Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus

Robert Walton writes to his sister from St. Petersburgh, describing his Arctic expedition and expressing his desire for friendship.

Walton writes from Archangel about preparing his ship and crew while lamenting his lack of companionship.

Walton reports his progress on the voyage and expresses confidence in achieving his goal despite dangers.

Walton describes rescuing a mysterious stranger from the ice and begins to record his extraordinary tale.

Victor Frankenstein recounts his childhood, family background, and early intellectual pursuits that fascinated him.

Victor describes his education, friendship with Henry Clerval, and growing passion for natural philosophy.

Victor's mother dies of scarlet fever; he departs for university at Ingolstadt with unresolved grief.

Victor becomes deeply engaged in his studies of chemistry and natural philosophy at university.

Victor discovers the secret of life and becomes consumed with creating a human being.

Victor completes his creature and recoils in horror; he receives a letter from his cousin Elizabeth.

Victor receives news that his brother William has been murdered; he suspects the creature.

Justine Moritz is tried and executed for William's murder despite her innocence.

Victor sinks into despair over the deaths he has caused and seeks solace in nature.

Victor encounters his creature on a glacier and agrees to hear his tale of suffering.

The creature describes his earliest moments of consciousness and survival in nature.

The creature reveals how he observed and learned from the De Lacey family in their cottage.

The creature meets Safie and continues learning language while deepening his understanding of human society.

The creature learns the tragic history of the De Lacey family and their connections to Safie.

The creature finds Victor's journal and reflects on books including Paradise Lost and Plutarch's Lives.

Rejected by the De Lacey family, the creature burns their cottage and vows revenge on Victor.

The creature demands Victor create a female companion and threatens him if he refuses.

Victor struggles with his promise and departs for England with his friend Henry Clerval.

Victor travels through England and Scotland collecting materials for creating the female creature.

Victor destroys the unfinished female creature and is threatened by the monster on his wedding night.

Victor is accused of murdering Henry Clerval and imprisoned; his father arrives to support him.

Victor recovers and returns to Geneva to marry Elizabeth, unaware of the creature's final threat.

On his wedding night, the creature murders Elizabeth; Victor pursues him across Arctic ice.

Victor dies aboard Walton's ship; the creature, grief-stricken, departs to end his own life.