Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, was
first published (without her name) in 1818. In writing this novel, she created a new
form of literature.
Frankenstein is infused with
some elements of the Gothic novel and the Romantic movement and is also considered to be
one of the earliest examples of science
fiction.
Walton does not kill
the creature as Victor requested.
Victor dies in Walton's
cabin, on Walton's ship. When the ship's captain returns later to the coffin in which
Victor's body lies, he find the creature mourning the death of his
creator.
When Walton blames the creature for the avalanche
of destruction and death he has visited upon the world, especially Victor—accusing him
of being the worst kind of hypocrite—the creature defends himself in saying that he had
begun life with great hope: delighted by the beauty in the world, caring about and
wanting also to be cared for by others. However, this inclination
changed as he was abused and ostracized by Victor and humanity. He explains that no one
ever understood his pain.
However, he
also explains that he will now take care of handling his
existence:
Fear not that I shall be the instrument of
future mischief. My work is nearly complete. Neither yours nor any man's death is needed
to consummate the series of my being, and accomplish that which must be done; but it
requires my own. Do not think I shall be slow to perform this sacrifice. I shall quit
your vessel on the ice-raft which brought me tither...I shall collect my funeral pile,
and consume to ashes this miserable
frame...
The creature assures
Walton that with Victor's death, he will harm no one else. No one needs to attempt to
kill him, for he will do this himself. Quickly he will leave the ship, move to the
north—collecting materials for his funeral pyre—and he will destroy
himself.
In this way, Walton is not only not afforded an
opportunity to kill the creature, but is assured by the monster that he will take his
own life. And the monster then departs quickly to do so.
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