Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.10-24
hand. In the day, I believe, he worked sometimes for a neighbouring `
` farmer, because he often went forth and did not return until dinner, `
` yet brought no wood with him. At other times he worked in the garden, `
` but as there was little to do in the frosty season, he read to the old `
` man and Agatha. `
` `
` "This reading had puzzled me extremely at first, but by degrees I `
` discovered that he uttered many of the same sounds when he read as when `
` he talked. I conjectured, therefore, that he found on the paper signs `
` for speech which he understood, and I ardently longed to comprehend `
` these also; but how was that possible when I did not even understand `
` the sounds for which they stood as signs? I improved, however, `
` sensibly in this science, but not sufficiently to follow up any kind of `
` conversation, although I applied my whole mind to the endeavour, for I `
` easily perceived that, although I eagerly longed to discover myself to `
` the cottagers, I ought not to make the attempt until I had first become `
` master of their language, which knowledge might enable me to make them `
` overlook the deformity of my figure, for with this also the contrast `
` perpetually presented to my eyes had made me acquainted. `
` `
` "I had admired the perfect forms of my cottagers--their grace, beauty, `
` and delicate complexions; but how was I terrified when I viewed myself `
` in a transparent pool! At first I started back, unable to believe that `
` it was indeed I who was reflected in the mirror; and when I became `
` fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was `
` filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification. `
` Alas! I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this miserable `
` deformity. `
` `
` "As the sun became warmer and the light of day longer, the snow `
` vanished, and I beheld the bare trees and the black earth. From this `
` time Felix was more employed, and the heart-moving indications of `
` impending famine disappeared. Their food, as I afterwards found, was `
` coarse, but it was wholesome; and they procured a sufficiency of it. `
` Several new kinds of plants sprang up in the garden, which they `
` dressed; and these signs of comfort increased daily as the season `
` advanced. `
` `
` "The old man, leaning on his son, walked each day at noon, when it did `
` not rain, as I found it was called when the heavens poured forth its `
` waters. This frequently took place, but a high wind quickly dried the `
` earth, and the season became far more pleasant than it had been. `
` `
` "My mode of life in my hovel was uniform. During the morning I `
` attended the motions of the cottagers, and when they were dispersed in `
` various occupations, I slept; the remainder of the day was spent in `
` observing my friends. When they had retired to rest, if there was any `
` moon or the night was star-light, I went into the woods and collected `
` my own food and fuel for the cottage. When I returned, as often as it `
` was necessary, I cleared their path from the snow and performed those `
` offices that I had seen done by Felix. I afterwards found that these `
` labours, performed by an invisible hand, greatly astonished them; and `
` once or twice I heard them, on these occasions, utter the words `good `
` spirit,' `wonderful'; but I did not then understand the signification `
` of these terms. `
` `
` "My thoughts now became more active, and I longed to discover the `
` motives and feelings of these lovely creatures; I was inquisitive to `
` know why Felix appeared so miserable and Agatha so sad. I thought `
` (foolish wretch!) that it might be in my power to restore happiness to `
` these deserving people. When I slept or was absent, the forms of the `
` venerable blind father, the gentle Agatha, and the excellent Felix `
` flitted before me. I looked upon them as superior beings who would be `
` the arbiters of my future destiny. I formed in my imagination a `
` thousand pictures of presenting myself to them, and their reception of `
` me. I imagined that they would be disgusted, until, by my gentle `
` demeanour and conciliating words, I should first win their favour and `
` afterwards their love. `
` `
` "These thoughts exhilarated me and led me to apply with fresh ardour to `
` the acquiring the art of language. My organs were indeed harsh, but `
` supple; and although my voice was very unlike the soft music of their `
` tones, yet I pronounced such words as I understood with tolerable ease. `
` It was as the ass and the lap-dog; yet surely the gentle ass whose `
` intentions were affectionate, although his manners were rude, deserved `
` better treatment than blows and execration. `
` `
` "The pleasant showers and genial warmth of spring greatly altered the `
` aspect of the earth. Men who before this change seemed to have been `
` hid in caves dispersed themselves and were employed in various arts of `
` cultivation. The birds sang in more cheerful notes, and the leaves `
` began to bud forth on the trees. Happy, happy earth! Fit habitation `
` for gods, which, so short a time before, was bleak, damp, and `
` unwholesome. My spirits were elevated by the enchanting appearance of `
` nature; the past was blotted from my memory, the present was tranquil, `
` and the future gilded by bright rays of hope and anticipations of joy." `
` `
` `
` Chapter 13 `
` `
` "I now hasten to the more moving part of my story. I shall relate `
` events that impressed me with feelings which, from what I had been, `
` have made me what I am. `
` `
` "Spring advanced rapidly; the weather became fine and the skies `
` cloudless. It surprised me that what before was desert and gloomy `
` should now bloom with the most beautiful flowers and verdure. My `
` senses were gratified and refreshed by a thousand scents of delight and `
` a thousand sights of beauty. `
` `
` "It was on one of these days, when my cottagers periodically rested `
` from labour--the old man played on his guitar, and the children `
` listened to him--that I observed the countenance of Felix was `
` melancholy beyond expression; he sighed frequently, and once his father `
` paused in his music, and I conjectured by his manner that he inquired `
` the cause of his son's sorrow. Felix replied in a cheerful accent, and `
` the old man was recommencing his music when someone tapped at the door. `
` `
` "It was a lady on horseback, accompanied by a country-man as a guide. `
` The lady was dressed in a dark suit and covered with a thick black `
` veil. Agatha asked a question, to which the stranger only replied by `
` pronouncing, in a sweet accent, the name of Felix. Her voice was `
` musical but unlike that of either of my friends. On hearing this word, `
` Felix came up hastily to the lady, who, when she saw him, threw up her `
` veil, and I beheld a countenance of angelic beauty and expression. Her `
` hair of a shining raven black, and curiously braided; her eyes were `
` dark, but gentle, although animated; her features of a regular `
` proportion, and her complexion wondrously fair, each cheek tinged with `
` a lovely pink. `
` `
` "Felix seemed ravished with delight when he saw her, every trait of `
` sorrow vanished from his face, and it instantly expressed a degree of `
` ecstatic joy, of which I could hardly have believed it capable; his `
` eyes sparkled, as his cheek flushed with pleasure; and at that moment I `
` thought him as beautiful as the stranger. She appeared affected by `
` different feelings; wiping a few tears from her lovely eyes, she held `
` out her hand to Felix, who kissed it rapturously and called her, as `
` well as I could distinguish, his sweet Arabian. She did not appear to `
` understand him, but smiled. He assisted her to dismount, and `
` dismissing her guide, conducted her into the cottage. Some `
` conversation took place between him and his father, and the young `
` stranger knelt at the old man's feet and would have kissed his hand, `
` but he raised her and embraced her affectionately. `
` `
` "I soon perceived that although the stranger uttered articulate sounds `
` and appeared to have a language of her own, she was neither understood `
` by nor herself understood the cottagers. They made many signs which I `
` did not comprehend, but I saw that her presence diffused gladness `
` through the cottage, dispelling their sorrow as the sun dissipates the `
` morning mists. Felix seemed peculiarly happy and with smiles of `
` delight welcomed his Arabian. Agatha, the ever-gentle Agatha, kissed `
` the hands of the lovely stranger, and pointing to her brother, made `
` signs which appeared to me to mean that he had been sorrowful until she `
` came. Some hours passed thus, while they, by their countenances, `
` expressed joy, the cause of which I did not comprehend. Presently I `
` found, by the frequent recurrence of some sound which the stranger `
` repeated after them, that she was endeavouring to learn their language; `
` and the idea instantly occurred to me that I should make use of the `
` same instructions to the same end. The stranger learned about twenty `
` words at the first lesson; most of them, indeed, were those which I had `
` before understood, but I profited by the others. `
` `
` "As night came on, Agatha and the Arabian retired early. When they `
` separated Felix kissed the hand of the stranger and said, `Good night `
` sweet Safie.' He sat up much longer, conversing with his father, and `
` by the frequent repetition of her name I conjectured that their lovely `
` guest was the subject of their conversation. I ardently desired to `
` understand them, and bent every faculty towards that purpose, but found `
` it utterly impossible. `
` `
` "The next morning Felix went out to his work, and after the usual `
` occupations of Agatha were finished, the Arabian sat at the feet of the `
` old man, and taking his guitar, played some airs so entrancingly `
` beautiful that they at once drew tears of sorrow and delight from my `
` eyes. She sang, and her voice flowed in a rich cadence, swelling or `
` dying away like a nightingale of the woods. `
` `
` "When she had finished, she gave the guitar to Agatha, who at first `
` declined it. She played a simple air, and her voice accompanied it in `
` sweet accents, but unlike the wondrous strain of the stranger. The old `
` man appeared enraptured and said some words which Agatha endeavoured to `
` explain to Safie, and by which he appeared to wish to express that she `
` bestowed on him the greatest delight by her music. `
` `
` "The days now passed as peaceably as before, with the sole alteration `
` that joy had taken place of sadness in the countenances of my friends. `
` Safie was always gay and happy; she and I improved rapidly in the `
` knowledge of language, so that in two months I began to comprehend most `
` of the words uttered by my protectors. `
` `
` "In the meanwhile also the black ground was covered with herbage, and `
` the green banks interspersed with innumerable flowers, sweet to the `
` scent and the eyes, stars of pale radiance among the moonlight woods; `
` the sun became warmer, the nights clear and balmy; and my nocturnal `
` rambles were an extreme pleasure to me, although they were considerably `
` shortened by the late setting and early rising of the sun, for I never `
` ventured abroad during daylight, fearful of meeting with the same `
` treatment I had formerly endured in the first village which I entered. `
` `
` "My days were spent in close attention, that I might more speedily `
` master the language; and I may boast that I improved more rapidly than `
` the Arabian, who understood very little and conversed in broken `
` accents, whilst I comprehended and could imitate almost every word that `
` was spoken. `
` `
` "While I improved in speech, I also learned the science of letters as `
` it was taught to the stranger, and this opened before me a wide field `
` for wonder and delight. `
` `
` "The book from which Felix instructed Safie was Volney's Ruins of `
` Empires. I should not have understood the purport of this book had not `
`
` farmer, because he often went forth and did not return until dinner, `
` yet brought no wood with him. At other times he worked in the garden, `
` but as there was little to do in the frosty season, he read to the old `
` man and Agatha. `
` `
` "This reading had puzzled me extremely at first, but by degrees I `
` discovered that he uttered many of the same sounds when he read as when `
` he talked. I conjectured, therefore, that he found on the paper signs `
` for speech which he understood, and I ardently longed to comprehend `
` these also; but how was that possible when I did not even understand `
` the sounds for which they stood as signs? I improved, however, `
` sensibly in this science, but not sufficiently to follow up any kind of `
` conversation, although I applied my whole mind to the endeavour, for I `
` easily perceived that, although I eagerly longed to discover myself to `
` the cottagers, I ought not to make the attempt until I had first become `
` master of their language, which knowledge might enable me to make them `
` overlook the deformity of my figure, for with this also the contrast `
` perpetually presented to my eyes had made me acquainted. `
` `
` "I had admired the perfect forms of my cottagers--their grace, beauty, `
` and delicate complexions; but how was I terrified when I viewed myself `
` in a transparent pool! At first I started back, unable to believe that `
` it was indeed I who was reflected in the mirror; and when I became `
` fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was `
` filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification. `
` Alas! I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this miserable `
` deformity. `
` `
` "As the sun became warmer and the light of day longer, the snow `
` vanished, and I beheld the bare trees and the black earth. From this `
` time Felix was more employed, and the heart-moving indications of `
` impending famine disappeared. Their food, as I afterwards found, was `
` coarse, but it was wholesome; and they procured a sufficiency of it. `
` Several new kinds of plants sprang up in the garden, which they `
` dressed; and these signs of comfort increased daily as the season `
` advanced. `
` `
` "The old man, leaning on his son, walked each day at noon, when it did `
` not rain, as I found it was called when the heavens poured forth its `
` waters. This frequently took place, but a high wind quickly dried the `
` earth, and the season became far more pleasant than it had been. `
` `
` "My mode of life in my hovel was uniform. During the morning I `
` attended the motions of the cottagers, and when they were dispersed in `
` various occupations, I slept; the remainder of the day was spent in `
` observing my friends. When they had retired to rest, if there was any `
` moon or the night was star-light, I went into the woods and collected `
` my own food and fuel for the cottage. When I returned, as often as it `
` was necessary, I cleared their path from the snow and performed those `
` offices that I had seen done by Felix. I afterwards found that these `
` labours, performed by an invisible hand, greatly astonished them; and `
` once or twice I heard them, on these occasions, utter the words `good `
` spirit,' `wonderful'; but I did not then understand the signification `
` of these terms. `
` `
` "My thoughts now became more active, and I longed to discover the `
` motives and feelings of these lovely creatures; I was inquisitive to `
` know why Felix appeared so miserable and Agatha so sad. I thought `
` (foolish wretch!) that it might be in my power to restore happiness to `
` these deserving people. When I slept or was absent, the forms of the `
` venerable blind father, the gentle Agatha, and the excellent Felix `
` flitted before me. I looked upon them as superior beings who would be `
` the arbiters of my future destiny. I formed in my imagination a `
` thousand pictures of presenting myself to them, and their reception of `
` me. I imagined that they would be disgusted, until, by my gentle `
` demeanour and conciliating words, I should first win their favour and `
` afterwards their love. `
` `
` "These thoughts exhilarated me and led me to apply with fresh ardour to `
` the acquiring the art of language. My organs were indeed harsh, but `
` supple; and although my voice was very unlike the soft music of their `
` tones, yet I pronounced such words as I understood with tolerable ease. `
` It was as the ass and the lap-dog; yet surely the gentle ass whose `
` intentions were affectionate, although his manners were rude, deserved `
` better treatment than blows and execration. `
` `
` "The pleasant showers and genial warmth of spring greatly altered the `
` aspect of the earth. Men who before this change seemed to have been `
` hid in caves dispersed themselves and were employed in various arts of `
` cultivation. The birds sang in more cheerful notes, and the leaves `
` began to bud forth on the trees. Happy, happy earth! Fit habitation `
` for gods, which, so short a time before, was bleak, damp, and `
` unwholesome. My spirits were elevated by the enchanting appearance of `
` nature; the past was blotted from my memory, the present was tranquil, `
` and the future gilded by bright rays of hope and anticipations of joy." `
` `
` `
` Chapter 13 `
` `
` "I now hasten to the more moving part of my story. I shall relate `
` events that impressed me with feelings which, from what I had been, `
` have made me what I am. `
` `
` "Spring advanced rapidly; the weather became fine and the skies `
` cloudless. It surprised me that what before was desert and gloomy `
` should now bloom with the most beautiful flowers and verdure. My `
` senses were gratified and refreshed by a thousand scents of delight and `
` a thousand sights of beauty. `
` `
` "It was on one of these days, when my cottagers periodically rested `
` from labour--the old man played on his guitar, and the children `
` listened to him--that I observed the countenance of Felix was `
` melancholy beyond expression; he sighed frequently, and once his father `
` paused in his music, and I conjectured by his manner that he inquired `
` the cause of his son's sorrow. Felix replied in a cheerful accent, and `
` the old man was recommencing his music when someone tapped at the door. `
` `
` "It was a lady on horseback, accompanied by a country-man as a guide. `
` The lady was dressed in a dark suit and covered with a thick black `
` veil. Agatha asked a question, to which the stranger only replied by `
` pronouncing, in a sweet accent, the name of Felix. Her voice was `
` musical but unlike that of either of my friends. On hearing this word, `
` Felix came up hastily to the lady, who, when she saw him, threw up her `
` veil, and I beheld a countenance of angelic beauty and expression. Her `
` hair of a shining raven black, and curiously braided; her eyes were `
` dark, but gentle, although animated; her features of a regular `
` proportion, and her complexion wondrously fair, each cheek tinged with `
` a lovely pink. `
` `
` "Felix seemed ravished with delight when he saw her, every trait of `
` sorrow vanished from his face, and it instantly expressed a degree of `
` ecstatic joy, of which I could hardly have believed it capable; his `
` eyes sparkled, as his cheek flushed with pleasure; and at that moment I `
` thought him as beautiful as the stranger. She appeared affected by `
` different feelings; wiping a few tears from her lovely eyes, she held `
` out her hand to Felix, who kissed it rapturously and called her, as `
` well as I could distinguish, his sweet Arabian. She did not appear to `
` understand him, but smiled. He assisted her to dismount, and `
` dismissing her guide, conducted her into the cottage. Some `
` conversation took place between him and his father, and the young `
` stranger knelt at the old man's feet and would have kissed his hand, `
` but he raised her and embraced her affectionately. `
` `
` "I soon perceived that although the stranger uttered articulate sounds `
` and appeared to have a language of her own, she was neither understood `
` by nor herself understood the cottagers. They made many signs which I `
` did not comprehend, but I saw that her presence diffused gladness `
` through the cottage, dispelling their sorrow as the sun dissipates the `
` morning mists. Felix seemed peculiarly happy and with smiles of `
` delight welcomed his Arabian. Agatha, the ever-gentle Agatha, kissed `
` the hands of the lovely stranger, and pointing to her brother, made `
` signs which appeared to me to mean that he had been sorrowful until she `
` came. Some hours passed thus, while they, by their countenances, `
` expressed joy, the cause of which I did not comprehend. Presently I `
` found, by the frequent recurrence of some sound which the stranger `
` repeated after them, that she was endeavouring to learn their language; `
` and the idea instantly occurred to me that I should make use of the `
` same instructions to the same end. The stranger learned about twenty `
` words at the first lesson; most of them, indeed, were those which I had `
` before understood, but I profited by the others. `
` `
` "As night came on, Agatha and the Arabian retired early. When they `
` separated Felix kissed the hand of the stranger and said, `Good night `
` sweet Safie.' He sat up much longer, conversing with his father, and `
` by the frequent repetition of her name I conjectured that their lovely `
` guest was the subject of their conversation. I ardently desired to `
` understand them, and bent every faculty towards that purpose, but found `
` it utterly impossible. `
` `
` "The next morning Felix went out to his work, and after the usual `
` occupations of Agatha were finished, the Arabian sat at the feet of the `
` old man, and taking his guitar, played some airs so entrancingly `
` beautiful that they at once drew tears of sorrow and delight from my `
` eyes. She sang, and her voice flowed in a rich cadence, swelling or `
` dying away like a nightingale of the woods. `
` `
` "When she had finished, she gave the guitar to Agatha, who at first `
` declined it. She played a simple air, and her voice accompanied it in `
` sweet accents, but unlike the wondrous strain of the stranger. The old `
` man appeared enraptured and said some words which Agatha endeavoured to `
` explain to Safie, and by which he appeared to wish to express that she `
` bestowed on him the greatest delight by her music. `
` `
` "The days now passed as peaceably as before, with the sole alteration `
` that joy had taken place of sadness in the countenances of my friends. `
` Safie was always gay and happy; she and I improved rapidly in the `
` knowledge of language, so that in two months I began to comprehend most `
` of the words uttered by my protectors. `
` `
` "In the meanwhile also the black ground was covered with herbage, and `
` the green banks interspersed with innumerable flowers, sweet to the `
` scent and the eyes, stars of pale radiance among the moonlight woods; `
` the sun became warmer, the nights clear and balmy; and my nocturnal `
` rambles were an extreme pleasure to me, although they were considerably `
` shortened by the late setting and early rising of the sun, for I never `
` ventured abroad during daylight, fearful of meeting with the same `
` treatment I had formerly endured in the first village which I entered. `
` `
` "My days were spent in close attention, that I might more speedily `
` master the language; and I may boast that I improved more rapidly than `
` the Arabian, who understood very little and conversed in broken `
` accents, whilst I comprehended and could imitate almost every word that `
` was spoken. `
` `
` "While I improved in speech, I also learned the science of letters as `
` it was taught to the stranger, and this opened before me a wide field `
` for wonder and delight. `
` `
` "The book from which Felix instructed Safie was Volney's Ruins of `
` Empires. I should not have understood the purport of this book had not `
`