Chapter 16 A sentimental request第16章 不情之請

Mary Shelley

為了改變悲慘的生活境遇，怪物提出了一個什么樣的請求呢？它會得到怎樣的答復呢？

The monster finished telling me his story,and then he said,“I am alone and miserable.Only someone as ugly as I am could love me.You must make another creature like me,a woman monster to be my wife.”

“I shall never make another creature like you,” I shouted.“You have done enough evil on your own.”

“If you don't help me,I shall make you more miserable than you have ever been in your life.You will wish you were dead,”the monster said.“But if you make another monster to be my friend,we won't hurt anyone.Be kind to me now,and I will learn to love and be kind.”

I thought long and hard about the monster's words.I felt sorry for him.He was so miserable.Perhaps I should help him.

“I shall do what you ask,” I told him.“But you must promise to live somewhere in the world where nobody lives.You must promise to stay away from other people.”

“I promise!I promise!” he cried.“Please start your work.I shall watch you,and when you are ready,you can be sure I will come back.”He turned and left me,and ran down the mountain.

I went back to Geneva immediately.My family were very worried when they saw me.I was pale and my eyes were wild.I could not forget my promise to the monster,and the awful work that waited for me.But I had to do it.It was the only way to keep my family safe from his murdering hands around their necks.

Reading Check

If you were the creator of the monster,would you accept its request?Why?

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