From that day, chemistry (the science of how things are made and how they change) became my only work. I read many books about science. I went to all the classes at the university. I met the famous scientists there.
Professor Krempe was a very smart man. He had a lot of useful information. But he was not a handsome man. He also had bad manners. However, his lessons were very important to me.
Professor Waldman was a true friend. He was very kind and gentle. He explained difficult things in a simple way. He helped me learn very quickly. My interest in science grew every day.
I worked very hard. Often, I worked in my laboratory (a room where a scientist does experiments) until the morning. The stars disappeared and the sun came up while I worked. I was very busy with my studies.
I learned very fast. The other students were surprised by me. The teachers were also surprised. Professor Krempe often smiled at me. Professor Waldman was very happy about my progress.
Two years passed in this way. I did not visit my family in Geneva. I wanted to discover new things. Science is very exciting. There is always something new to find.
I became very good at science. I improved some scientific tools. The people at the university respected Victor Frankenstein. I finished my studies. I thought about going home to my friends.
Then, something happened. I stayed at the university. I wanted to understand the human body. I wanted to know how animals live. I asked myself, "Where does life come from?"
This was a big mystery. I decided to study physiology (the study of how living things work). This study was very difficult. To understand life, Victor Frankenstein had to study death first.
I studied anatomy (the study of the parts of the body). But this was not enough. I had to watch how a body rots after death. My father taught me not to fear the dark. I was not afraid of ghosts.
A churchyard was only a place for dead bodies. I spent many days and nights in vaults (stone rooms under a church for dead people). I also went to charnel-houses (buildings where people put old bones).
I watched how the human body changed. I saw how beautiful bodies became dust. I looked at the eyes and the brain. Then, I saw a great light. I discovered a wonderful secret.
I am not a madman. What I am saying is true. After much work and many nights without sleep, I succeeded. I found the cause of life. I could give life to a dead thing.
I was very happy about my discovery. I worked for a long time to reach this goal. Now, I had what the wisest men wanted for years. I had the power of life in my hands.
My friend, I see that you want to know my secret. But I cannot tell you. Please listen to my story. You will see why I must keep the secret. This knowledge brought me great sadness.
I had this great power. I thought about how to use it. I wanted to make a body for the life. But a human body is very complex. It has many small parts and veins (small tubes that carry blood).
It was hard to work with small parts. So, I decided to make a giant. He was about eight feet tall. I spent many months collecting the materials. Then Victor Frankenstein began the work.
I felt like a strong wind was pushing me forward. I wanted to bring light to the world. I wanted to create a new type of person. They would love me like a father.
I worked very hard. My face became pale. I became very thin because I stayed inside. Sometimes I failed. But I did not stop. I wanted to finish my secret work.
I visited graves at night. I collected bones from old buildings. I had a workshop at the top of my house. It was far away from the other rooms. My eyes were tired from the work.
I used parts from dead bodies. I also used parts from the slaughter-house (a place where animals are killed for food). My heart felt bad about this work. But I wanted to finish it.
Summer passed while I worked. It was a beautiful season. The fields had a lot of food. But I did not look at the nature around me. I also forgot my friends and my family.
I knew my father was worried. My father wrote to me. He said that he wanted to hear from me often. He said that a good son does not forget his family.
I knew how my father felt. But I could not stop my work. I hated the work, but I had to finish it. I wanted to think about my family later. I only thought about my big goal now.
Now I know my father was right. A good person should always be calm. A person should not let one idea take over their life. Science should not make us forget the people we love.
Winter, spring, and summer passed. I did not look at the flowers or the leaves. I worked all the time. The leaves became brown and fell. My work was almost finished.
I was not happy. I was worried and nervous. I had a slow fever every night. I was scared of small noises. I stayed away from other people. I looked like a sick man.
I was frightened of myself. But I wanted to finish my work. I believed that I would feel better later. I promised myself that I would rest after the creation was complete.