A scientist pushes the boundaries of natural philosophy to animate non-living matter, only to be pursued by the sentient creature he abandons. Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but obsessive student, constructs a being from scavenged parts and subsequently flees in horror from his creation. The narrative, structured as an epistolary frame story, follows the creature's desperate search for connection and his eventual descent into vengeance against his creator. The world is defined by the rigid social hierarchies of the 19th century and the burgeoning, often dangerous, curiosity of the Enlightenment era.

This anthology volume is widely regarded as a foundational resource for students of British literature, providing essential context for the development of the Gothic novel. The inclusion of Mary Shelley's work alongside broader historical texts allows for a comprehensive analysis of the shifting cultural values during the 19th century. Readers and scholars often highlight the pedagogical utility of the editorial introductions and the thematic breadth of the selections. The text remains a standard reference for those seeking to understand the evolution of the English literary canon through the lens of both major and minor authors.