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Scholastic Inc. grants teachers permission to photocopy the reproducible pages from this bookfor classroom use. No other parts of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored

in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., 555 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.

Cover design by Jaime Lucero and Vincent CeciCover illustrations by Mona MarkInterior design by Sydney Wright

Interior illustrations by David Wenzel

ISBN 0-439-04415-4

Copyright Scholastic, 1999 All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

All of the plays in this book originally appeared in Scholastic Scope magazine

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CContentsu u

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v Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

v The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby . . . . . . . . . 7Teaching Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

v The Birthmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Teaching Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

v Frankenstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39Teaching Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

v The Prince and the Pauper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52Teaching Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

v The Lost World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68Teaching Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

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IIntroductionAA teenager masquerading as a prince, a mad scientist creatingan evil creature, and a lost world filled with dinosaurseach ofthe plays in this book features characters and plots that are sure tocaptivate your students. The interactive and engaging play formatwill bring classic stories to life and provide an ideal introduction todistinguished writers Mark Twain, Nathaniel Hawthorne, CharlesDickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Mary Shelley.

The plays cover a wide range of styles and genresfrom MarkTwains humorous The Prince and the Pauper to Mary Shelleysgothic horror story Frankensteinand can be used in countlessways. Incorporate Dickens The Life and Adventures of NicholasNickleby into a unit on English history or the IndustrialRevolution. Add Frankenstein to a science fiction genre study.Introduce Early American literature with Hawthornes TheBirthmark. Or simply enrich your language arts program byusing the plays for readers theater.

Each play is followed by a Teaching Guide, which includes abiographical sketch of the author, discussion questions for afterreading, extension activities, plus a list of other books of interest.

Enjoy!

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The Life and Adventures of

NNicholas NNicklebyDramatized by Adrienne Su from the

classic novel by Charles Dickens

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t Characters tNicholas Nickleby: an 18-year-old

Kate Nickleby: his 16-year-old sister

Mrs. Nickleby: Nicholas and Kates mother

Ralph Nickleby: uncle of Nicholas and Kate

Newman Noggs: Ralphs assistant

Wackford Squeers: schoolmaster

Smike: an orphan

Madeline Bray: a young woman

Walter Bray: Madelines father

Arthur Gride

Peg: Grides housekeeper

Charles & Ned Cheeryble: twin brothers

Students of Dotheboys Hall: all boys

Lord Frederick Verisopht

Sir Mulberry Hawk

Mrs. Wititterly

Vincent Crummles

Mr. Brooker

Mr. Snawley

Narrator

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Scene 1

NNaarrrraattoorr:: In the 1830s Mr. Nicklebydied after losing all his money.Penniless, Mrs. Nickleby and her chil-dren, Nicholas and Kate, move toLondon, hoping to get help from Mr.Nicklebys rich brother Ralph. Butwhen Ralph comes to their pitiful, tem-porary apartment, he acts very cold.

RRaallpphh (to Mrs. Nickleby):: How areyou?

MMrrss.. NNiicckklleebbyy (dabbing her eyes)::Mine was no common loss, sir.

RRaallpphh:: It was no uncommon loss,maam. Husbands die every day, andwives, too.

NNiicchhoollaass (angrily):: And brothers, too.

RRaallpphh:: Yes, sir, and puppies, likewise.(Looks at Nicholas) How old is thisboy?

MMrrss.. NNiicckklleebbyy:: Nicholas is nearly 19.

RRaallpphh:: And what will you do for a liv-ing?

NNiicchhoollaass:: Anythingexcept live offmy mother.

RRaallpphh (to Mrs. Nickleby):: Well,maam, you tell me theres nothing leftfor you?

MMrrss.. NNiicckklleebbyy:: Nothing.

RRaallpphh (sighing):: I dont know how it

is, but whenever a man dies withoutany property of his own, he alwaysseems to think he has a right to dis-pose of other peoples. Can yourdaughter earn a living?

MMrrss.. NNiicckklleebbyy:: Kate has been welleducated.

KKaattee:: Ill work hard for food and shel-ter.

RRaallpphh (to Nicholas):: Youre willing towork?

NNiicchhoollaass:: Of course I am.

RRaallpphh:: I know just the job for you,Nicholas. I will find something forKate as well. Meanwhile you maymove into an abandoned house Iownuntil it is rented out.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph leaves. The familyfeels hopefulnot knowing thatRalph, a greedy man who has gottenhis money in distasteful ways, justwants to get rid of them.

Scene 2

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph arranges forNicholas to work at Dotheboys Hall, aboarding school in a remote part ofEngland, where he will assist theschoolmaster, Mr. Squeers. Nicholaswatches Mr. Squeers call to order aroomful of boys who are all dressedin rags.

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SSqquueeeerrss:: Now, wheres young Jones?

SSttuuddeenntt ##11:: You told him to clean thewindows, sir.

SSqquueeeerrss:: Good! Wheres youngSmike?

SSttuuddeenntt ##22:: Hes weeding the garden,sir.

SSqquueeeerrss:: And you, boy, whats ahorse?

SSttuuddeenntt ##33:: A beast, sir.

SSqquueeeerrss:: Of course it is. Thats yourlesson for today. Now, class, go drawwater until we tell you to stop.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: The boys wearily leave theroom. Nicholas is amazed by how ill-fed and sad they look. That night, hereads a letter he has received fromNewman Noggs, Uncle Ralphs worn-out assistant.

NNooggggss (in the letter):: My dear youngman, your father was once very kindto me. You do not know the world, oryou would not be bound to this horri-ble school and master. You will needto come back to London. When youdo, come to my humble flat. Bestregards, Newman Noggs.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Puzzled, Nicholas puts theletter in his pocket. The next day, ashe worries about Kate and his mother,he notices one of the boys, Smike, sit-ting by the fireplace. Smike shrinksback.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Dont be afraid. Are youcold?

SSmmiikkee (shivering):: N-n-o.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Poor fellow!

SSmmiikkee (suddenly crying):: How manyof them! How many since I was achild!

NNiicchhoollaass:: What are you talkingabout?

SSmmiikkee:: My friends. How they havesuffered here! One boy died

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Smike runs out of the room.

Scene 3

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Meanwhile, Kate workslong hoursfor penniesfor a dress-maker her uncle knows. One day, heruncle invites her to dinner. When shearrives at the house, she notices some-thing strange.

KKaattee:: Uncle, are there any ladies here?

RRaallpphh:: No. I dont know any.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: When dinner is served, Katefinds herself far from her uncle andsurrounded by leering men. Ralphintroduces her.

RRaallpphh:: Lord Frederick Verisopht, myniece!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: The men stare crudely atKate, who draws as far away from

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them as she can.

VVeerriissoopphhtt:: Miss . . . Miss . . . ?

RRaallpphh:: My niece, my lord.

VVeerriissoopphhtt (licking his lips lewdly):: Imsure well be great friends.

HHaawwkk:: Introduce me, Nickleby.

RRaallpphh:: Sir Mulberry Hawk.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: At dinner, the men makerude advances to Kate, who leaves theroom in tears.

Scene 4

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Back at the school,Nicholas sees more cruelty than heever imagined. The boys work con-stantly and are taught as little as theyare fed. One day Squeers announcesthat Smike has run away.

SSqquueeeerrss:: When I find him, Ill flay himalive before all of you as an example!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: It isnt long before Smike isfound and dragged back. Squeersgathers the boys again, holds Smikewith one hand, and raises his whipwith the other.

SSqquueeeerrss:: Have you anything to say?

SSmmiikkee:: Spare me, sir!

SSqquueeeerrss:: Ill flog you within an inch ofyour lifeand spare you that!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Squeers starts to whip him.

NNiicchhoollaass (roaring):: Stop!

SSqquueeeerrss (astonished):: Who cried stop?

NNiicchhoollaass:: I did. This must not go on.

SSqquueeeerrss:: Must not go on?

NNiicchhoollaass:: I will prevent it.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Squeers hits Nicholas, whothen gives him a thorough beating.The boys dont move. After this,Nicholas packs his things and leaves.With little money, he heads towardLondon on foot. He stops in a barn tosleep. In the morning, a figure appearsbefore him.

NNiicchhoollaass (rubbing his eyes):: Smike?

SSmmiikkee:: You must let me go with you.You are my only friend. Please take mewith you.

NNiicchhoollaass:: I am a friend who can dolittle for you. How did you get thisfar?

SSmmiikkee:: I followed, at a distance.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Poor fellow! I am nearly aspoor as you. But you can go with me.

Scene 5

NNaarrrraattoorr:: After days of hard travel-ing, Nicholas and Smike arrive atNewman Noggs tiny flat. Noggswelcomes them.

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NNooggggss:: You are soaked, and II donteven have a change of clothes to offeryou.

NNiicchhoollaass:: I have dry clothes. Im verysorry to bother you. But, please, howare Kate and my mother?

NNooggggss:: Well. Both well.

NNiicchhoollaass:: I dont want to shock themby showing up all of a sudden, so Ihave imposed on you instead. I havebad news.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Nicholas explains whathappened.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Has my uncle heard yet?

NNooggggss:: Hes had a letter from Squeers.

NNiicchhoollaass:: I must go tell him the truth!

NNooggggss:: Dont. Your uncle is out oftown.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: But before long, Ralph isback in town. Nicholas tries to reachKate and Mrs. Nickleby to tell themwhat happened before Ralph does. ButRalph is already there.

RRaallpphh:: This is the situation. I recom-mended him, against my better judg-ment, to a man for whom he mighthave worked in comfort for years.What is the result? A violent attack onthe manand the abduction of one ofthe boys!

KKaattee:: I never will believe it!

MMrrss.. NNiicckklleebbyy:: He must be innocent!

RRaallpphh:: Then why hasnt he shown hisface? Do innocent men just disappear?Assault, riot, kidnapping: what do youcall these?

NNiicchhoollaass (bursting in):: Lies!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Everyone is shocked. Ralphis the first to recover.

RRaallpphh:: Lies? You attacked your mas-ter and nearly killed him! And kid-napped a boy!

NNiicchhoollaass:: I interfered to save a miser-able boy from the worst cruelty Iveeven seen. If it happened again, Id dothe same. The boy is with me now,and I have no plans to return him tothat abusive place.

RRaallpphh:: You will not receive anotherpennys help from me! Nor will yourmother and sister if you stay here!

NNiicchhoollaass:: I dont want any more ofyour help. Mother, Kate, I must go. If Istay, I will only bring you more suffer-ing. You will hear from me when I ambetter off.

Scene 6

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Nicholas and Smike walkfor two days toward Portsmouth.On the way, they see two boy actorsfighting a duel. One boy is much tallerthan the other, but the short boy winseasily. Vincent Crummles is there,cheering.

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CCrruummmmlleess (to Nicholas):: What didyou think of that, sir?

NNiicchhoollaass:: Very good, indeed.

CCrruummmmlleess:: You wont see boys asgood as that very often, I think.

NNiicchhoollaass:: True. If they were only a lit-tle better matched

CCrruummmmlleess:: Matched! How are yousupposed to get an audiences sympa-thy without putting one player at ahuge disadvantage?

NNiicchhoollaass:: I see. I beg your pardon.

CCrruummmmlleess:: Our play opens atPortsmouth the day after tomorrow. Ifyoure going there, look into the the-ater and see what you think. You aregoing that way?

NNiicchhoollaass:: Yes. Yes, I am.

CCrruummmmlleess (looking at Smike):: Yourfriendhed be perfect for the part ofthe starved man! Tell me, what takesyou to Portsmouth?

NNiicchhoollaass:: We were hoping to findjobs . . .

CCrruummmmlleess:: Why not join my theatercompany? For a pound a week?

NNiicchhoollaass:: Wonderful!

CCrruummmmlleess:: Ill double that if we dowell.

Scene 7

NNaarrrraattoorr:: As for Kate, she loses herjob when the dressmaker she worksfor goes bankrupt. But she soon findswork as a companion to a womannamed Mrs. Wititterly. Kate has notbeen with her long before Hawk andVerisopht begin dropping in every day.

HHaawwkk (to Mrs. Wititterly):: MissNickleby was always handsome, but,upon my soul, maam, you are muchthe beauty as well!

MMrrss.. WWiittiitttteerrllyy (batting her eyes):: Oh!

VVeerriissoopphhtt:: She reminds one of aduchess.

MMrrss.. WWiittiitttteerrllyy:: Oh, my!

HHaawwkk:: Or a countess!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Mrs. Wititterly is speechlesswith delight. Smiling, the evil Hawkleans indecently close to Kate. Katerecoils in disgust. The minute herworkday is over, Kate runs to see heruncle. Noggs sends her in to Ralph,who can see she is upset.

RRaallpphh (coolly):: What is the matter?

KKaattee:: I have been wronged, insulted,and outragedby your friends.

RRaallpphh:: Friends! I have no friends, girl.

KKaattee (fiercely):: By those men I methere, then! You know what kind ofpeople they are. I cannot bear their

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insults. You have influence with thosevile creatures. Only you could havetold them where to find me. Now tellthem to leave me alone!

RRaallpphh:: Im afraid I cannot.

KKaattee:: What!

RRaallpphh:: We are connected in business. Icant afford to offend them.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Kate stalks out of the room.Tears run down her face. Noggs, whohas been listening, is also weeping.

NNooggggss (whispering):: Dont cry. Dontcry.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Meanwhile, Nicholas hasbecome the star of the play and VictorCrummles theater company has hadfull audiences for the first time.Nicholas has made enough money tosupport himself and Smikeand tosave a little. Then he gets a letter fromNoggs, urging him to come toLondon. When he and Smike go toNoggs home, Noggs tells them whathas happened to Kate. Outraged,Nicholas goes to Mrs. Wititterlyshouse. Kate opens the door.

KKaattee:: Nicholas!

NNiicchhoollaass (embracing her):: How paleyou are!

KKaattee:: I have been so unhappy here. Sovery, very miserable. Dont leave mehere.

NNiicchhoollaass:: I wont! Who should I

speak to about ending your stay here?

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Kate leads Nicholas inside.After settling accounts, Nicholas andKate leave and move Mrs. Nicklebyout of the house Ralph owns. Theywant nothing more to do with himand send him a letter saying so.

Scene 8

NNaarrrraattoorr:: The next day, Squeers limpsinto Ralphs office. Noggs listens in theback.

RRaallpphh:: Have you recovered from thatterrible boys attack?

SSqquueeeerrss:: Im all right. The medical billwas high, but I paid it.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph raises his eyebrows.

SSqquueeeerrss (smiling):: Didnt cost me apenny. We picked out five boys whohad never had scarlet fever, and wesent one to a family whod got itsohe got it too. Then we put the fourothers to sleep in his room, and theyall got it, and we had to call in thedoctor. I just added a little to each ofthe five bills, and the parents paid it.(Laughs.)

RRaallpphh:: A good plan.

SSqquueeeerrss:: Now, Nickleby. I just won-dered if you could make me any com-pensation . . .

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph looks suspicious.

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SSqquueeeerrss:: . . . besides the little you sent.Your nephew took a valuable boy fromus.

RRaallpphh:: How old is this boy?

SSqquueeeerrss:: Well, lets see. Nine yearsago, a strange man left him at theschool. The boy was five them. Theman paid for him to stay for six years,but then no more money ever came.We couldnt find the man, so we keptthe boy out of, uh, uh

RRaallpphh:: Charity?

SSqquueeeerrss:: Charity. He had just reachedthe age where he could be useful forwork when your nephew ran off withhim.

Scene 9

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Having settled his mother,Kate, and Smike into a new home,Nicholas goes to look for a job. He isreading signs at an employmentagency when he meets the eye of akind-looking old man.

NNiicchhoollaass:: A great many opportunitieshere.

CChhaarrlleess:: A great many unlucky peoplehave thought so, I dare say.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Oh! You arent

CChhaarrlleess (kindly):: You thought I waslooking for a job! (Laughs) A very

natural thought. I thought the sameabout you.

NNiicchhoollaass:: You would be right aboutme.

CChhaarrlleess:: A well-behaved young gen-tleman like you, about to be cheatedby these people? How can it be?(Noticing that Nicholas is dressed inmourning clothes) Eh? Who are youmourning?

NNiicchhoollaass:: My father.

CChhaarrlleess:: Ah. Bad thing for a youngman to lose his father. Widowed moth-er, too?

NNiicchhoollaass:: Yes.

CChhaarrlleess:: Poor thing. Brothers? Sisters?

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Nicholas tells his wholestory to the man, who then hurrieshim through the streets without expla-nation. The man leads Nicholas to afine office, where he calls his identicaltwin brother, Ned Cheeryble.

CChhaarrlleess:: Brother Ned, here is a youngfriend whom we must assist. We mustmake inquiries, of course, althoughIm sure that everything he says is thetruth.

NNeedd:: It is enough, my dear brother,that you say it is. Where is TimLinkinwater?

CChhaarrlleess:: Ive a plan, dear brother. Timhas been a faithful employee of ours

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for 44 years and, as a favor, we couldlighten his duties and hire this gentle-man to help him.

NNeedd:: Certainly, certainly.

CChhaarrlleess:: And I think we should rentthat little cottage at Bow to him andhis family. At a reduced rent, ofcourse.

NNeedd:: At no rent at all!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: All afternoon, theCheeryble brothers pile kindnessesupon Nicholas. Nicholas begins book-keeping for the two, whose business isto assist people who have not madethe fortunes that they have. Later,going into Charless office, Nicholassees a beautiful, anxious-looking girlkneeling before Charless desk.

CChhaarrlleess:: My dear young lady, pleaserise.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Oh! Im sorry!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Nicholas excuses himselfand rushes out of the room, but notbefore he falls madly in love with thegirl. For weeks, he tries to learn some-thing about her, but no one will tellhim.

Scene 10

NNaarrrraattoorr:: One evening, Ralph iswalking alone down the street. It startsraining, so he seeks shelter under a

tree. A tattered man steps into hispath.

BBrrooookkeerr (hoarsely):: Mr. Nickleby.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph says nothing.

BBrrooookkeerr:: I dont look much like I dideight years ago, do I?

Raallpphh (recognizing him):: Not thatdifferent.

BBrrooookkeerr:: You havent changed a bit.

RRaallpphh:: Did you expect me to?

BBrrooookkeerr:: Will you listen to me aminute?

RRaallpphh:: I have to wait for the rain tolet up anyway, so I might as well.

BBrrooookkeerr:: We were once in businesstogether. When I asked for my share ofthe profits, you dug up an old debt ofmine. You charged me 50 percentinterest.

RRaallpphh:: So what of it?

BBrrooookkeerr:: So, with the choice of goingto jail or paying it, I paid it, and wasruined. You see me now with nothingto eatand rags for clothes.

RRaallpphh:: You had your wages. And youstill owe me money.

BBrrooookkeerr:: I did not forget your betray-al. I have some information that youwould give all you own to know.What will you pay me for this

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information? I do not ask a lot. I onlyneed food and drink.

RRaallpphh:: Hard work never taught youanything.

BBrrooookkeerr:: Are those of your name dearto you?

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph thinks Brooker isreferring to Nicholas and his family,but he is not.

RRaallpphh:: They are not. Good-bye,Brooker.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph walks away in therain.

Scene 11

NNaarrrraattoorr:: The next day, Nicholas,Kate, Mrs. Nickleby, and Smike arehaving dinner when Ralph knocks ontheir door.

RRaallpphh:: I come on a noble mission: torestore a child to his parent.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph reaches towardSmike.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Out of my house! Yourelying!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: At that moment, Squeerswalks in, and so does a strange man,Mr. Snawley.

SSqquueeeerrss:: We have his father here!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Snawley runs toward Smike

and clamps an arm around the boysneck.

SSnnaawwlleeyy:: Here he is, my son, my fleshand blood! How Ive wanted to punishhim for running away from his bestfriends, his teachers and masters!

SSqquueeeerrss:: Thats parental instinct, sir.

SSnnaawwlleeyy:: Indeed, its the natural feel-ing of beasts and birds, except for rab-bits and cats, which sometimes eattheir offspring.

NNiicchhoollaass:: If he is your son, tell me ifyou honestly intend to send him backto that loathsome den from which Irescued him!

RRaallpphh (ignoring the remark):: Theresproof of his parentage. Here are thedocuments.

KKaattee (to Nicholas):: Can this be true?

NNiicchhoollaass (examining a paper):: I fear itis.

SSqquueeeerrss (to Smike):: Are you ready togo?

SSmmiikkee (clinging to Nicholas):: No, no,no.

SSnnaawwlleeyy:: I want my son.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Your son chooses to remainhere.

SSnnaawwlleeyy (to Smike):: Wont you comehome?

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SSmmiikkee:: No, no, no.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph fumes and sputters.He, Squeers, and Snawley leave.

Scene 12

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Later, in the Cheerybleoffice, Charles talks with Nicholas.

CChhaarrlleess:: You may remember a youngwoman who visited the office someweeks ago. You saw her briefly andhurried away.

NNiicchhoollaass (hopefully):: Yes, I rememberher.

CChhaarrlleess:: Her name is Madeline Bray.Her late mother was a friend of ours.Her father, who squandered the fami-lys money, now lives in hiding fromhis creditors.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Oh, no.

CChhaarrlleess:: The daughter lives in povertywith her father, who is ill. She tries tosupport him and herself by sewing,but its not enough. Her father wontaccept help.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Is he kind to her?

CChhaarrlleess:: Kindness is not in his nature.Mr. Nickleby, you are the only one ofour staff he does not know. We wantyou to go to the house and order someof her needlecraft. We will pretend tohave sold it at a profit and give thoseprofits to her.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Of course. Of course.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Nicholas goes to the Brayhouse. Madeline meets him at thedoor. Mr. Bray sits in the back of theroom.

MMrr.. BBrraayy (gruffly):: Who is it,Madeline?

NNiicchhoollaass:: I have come about somepainted velvet. Here is the payment, inadvance.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: He gives Madeline an enve-lope.

BBrraayy:: See that the money is right,Madeline.

MMaaddeelliinnee:: Its quite right, Papa, Imsure.

BBrraayy:: Let me see.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Madeline gives him theenvelope. Bray counts the money.

NNiicchhoollaass:: When shall I call again?

BBrraayy:: When youre asked and notbefore.

Scene 13

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Noggs is working in theback room of Ralphs office. He hearsRalph and another man, Arthur Gride,come in.

RRaallpphh:: Noggs! Where is that fellowNoggs?

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NNaarrrraattoorr:: Noggs doesnt answer.

RRaallpphh:: Gone to his dinner, I guess.

GGrriiddee:: What would you say to me, if Iwas to tell you that I was going to bemarried?

RRaallpphh:: It must to an old hag.

GGrriiddee:: No, no. To a young, beautifulgirl, with dark eyes and a gorgeousface!

RRaallpphh:: At your age? Why would ayoung girl marry you? And why haveyou come to me?

GGrriiddee:: Well, her name is MadelineBray.

RRaallpphh:: So?

GGrriiddee:: You know her father, WalterBray.

RRaallpphh:: Walter Bray! He owes memoney!

GGrriiddee:: And me, too. Now, I haventexactly spoken with him. Im thinking,if I could offer him a way out of debt,plus some sort of living allowance, hemight give his consent. And if hewants the money badly enough, hisdaughter will have no choice.

RRaallpphh:: Why should I care?

GGrriiddee:: Well, I happen to know some-thing about her that she doesnt know.She is entitled to an inheritance thatwill become hers when she is married.

RRaallpphh:: Hmmm.

GGrriiddee:: Now, if I can get my hands onthat inheritance, Ill pay back my olddebt to you, with double the interest.

RRaallpphh (thoughtfully):: Ah-ha.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Noggs shakes his headsadly.

NNooggggss (quietly):: Poor girl, whoevershe is.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Two days later, Noggs andNicholas walk down the street.Nicholas is preoccupied. One reason isthat Smike is very illbut that isntthe only reason.

NNiicchhoollaass:: I am madly in love with agirl who does not even know my name.

NNooggggss:: I take it you know hers,though.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Yes. It is Madeline Bray.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Noggs sputters and nearlychokes.

NNiicchhoollaass:: Whats wrong?

NNooggggss:: How can you just stand thereand not even try to save her?

NNiicchhoollaass:: What are you talkingabout?

NNooggggss:: Dont you know that withinone day, she is to be married to an evilman?

NNaarrrraattoorr:: As soon as Noggs explains,

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Nicholas charges down the road to theBray house and places another order.When he is done, Madeline walks himto the door.

NNiicchhoollaass (whispering):: Miss Bray, Ibeg you not to go through with thatmarriage. The man is evil. He will ruinyou.

MMaaddeelliinnee:: Sir, I have no choice.

NNiicchhoollaass:: You do! Delay the wedding!

MMaaddeelliinnee:: I cant. The sooner I marry,the sooner my father will have a betterplace to live. He cant stay here, or helldie.

Scene 14

NNaarrrraattoorr:: The next day, Ralph andGride go to the Bray house. Mr. Braytells them to wait while he gets hisdaughter, who is sick. Bray staggers upthe stairs.

RRaallpphh:: Well, Gride, you wont be pay-ing to support that fellow for long.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Gride laughs. The dooropens, and both men look up, expect-ing to see Madeline. Instead, they seeNicholas and Kate.

RRaallpphh (sputtering):: Liar! Scoundrel!What are you doing here? (to Kate) Goon out, while we punish this boy as hedeserves!

KKaattee:: Im not going anywhere.

RRaallpphh:: What are you doing here?

NNiicchhoollaass:: Weve come to offer a hometo the victim of your schemes. Let herdecide.

RRaallpphh:: Scoundrel! Gride, call downBray!

NNiicchhoollaass:: If you value your life, dontmove!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Gride hesitates. Ralph rush-es toward the door. Nicholas grabshim by the collar. A heavy thud isheard upstairs.

MMaaddeelliinnee (from upstairs):: My fatheris dead!

Scene 15

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Several changes take placeafter Brays death. Madeline falls ill,and Kate tends her in the Nicklebyhouse. Smike gets worse, and the doc-tor says he must be moved to thecountry.

Meanwhile, Ralph and Gride, defeat-ed, return to Grides house. They ringthe bell, but the housekeeper, Peg,doesnt answer. At last Gride breaksinto his own house.

RRaallpphh:: The hag must be out.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Gride doesnt answer but

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crawls around in front of a large openchest.

GGrriiddee (jumping up):: Robbed!Robbed!

RRaallpphh:: What? Robbed of what?

GGrriiddee:: That old witchshes goneand run off with my papers!

RRaallpphh:: What papers?

GGrriiddee:: Phony deeds! The will I stolethat gives Madeline everything whenshe marries! But Peg cant readshedhave to show all the papers to some-one else. And if anyone finds out that Istole them, Im ruined. Ill go to jail!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Gride runs around in cir-cles. Meanwhile, Ralph goes to hisoffice and talks with Squeers. Figuringthat Nicholas might marry Madeline,Ralph is determined to destroy thewill.

RRaallpphh:: You and I both want revengeon my dastardly nephew, I dare say.

SSqquueeeerrss:: Thats the truth.

RRaallpphh:: Now, if a man could bring meone particular document and watchme set it on fire, revenge would beours. I would pay the man 50no,100pounds!

SSqquueeeerrss:: Oh?

NNaarrrraattoorr:: The next day, Squeersassumes a false name and rents a roomin the house where Peg lives. By the

end of a week, he has convinced Pegthat he is a lawyer who knows allabout her and her old employer.

PPeegg:: So, did the old man ever getmarried?

SSqquueeeerrss:: No, he didnt.

PPeegg (laughing):: Ha! And a young mancame and carried off the bride, eh?

SSqquueeeerrss:: From under his very nose.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Peg has a hearty laugh.

PPeegg:: He tricked and cheated me allthe years I worked for him. Ive gotmy revenge now. I took all his secretpapers.

SSqquueeeerrss:: Show me those papers, so Ican tell you what to destroy. Some ofthose documents might get you intotrouble.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Peg takes out Gridesdocuments. Squeers examines them.Coming upon the Bray will, he slips itinto his coat when Peg isnt looking.All of a sudden, he is hit over the headand he falls over. Newman Noggs andFrank Cheeryble, the nephew of thetwin brothers, are behind him. Noggshas dealt the blow.

Scene 16

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Nicholas and Smike arerelaxing in the country. SuddenlySmike, who has become sicker and

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sicker, starts shouting.

SSmmiikkee:: Hes there! Hes there!

NNiicchhoollaass:: Who? What?

SSmmiikkee:: The man who first brought meto Dotheboys Hall. I know it was theman! I saw him over there, behind thetree!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Nicholas searches carefullybut sees no sign of anyone.

SSmmiikkee:: He looked very ragged andpoorly fed. But I know he was there.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Smike sees the man a fewmore times, but Nicholas sees no one.Then Smike dies; Nicholas is by hisside.

Scene 17

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph fumes in his office.

RRaallpphh:: Where is Noggs? Hes neverlate.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: There is a knock at thedoor. Charles Cheeryble comes in.

RRaallpphh:: What do you want? Be brief,sir.

CChhaarrlleess:: Mr. Nickleby, clearly you donot know why I am here, or youwould act very differently.

RRaallpphh:: Go on.

CChhaarrlleess:: I am here on an errand of

mercy.

RRaallpphh:: Mercy! What are you doing inmy house, saying you are treating mewith mercy?

CChhaarrlleess:: Come to my office, then, ifyou would like to hear the full story.But come quickly, or it may be too latefor you.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Charles walks out. Ralphbegins to worry. He tries to locateSnawley, Squeers, and Gride, but noneof them is home. Finally, he goes to theCheerybles and finds the twins andNoggs there.

RRaallpphh (to Noggs):: You here? Traitor!

NNooggggss:: I a traitor? The way you treatyour own family, an innocent girl, andany boy unlucky enough to be sent toyour cruel schoolmaster friend, I seeno reason to be your faithfulemployee!

RRaallpphh (to the group):: What do you allwant?

CChhaarrlleess:: Mr. Nickleby, last night Mr.Snawley made a confession.

RRaallpphh:: What does this have to dowith me?

NNeedd:: We know that you and Gridewere using Squeers to recover somestolen documents from Grides oldhousekeeper, Peg. Squeers is in jail. Hewas caught in possession of a stolenwill relating to Madeline Bray. And

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Snawley has admitted that you paidhim to claim that Smike was his child.You can be jailed for fraud.

RRaallpphh:: But

CChhaarrlleess:: We want to give you achance to escape. We would not like tosee a Nickleby put behind bars. LeaveLondon now. Go to the country,where you wont be found.

RRaallpphh:: Ha! Do you think I am so eas-ily crushed? Just try to destroy me!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph walks out of theoffice, but he does not leave London.Later the same day, the Cheeryblessummon him again.

NNeedd:: We have some sad news for you.

RRaallpphh:: You dont mean that mynephew is dead, do you? That wouldbe nice.

NNeedd:: Shame on you, for talking likethat! What if we were to tell you thatone boy who never knew kindness inall his childhood, a boy who sufferedat the hands of your greedy school-master friend, had gone to his grave?

RRaallpphh:: So the boy Smike is dead?Thats what you dragged me out hereto hear?

CChhaarrlleess:: Mr. Nickleby, that is not all.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Brooker, the tattered manwho had spoken to Ralph in the rain,steps out of a corner.

RRaallpphh:: What is he doing here?

BBrrooookkeerr:: That poor boy Smike . . .

RRaallpphh:: Yes?

BBrrooookkeerr:: . . . was your only son!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph falls into a chair.

Scene 18

NNaarrrraattoorr:: As Ralph recovers, Brookertalks. Nicholas has arrived at theoffice.

BBrrooookkeerr:: About 25 years ago, therewas a man who lived with his sister.Both were orphans. She kept housewhile he squandered the money. Shewas to get a large inheritance whenshe married. But the will said that ifshe married without her brothers con-sent, the money would go to someother relative.

The brother would not agree to lether marry anyone. Meanwhile, you,Ralph Nickleby, married the sister.But you insisted that the marriage besecret. You hoped the brother woulddie before the money was all spent.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Ralph looks distressed.

BBrrooookkeerr (to Ralph):: You were so anx-ious to keep the marriage secretforthe sake of moneythat when yourson was born, you sent the boy away.Your wife saw her child twice in her

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life. Then the two of you began toquarrel, and finally, your wife left you.

RRaallpphh:: What is the point of all this?

BBrrooookkeerr:: I had worked with you,and you had cheated me. But forsome reason, you asked me to find thechild and bring him to you. I do notknow why you wanted the child.Perhaps you wanted to use him to getback at your ex-wife. I found the boy,who was weak from neglect. Thedoctors said he should be moved tothe country.

You were away, so I thought of a planfor revenge. I took the boy to a schoolrun by a Mr. Squeers. Then I told youthat your son was dead. I knew thatlater I could use my knowledge of theson to get revenge. It was harsh of me.

I paid the school fees for six years, butafter that I could no longer pay. Threeyears lateronly a few weeks agoIfound out that the boy had run awayfrom the school. I went to talk to you,hoping for money in exchange for theinformation, but you sent me away.

Then I heard that the boy was very ill.I traveled to the country where he wassaid to be, and saw him resting out-side. I knew the sad face instantly!

NNiicchhoollaass:: You must have been theman he saw! He kept saying he sawyou.

BBrrooookkeerr:: I didnt know what to do.Before I could decide, the child wasdead. I am sorry. I am guilty.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: The lamp next to Ralphclatters to the floor, and the room goesdark. When the lights are put back on,Ralph is gone.

Epilogue

NNaarrrraattoorr:: In the end, Ralph Nicklebycommitted suicide in his office. Theother Nicklebys had happier fates.Nicholas married Madeline Bray, andKate married Frank Cheeryble. Bothcouples had many children. Mrs.Nickleby lived sometimes with Kateand sometimes with Nicholas.Newman Noggs lived nearby and wasa great friend to the children.Nicholas was able to close downDotheboys Hall and help all the boysfind homes.

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TTTT EEEE AAAA CCCC HHHH IIII NNNN GGGG GGGG UUUU IIII DDDD EEEE

The Life and Adventures of

NNicholas NNickleby

About the Author

Charles Dickens is one of the mostpopular and acclaimed Englishauthors. His stories and charac-ters, which include Scrooge,Oliver Twist, and DavidCopperfield, are as compellingtoday as they were to readers inthe 1830s.

Charles Dickens was born inPortsmouth, England, in 1812.When Dickens was twelve, hisfather was thrown in debtorsprison and Dickens was forced tohelp support his family by work-ing in a factory. While Dickensonly worked for a short time andwas able to return to school, henever forgot the experience. Hisnovel David Copperfield, whichtells the story of a boy who endures hard times as he grows up, was basedon events and experiences from Dickens life.

Dickens was inspired by real people, places, and situations, and his workoften highlighted the social problems facing England in the 1800s, particu-larly the plight of impoverished and neglected children. In The Life andAdventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Squeers and Dotheboys Hall were basedon a real headmaster and a real boarding school. Dickens had heard for

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many years about the horrendous conditions in boarding schools inYorkshire, England. He went to investigate the schools firsthand andlearned from a Yorkshire native about the inhumane treatment the studentsreceived. The novel Nicholas Nickleby helped bring the conditions in theYorkshire boarding schools to the publics attention.

Dickens died in 1870, before he finished writing The Mystery of EdwinDrood. In addition to The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby,Dickens also wrote The Pickwick Papers, The Old Curiosity Shop, MartinChuzzlewit, Hard Times, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, GreatExpectations, David Copperfield, A Christmas Carol, plus many otherstories and novels.

Responding to the Play

v In Scene 1 of the play, Ralph Nickleby states: I dont know how it is but whenever a man dies without any property of his own, he always seemsto think he has a right to dispose of other peoples. What does Ralphmean by this? What does this say about his character? How much helpdoes Ralph Nickleby really provide for Nicholas and his family?

v At the end of Scene 5, Nicholas leaves his mother and Kate and sets out on his own. Why does he do that? Should he have stayed with his fami-ly? What other options did he have?

v In Scene 10, Brooker tries to tell Ralph Nickleby something. Why doesnt Ralph listen? What was Brooker trying to tell Ralph? What might havehappened if Ralph had listened to what Brooker had to say?

v During the course of the play, many people come to the aid of Nicholas and his family. Which characters helped Nicholas? How did they helphim?

v Nicholas Nickleby is only eighteen years old. How is his life different from an eighteen-year-olds life today? Are there any similarities? Whatabout Smike? What would his situation be like if he lived today? Wouldit be better or worse?

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v Dickens first published many of his novels in serial format in magazines. Each issue of the magazine would feature a new chapter in the story. Docontinuing stories exist today, in books, magazines, or on television? Arethere any book or movie characters that you would like to read moreabout or follow their story from week to week?

Extension Activities

Dastardly Villains and Philanthropic FriendsRalph Nickleby, Squeers, and Gride are clearly evil characters, while Noggsand the Cheeryble brothers are good friends to Nicholas. Challenge stu-dents to compare and contrast an evil character and a kindly character bywriting a brief profile of each one. To create the profiles, students can dividea large sheet of paper in half. On one side, they can write a profile of the evilcharacter and on the other side, a profile of the kindly character. The profilesmight include the characters name, occupation, evil deed or helpful act, anda remarkable quote. Students can complete their profiles with illustrations ofboth characters.

Create a Character Chart Dickens stories are filled with characters and feature complex story lines.To help students understand the connections between the characters,encourage them to create a graphic organizer that outlines how the charac-ters are related. Using the list of characters on page 7, they might start withNicholas and his family, add the other characters, then draw lines to showthe connections between various characters. Under each characters namestudents might add a sentence or two noting the characters place in thestory. Students can work on their graphic organizers as they read the play,adding new characters as they appear, or they can work on the chart afterfinishing the play.

Researching Life During Dickens Era In Nicholas Nickleby, and in many of his other stories, Dickens writes aboutthe cruel treatment and harsh conditions children were forced to endure.During the Victorian age, when Dickens was writing, it was common for

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poor children to workoften in terrible conditions for very little moneyand the orphanages were bleak and sometimes cruel places. Have studentslearn more about these issues by researching how children lived in Englandduring the 19th century. Students can work in small groups and each groupmight research one of the issues addressed in the play, including child labor,schools, and orphanages. Each group can then share its findings with theclass. As a follow-up, you might have students research the conditions fac-ing children in developing nations today.

Further Reading

Students who enjoyed The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby mightenjoy reading one of Dickens novels. There are many abridged and illus-trated versions of Dickens work available for young readers.

David Copperfield, Dickens most autobiographical novel, follows theadventures of a young man from childhood to his adult years.

Oliver Twist tells the story of a young orphan who escapes from a work-house and falls in with criminals.

Students might also be interested in reading the original version of theholiday favorite, A Christmas Carol.

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TThe BBirthmarkAdapted by Adam Grant from the short

story by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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t Characters t

Narrator 1Narrator 2Aylmer: a great scientistGeorgiana: Aylmers wifeAminadab: Aylmers lab assistantWoman 1

Woman 2Woman 3Woman 4Man 1Man 2Man 3

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Scene 1

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: Sometime late in the lastcentury, there lived a young scientistand philosopher. His name wasAylmer.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: Of course in those days,when things like electricity, which wenow consider ordinary, were brand-new discoveries, the boundariesbetween science and magic were notalways clear. Many people thought ofscientists as brilliant sorcerers withstrange powers, and Aylmer wasamong the greatest scientists of histime.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: It happened one day thatthis great scientist left his laboratory inthe hands of an assistant, washed thestain of acids from his fingers, andpersuaded a beautiful woman to be hiswife.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: She was beautiful in near-ly every respect. In fact, she wasalmost perfect. Her one flaw was atiny birthmark on her left cheek. Butmore about that later.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: After he was married,Aylmer seemed to change. Once thegreat scientist had been obsessed withhis work and nothing else. But now itseemed he had two equal passions; sci-ence and his newfound love.

AAyyllmmeerr (writing):: Dear journal, thesetwin fascinations demand my constant

attention. At first I feared that my new-found love might interfere with my sci-entific work. But now I wonder whatmight be created from combining thetwo. Perhaps through science I mightgive my love the gift of perfection.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: This was perhaps not hisfinest idea.

Scene 2

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: One day soon after theirmarriage, Aylmer sat gazing at hiswife.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: Something had begun tobother him, and the longer he sat qui-etly the worse his mood grew, untilfinally he spoke.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Georgiana, has it neveroccurred to you that the mark uponyour cheek might be removed?

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: No indeed.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: She was surprised by theseriousness in his voice. He had nevermentioned the mark before.

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: To tell you the truth, ithas been so often called a beauty markthat I was simple enough to imagine itmight be one.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Upon another face, perhaps itmight, but never on yours. You are sonearly perfect that this slightest possi-ble defect shocks me, being the only

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imperfect thing about you.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: Now Georgiana wasdeeply hurt and burst into tears.

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: Shock you, my husband!Then why did you marry me? Youcannot love what shocks you!

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: The birthmark onGeorgianas cheek was a deep reddishcolor, and looked exactly like a tinyhand.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: When she blushed, themark would blend in with the rest ofher cheek and almost disappear. Butwhen her face returned to its normalpale shade, there was the mark again.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: It was not always easyto predict how people might react atfirst glimpse of the birthmark. Somewomen, jealous of her beauty, lookedupon Georgianas birthmark withsuspicion.

WWoommaann 11:: Have you noticed the wayshe can make it disappear by causingher face to flush?

WWoommaann 22:: Nonsense. It just blends inwhen she blushes, thats all.

WWoommaann 33:: But when she is nervous,it becomes darker. Is it magic? Orsorcery.

WWoommaann 22:: It looks darker when herskin becomes pale, thats all. Magic,really, how ridiculous.

WWoommaann 44:: Its just hideous! How can

anyone call her beautiful with thatthing on her face? A bloody hand,thats what it is. Who knows where itcame from or what caused it?

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: Most men, captivated byher overall beauty, looked upon themark quite differently.

MMaann 11:: Perhaps at her birth, a tinyfairy laid its hand upon her cheek,leaving a token of the magic womanlycharms that now cause her to conquerso many hearts.

MMaann 22:: I would give my very life forthe privilege of kissing that mysterioushand.

MMaann 33:: I just wish it werent there.She would be so beautiful if it werentfor that birthmark.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: As the months wore on,Aylmer became obsessed with thebirthmark. Many nights he would findhimself up late, lecturing passionatelyon the subject to his assistant,Aminadab.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: Aminadab looked morelike an animal than a man. He wasalways filthy, as if he lived in thewoods. With his great strength andAylmers vast intelligence, it wasalmost as if the two together formedone perfect man.

AAyyllmmeerr:: It is because she is otherwiseso beautiful that the birthmark bothersme so much. You probably wouldnt

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understand this, but I just cannotstand to look at that one little flawthat keeps her from being truly per-fect. I must get rid of it.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: But Aminadab did under-stand. In fact, he understood quite alot. In many ways it is a shame thatAylmer never listened to what he hadto say.

AAmmiinnaaddaabb (softly):: If she were mywife I would never part with thatbirthmark.

Scene 3

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: One night Aylmer foundhimself having a terrible nightmare.In it, he was operating on Georgiana,trying to remove the hated birth-mark. But he was horrified to findthat the tiny hand seemed to beclutching her very heart.

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: Aylmer, Aylmer, wake up!

AAyyllmmeerr (waking, still groggy):: Whatis it my love?

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: You were dreaming ofthe birthmark. This cannot go on.We have got to remove it no matterwhat happens to me. Id rather dietrying to get rid of it than go on liv-ing like this. Is there nothing youcan do?

AAyyllmmeerr:: Yes, my dear. I had plannedto tell you in the morning. I have

given the matter much thought, andam now convinced that I can removethe hated mark.

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: Then do not delay. Ridme of this bloody hand. While I carrythis hateful mark upon my cheek,our love can never be its fullest.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Noble wife, do not doubtmy power. I know I can cure you ofthis one imperfection, and when Ihave, I will have tamed nature andscience, and our love will beunmatched on this earth.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: And he tenderly kissedher cheekher right cheeknot thatwhich bore the crimson hand.

Scene 4

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: The next day, Aylmer toldhis wife of his plan. They were tomove into the apartments Aylmer keptas a laboratory, during which time hecould work uninterrupted, and shecould rest around the clock to preparefor the ordeal of the cure.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: As he led her into theapartments, Aylmer looked cheerfullyinto her face, to reassure her.

AAyyllmmeerr:: My dearest wife

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: But before he could finishspeaking, her face passed close to his.As he saw the birthmark glide by onher cheek, he could not help letting

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out a violent shudder as if her hadseen a ghost.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: Georgiana fainted whenshe saw the look on his face.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Aminadab! Aminadab!

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: The assistant appeared.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Aminadab, throw open thedoor to her room!

AAmmiinnaaddaabb:: Mmm. Yes, master.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: Later, when Georgianahad been carried, still sleeping, intoher rooms, Aylmer began his delicatework.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Aminadab, I will need com-plete solitude in order to complete thenecessary calculations.

AAmmiinnaaddaabb:: Mmm. Yes, master.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Georgianas rooms must befixed so that she is entirely comfort-able and content. Go find the finestdrapes and carpets you can, buy oil-burning lamps and fancy pictureframes. We must do everything possi-ble to transform the ugly, drafty cham-bers into an agreeable suite for a lady.

AAmmiinnaaddaabb:: Mmm. Yes, master.

AAyyllmmeerr (writing):: Dear journal, Imust now commit myself entirely tomy scientific work in order to create acure powerful enough to kill the hate-ful hand that clutches the cheek of mybeloved.

Scene 5

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: When she awoke,Georgiana indeed found herself in abeautiful and mysterious chamber. Shefelt as if she were resting in a pavilionin the clouds. As time passed, however,a terrible combination of boredom anddread set over her.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: A few hours later, thescientist emerged from his secret labto visit his lovely patient.

AAyyllmmeerr:: How are you feeling tonight,my dear?

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: Just fine, thank you. Alittle tired.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Do you feel especially hot orcold? Do you feel any unfamiliar tin-gling sensations or a shortness ofbreath?

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: No, my husband, Im per-fectly comfortable. Why do you ask?

AAyyllmmeerr:: Oh, no reason, I just wantyou to be comfortable. Sometimesthese old buildings, uh. . . Excuse me. Imust get back to work.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: The next few days werethe same for Georgiana: Hours ofboredom and loneliness followed by abrief interview with her husband andthen more waiting. Georgiana beganto wonder if perhaps her treatmenthad already begun, in the form ofmedications given her through her

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food and drink.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: Once, just after Aylmerhad left her room, Georgiana realizedthat she had forgotten to tell himabout a symptom she was feeling, andquietly followed him to his secret labo-ratory. She found him there withAminadab. He looked tired and wor-ried, as he huddled over a boilingbeaker on his stove.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Careful now Aminadab. Weare in the laboratory, not the forest.We must concentrate at all times.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: The assistant was the firstto see Georgiana.

AAmmiinnaaddaabb:: Look, master, look!

AAyyllmmeerr:: Georgiana, why do you comehere? Have you no trust in me? Wouldyou bring that terrible birthmark inhere to disturb my work?

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: No, my love, it is I whoshould complain. You do not trust me.I now see a terrible look of fear onyour face that I have never seenbefore. You are keeping secrets fromme about the birthmark. Think betterof me, husband. Tell me all the riskthat we run in this. I will not faint orshrink in terror.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Noble wife, I never knewhow strong you were until thismoment. I will tell you. The crimsonhand clutches your cheek, your entirebeing, with a power that I never

expected. I have already tried todestroy it with all the known cures.Only one thing remains to be tried. Ifthat does not work, we are ruined!

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: But why have you not yettried that final cure?

AAyyllmmeerr:: Because, dear wife, there isgreat danger in it.

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: Danger? There is only onedanger, that this hideous mark willstain my face forever and drive us bothinsane!

AAyyllmmeerr:: Heaven knows you are right.Return to your bedroom, and the med-icine will be brought in soon.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: When Aylmer arrived inGeorgianas chamber, he carried acrystal goblet containing a liquid ascolorless as water. She greeted himwith a peaceful but serious look.

AAyyllmmeerr:: The composition of thispotion is perfect. Unless all my sciencedeceives me, this cannot fail.

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: I need no proof. Give methe goblet. I will gladly trust you withmy life.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Drink then. And soon youwill look as perfect as your soulalready is.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: Georgiana drank it all inone sip, after which she fell immedi-ately into a deep sleep.

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Scene 6

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: Aylmer sat quietly at theedge of his wifes bed, watching herintensely while she slept. Every move-ment of her closed eyes, every slightchange, he recorded carefully into hisjournal.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: At first there was little torecord, but soon the miracle began.Sure enough, slowly and steadily, thecrimson hand began to fade.

AAyyllmmeerr (writing):: Dear journal,twenty minutes ago, the beastly handwas deepest crimson, but now it isalmost gone. Even as I write, I cannotkeep up with the progress being made.Now it is so faint that the slightestblush of her cheek would make itinvisible. I have done it.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: As he looked at his beauti-ful sleeping wife, a smile formed on hisface, and he began to laugh quietly tohimself.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Come, Aminadab, share thislaugh with me! We have done it. Weare victorious together!

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: These exclamations brokeGeorgianas sleep. A slight smilecrossed her lips as she caught herreflection in the mirror and saw forthe first time the absence of thatdreaded mark.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: But soon that smile wasreplaced by a look of fear and sadness.

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: My poor Aylmer.

AAyyllmmeerr:: Poor? No, richest! Happiest!Most favored! My peerless bride, weare successful. You are perfect!

GGeeoorrggiiaannaa:: Not perfect, my Aylmer.Dont you see? You have tried to cre-ate perfection on earth. Perhaps it isjust not possible. Please never regretstriving for the heavens. You had thebest of intentions. But farewell,Aylmer. I am dying.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: It was true. She was dying.Perhaps the hated hand really wasgrasping her heart. Maybe it was con-nected to her lungs, we will never knowfor sure. What we do know is that shesimply could not live without it.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: As the last crimson tint ofthe birthmark passed from her cheek,so the last breath of her life passedfrom her lips. Her soul lingered amoment near her husband, and flewheavenward. She was gone.

NNaarrrraattoorr 11:: As Aylmer sat with hishead in his hands, he could almosthear Aminadabs hoarse chuckle again,but he was too lost in thought torespond. Perhaps a little of his own lifehad escaped that day as well.

NNaarrrraattoorr 22:: How could a man of hisintelligence have thrown away loveand happiness in the shallow searchfor physical perfection? Could he notrecognize real beauty?

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TTTT EEEE AAAA CCCC HHHH IIII NNNN GGGG GGGG UUUU IIII DDDD EEEE

TThe BBirthmark

About the Author

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born inSalem, Massachusetts, in 1804.His ancestors were prominent fig-ures in the early days of theMassachusetts Bay Colony, andone of them was a judge at theSalem witch trials. Hawthornesfather died when he was four,leaving his family little to live on.

Hawthorne attended BowdoinCollege in Maine, where hebecame friends with the poetHenry Wadsworth Longfellowand the future president FranklinPierce. After graduating in 1825,Hawthorne returned to Salemto begin his career as a writer.He published his first novel,Fanshawe: A Tale in 1828. The

book was not well received and Hawthorne considered it a failurehe eventried to collect and destroy all the copies of it.

Hawthorne continued writing and eventually began publishing his stories inperiodicals and anthologies. When he was 32, Hawthorne published his firstcollection of stories, Twice-Told Tales.

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36

The Birthmark was published in his next book of stories, Mosses Froman Old Manse. The Old Manse in the title refers to the house in Concord,Massachusetts, where Hawthorne and his wife Sophia spent the first yearsof their marriage and where Hawthorne wrote the stories in the collection.

Hawthorne was never able to completely support himself with his writingand held many jobs during his lifetime, including working at the BostonCustom House. He lived for a few years in England when he was appointedthe U.S. consul by President Franklin Pierce.

In 1850, Hawthorne completed his masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter. Hisother works include The House of the Seven Gables, The BlithedaleRomance, and The Marble Faun. He also wrote books for children includingA Wonder-Book for Books and Girls (1852) and Tanglewood Tales for Boysand Girls (1853). Much of Hawthornes work explores issues of moralityand good and evil. The Birthmark, which examines human imperfection,is a excellent introduction to one of Americas greatest writers.

Responding to the Play

vWhat does Georgiana think about her birthmark at the beginning of the play? How do her feelings change as the play continues? Can you identi-fy three statements by Georgiana that show how her feelings change dur-ing the course of the play? What other opinions do people express aboutthe birthmark?

v At the end of Scene 2, Aminadab states: If she were my wife I would never part with that birthmark? Why do you think Aminadab seesthings differently? Why doesnt Aylmer listen to Aminadab?

v At one point, Aylmer states: Noble wife, do not doubt my power. I know I can cure you of this one imperfection, and when I have, I willhave tamed nature and science, and our love will be unmatched on thisearth. What does Aylmer think his source of power is? Was he able totame nature and science?

v In the last scene of the play, Georgiana says to Aylmer: Please never

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37

regret striving for the heavens. You had the best of intentions. Do youagree with Georgiana, did Aylmer have the best intentions? Do you thinkAylmer will regret what he did?

v In this story, Aylmer seeks perfection. Do people today seek perfection in the same way? How? How do you think the author would react to theway people try to change their appearances today?

Extension Activities

Exploring ViewpointsHave students pick either Georgiana or Aminidab and write a version ofthe story from his or her point of view. Students can construct their storiesas journal entries, creating two or three entries that describe major eventsor turning points in the play.

Modern TalesChallenge students to create a modern-day version of The Birthmark.Divide the class into small groups and explain that each group will beresponsible for transforming The Birthmark into a story that takesplace today. Tell students that playwrights and filmmakers often put anew spin on classic stories by changing the setting and time period. Forexample, West Side Story is a version of Romeo and Juliet, and the movieRoxanne is an updated version of Cyrano de Bergerac. As they adapt theplay, students should stick to the basic plot outline but can make anyother changes they see fit, including changing the characters names, per-sonalities, or professions. Each group can present its version of the playto the class. After, discuss as a class how each group has chosen to updatethe story.

Whats the Moral of the Story? In The Birthmark Hawthorne seems to be trying to convey a messageor a moral to his readers. Ask students to each write one sentence thatsummarizes what they think the moral or lesson is in The Birthmark.Students should try to make the sentencelike the moral of a fableconcise and easy-to-understand. Ask students to share their sentences anddiscuss them as a class.

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38

A Meeting of the Scientists: Frankenstein & AylmerIf students have also read Frankenstein, ask them imagine a conversationbetween the characters Frankenstein and Alymer. Students can set the con-versation either before or after the stories take place. Possibilities mightinclude: Aylmer meets Frankenstein after Georgiana has died but beforeFrankenstein had created his monster, or the characters meet as young uni-versity students. Students might want to work with partners to create thedialogue and then act out the meeting in front of the class.

Further Reading

Hawthornes two collections of short stories, Twice-Told Tales and Mossesfrom an Old Manse, feature more short stories students will enjoy. For adifferent twist on the mad scientist tale, students should read HawthornesRappaccinis Daughter. Other popular Hawthorne stories includeYoung Goodman Brown, The Ministers Black Veil, and MyKinsman, Major Molineux.

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FFrankenstein

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t Characters tCaptain Robert Walton

Victor Frankenstein: A scientist

Narrator: Victor telling his story

Elizabeth Lavenza: Victors fiance

Henry Clerval: Victors best friend

The Creature

Alphonse Frankenstein: Victors father

Mr. DeLacey

Mr. Kirwin

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Scene 1

WWaallttoonn (writing):: Captains log,August 20, 1798: As we sailed throughthe Arctic Ocean in search of theNorth Pole, we rescued a man trappedon the ice in a beat-up dogsled. Onboard, I asked the manwho wasnear deathwhy he was travelingalone in the Arctic.

VViiccttoorr:: I am trying to capture some-one who fled from me.

WWaallttoonn:: Yesterday we saw a dogteampulling a single man on a sled acrossthe ice.

VViiccttoorr:: That must be the creature.Swear to me that if this ship meetshimand if I am already deadyouwill kill him. Its for the good ofhumanity!

WWaallttoonn:: My friend, this ship has justone mission. We must find the NorthPole; we have no time for anythingelse. Id give my life to discover theknowledge that I know lies ahead.

VViiccttoorr:: Are you as crazed for knowl-edge as I once was? Hear my tale, andthen end your search for knowledge!

Scene 2

NNaarrrraattoorr:: When I turned 17, I left myfamily in Geneva to study in Germany.

But I hated to leave my fiance,Elizabeth.

EElliizzaabbeetthh:: Victor, Ill miss you somuch. But I know that your happinessdepends upon your scientific work,and I want you to be happy.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: I knew Elizabethwho hadbeen adopted as a child by my latemotherwas right. So I went off toschool and studied night and day. Itmay seem unbelievable, but aftermonths of research in biology, chem-istry, and electricity, I discovered howto give life to lifeless human matter! Icould create a person from the organsof the dead! My best friend, Henry,was at school with me, and I told himabout my discoveries.

HHeennrryy:: How can this be? Its impossi-ble!

VViiccttoorr:: Its difficult but not impossi-ble. One problem is the small size ofmost human parts. My creationwhen I make himmust be at leasteight feet tall.

HHeennrryy (shuddering):: But how will youget your materials?

VViiccttoorr:: Ill do whatever I have toeven rob fresh graves and hospitalmorgues. I must if I want to reach mygoals. I want to pour light into ourdark world! I will create a new, happyspecies of man.

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HHeennrryy:: Victor, I must tell you: Yourideas are not only impossible, theyrewrong! Morally wrong!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: But I did not listen to myfriends words. Instead, I went on withmy experiments. The first ones werefailures. It tore at my soul to throwaway the parts that Id used in mywork, but for two sleepless years, Inever stopped. Finally, on a drearyNovember night, I succeeded. Butbefore I could even stop to examinemy creation, I heard my name called.Henry had stumbled into my laborato-ry and he saw my creation.

HHeennrryy (in horror):: What have youdone? You did not listen to me. Youvecreated a monster!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: It was true. I wanted tomake him beautiful, but he was farfrom human. His yellowed skin barelystretched over his facial muscles. Hiseyes were as white as their sockets. Hislips were black. The creature grinnedand opened his jaws to utter somesounds, but I did not stay to hear hiswords. I was disgusted by himandfrightened.

VViiccttoorr:: Henry, run! I cant look at it!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: We ran from my laboratoryinto the wet night. The next morning,our courage returned and we wentback. It was my secret hope that thecreature would be gone. I hoped it had

fallen to its death in the river. I slowlyapproached my door and then threw itopen. The room was empty! I clappedmy hands in joy.

VViiccttoorr:: Henry, we must never speak ofthis to anyone.

HHeennrryy:: I pray that you have learnedyour lesson. Never try such an experi-ment again!

Scene 3

NNaarrrraattoorr:: In the months that fol-lowed, I conducted no more experi-ments. Then my father sent me a tragicletter.

AAllpphhoonnssee (in the letter):: Victor, Iwanted to keep this news from youuntil you came back next month. Butthat would have been a cruel kindness.The truth is that your little brotherWilliam has been murderedstran-gled! Elizabeth blames herself. Pleasecome home and comfort her.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: It had been six years since Ileft home. I rushed back to learn moreof my youngest brothers murder.

EElliizzaabbeetthh:: Its all my fault! The nightWilliam was murdered, I allowed himto wear a locket of your mothers as hewalked in the fields. The killer musthave murdered him in order to steal it.Williams death is my fault. Victor,

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how can I go on?

AAllpphhoonnssee:: Victor, the authorities havediscovered the murderer

EElliizzaabbeetthh:: Its not true! They arrestedWilliams poor nanny, Justine Moritz.She has been with us for four years.She wouldnt have killed William. Sheloved him!

AAllpphhoonnssee:: Your mothers locket wasfound in Justines coat. She claims tohave no idea how it got there, but late-ly she has been terribly ill with fever.She walks in her sleep, and cannotaccount for her actions.

EElliizzaabbeetthh:: Victor, theyll try her incourt tomorrow! Cant you help her?Theyll sentence her to death!

VViiccttoorr:: I know youre right. No onewho knew William could have killedhim. The killer must have planted thelocket on Justine as she walked in hersleep.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: That night I walkedthrough a thunderstorm in the hills,wondering what fiend could havekilled my brother. Suddenly, a flash oflightning revealed the face of the killerstanding across the hills. It was a face Ihadnt seen for two yearsthe face ofthe creature I created! So I myself wasthe cause of Williams death! I tried tochase the creature, but he ran off atamazing speed. For the first time, Iunderstood the evil I had turned loose

on the world. I ran inside.

VViiccttoorr:: Father! Elizabeth! Justine isinnocent! I know who killed William!I have just seen him!

AAllpphhoonnssee:: Son, who is it?

NNaarrrraattoorr:: I froze. How could I tellthem the killers identity without alsotelling them a story they could neverbelieve? I said I was ill and went tobed. The next day, Justine was hungthe second victim of my horribleexperiment. I left home again to seekpeace in the Austrian hills.

Scene 4

NNaarrrraattoorr:: On a chilly day two weekslater, an enormous man sped towardme across the rocky hills. It was thatvillain I had created.

VViiccttoorr:: Leave me alone, devil! Or stay,so I can end your evil life! I only wishyour death could restore your twovictims!

CCrreeaattuurree:: I feared you would treat methis way. All men hate the wretched.But, creator, how can you reject me?We are bound by ties that can be bro-ken only by death. Would you kill meafter creating me?

VViiccttoorr:: I never should have createdyou! Ill kill you right here and now!

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NNaarrrraattoorr:: I attacked the creature, buthe easily knocked me to the ground. Iknew then that I could never defeathim in combat.

CCrreeaattuurree:: In my life, Ive known noth-ing but suffering. Still, I will defendmy life. You made me taller, faster,stronger than other men. If you dowhat I ask of you, Ill leave you andhumanity alone. If not, Ill fill anocean with the blood of your friends.You owe me happiness.

VViiccttoorr:: I owe you nothing, murderer!

CCrreeaattuurree:: All men hate me on sight.Am I wrong also to hate them? I wascreated with a good heart. Why do Inow do evil? I was rejected by my cre-ator! And only my creatoronlyyouhas the power to save humanityfrom what you have created. Wontyou at least hear my story?

VViiccttoorr:: Speak.

Scene 5

NNaarrrraattoorr:: The creature wasister-ribly evil. Yet the sadness of his storydid touch me. After he left my homethe night I created him, he ran out intothe cold hills. He tried to communicatewith people, but only frightened themwith his grunting and his horrifyingappearance.

CCrreeaattuurree:: I finally stopped running

and entered a cabin behind a smallhouse where an old blind man livedwith his son and daughter. I couldwatch and hear everything they didwithout being noticed. From their con-versations, I learned to speak. Fromwatching the son read to his father, Ilearned to read. From listening towhat he read, I learned geography,religion, and history.

VViiccttoorr:: But how did you feed your-self?

CCrreeaattuurree:: For a year, I ate only foodthat I stole late in the evening. Duringthat time, I came to love the DeLaceyfamily. Finally I decided to meet them.

VViiccttoorr:: But surely your appearancewould terrify them.

CCrreeaattuurree:: I waited until only thefather, who could not see my face, wasat home. If I could win his friendship,perhaps the rest of the family wouldwelcome me as well.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: And so the creatureknocked on DeLaceys door.

DDeeLLaacceeyy:: Who is there? Come in.

CCrreeaattuurree:: I am a traveler in search ofrest. Could I sit next to your fire?

DDeeLLaacceeyy:: Make yourself at home, myfriend.

CCrreeaattuurree:: I thank you for your kind-ness. I am a despised man. But now Ihope that I will be welcomed when I

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meet the old friends I am waiting for.

DDeeLLaacceeyy:: Who are these friends?

CCrreeaattuurree:: You and your family!Please, save and protect me! I beg you!

DDeeLLaacceeyy:: Who are you?

NNaarrrraattoorr:: At that moment, the sonand daughter returned home. Thedaughter took one look at the creatureand fainted; the son attacked him witha stick. The creature could have killedhim easily, but instead he fled in sad-ness and in pain. Had I done this crea-ture an injustice by creating him?

Scene 6

CCrreeaattuurree:: I left DeLaceys village.From reading the papers in the coat Istole from your home the day I wascreated, I knew you lived in Geneva. Itraveled there to find you. Only youcould help me, even though you hadalready rejected me, and I hated youfor it.

VViiccttoorr:: How could you imagine that Iwould befriend you? You killed mybrother!

CCrreeaattuurree:: When I first saw him, I didnot know who he was. But I thoughtthat if he, a young boy with no preju-dices, could learn to be my friend, thenthere could be hope for me. Iapproached him, but he screamed and

called me monster. He said hisfather, Mr. Frankenstein, would killme. Then I knew who he was. I killedhim to begin my revenge upon you.

VViiccttoorr:: But why did Justine have hislocket?

CCrreeaattuurree:: I left the locket with ayoung girl sleeping in a nearby field.She was lovely, but she would neveroffer me her love. She deserved to payfor the crime.

Creator, no human will associate withme. But, a true companiona femaleof the same species as myself and asdeformedcould love me. You mustcreate this being. I will not leave youalone until you agree. For if I cannotinspire love, I will cause fear. And Ihave the power to destroy everyoneyou know.

VViiccttoorr:: I refuse! How can I createanother being like you? The evil thatthe two of you could do could destroythe whole world.

CCrreeaattuurree:: I do evil only because thereis no love in my life! With a compan-ion, Id be at peace.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: There was some sense in hisargument. Perhaps my first reaction tohim was the cause of the evil he haddone.

VViiccttoorr:: Ill agree to your request, ifyou swear that you will never againbother any other human beings.

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CCrreeaattuurree:: My companion and I willleave the world of men forever. Pleasebegin your work. I will appear beforeit is finished.

Scene 7

NNaarrrraattoorr:: I knew the creature wouldbe watching me closely, so I chose towork far from home, in Scotland. Ihoped this would protect my lovedones from the creatures threats. Ipromised Elizabeth that we would bewed as soon as I returned. Henry trav-eled with me as far as Londonbutdid not approve of my plans.

HHeennrryy:: You cannot mean to create yetanother monster?

VViiccttoorr:: I do have doubts. My earlierexperiments were driven by my passionfor discovery. But now, I hate to lookat my tools, the body parts, even myown hands.

HHeennrryy:: Please dont do as the creatureasked. Even if the monster promised toleave humanity alone, the companionhasnt made any promises. And what ifthey had children and started a race ofpowerful, murderous creatures?

VViiccttoorr:: Do I have any choice, Henry?I dont know what to do.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: So I went to work inScotland. Then one day I saw the crea-tures face at my window. Hed found

me just as he had promised. Seeinghim made me realize I must destroymy newest creation before it stirred tolife. I tore it apart, smashed mymachinery, and hurled the parts at thecreature at my window. Seeing this, heburst into the room.

CCrreeaattuurree:: How dare you destroy myhopes!

VViiccttoorr:: I could never create anotherbeing as evil as you.

CCrreeaattuurree:: You will do as I say! Youare my creator, but you gave me thepower to be your master: I order youto continue!

VViiccttoorr:: I wont listen to threats. Killme if you must. My work is ended.

CCrreeaattuurree:: I wont kill you now. Myrevenge will be worse than that. I willbe with you on your wedding night!

NNaarrrraattoorr:: And so he was gone. I leftScotland at once. I hired a boat and setsail for London. A fierce storm ragedthat night, and I was weary from lackof sleep and ill with fever. I passed out.When I woke, I found that my boathad reached landthough I did notknow where. Some townspeople stoodbefore me.

VViiccttoorr:: Good people, can you tell methe name of this town?

KKiirrwwiinn:: Youll find out soon, but Idont think youll find that you like

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this place, murderer. Youre underarrest.

Scene 8

NNaarrrraattoorr:: The man who arrested mewas the towns chief of police. He saidthe body of a 25-year-old man hadbeen found on the beach, strangled,the day before I arrived. He believed Iwas the killer.

VViiccttoorr:: Sir, I can prove I was nowherenear your town the day of the murder.The man who rented me my boat cantell you so.

KKiirrwwiinn:: You may be right. Still, Iwould like to see the effect that thesight of the corpse has on you. Pleasefollow me.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: He took me to the opencoffin, and there I saw my friendHenry. It was clear that he had beenstrangled by someone with enormoushandsthe creature.

VViiccttoorr:: My dearest friend, has my evilalso caused your death? Already, Ihave destroyed William and Justine,but you

NNaarrrraattoorr:: I fell into madness. Kirwinkept me in prison, although he knew Iwas innocent. When I gained my sens-es back, two months had passed.

KKiirrwwiinn:: My friend, welcome back. We

feared you would die from your fever.If you feel up to it, a friend has cometo see you.

NNaarrrraattoorr:: I feared the creature hadfound me yet again!

VViiccttoorr:: No! Take him away! I cannotever look upon that creature again!

KKiirrwwiinn:: I dont know what youretalking about. Id think you would wel-come a visit from your father, who hastraveled all the way from Geneva totake you home.

Scene 9

NNaarrrraattoorr:: Halfway home to Geneva,my father handed me a note fromElizabeth.

EElliizzaabbeetthh (in the note):: My dearest,I am thankful that you have returnedto health. But when you last left us,you were so unhappy. Our marriagehas been my dream since the day Ijoined your family. But, over theyears, we h