Франкенштейн

           Thegentleanddomesticmannersitdescribed,combinedwithloftysentimentsandfeelings,whichhadfortheirobjectsomethingoutofself,accordedwellwithmyexperienceamongmyprotectorsandwiththewantswhichwereforeveraliveinmyownbosom.ButIthoughtWerterhimselfamoredivinebeingthanIhadeverbeheldorimagined;hischaractercontainednopretension,butitsankdeep.Thedisquisitionsupondeathandsuicidewerecalculatedtofillmewithwonder.Ididnotpretendtoenterintothemeritsofthecase,yetIinclinedtowardstheopinionsofthehero,whoseextinctionIwept,withoutpreciselyunderstandingit.

           "AsIread,however,Iappliedmuchpersonallytomyownfeelingsandcondition.IfoundmyselfsimilaryetatthesametimestrangelyunliketothebeingsconcerningwhomIreadandtowhoseconversationIwasalistener.Isympathizedwithandpartlyunderstoodthem,butIwasunformedinmind;Iwasdependentonnoneandrelatedtonone."Thepathofmydeparturewasfree,"andtherewasnonetolamentmyannihilation.Mypersonwashideousandmystaturegigantic.Whatdidthismean?WhowasI?WhatwasI?WhencedidIcome?Whatwasmydestination?Thesequestionscontinuallyrecurred,butIwasunabletosolvethem.

           "ThevolumeofPlutarch’sLiveswhichIpossessedcontainedthehistoriesofthefirstfoundersoftheancientrepublics.ThisbookhadafardifferenteffectuponmefromtheSorrowsofWerter.IlearnedfromWerter’simaginationsdespondencyandgloom,butPlutarchtaughtmehighthoughts;heelevatedmeabovethewretchedsphereofmyownreflections,toadmireandlovetheheroesofpastages.ManythingsIreadsurpassedmyunderstandingandexperience.Ihadaveryconfusedknowledgeofkingdoms,wideextentsofcountry,mightyrivers,andboundlessseas.ButIwasperfectlyunacquaintedwithtownsandlargeassemblagesofmen.