Victor Frankenstein, driven by a desire to transcend natural limits, assembles a humanoid creature from dead matter. Horrified by his creation, he abandons it, prompting the being to seek revenge for its isolation. The narrative follows the catastrophic fallout of this broken bond, moving from the icy Arctic to the serene Swiss Alps, as creator and creation are locked in a mutual pursuit of ruin.
His waking life was hateful to him, and joy could be found only in sleep. In his dreams, he saw his friends, his wife, and his beloved country, hearing Elizabeth’s voice and beholding Clerval enjoying health. These moments of happiness were necessary to retain his strength to fulfil his pilgrimage. Often, when wearied by a toilsome march, he persuaded the reality was a dream until night should come. At such moments, vengeance died in his heart, and the pursuit became a mechanical impulse rather than an ardent desire.
The Creature sometimes left marks on the barks of trees or stones to guide and instigate him. One inscription read that he sought the “everlasting ices” of the north, where Victor would feel the misery of cold. Another inscription warned Victor to prepare, wrapping himself in furs and providing food, for his toils were only just beginning. These scoffing words only invigorated Victor’s courage. He traversed immense deserts until the ocean appeared at the horizon, covered with ice. Unlike the blue seasons of the south, this ocean was distinguishable from land only by its superior wildness. Victor knelt and thanked his guiding spirit for conducting him to the place where he hoped to grapple with his adversary.
Procuring a sledge and dogs, Victor traversed the snows with inconceivable speed. He began to gain on the Creature, reducing the distance between them to a single day’s journey. Arriving at a wretched hamlet on the seashore, he inquired about the fiend and learned that a gigantic monster had arrived recently, armed with guns and pistols, as well as numerous dogs. The monster had pursued his journey across the sea in a direction that led to no land, leading the villagers to conjecture that he would soon be destroyed by the breaking ice or eternal frosts.
Victor suffered a temporary access of despair at the news, realizing he must commence a destructive journey across the mountainous ices of the ocean. However, the thought of the fiend living and triumphant returned his rage and vengeance like a mighty tide. After a slight repose, during which the spirits of the dead instigated him to toil, he prepared for the journey, exchanging his land-sledge for one fashioned for the inequalities of the frozen ocean and purchasing a plentiful stock of provisions.
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