Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

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The event on which this fiction is founded has been supposed, by Dr. Dar-
win, and some of the physiological writers of Germany, as not of impossible
occurrence. I shall not be supposed as according the remotest degree of
serious faith to such an imagination; yet, in assuming it as the basis of a
work of fancy, I have not considered myself as merely weaving a series of
supernatural terrors. The event on which the interest of the story depends
is exempt from the disadvantages of a mere tale of spectres or enchantment.
It was recommended by the novelty of the situations which it developes;
and, however impossible as a physical fact, affords a point of view to the
imagination for the delineating of human passions more comprehensive and
commanding than any which the ordinary relations of existing events can
yield.
I have thus endeavoured to preserve the truth of the elementary prin-
ciples of human nature, while I have not scrupled to innovate upon their
combinations. The Iliad, the tragic poetry of Greece,—Shakespeare, in the
Tempest and Midsummer Night’s Dream,—and most especially Milton, in
Paradise Lost, conform to this rule; and the most humble novelist, who seeks
to confer or receive amusement from his labours, may, without presumption,
apply to prose fiction a licence, or rather a rule, from the adoption of which
so many exquisite combinations of human feeling have resulted in the highest
specimens of poetry.
The circumstance on which my story rests was suggested in casual con-
versation. It was commenced, partly as a source of amusement, and partly
as an expedient for exercising any untried resources of mind. Other mo-
tives were mingled with these, as the work proceeded. I am by 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 con-
cern in this respect has been limited to the avoiding of the enervating effects
of the novels of the present day, and to the exhibitions of the amiableness
of domestic affection, and the excellence of universal virtue. The opinions
which naturally spring from the character 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