Chapter 4

Victor devotes himself to chemistry at Ingolstadt, making rapid progress and earning the esteem of his professors over two years.

Victor becomes obsessed with the principle of life, studying decay in charnel-houses until he discovers the cause of generation.

Victor affirms his discovery's reality but, after initial delight, warns Walton against seeking such dangerous and misery-inducing knowledge.

Victor decides to employ his newfound power by creating a human being of gigantic stature to overcome the difficulty of the task.

Driven by visions of creating a new species, Victor descends into a frantic obsession, gathering materials from graves for his filthy creation.

Victor neglects his family and nature during his work, later reflecting that any study that destroys simple pleasures is unlawful.

As his work nears completion, Victor's health fails, and he becomes an anxious, feverish wreck who shuns all human contact.