Reading.
Get started

Library / Literature & Fiction

Frankenstein; or, The modern Prometheus

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Pages
about 264
Category
Literature & Fiction
Language
English
Reading time
4.8 h at 250 wpm
Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 2.7 h at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay To mould me man? Did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me?——

TO WILLIAM GODWIN, AUTHOR OF POLITICAL JUSTICE, CALEB WILLIAMS, &c. THESE VOLUMES Are respectfully inscribed BY THE AUTHOR.

The event on which this fiction is founded has been supposed, by Dr. Darwin, and some of the physiological writers of Germany, as not of impossible occurrence. I shall not be supposed as according the remotest degree of serious faith to such an imagination; yet, in assuming it as the basis of a work of fancy, I have not considered myself as merely weaving a series of supernatural terrors. The event on which the interest of the story depends is exempt from the disadvantages of a mere tale of spectres or enchantment. It was recommended by the novelty of the situations which it developes; and, however impossible as a physical fact, affords a point of view to the imagination for the delineating of human passions more comprehensive and commanding than any which the ordinary relations of existing events can yield.

I have thus endeavoured to preserve the truth of the elementary principles of human nature, while I have not scrupled to innovate upon their combinations. The Iliad, the tragic poetry of Greece,—Shakespeare, in the Tempest and Midsummer Night’s Dream,—and most especially Milton, in Paradise Lost, conform to this rule; and the most humble novelist, who seeks to confer or receive amusement from his labours, may, without presumption, apply to prose fiction a licence, or rather a rule, from the adoption of which so many exquisite combinations of human feeling have resulted in the highest specimens of poetry.

The circumstance on which my story rests was suggested in casual conversation. It was commenced, partly as a source of amusement, and partly as an expedient for exercising any untried resources of mind. Other motives were mingled with these, as the work proceeded.

A short sample. Read the whole book

More to read

Public-domain text from Project Gutenberg, Standard Ebooks or a similar open source. Copyright differs between countries. Rights holder? See our takedown process.