The Modern Prometheus modern design twist on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein | Page 9

no means indifferent to the manner in which whatever
moral tendencies exist in the sentiments or characters
it contains shall affect the reader; yet my chief concern
in this respect has been limited to avoiding the enervating effects of the novels of the present day and to the
exhibition of the amiableness of domestic affection, and
the excellence of universal virtue. The opinions which
naturally spring from the and situation of the hero are
by no means to be conceived as existing always in my
own conviction; nor is any inference justly to be drawn
from the following pages as prejudicing any philosophical doctrine of whatever kind.
It is a subject also of additional interest to the author
that this story was begun in the majestic region where
the scene is principally laid, and in society which cannot
cease to be regretted. I passed the summer of 1816 in
the environs of Geneva. The season was cold and rainy,
and in the evenings we crowded around a blazing wood
fire, and occasionally amused ourselves with some German stories of ghosts, which happened to fall into our
hands. These tales excited in us a playful desire of imitation. Two other friends (a tale from the pen of one of
whom would be far more acceptable to the public than
anything I can ever hope to produce) and myself agreed
to write each a story founded on some supernatural occurrence.
The weather, however, suddenly became serene; and my
two friends left me on a journey among the Alps, and
lost, in the magnificent scenes which they present, all
memory of their ghostly visions. The following tale is
the only one which has been completed.