Walton’s Narrative
916I am going into unexplored regions, to “the land of mist and snow”
917Before I come aboard your vessel, will you have the kindness to inform me whither you are bound?
Victor’s Attention to Narrative
921 He told me he would commence his narrative the next day
922 But before I continue my narrative, I must record an incident which took place when I was four years of age.
924 I desire, therefore, in this narrative, to state those facts which led to me predilection for that science
932 I am not recording the vision of a madman…
924 my first care was to procure the whole works of this author, and afterwards of Paracelsus and albertus Magnus
Imagination/Creation
925It may appear very strange that a disciple of Albertus Magnus would arise in the eighteenth century; but our family was not scientifical, and I had not attended any of the lectures given at the schools of Geneva. My dreams were therefore undisturbed by rjeality, and I entered with the greatest diligence into the search of the philosopher’s stone.
925 Agrippa, Magnus—the lords of my imagination
931 Until in the midst of darkness a sudden light broke in upon me…
933 No one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success….A new species would bless me as its creator and source….
935I beheld the wretch
946 I perceived in the gloom a figure which stole from behind a clump of trees….
Nature
946 vivid flashes of lightninbg dazzled my eyes
958-59Presently a beeze dissipated the cloud and I descended upon the glacier….wandering spirits, if indeed ye wander….away from the joys of life…..All of a sudden I beheld the figure of a man
Monsters dialogue
959I expected this reception…Do your duty towards me, and I will do mine towards you and the rest of mankind.
960I am your creature and I will be even mild and docile to my natural lord and King, if thou wilt also perform thy part, the which thou owest me.
961For the first time, also, I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were…
967 This was indeed a godlike science…
970 I now hasten to the more moving part of my story….
977 I can hardly describe to you the effect of these books
978 Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition, for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me.
“I expected this reception.”