Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus

Frankenstein laments that Justine is dead while he lives and that he “had begun life with benevolent intentions” yet has “committed deeds of mischief beyond description” (74). His health suffers, and he shuns all company. He and his family go to their house in the town of Belrive, and Frankenstein wishes he could drown in the lake. He refrains from suicide only to spare Elizabeth more grief.

Frankenstein continues to fear for his grieving family’s safety and is furious with the creature. He thinks about Elizabeth, who is “no longer that happy creature” who frolicked with him by the lake when they were children (76). Her view of humankind has changed; now, she sees men “as monsters thirsting for each other’s blood” (76). Frankenstein believes he is “the true murderer” (77), and nothing cheers him.

Seeking refuge, Frankenstein embarks on a journey to the village of Chamounix. He finds the mountains unchanged despite his own misery. He sees in the mountain and waterfalls “a power mighty as Omnipotence” (78), and he decides not to bow to any force but the God who made them. He observes Mount Blanc in the distance and recalls climbing as a child and “the light-hearted gaiety of boyhood” (79).