Excerpt from Volume II, Chapter 2
of Gris Grimly’s Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley and Gris Grimly
[6] “Devil! Do you dare approach me? And do not you fear the fierce vengeance of my arm wreaked on your miserable head? Begone, vile insect! Or rather stay, that I may trample you to dust! And, oh, that I could, with the extinction of your miserable existence, restore those victims whom you have so diabolically murdered!”
[7] “I expected this reception. All men hate the wretched. You, my creator, detest and spurn me, thy creature, to whom thou art bound. You purpose to kill me. How dare you sport thus with life?”
[8] “Abhorred monster! Fiend that thou art! The tortures of hell are too mild a vengeance for thy crimes. Wretched devil! Come on then, that I may extinguish the spark which I so negligently bestowed.”
[9] “Have I not suffered enough, that you seek to increase my misery? Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.
[10] “Remember, thou hast made me more powerful than thyself. But I will not be tempted to set myself in opposition to thee. I am thy creature: I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed.”
[11] “Begone! I will not hear you. There can be no community between you and me; we are enemies. Begone, or let us try our strength in a fight, in which one must fall.”
[12] “How can I move thee? Believe me, Frankenstein: I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone?”
[13] “You, my creator, abhor me; your fellow-creatures spurn and hate me. The desert mountains and dreary glaciers are my refuge. I have wandered here many days; the caves of ice, which I only do not fear, are a dwelling to me.
[14] “If the multitude of mankind knew of my existence, they would do as you do, and arm themselves for my destruction. Shall I not then hate them who abhor me? Listen to my tale. The guilty are allowed, by human laws, bloody as they may be, to speak in their own defence before they are condemned. Listen to me, Frankenstein. You accuse me of murder; and yet you would, with a satisfied conscience, destroy your own creature. I ask you not to spare me: listen to me; and then, if you can, and if you will, destroy the work of your hands.”
[15] “Cursed be the day, abhorred devil, in which you first saw light! Cursed be the hands that formed you! You have made me wretched beyond expression. Begone! relieve me from the sight of your detested form.”
[16] “Hear my tale; On you it rests, whether I quit forever the neighbourhood of man and lead a harmless life, or become the scourge of your fellow-creatures and the author of your own speedy ruin.”
[17] For the first time I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were.
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Glossary
abhorred–hated
accumulation–build-up
arm–supply with weapons
community–things held in common
conscience–sense of right and wrong
defend–protect
detest–hate
detested–hated
diabolically–evilly
drivest–push away
extinction–destruction
fierce–wildly violent
in opposition to–against
multitude–great crowds
neighbourhood–environment
quit–leave
restore–bring back to life
satisfied–pleased
scourge–source of suffering
spare–allow to live
speedy–quick
spurn–reject
vengeance–revenge
wreaked–carried out
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Two-Part Question
Part A
Multiple Choice Question
Which of the following statements BEST describes how differences between the two characters’ perspectives create tension in this scene?
A.
Frankenstein wants to fight, but the creature wants to talk, and their disagreement creates tension in the scene.
B.
Frankenstein wants the creature to show remorse for his murders, but the creature refuses to apologize, which creates tension in the scene.
C.
Although the creature wants to apologize for the destruction he has caused, Frankenstein refuses to hear him out, which creates tension in the scene.
Part B
Multiple Choice Question
Which quotes from the text BEST support your answer to Part 1?
A.
Victor says, “There can be no community between you and me; we are enemies” (11) and the creature says, “If the multitude of mankind knew of my existence, they would do as you do, and arm themselves for my destruction” (14).
B.
Victor says, “Begone, or let us try our strength in a fight, in which one must fall” (11) and the creature says, “Listen to me, Frankenstein. You accuse me of murder; and yet you would, with a satisfied conscience, destroy your own creature” (14).
C.
The creature says “Believe me, Frankenstein: I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone?” (12) and Victor says, “Cursed be the day, abhorred devil, in which you first saw light!” (15).
1 answer
Part A
The statement that BEST describes how the differences between the two characters’ perspectives create tension in this scene is:
A. Frankenstein wants to fight, but the creature wants to talk, and their disagreement creates tension in the scene.
Part B
The quotes from the text that BEST support the answer to Part 1 are:
B. Victor says, “Begone, or let us try our strength in a fight, in which one must fall” (11) and the creature says, “Listen to me, Frankenstein. You accuse me of murder; and yet you would, with a satisfied conscience, destroy your own creature” (14).
These selections illustrate the conflict in their perspectives: Victor is focused on confrontation and violence, while the creature seeks communication and understanding.
1 answer