Frankenstein Flashcards 13-15

Safie's Background and Arrival

• Safie is the daughter of a Turkish man who was imprisoned; her family lost wealth due to government troubles.
• Felix De Lacey sought to help Safie's father escape, leading to the family's exile to a cottage in Germany.
• Safie desires to learn the language of the cottagers, which allows the monster to learn quickly since he has no previous language.

Language and Learning

• Felix teaches Safie to read, using Volney's "Ruins of Empires" as a textbook, which the monster observes.
• The monster gains knowledge about historical empires, their governments, and societal structures, contributing to his understanding of humanity.

The Monster's Self-Reflection

• The monster grapples with his identity, noting his differences from humans and feeling profound loneliness.
• He questions his status as a "monster," realizing he is unique and isolated from human companionship.

Understanding Human Relationships

• The creature learns about familial love and friendship, feeling deprived and increasingly alone as he reflects on human connections.

De Lacey Family's Circumstances

• The De Lacey family became exiled after attempting to assist Safie's father; they moved to a cottage in Germany following their imprisonment in France.

Safie's Journey

• Safie chose not to live in Turkey, instead seeking Felix after discovering his letters detailing their exile.
• She traveled from Italy with money and possessions, assisted by a now-deceased attendant who ensured her arrival at Felix's cottage.

The Creature's Discoveries

• In the woods, the monster finds a leather portmanteau containing clothing and three significant books: "Paradise Lost," "Plutarch's Lives," and "Sorrows of Werter."

Insights from Literature

• "Paradise Lost" teaches the creature about creation and abandonment; he identifies with both Adam and Satan, feeling rejected by his creator.
• "Plutarch's Lives" introduces him to the heroes and history of past civilizations, inspiring thoughts on governance and morality.
• "Sorrows of Werter" presents themes of death and gentle sentiments, leading the monster to introspect on his existence and purpose.

Victor's Journal

• The monster reads Victor's journal detailing his own creation, including Victor's regret for giving him life and the implications of being unloved.

Timeline of Events

• A year has passed since the creature's creation, during which Victor has been hiking in Geneva, reflecting his emotional state and external pursuits.

Encounter with the De Laceys

• The monster hopes that speaking to Mr. De Lacey will earn him acceptance; however, upon being discovered by Felix and Safie, he faces violent rejection and flees back to his hovel.