The Mortal Immortal

The Mortal Immortal is a short story written by Mary Shelley and first published in 1833.

Winzy appears young, but he has lived for 323 years. It was not always so; Winzy recalls the events that led to his becoming immortal.

He works for the renowned scholar and alchemist Cornelius Agrippa. Although Winzy initially rejects the offer, the prospect of earning money to provide for Bertha, his childhood sweetheart, persuades him to accept.

Agrippa has been working on a strange elixir for a long time. Winzy does not know its purpose, but one day, after learning that Bertha has left him for another man, he drinks the elixir to try to forget his beloved.

However, the next day the young man wakes feeling stronger and younger. He does not know what happened, but he feels well. He also discovers that Bertha has remained faithful to him.

Agrippa tries unsuccessfully to continue his work. Because Winzy consumed half of the elixir and discarded the rest, Agrippa cannot reproduce it. Years later, as Agrippa is dying, he reveals to Winzy the elixir’s purpose: to give immortality to the person who takes it...

Although immortality initially seems like a gift, Winzy gradually watches everyone around him age. The loss is most painful with Bertha, and he must confront the loneliness of outliving everyone he loves...