London

London is the first major English city Victor Frankenstein and Henry Clerval reach after their journey down the Rhine and across the sea from Rotterdam. They arrive on a clear morning in the latter days of December, and Victor records his first sight of the white cliffs of Britain and the banks of the Thames, noting Tilbury Fort, Gravesend, Woolwich, and Greenwich — places he had heard of even in his native country. The numerous steeples of London, with St. Paul's towering above all, and the Tower famed in English history, mark their entry into the capital.

Residence and Purpose

London becomes their point of rest for several months. Clerval desires the intercourse of the men of genius and talent who flourish at this time, but for Victor this is a secondary object. He is principally occupied with obtaining the information necessary for the completion of his promise to the monster, and he quickly avails himself of the letters of introduction he has brought, addressed to the most distinguished natural philosophers. Victor reflects that if this journey had taken place during his days of study and happiness, it would have afforded him inexpressible pleasure, but a blight has come over his existence, and he only visits these people for the sake of the information they might give him on the subject in which his interest is so terribly profound.

Psychological State

Company is irksome to Victor; when alone, he can fill his mind with the sights of heaven and earth, and the voice of Henry soothes him, allowing him to cheat himself into a transitory peace. But busy, uninteresting, joyous faces bring back despair to his heart. He sees an insurmountable barrier placed between him and his fellow men, a barrier sealed with the blood of William and Justine. In Clerval, Victor sees the image of his former self — inquisitive and anxious to gain experience and instruction. Clerval is pursuing his own object: to visit India, believing that his knowledge of its various languages and his views of its society will enable him to materially assist the progress of European colonization and trade. In Britain only can he further the execution of his plan. Victor often refuses to accompany him, alleging another engagement, so that he may remain alone. It is in London that Victor begins to collect the materials necessary for his new creation, a task that is to him like the torture of single drops of water continually falling on the head. Every thought devoted to it is an extreme anguish, and every word he speaks in allusion to it causes his lips to quiver and his heart to palpitate.

Departure and Aftermath

After passing some months in London, they receive a letter from a person in Scotland who had formerly been their visitor at Geneva, mentioning the beauties of his native country and inviting them to travel as far north as Perth. Clerval eagerly desires to accept this invitation, and Victor, although he abhors society, wishes to view again mountains and streams. They had arrived in England at the beginning of October, and it is now February. They determine to commence their journey northward at the expiration of another month, planning to visit Windsor, Oxford, Matlock, and the Cumberland lakes before arriving in Scotland about the end of July. Victor packs up his chemical instruments and the materials he has collected, resolving to finish his labours in some obscure nook in the northern highlands of Scotland. London thus stands as the place where Victor's scientific preparations for his dreaded task are made, a city of intellectual opportunity that becomes for him a site of isolation and gathering dread.