logo

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus

Mary Shelley

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus

Mary Shelley

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Chapters 17-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 17 Summary

Frankenstein’s anger is renewed when the creature tells him about William’s murder, so he refuses the creature’s request. He fears that creating a second creature will lead to more destruction. The creature is determined to reason with Frankenstein. He states that if he “cannot inspire love” (131), he will “cause fear” and seek to destroy Frankenstein. If a single person were compassionate to him, he “would make peace with the whole kind” (131). He and a companion would be “cut off from all the world,” unhappy but “harmless and free from […] misery” (131). He begs Frankenstein to help him see that he “excite[s] sympathy of some existing thing” (131).

Frankenstein believes “there [is] some justice in [the creature’s] argument” and that he does “owe him all the portion of happiness that it [is] in [his] power to bestow” (131). When he expresses concern that the creature and his companion will cause more destruction, the creature insists that if he is happy, his “virtues will necessarily arise” (133). Frankenstein considers that the kind deeds the creature performed for the cottagers show “the promise of virtue” (133). He tells the creature he will create his companion, and the creature promises that Frankenstein will never see him again.

blurred text

Unlock this
Study Guide!

Join SuperSummary to gain instant access to all 91 pages of this Study Guide and thousands of other learning resources.
Get Started
blurred text