In chapter 19 Victor requests permission from Henry to retire alone to the Orkneys of Britain, so he may complete his creation of the female.

In chapter 20 Victor considers the implications of what creating a female would mean. No promises of safety from her and the idea that the monsters will reproduce. Upon work on the project, Victor sees the hideous monster staring at him by the window, realising he'd followed him. He is so horrified, he destroys the project. The monster thus threatens to be with Victor on his wedding night. Victor is decisive and upon a boat, he dumps the remnants of the body into the seas. He sleeps on the boat but when he wakes up, realises he's strayed a long way off into the Atlantic. He fears he might die mid-ocean, but soon spots land. As soon as he lands, citizens receive him inhospitably and accuse him of murdering a man.

In chapter 21, Victor is sent to court in trial for murdering a man. His magistrate is Mr Kirwin. Victor listens as witnesses detail a murder with the marks detailed on the victims neck. Victor responds in fits when he realises it's the trait of his monster. They let Victor see the murdered man and Victor realises it's his beloved Clerval! Victor is unwell and given labdanum and allocated a doctor to see over him. Mr Kirwin contacts his father and in two months is freed from charge upon more evidence (he was in the Orkneys when the crime was committed).