Frankenstein, Mary Shelly

Within Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, Frankenstein cannot elude death's horrible reach when he comes home in Geneva. He receives a letter beforehand that states the murder of his youngest brother. Elizabeth, Ernest, and his father were all distressed by the occurrence. Victor believes that the monster killed his brother although Justine Mortiz was accused. She was put on trial, condemned, and died, but she was innocent. Frankenstein knew who had done the murder but did not reveal his secret because he felt it was too far fetched. No one would believe him. He remained silent, and after the execution, his guilt evaded every thought that he had. Eventually, he contemplated death: "... often, I say, I was tempted to plunge into the silent lake, that the waters might close over me and my calamities forever" (Shelly, 62). He was on the verge of suicide to try to remove himself from his guilt and despair; however, he felt that he had a duty to kill the beast and avenge William and Justine.