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.
At the age of seventeen, Victor Frankenstein prepared to leave Geneva for the University of Ingolstadt, but his departure was halted by a devastating tragedy. Elizabeth caught scarlet fever, and despite warnings, Victor’s mother nursed her through the illness. Elizabeth recovered, but her preserver contracted the fatal disease. On her deathbed, Victor’s mother joined the hands of Elizabeth and Victor, expressing her hope for their future union and charging Elizabeth with the care of the younger children. She died calmly, leaving a void in the family that Victor struggled to comprehend. Though the grief was profound, Elizabeth strove to comfort the household, assuming her new duties with courage.
When the time for his departure finally arrived, Victor delayed it further to mourn, unwilling to leave the remaining members of his family. Henry Clerval spent the final evening with him, revealing that his own father had forbidden him from attending university, forcing him into commerce instead. Henry felt this misfortune deeply but resolved not to be chained to such mercantile concerns. The morning farewell was tearful; Victor left his father, Elizabeth, and Henry to face the world alone. As he traveled, his initial repugnance toward strangers gave way to a rising desire for knowledge and the acquisition of new experiences.
Upon arriving at Ingolstadt, Victor delivered his letters of introduction and first encountered M. Krempe, a professor of natural philosophy. Krempe was an uncouth man who scorned Victor’s devotion to ancient alchemists like Albertus Magnus and Paracelsus, dismissing his studies as wasted time and exploded systems. He ordered Victor to begin his education anew. Victor left the professor feeling contempt for modern science, which he viewed as petty compared to the grandeur of his ancient pursuits, and initially resolved to ignore Krempe’s advice.
However, curiosity soon led Victor to a lecture by M. Waldman, a professor of chemistry whose benevolent demeanor contrasted sharply with Krempe’s. Waldman eloquently traced the history of chemistry, praising modern masters who, unlike the alchemists, had performed miracles by penetrating the recesses of nature and commanding the powers of the physical world. His words acted as a spark within Victor’s mind, dispelling his prejudices and igniting a singular, dangerous purpose. Victor felt that his soul was grappling with a new truth, and he resolved to pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold the deepest mysteries of creation.
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