Chapter 24

Consumed by revenge, Victor leaves his home forever and begins his wandering pursuit of the fiend.

At his family's grave, Victor swears eternal vengeance and is answered by the monster's mocking laughter.

Victor pursues the monster across Europe and into the wilds of Russia, guided by clues and strange aid.

Victor describes his hateful existence during the chase, finding his only joy and strength in dreams of his family.

The monster leaves written messages taunting Victor and urging him onward into the frozen north.

Reaching the Arctic Ocean, Victor learns the monster has taken a sledge and fled across the ice.

After resolving to follow onto the ice, Victor endures weeks of misery before finally spotting his enemy's sledge.

The ice breaks, separating Victor from his foe, but he is rescued from certain death by Walton's ship.

As his story ends, Victor makes Walton swear to destroy the monster if he ever encounters him.

Walton reflects on Frankenstein's story, convinced of its truth but unable to learn the secret of creation.

Walton describes his growing admiration for Frankenstein's character, intellect, and eloquence despite his ruin.

Frankenstein reflects on his former ambition and greatness, comparing his fall to that of an archangel.

Frankenstein rejects Walton's offer of friendship, explaining that no new ties can replace his lost loved ones.

Walton writes to his sister that his ship is trapped in ice, and he fears a mutiny from his despairing crew.

A deputation of sailors confronts Walton, demanding he promise to turn south if the ship is freed from the ice.

The ailing Frankenstein rouses himself to deliver a powerful speech, shaming the sailors for their cowardice.

Though moved by the speech, the sailors do not change their minds, and Walton agrees to return, causing Frankenstein to collapse.

On his deathbed, Frankenstein justifies his actions and renews his request that Walton destroy the monster.

Victor advises Walton to avoid ambition, then dies peacefully while smiling.

Walton is interrupted by a strange noise and enters the cabin to find the gigantic monster mourning over Frankenstein's body.

The monster grieves over his creator's body, claiming his crimes are now consummated and his being is at its close.

The monster explains that his own anguish and remorse were greater than Victor's, and that envy drove his final acts of vengeance.

Walton accuses the monster of hypocrisy, but the creature explains his fall from virtue to despair and solitude.

After recounting the injustices he suffered, the monster admits his own wretchedness and guilt, which surpasses all others.

The monster tells Walton he will travel to the northernmost pole and destroy himself on a funeral pyre.

After a final farewell, the monster leaps from the window onto an ice raft and is carried away into the darkness.