CREATURE

I have only the dimmest memory of my first hours of life. I felt only light, hunger, thirst, and darkness. I had no notion of my ugliness until I first met people. They shrank from me in fear and disgust or drove me away with sticks. So I stayed out of sight and watched them from a distance-hoping that by learning their ways I might one day make friends. I found that people communicated their feelings to one another by sounds. So I applied myself to acquiring the art of language. I learned to speak.

At last I was ready to approach a kindly farm family whose goodness I had observed. I imagined that they would be disgusted, until by my gentle demeanor, I should first win their favor, and afterwards their love. But I was mistaken. I was beaten and run off. Was man so virtuous and magnificent, yet so vicious and base? And what was I? A fatherless, motherless, unhappy wretch!

And then I found papers from your laboratory in my pocket. Unfeeling, heartless creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? Why did you cast me out an object for the scorn and horror of mankind? So I come to you now.

VICTOR

Monster! Fiend! I will not pity you. You have killed and done great evil in your senseless revenge against me.

CREATURE

I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous. You must create a female for me, as hideous as myself, with whom I can live. We shall be monsters, cut off from the world, but attached to each other. If you consent, neither you nor any other human being shall ever see us again.

VICTOR
(horrified)

Create another like yourself to desolate the world? I refuse it!

CREATURE

What I ask of you, my creator, is reasonable and moderate. If any being felt emotions of love towards me, I should return them a hundred-fold.

VICTOR

I think of my beloved Elizabeth, my future wife. Without her I would have no hope of happiness. I have no right to withhold this from you. I consent to your demand.