Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a Swiss scientist consumed by a desire to conquer death and cheat nature. The novel is told through letters written by Robert Walton, captain of a ship exploring the Arctic, and personal accounts from Victor himself.

Walton encounters Victor in a weakened state, haunted by a secret. Through letters, Victor reveals his descent into obsession while studying at the University of Ingolstadt. There, he unlocks the secrets of life and death and assembles a creature from body parts. Driven by horror at his creation's grotesque appearance, Victor abandons the creature, leaving it to fend for itself in a cruel world.

The story takes a tragic turn as the uncared-for creature longs for connection and companionship. Educating itself by secretly observing a nearby cottage, the creature yearns for acceptance but is met only with fear and disgust due to its monstrous appearance. Wracked with loneliness and rage, the creature seeks revenge on its creator, Victor Frankenstein.

A chain of violence unfolds as the creature eliminates those Victor holds dear, including his brother William and his wife Elizabeth. Victor, consumed by guilt and regret, dedicates himself to destroying the monster he created. Their fateful confrontation leads to a tragic climax in the frozen Arctic wasteland.

Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus is a Gothic masterpiece that explores themes of scientific ambition, the responsibility of creation, and the nature of good and evil. The novel also draws a parallel between Victor Frankenstein and the mythological Prometheus, who defied the gods to bring fire to humanity. Just as Prometheus suffered for his transgression, so too does Victor Frankenstein face the devastating consequences of tampering with the natural order.