Франкенштейн

           Pursuingthesereflections,IthoughtthatifIcouldbestowanimationuponlifelessmatter,Imightinprocessoftime(althoughInowfounditimpossible)renewlifewheredeathhadapparentlydevotedthebodytocorruption.

           Thesethoughtssupportedmyspirits,whileIpursuedmyundertakingwithunremittingardour.Mycheekhadgrownpalewithstudy,andmypersonhadbecomeemaciatedwithconfinement.Sometimes,ontheverybrinkofcertainty,Ifailed;yetstillIclungtothehopewhichthenextdayorthenexthourmightrealize.OnesecretwhichIalonepossessedwasthehopetowhichIhaddedicatedmyself;andthemoongazedonmymidnightlabours,while,withunrelaxedandbreathlesseagerness,Ipursuednaturetoherhiding-places.WhoshallconceivethehorrorsofmysecrettoilasIdabbledamongtheunhalloweddampsofthegraveortorturedthelivinganimaltoanimatethelifelessclay?Mylimbsnowtremble,andmyeyesswimwiththeremembrance;butthenaresistlessandalmostfranticimpulseurgedmeforward;Iseemedtohavelostallsoulorsensationbutforthisonepursuit.Itwasindeedbutapassingtrance,thatonlymademefeelwithrenewedacutenesssosoonas,theunnaturalstimulusceasingtooperate,Ihadreturnedtomyoldhabits.Icollectedbonesfromcharnel—housesanddisturbed,withprofanefingers,thetremendoussecretsofthehumanframe.Inasolitarychamber,orrathercell,atthetopofthehouse,andseparatedfromalltheotherapartmentsbyagalleryandstaircase,Ikeptmyworkshopoffilthycreation;myeyeballswerestartingfromtheirsocketsinattendingtothedetailsofmyemployment.Thedissectingroomandtheslaughter—housefurnishedmanyofmymaterials;