Chapter 1 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley sets the stage for the novel's dark and mysterious tale. The story begins with an introduction to Robert Walton, a explorer on a sea voyage toward the North Pole. Through Walton's letters to his sister, we learn of his desire for companionship and his adventurous spirit.
During his voyage, Walton and his crew encounter an unusual sight - a gigantic figure riding on a sled pulled by dogs. As they approach, they witness the figure's immense physical strength as he single-handedly pulls the sled across the icy terrain. The following day, they find another man, weak and near death, floating on a piece of driftwood. They rescue him and bring him aboard the ship.
The survivor, named Victor Frankenstein, becomes the subject of Walton's fascination. Victor, weakened and ill, begins to slowly recover and shares his tragic tale with Walton.
Victor describes his idyllic childhood in Geneva, Switzerland, where his loving family nurtured his curious and scientific mind. As he grows older, Victor becomes captivated by the ideas of alchemists and natural philosophers, and his desire to uncover the secrets of life intensifies.
Upon entering the University of Ingolstadt, Victor becomes consumed by his studies, particularly the possibility of reanimating dead tissue. He becomes obsessed with the creation of life itself, delving deeper into his experiments, until one fateful night, he succeeds in bringing a lifeless creature to life.
However, upon seeing his creation come to life, Victor is filled with horror and disgust. He realizes that he has crossed ethical boundaries and created a monster. Driven by fear and remorse, Victor flees from the creature, leaving it alone and abandoned.
The chapter concludes with Victor returning to his narrative, explaining that he continued to suffer from a recurring nightmare in which he imagined himself confronting his monstrous creation. He ends his story by cautioning Walton against the dangers of pursuing knowledge without considering the consequences.
Chapter 1 sets the tone for the novel by introducing themes of ambition, morality, and the potential consequences of unchecked scientific progress. It lays the groundwork for the complexities of Victor's character and the tragic events that unfold in his pursuit of knowledge and creation.