Thursday, February 14, 2013

Does Victor find something when he returns to his room? Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

On a stormy night of November, Victor Frankenstein gives
life to his creature, a creature whose dull yellow eye and "shrivelled complexion and
straight black lips" appear horrific in their distortions. Terrified at what he has
created, Victor flees to his bedchamber where he paces in his torment until, exhausted
he falls into a fitful sleep.  When he beholds the wretched creature standing over him,
Victor "escapes" and runs out to the courtyard where he remains the rest of the night. 
In the morning, he walks into the town of Ingolstadt where he encounters his dear
friend, Henry Clerval.  Taking notice of Victor's appearance, Henry escorts his friend
back to his apartment where Victor precedes him in order to search for the monster
within.  When he does not perceive his presence, Victor, relieved, invites Henry
inside.  However, Henry notices how odd Victor acts, laughing with a wildness in his
eyes, he asks Victor,  "what, for God's sake is the
matter?"



"Do
not ask me," cried I [Victor], putting my hands before my eyes, for I thought I saw the
dreaded spectre glide into the room; "he can tell.--Oh, save me!  save!"  I imagined
that the monster seized me; I struggled furiously, and fell down in a
fit.



Whether Victor actually
sees the creature in his room is uncertain since he is in such an agitated state.  But,
since Henry does not leave his side and tends to Victor through his illness, it seem
dubious that the creature is truly present.

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