Chapters 5–8: Victor brings the creature to life and flees in horror, then returns home to face William’s murder and Justine’s trial—scenes where the 1818 and 1831 editions differ in how deliberate the creature’s actions appear.

In Chapters 5–8, Victor finally succeeds in animating his creature—and instantly recoils in horror at what he has made. He abandons the being he created, falls into illness and shock, and only slowly recovers with the help of Henry Clerval. Back in Geneva, tragedy strikes: Victor’s young brother William is murdered, and the family servant Justine Moritz is accused and put on trial. Victor realizes that the creature is almost certainly responsible, but he keeps silent, allowing Justine to face execution.

This section contains some of the clearest differences between the 1818 and 1831 editions i ...