The novel begins with a series of letters written by a man named Robert Walton to his sister. Walton is on an Arctic expedition and recounts his encounters with a mysterious and tormented figure whom he and his crew rescue from the ice. This figure is Victor Frankenstein.

Victor proceeds to tell his story to Walton. He was born into a wealthy Swiss family and had a strong interest in natural philosophy and alchemy from a young age. He goes off to study at the University of Ingolstadt, where he becomes obsessed with the idea of creating life from dead body parts. After years of secret research, he succeeds in animating a creature, but he is horrified by its appearance and abandons it.

The creature, now left to fend for itself, faces rejection and cruelty from society. He learns to read and speak, observing humans from a distance and becoming increasingly lonely and bitter. He seeks out Victor and demands that he create a female companion for him, promising to disappear with her to the wilderness. Victor reluctantly agrees but then destroys the female creature he was working on out of fear of the consequences.

In retaliation, the creature embarks on a campaign of revenge, killing Victor’s loved ones and framing him for their deaths. Victor becomes consumed by his pursuit of the creature, leading to a chase that takes them across Europe and into the Arctic. Throughout their journey, Victor’s health deteriorates.

Ultimately, Victor dies, and Walton finds the creature mourning his creator. The creature tells Walton about his tragic life and expresses remorse for his actions. He then disappears into the Arctic wilderness, vowing to end his own existence.

“Frankenstein” explores themes of the consequences of unchecked scientific ambition, the isolation of the individual, and the question of what it means to be human. It is a cautionary tale that raises ethical and moral questions about the limits of scientific experimentation and the responsibilities of creators toward their creations.

Cast of Characters