Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelly, is about Victor Frankenstein's thirst for forbidden knowledge. The story begins with Walton, a sailor, telling his sister he had finally met a true friend named Victor. Victor comes on to Walton's ship ill and unable to speak. Walton nurses him for days until he could speak again. Victor then begins to share with Walton his childhood and how he came to this point in his life. Victor's sister, Elizabeth, is adopted as a gift to Victor. She becomes more than a sister to Victor; she is his playmate as well as his one true friend. Henry Clerval is another true friend that Victor had in school. When Victor gets older, he reads many books and performs many unsuccessful experiments. The idea of summoning ghosts and devils fascinates Victor. At the age of fifteen, he witnesses a bolt of lightening striking a tree. This inspires him to the study of natural phenomenon instead of natural philosophy. Victor's parents wish he would study at Ingolstadt, however; Elizabeth falls ill with scarlet fever before he leaves. Caroline, their mother, nurses Elizabeth back to health, but falls ill herself and dies. This leaves Elizabeth the duty to take care of the younger children, and places to hold on Caroline's wish for Elizabeth and Victor to get married. After the family gets over the loss of their mother, Victor departs for Ingolstadt to continue his studies at the university. At the university he meets two professors, M. Krempe and M. Waldman. Victor finds Professor Krempe rude and grumpy, but Professor Waldman tolerant and kind. Victor then becomes a disciple of Professor Waldman, and becomes so engaged in his studies that he does not visit his home in Geneva for two years. During this time Victor makes progress and endeavors into new fields. He starts to search for the origin of life, and succeeds in giving life to a lifeless matter. This then triggers the idea of creating an actual human being.
