Chapter XXI

Victor is brought before the Irish magistrate, Mr. Kirwin, and hears testimony from fishermen and townspeople about a corpse found on the beach and a lone boat resembling Victor’s. Taken to view the body, Victor sees Henry Clerval dead, marked by strangulation, and collapses into convulsions.

A prolonged fever follows, during which Victor raves about the murders of William, Justine, and Clerval, terrifying attendants. Upon recovering awareness in prison, he despairs, is tended harshly by a turnkey’s wife, and learns that Mr. Kirwin has shown kindness by providing care and examining Victor’s papers to contact his family.

Kirwin informs Victor that his family is safe and that a friend has come; Victor panics, fearing the Creature, but is relieved when his father, Alphonse, enters. Comforted yet fragile, Victor remains overwhelmed by guilt and grief. His health improves slowly under Kirwin’s precautions.

As the assizes approach, Victor is moved to the county town. With witnesses establishing he was on the Orkneys when Henry’s body was found, the grand jury rejects the bill, and Victor is released. Alphonse rejoices, but Victor, haunted by visions of Henry and the Creature, remains sunk in melancholy and occasional suicidal impulses.

Resolving that his duty is to return to Geneva to protect his loved ones and, if possible, kill the Creature, Victor presses to leave Ireland. He and his father sail for Havre-de-Grace. At sea, Victor reflects on his past, takes laudanum to sleep, and wakes from nightmares briefly calmed by the distance from Ireland yet burdened by the inescapable future.