or, if I did, what manifold miseries might not impend over me and my devoted family.

[Faith Moore]

Could I enter into a festival with this deadly weight yet hanging round my neck and bowing me to the ground?

[Victor Frankenstein]

I must perform my engagement and let the monster depart with his mate. Before I allowed myself to enjoy the delight of a union from which I.

[Faith Moore]

Expected peace, I remembered also the necessity imposed upon me of either journeying to.

[Victor Frankenstein]

England or entering into a long course of correspondence with those philosophers of that.

[Faith Moore]

Country whose knowledge and discoveries were of.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Indispensable use to me in my present undertaking. The latter method of obtaining the desired intelligence was dilatory and unsatisfactory. So dilatory means slow, so writing letters.

[Faith Moore]

Back and forth to these English philosophers.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Would be too slow. Besides, I had an insurmountable aversion to the idea of Engaging myself in my loathsome task in my father's house, while in habits of familiar intercourse with those I loved, I knew that a thousand fearful accidents might occur, the slightest of which would disclose a tale to thrill all connected with me with horror. I was aware also that I should often lose all self command or capacity of hiding the harrowing sensations that would possess me during the progress of my unearthly occupation. I must absent myself from all I loved while thus employed. Once commenced, it would quickly be achieved and I might be restored to my family in peace and happiness. My promise fulfilled, the monster would depart forever, or so my fond fancy imagined. Some accident might meanwhile occur to destroy him and put an end to my slavery forever. These feelings dictated my answer to my father.

[Faith Moore]

I expressed a wish to visit England.

[Victor Frankenstein]

But concealing the true reasons of this request, I clothed my desire under a.

[Faith Moore]

Guise which excited no suspicion, While I.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Urged my desire with an earnestness that easily induced my father to comply. After so long a period of an absorbing melancholy that resembled madness in its.

[Faith Moore]

Intensity and effects, he was glad to.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Find that I was capable of taking pleasure in the idea of such a journey. And he hoped that change of scene and varied amusement would, before my return, have restored me entirely to myself. The duration of my absence was left.

[Faith Moore]

To my own choice.

[Victor Frankenstein]

A few months, or at most a year, was the period contemplated. One paternal kind precaution he had taken.

[Faith Moore]

To ensure my having a companion without.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Previously communicating with me, he had, in concert with Elizabeth, arranged that Clerval should join me at Strasburg. This interfered with the solitude I coveted for the prosecution of my task. Yet at the commencement of my journey, the presence of my friend could in no way be an impediment.

[Faith Moore]

And truly I rejoiced that thus I.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Should be saved many hours of lonely, maddening reflection. Nay, Henry might stand between me and the intrusion of my foe. If I were alone, would he not at times force his abhorred presence on me to remind me of my task, or to contemplate its progress? So he's saying that maybe if Clerval comes with him, then the monster will stay away from him. To England, therefore, I was bound. And it was understood that my union with Elizabeth should take place immediately on my return. My father's age rendered him extremely averse to delay. For myself, there was one reward I promised myself from my detested toilsone consolation for my unparalleled suffering. It was the prospect of that day when, enfranchised from my miserable slavery, I might claim Elizabeth and forget the past in my union with her. So he's keeping his spirits up by reminding himself that once he's created this new creature, he can marry Elizabeth. I now made arrangements for my journey, but one feeling haunted me which filled me with fear and agitation during my absence. I should leave my friends unconscious of the existence of their enemy and unprotected from his attacks. Exasperated as he might be by my departure. But he had promised to follow me wherever I might go and would he.

[Faith Moore]

Not accompany me to England?

[Victor Frankenstein]

This imagination was dreadful in itself, but soothing inasmuch as it supposed the safety of my friends. I was agonized with the idea of the possibility that the reverse of this might happen. But through the whole period during which I was the slave of my creature, I allowed myself to be governed by the impulses of the moment and my present sensations strongly intimated that the fiend would follow me and exempt my family from the danger of his machinations.

[Faith Moore]

Casey's worried that when he leaves for.

[Victor Frankenstein]

England the monster will come and harm his family.

[Faith Moore]

But he's trusting to the fact that.

[Victor Frankenstein]

The monster said that he would go wherever Victor was. So going to England would get the monster away from his family. It was in the latter end of September that I again quitted my native country. My journey had been my own suggestion and Elizabeth therefore acquiesced. But she was filled with disquiet at the idea of my suffering away from her the inroads of misery and grief.

[Faith Moore]

It had been her care which provided.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Me a companion in Clerval, meaning Elizabeth was the one that made it so that Clerval would come with him. And yet a man is blind to a thousand minute circumstances which call forth a woman's sedulous attention. So sedulous means showing dedication and diligence. She longed to bid me hasten my return. A thousand conflicting emotions rendered her mute. As she bade me a tearful, silent farewell. I threw myself into the carriage that was to convey me away, hardly knowing whither I was going, and careless of what was passing around, I remembered only, and it was with a bitter anguish that I reflected on it, to order that my chemical instruments should be packed to go with me. Filled with dreary imaginations, I passed through many beautiful and majestic scenes, but my eyes were fixed and unobserving. I could only think of the bourne of my travels and the work which was to occupy me whilst they endured.

[Faith Moore]

Meaning all he can think about is where he's going and what he's going.

[Victor Frankenstein]

To have to do while he's there. Meaning, make this new creature. After some days spent in listless indolence, during which I traversed many leagues, I.

[Faith Moore]

Arrived at Strasburg, where I waited two days for Clerval.

[Victor Frankenstein]

He came. Alas, how great was the contrast between us.

[Faith Moore]

He was alive to every new scene, joyful when he saw the beauties of the setting sun, and more happy when he beheld it rise and recommence a new day.

[Victor Frankenstein]

He pointed out to me the shifting colors of the landscape and the appearances of the sky.

[Faith Moore]

This is what it is to live.

[Victor Frankenstein]

He cried.

[Narrator/Host]

Now I enjoy existence.

[Victor Frankenstein]

But you, my dear Frankenstein, wherefore you.

[Faith Moore]

Are desponding and sorrowful.

[Victor Frankenstein]

In truth, I was occupied by gloomy thoughts and neither saw the descent of the evening star nor the golden sunrise reflected in the Rhine. And you, my friend, would be far more amused with the journal of Clerval, who observed the scenery with an eye of feeling and delight, than in listening to my reflections. So this is Victor talking to Walton now on the boat. I, a miserable wretch, haunted by a curse that shut up every avenue to enjoyment. We had agreed to descend the Rhine in a boat from Strasbourg to Rotterdam.

[Faith Moore]

Whence we might take shipping for London.

[Victor Frankenstein]

During this voyage we passed many willowy islands and saw several beautiful towns. We stayed a day at Mannheim, and on the 5th from our departure from Strasburg, arrived at Mainz. The course of the Rhine below Mainz.

[Faith Moore]

Becomes much more picturesque.

[Victor Frankenstein]

The river descends rapidly and winds between hills not high but steep and of beautiful forms. We saw many ruined castles standing on the edges of precipices, surrounded by black woods, high and inaccessible. This part of the Rhine indeed presents a singularly variegated landscape. So variegated means different stripes of color. In one spot you view rugged hills, ruined castles overlooking tremendous precipices, with the dark Rhine rushing beneath and on the sudden turn of a promontory. Flourishing vineyards with green sloping banks and a meandering river, and populous towns occupy the scene.

[Faith Moore]

We traveled at the time of the.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Vintage, meaning the time when the grapes are being picked in the vineyards and heard the song of the laborers as we glided down the stream. Even I depressed in mind and my spirits continually agitated by gloomy feelings. Even I was pleased. I lay at the bottom of the boat, and as I gazed on the cloudless blue sky, I seemed to drink in a tranquillity to which I had long been a stranger. And if these were my sensations, who can describe those of Henry?

[Faith Moore]

He felt as if he had been transported to fairyland and enjoyed a happiness.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Seldom tasted by man. I have Seen, he said, the most.

[Narrator/Host]

Beautiful scenes of my own country.

[Victor Frankenstein]

I have visited the lakes of Lucerne and Uri where the snowy mountains descend almost perpendicularly to the water, casting black.

[Faith Moore]

And impenetrable shades which would cause a.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Gloomy and mournful appearance were it not.

[Narrator/Host]

For the most verdant islands that relieve.

[Victor Frankenstein]

The eye by their gay appearance.

[Faith Moore]

I have seen this lake agitated by.

[Victor Frankenstein]

A tempest when the wind tore up whirlwinds of water and gave you an idea of what the waterspout must be.

[Faith Moore]

On the great ocean and the waves dash with fury the base of the mountain where the priest and his mistress.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Were overwhelmed by an avalanche and where.

[Narrator/Host]

Their dying voices are still said to.

[Faith Moore]

Be heard amid the pauses of the nightly wind.

[Victor Frankenstein]

I have seen the mountains of La Valais and the Pays de Vaux.

[Faith Moore]

But this, this country, Victor, pleases me more than all those wonders. The mountains of Switzerland are more majestic and strange.

[Victor Frankenstein]

But there is a charm in the.

[Narrator/Host]

Banks of this divine river that I.

[Faith Moore]

Never before saw equalled. Look at that castle which overhangs yon precipice. And that also on the island, almost concealed amongst the foliage of those lovely trees. And now that group of labourers coming from among their vines and that village half hid in the recess of the mountain.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Oh, surely the spirit that inhabits and guards this place has a soul more.

[Narrator/Host]

In harmony with man than those who.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Pile the glacier or retire to the inaccessible peaks of the mountains of our own country. Clerval, beloved friend, even now it delights.

[Faith Moore]

Me to record your words and to.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Dwell on the praise of which you are so eminently deserving. He was a being formed in the very poetry of nature.

[Faith Moore]

His wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened.

[Victor Frankenstein]

By the sensibility of his heart. His soul overflowed with ardent affections and.

[Faith Moore]

His friendship was of that devoted and.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Wondrous nature that the worldly minded teach us to look for only in the imagination. But even human sympathies were not sufficient to satisfy his eager mind.

[Faith Moore]

The scenery of external nature, which others.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Regard only with admiration, he loved with ardor. The sounding cataract haunted him like a passion. The tall rock, the mountain and the.

[Faith Moore]

Deep and gloomy wood, their colors and.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Their forms were then to him an appetite, a feeling and a love that had no need of a remoter charm by thought supplied or any interest unborrowed from the eye. Wordsworth's Tintern Abbey. So those were lines from the poem, lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey by the poet William Wordsworth. And where does he now exist?

[Faith Moore]

Is this gentle and lovely being lost forever?

[Victor Frankenstein]

Has this mind, so replete with ideas.

[Faith Moore]

Imaginations, fanciful and magnificent, which formed a world whose existence depended on the life of its creator? Has this mind perished? Does it now only exist in my memory?

[The Creature/Monster]

No, it is not.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Thus your form, so divinely wrought and beaming with beauty, has decayed, but your spirit still visits and consoles your unhappy friend.

[Faith Moore]

Okay, so he's telling us that Clerval.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Is now dead, but his memory soothes Victor even still. Pardon this gush of sorrow. These ineffectual words are but a slight tribute to the unexampled worth of Henry, but they soothe my heart, overflowing with the anguish which his remembrance creates. I will proceed with my tale. Beyond Cologne we descended to the plains.

[Faith Moore]

Of Holland, and we resolved to post.

[Victor Frankenstein]

The remainder of the way, meaning they're going to go on by carriage now rather than by boat, for the wind was contrary and the stream of the river was too gentle to aid us. Our journey here lost the interest arising.

[Faith Moore]

From beautiful scenery, but we arrived in.

[Victor Frankenstein]

A few days at Rotterdam, whence we proceeded by sea to England. It was on a clear morning in the latter days of December that I first saw the White Cliffs of Britain.

[Faith Moore]

The banks of the Thames presented a new scene. They were flat but fertile, and almost.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Every town was marked by the remembrance of some story. We saw Tilbury Fort and remembered the Spanish Armada Gravesend, Woolwich and Greenwich, places which I had heard of even in my country.

[Faith Moore]

At length we saw the numerous steeples.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Of London, St Paul's towering above all, and the Tower, famed in English history.

[Faith Moore]

Thank you so much for listening. I'd love to know what you thought of the chapters. Is there anything you'd like me to clarify?

[Victor Frankenstein]

Did something particularly interest you? Please go to my website, faithkmoore.com click on contact and send me your questions and thoughts.

[Faith Moore]

Or you can click on the link.

[Victor Frankenstein]

In the Show Notes to contact me.

[Faith Moore]

I'll feature one or two of your.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Entries at the start of the next episode.

[Faith Moore]

Speaking of links, don't forget to take a look at the other links in the Show Notes.

[Victor Frankenstein]

You can learn more about me, check.

[Faith Moore]

Out our Merch Store, or become a.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Member of the Storytime for Grown Ups online community. Before I go, I'd like to ask a quick favor. This is an independent podcast. It's produced, recorded, and marketed by me.

[Faith Moore]

So I need your help.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Spread the word about the show by posting about it on social media or texting a link to your friends. Subscribe Tap those five stars and leave a positive review wherever you're listening.

[Faith Moore]

If you are able to support the show financially, there's a link in the.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Show notes to make a donation. I would really really appreciate it. Alright everyone, story time is over to be continue.