Gothic, Anxious, Horrifying, Then Tender And Melancholic

Victor Frankenstein brings his creation to life, is immediately horrified by its appearance, and suffers a mental and physical breakdown, being nursed back to health by his devoted friend Henry Clerval.

Victor Frankenstein finally succeeds in animating the creature he has painstakingly assembled. Yet, instead of pride or joy, he is gripped by overwhelming horror and disgust at the monstrosity of his creation, whose appearance is hideous despite Victor's efforts to make it beautiful. Haunted by nightmares and paranoia during the night, Victor flees from the creature and wanders Ingolstadt in agitation, dreading another encounter. At dawn, he is fortuitously reunited with his friend Henry Clerval, whose presence provides emotional comfort. Despite initial attempts to hide his distress, Victor's mental state rapidly deteriorates after returning to his lodgings and seeing that the creature is gone. He falls into a protracted, nervous illness, with Clerval acting as his nurse. Henry carefully shields Victor's family from the true severity of the illness. Gradually, as spring returns, Victor recovers, regaining hope and cheerfulness, and is encouraged by Henry to reconnect with his family.