Victor decides to "create" an eight feet tall human being. His burning ambition keeps him working, disregarding everything, including letters from his family. Victor eventually succeeds, yet he doesn't know how to react to the creature. He is disgusted by the appearance of the creature and starts to avoid the creature. This is when his friend, Henry Clerval, comes to visit him, but Victor falls ill from worrying about the creature. Henry nurses Victor back to his health and contacts Victor's family about his health. Victor then reads a letter Elizabeth has written him. She tells him about how Earnest has grown into a young lad, and William is now five years old. She also wrote about Justine Moritz, who is also adopted by Caroline. Victor decides to return home at the end of summer. Victor shows Henry around, but tries to avoid anything that would remind him of the creature. Another letter from Elizabeth reveals the news of William's death. Disturbed by this news, Victor leaves for Geneva. The town gates are closed when Victor gets there, so he decides to visit the place where William is killed. There he sees the creature he created and decides to pursue it. A dramatical change in the family results from this incident. Victor decides to visit the valley of Chamounix, where he frequently went as a child. This is where he confronts the creature. The creature asks Victor to hear his story and then judge him. The creature explains himself that he is forced to hate mankind because all mankind hates him. In the beginning, the creature tries to familiarize himself to the surroundings. He had wondered around looking for shelter and comes across fire where he learns to cook. Everywhere he goes, people seem to scream and run away. This gives the creature no choice but to hide in a small cottage. This is where the creature learns how to be human. The De Lacey's are the habitants of the place where the creature is hiding.