1. The Birth of a Scientist Victor's dad, Alphonse, was a big deal in local politics. He was always out there, shaking hands and kissing babies, the kind of guy who knew everyone's name and their dog's birthday. His mom, Caroline, was a real saint. She'd give you the shirt off her back without thinking twice.From day one, little Victor was like a sponge for knowledge. He'd spend hours with his nose buried in science books, soaking up information like it was going out of style. His parents? They were over the moon about his curiosity. They'd practically trip over themselves to get him the best tutors and the fanciest science kits money could buy.When Victor hit the ripe old age of five, his parents decided to shake things up a bit. They adopted Elizabeth Lavenza, this orphaned girl from a noble Italian family. Elizabeth was like a ray of sunshine in the Frankenstein household. She and Victor hit it off right away, becoming thick as thieves. As they grew up, everyone just assumed they'd end up married one day.Victor's childhood was pretty much a dream come true. He had Elizabeth, who was like his partner in crime, and his best buddy Henry Clerval, whose dad owned a local shop. The three of them were inseparable, like peas in a pod. They'd spend their days exploring the countryside, coming up with wild stories, and dreaming about their futures.But you know how life goes - it can't all be sunshine and rainbows. When Victor was in his teens, disaster struck like a bolt from the blue. His mom, Caroline, caught scarlet fever while nursing Elizabeth back to health. It was like watching a candle slowly burn out. On her deathbed, Caroline made Victor promise to marry Elizabeth someday. Talk about a heavy moment - it hit Victor like a ton of bricks.Losing his mom was like having the rug pulled out from under him. It left this gaping hole in Victor's life, and he became obsessed with the idea of cheating death. It was like a switch flipped in his brain. Suddenly, all those hours spent reading about science took on a whole new meaning. Victor started dreaming big - he wanted to unlock the secrets of life and death.As he grew older, this obsession only intensified. Victor threw himself into his studies of natural philosophy with a fervor that bordered on madness. It was like he was trying to outrun his grief, pouring all his energy into his work.Victor's childhood experiences shaped him in ways he couldn't even begin to understand. The love and support of his family, the companionship of Elizabeth and Henry, and the crushing loss of his mother all swirled together in his mind, pushing him towards a destiny he couldn't yet imagine.As the days ticked by, Victor's hunger for knowledge only grew stronger. He'd spend nights poring over ancient texts, scribbling notes until his fingers cramped. His eyes would be bloodshot from lack of sleep, but he didn't care.And then, just as he was about to turn seventeen, Victor made a decision that would set everything in motion. He decided to leave home for university. With his bags packed and his head full of dreams about unraveling scientific mysteries, he set his sights on the University of Ingolstadt. The kid was buzzing with excitement, ready to dive headfirst into the world of natural philosophy and chemistry.
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