Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.10-24
Empires. I should not have understood the purport of this book had not `
` Felix, in reading it, given very minute explanations. He had chosen `
` this work, he said, because the declamatory style was framed in `
` imitation of the Eastern authors. Through this work I obtained a `
` cursory knowledge of history and a view of the several empires at `
` present existing in the world; it gave me an insight into the manners, `
` governments, and religions of the different nations of the earth. I `
` heard of the slothful Asiatics, of the stupendous genius and mental `
` activity of the Grecians, of the wars and wonderful virtue of the early `
` Romans--of their subsequent degenerating--of the decline of that mighty `
` empire, of chivalry, Christianity, and kings. I heard of the discovery `
` of the American hemisphere and wept with Safie over the hapless fate of `
` its original inhabitants. `
` `
` "These wonderful narrations inspired me with strange feelings. Was `
` man, indeed, at once so powerful, so virtuous and magnificent, yet so `
` vicious and base? He appeared at one time a mere scion of the evil `
` principle and at another as all that can be conceived of noble and `
` godlike. To be a great and virtuous man appeared the highest honour `
` that can befall a sensitive being; to be base and vicious, as many on `
` record have been, appeared the lowest degradation, a condition more `
` abject than that of the blind mole or harmless worm. For a long time I `
` could not conceive how one man could go forth to murder his fellow, or `
` even why there were laws and governments; but when I heard details of `
` vice and bloodshed, my wonder ceased and I turned away with disgust and `
` loathing. `
` `
` "Every conversation of the cottagers now opened new wonders to me. `
` While I listened to the instructions which Felix bestowed upon the `
` Arabian, the strange system of human society was explained to me. I `
` heard of the division of property, of immense wealth and squalid `
` poverty, of rank, descent, and noble blood. `
` `
` "The words induced me to turn towards myself. I learned that the `
` possessions most esteemed by your fellow creatures were high and `
` unsullied descent united with riches. A man might be respected with `
` only one of these advantages, but without either he was considered, `
` except in very rare instances, as a vagabond and a slave, doomed to `
` waste his powers for the profits of the chosen few! And what was I? Of `
` my creation and creator I was absolutely ignorant, but I knew that I `
` possessed no money, no friends, no kind of property. I was, besides, `
` endued with a figure hideously deformed and loathsome; I was not even `
` of the same nature as man. I was more agile than they and could `
` subsist upon coarser diet; I bore the extremes of heat and cold with `
` less injury to my frame; my stature far exceeded theirs. When I looked `
` around I saw and heard of none like me. Was I, then, a monster, a blot `
` upon the earth, from which all men fled and whom all men disowned? `
` `
` "I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted `
` upon me; I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with `
` knowledge. Oh, that I had forever remained in my native wood, nor `
` known nor felt beyond the sensations of hunger, thirst, and heat! `
` `
` "Of what a strange nature is knowledge! It clings to the mind when it `
` has once seized on it like a lichen on the rock. I wished sometimes to `
` shake off all thought and feeling, but I learned that there was but one `
` means to overcome the sensation of pain, and that was death--a state `
` which I feared yet did not understand. I admired virtue and good `
` feelings and loved the gentle manners and amiable qualities of my `
` cottagers, but I was shut out from intercourse with them, except `
` through means which I obtained by stealth, when I was unseen and `
` unknown, and which rather increased than satisfied the desire I had of `
` becoming one among my fellows. The gentle words of Agatha and the `
` animated smiles of the charming Arabian were not for me. The mild `
` exhortations of the old man and the lively conversation of the loved `
` Felix were not for me. Miserable, unhappy wretch! `
` `
` "Other lessons were impressed upon me even more deeply. I heard of the `
` difference of sexes, and the birth and growth of children, how the `
` father doted on the smiles of the infant, and the lively sallies of the `
` older child, how all the life and cares of the mother were wrapped up `
` in the precious charge, how the mind of youth expanded and gained `
` knowledge, of brother, sister, and all the various relationships which `
` bind one human being to another in mutual bonds. `
` `
` "But where were my friends and relations? No father had watched my `
` infant days, no mother had blessed me with smiles and caresses; or if `
` they had, all my past life was now a blot, a blind vacancy in which I `
` distinguished nothing. From my earliest remembrance I had been as I `
` then was in height and proportion. I had never yet seen a being `
` resembling me or who claimed any intercourse with me. What was I? The `
` question again recurred, to be answered only with groans. `
` `
` "I will soon explain to what these feelings tended, but allow me now to `
` return to the cottagers, whose story excited in me such various `
` feelings of indignation, delight, and wonder, but which all terminated `
` in additional love and reverence for my protectors (for so I loved, in `
` an innocent, half-painful self-deceit, to call them)." `
` `
` `
` Chapter 14 `
` `
` "Some time elapsed before I learned the history of my friends. It was `
` one which could not fail to impress itself deeply on my mind, unfolding `
` as it did a number of circumstances, each interesting and wonderful to `
` one so utterly inexperienced as I was. `
` `
` "The name of the old man was De Lacey. He was descended from a good `
` family in France, where he had lived for many years in affluence, `
` respected by his superiors and beloved by his equals. His son was bred `
` in the service of his country, and Agatha had ranked with ladies of the `
` highest distinction. A few months before my arrival they had lived in `
` a large and luxurious city called Paris, surrounded by friends and `
` possessed of every enjoyment which virtue, refinement of intellect, or `
` taste, accompanied by a moderate fortune, could afford. `
` `
` "The father of Safie had been the cause of their ruin. He was a `
` Turkish merchant and had inhabited Paris for many years, when, for some `
` reason which I could not learn, he became obnoxious to the government. `
` He was seized and cast into prison the very day that Safie arrived from `
` Constantinople to join him. He was tried and condemned to death. The `
` injustice of his sentence was very flagrant; all Paris was indignant; `
` and it was judged that his religion and wealth rather than the crime `
` alleged against him had been the cause of his condemnation. `
` `
` "Felix had accidentally been present at the trial; his horror and `
` indignation were uncontrollable when he heard the decision of the `
` court. He made, at that moment, a solemn vow to deliver him and then `
` looked around for the means. After many fruitless attempts to gain `
` admittance to the prison, he found a strongly grated window in an `
` unguarded part of the building, which lighted the dungeon of the `
` unfortunate Muhammadan, who, loaded with chains, waited in despair the `
` execution of the barbarous sentence. Felix visited the grate at night `
` and made known to the prisoner his intentions in his favour. The Turk, `
` amazed and delighted, endeavoured to kindle the zeal of his deliverer `
` by promises of reward and wealth. Felix rejected his offers with `
` contempt, yet when he saw the lovely Safie, who was allowed to visit `
` her father and who by her gestures expressed her lively gratitude, the `
` youth could not help owning to his own mind that the captive possessed `
` a treasure which would fully reward his toil and hazard. `
` `
` "The Turk quickly perceived the impression that his daughter had made `
` on the heart of Felix and endeavoured to secure him more entirely in `
` his interests by the promise of her hand in marriage so soon as he `
` should be conveyed to a place of safety. Felix was too delicate to `
` accept this offer, yet he looked forward to the probability of the `
` event as to the consummation of his happiness. `
` `
` "During the ensuing days, while the preparations were going forward for `
` the escape of the merchant, the zeal of Felix was warmed by several `
` letters that he received from this lovely girl, who found means to `
` express her thoughts in the language of her lover by the aid of an old `
` man, a servant of her father who understood French. She thanked him in `
` the most ardent terms for his intended services towards her parent, and `
` at the same time she gently deplored her own fate. `
` `
` "I have copies of these letters, for I found means, during my residence `
` in the hovel, to procure the implements of writing; and the letters `
` were often in the hands of Felix or Agatha. Before I depart I will `
` give them to you; they will prove the truth of my tale; but at present, `
` as the sun is already far declined, I shall only have time to repeat `
` the substance of them to you. `
` `
` "Safie related that her mother was a Christian Arab, seized and made a `
` slave by the Turks; recommended by her beauty, she had won the heart of `
` the father of Safie, who married her. The young girl spoke in high and `
` enthusiastic terms of her mother, who, born in freedom, spurned the `
` bondage to which she was now reduced. She instructed her daughter in `
` the tenets of her religion and taught her to aspire to higher powers of `
` intellect and an independence of spirit forbidden to the female `
` followers of Muhammad. This lady died, but her lessons were indelibly `
` impressed on the mind of Safie, who sickened at the prospect of again `
` returning to Asia and being immured within the walls of a harem, `
` allowed only to occupy herself with infantile amusements, ill-suited to `
` the temper of her soul, now accustomed to grand ideas and a noble `
` emulation for virtue. The prospect of marrying a Christian and `
` remaining in a country where women were allowed to take a rank in `
` society was enchanting to her. `
` `
` "The day for the execution of the Turk was fixed, but on the night `
` previous to it he quitted his prison and before morning was distant `
` many leagues from Paris. Felix had procured passports in the name of `
` his father, sister, and himself. He had previously communicated his `
` plan to the former, who aided the deceit by quitting his house, under `
` the pretence of a journey and concealed himself, with his daughter, in `
` an obscure part of Paris. `
` `
` "Felix conducted the fugitives through France to Lyons and across Mont `
` Cenis to Leghorn, where the merchant had decided to wait a favourable `
` opportunity of passing into some part of the Turkish dominions. `
` `
` "Safie resolved to remain with her father until the moment of his `
` departure, before which time the Turk renewed his promise that she `
` should be united to his deliverer; and Felix remained with them in `
` expectation of that event; and in the meantime he enjoyed the society `
` of the Arabian, who exhibited towards him the simplest and tenderest `
` affection. They conversed with one another through the means of an `
` interpreter, and sometimes with the interpretation of looks; and Safie `
` sang to him the divine airs of her native country. `
` `
` "The Turk allowed this intimacy to take place and encouraged the hopes `
` of the youthful lovers, while in his heart he had formed far other `
` plans. He loathed the idea that his daughter should be united to a `
` Christian, but he feared the resentment of Felix if he should appear `
` lukewarm, for he knew that he was still in the power of his deliverer `
` if he should choose to betray him to the Italian state which they `
` inhabited. He revolved a thousand plans by which he should be enabled `
` to prolong the deceit until it might be no longer necessary, and `
` secretly to take his daughter with him when he departed. His plans `
` were facilitated by the news which arrived from Paris. `
` `
`
` Felix, in reading it, given very minute explanations. He had chosen `
` this work, he said, because the declamatory style was framed in `
` imitation of the Eastern authors. Through this work I obtained a `
` cursory knowledge of history and a view of the several empires at `
` present existing in the world; it gave me an insight into the manners, `
` governments, and religions of the different nations of the earth. I `
` heard of the slothful Asiatics, of the stupendous genius and mental `
` activity of the Grecians, of the wars and wonderful virtue of the early `
` Romans--of their subsequent degenerating--of the decline of that mighty `
` empire, of chivalry, Christianity, and kings. I heard of the discovery `
` of the American hemisphere and wept with Safie over the hapless fate of `
` its original inhabitants. `
` `
` "These wonderful narrations inspired me with strange feelings. Was `
` man, indeed, at once so powerful, so virtuous and magnificent, yet so `
` vicious and base? He appeared at one time a mere scion of the evil `
` principle and at another as all that can be conceived of noble and `
` godlike. To be a great and virtuous man appeared the highest honour `
` that can befall a sensitive being; to be base and vicious, as many on `
` record have been, appeared the lowest degradation, a condition more `
` abject than that of the blind mole or harmless worm. For a long time I `
` could not conceive how one man could go forth to murder his fellow, or `
` even why there were laws and governments; but when I heard details of `
` vice and bloodshed, my wonder ceased and I turned away with disgust and `
` loathing. `
` `
` "Every conversation of the cottagers now opened new wonders to me. `
` While I listened to the instructions which Felix bestowed upon the `
` Arabian, the strange system of human society was explained to me. I `
` heard of the division of property, of immense wealth and squalid `
` poverty, of rank, descent, and noble blood. `
` `
` "The words induced me to turn towards myself. I learned that the `
` possessions most esteemed by your fellow creatures were high and `
` unsullied descent united with riches. A man might be respected with `
` only one of these advantages, but without either he was considered, `
` except in very rare instances, as a vagabond and a slave, doomed to `
` waste his powers for the profits of the chosen few! And what was I? Of `
` my creation and creator I was absolutely ignorant, but I knew that I `
` possessed no money, no friends, no kind of property. I was, besides, `
` endued with a figure hideously deformed and loathsome; I was not even `
` of the same nature as man. I was more agile than they and could `
` subsist upon coarser diet; I bore the extremes of heat and cold with `
` less injury to my frame; my stature far exceeded theirs. When I looked `
` around I saw and heard of none like me. Was I, then, a monster, a blot `
` upon the earth, from which all men fled and whom all men disowned? `
` `
` "I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted `
` upon me; I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with `
` knowledge. Oh, that I had forever remained in my native wood, nor `
` known nor felt beyond the sensations of hunger, thirst, and heat! `
` `
` "Of what a strange nature is knowledge! It clings to the mind when it `
` has once seized on it like a lichen on the rock. I wished sometimes to `
` shake off all thought and feeling, but I learned that there was but one `
` means to overcome the sensation of pain, and that was death--a state `
` which I feared yet did not understand. I admired virtue and good `
` feelings and loved the gentle manners and amiable qualities of my `
` cottagers, but I was shut out from intercourse with them, except `
` through means which I obtained by stealth, when I was unseen and `
` unknown, and which rather increased than satisfied the desire I had of `
` becoming one among my fellows. The gentle words of Agatha and the `
` animated smiles of the charming Arabian were not for me. The mild `
` exhortations of the old man and the lively conversation of the loved `
` Felix were not for me. Miserable, unhappy wretch! `
` `
` "Other lessons were impressed upon me even more deeply. I heard of the `
` difference of sexes, and the birth and growth of children, how the `
` father doted on the smiles of the infant, and the lively sallies of the `
` older child, how all the life and cares of the mother were wrapped up `
` in the precious charge, how the mind of youth expanded and gained `
` knowledge, of brother, sister, and all the various relationships which `
` bind one human being to another in mutual bonds. `
` `
` "But where were my friends and relations? No father had watched my `
` infant days, no mother had blessed me with smiles and caresses; or if `
` they had, all my past life was now a blot, a blind vacancy in which I `
` distinguished nothing. From my earliest remembrance I had been as I `
` then was in height and proportion. I had never yet seen a being `
` resembling me or who claimed any intercourse with me. What was I? The `
` question again recurred, to be answered only with groans. `
` `
` "I will soon explain to what these feelings tended, but allow me now to `
` return to the cottagers, whose story excited in me such various `
` feelings of indignation, delight, and wonder, but which all terminated `
` in additional love and reverence for my protectors (for so I loved, in `
` an innocent, half-painful self-deceit, to call them)." `
` `
` `
` Chapter 14 `
` `
` "Some time elapsed before I learned the history of my friends. It was `
` one which could not fail to impress itself deeply on my mind, unfolding `
` as it did a number of circumstances, each interesting and wonderful to `
` one so utterly inexperienced as I was. `
` `
` "The name of the old man was De Lacey. He was descended from a good `
` family in France, where he had lived for many years in affluence, `
` respected by his superiors and beloved by his equals. His son was bred `
` in the service of his country, and Agatha had ranked with ladies of the `
` highest distinction. A few months before my arrival they had lived in `
` a large and luxurious city called Paris, surrounded by friends and `
` possessed of every enjoyment which virtue, refinement of intellect, or `
` taste, accompanied by a moderate fortune, could afford. `
` `
` "The father of Safie had been the cause of their ruin. He was a `
` Turkish merchant and had inhabited Paris for many years, when, for some `
` reason which I could not learn, he became obnoxious to the government. `
` He was seized and cast into prison the very day that Safie arrived from `
` Constantinople to join him. He was tried and condemned to death. The `
` injustice of his sentence was very flagrant; all Paris was indignant; `
` and it was judged that his religion and wealth rather than the crime `
` alleged against him had been the cause of his condemnation. `
` `
` "Felix had accidentally been present at the trial; his horror and `
` indignation were uncontrollable when he heard the decision of the `
` court. He made, at that moment, a solemn vow to deliver him and then `
` looked around for the means. After many fruitless attempts to gain `
` admittance to the prison, he found a strongly grated window in an `
` unguarded part of the building, which lighted the dungeon of the `
` unfortunate Muhammadan, who, loaded with chains, waited in despair the `
` execution of the barbarous sentence. Felix visited the grate at night `
` and made known to the prisoner his intentions in his favour. The Turk, `
` amazed and delighted, endeavoured to kindle the zeal of his deliverer `
` by promises of reward and wealth. Felix rejected his offers with `
` contempt, yet when he saw the lovely Safie, who was allowed to visit `
` her father and who by her gestures expressed her lively gratitude, the `
` youth could not help owning to his own mind that the captive possessed `
` a treasure which would fully reward his toil and hazard. `
` `
` "The Turk quickly perceived the impression that his daughter had made `
` on the heart of Felix and endeavoured to secure him more entirely in `
` his interests by the promise of her hand in marriage so soon as he `
` should be conveyed to a place of safety. Felix was too delicate to `
` accept this offer, yet he looked forward to the probability of the `
` event as to the consummation of his happiness. `
` `
` "During the ensuing days, while the preparations were going forward for `
` the escape of the merchant, the zeal of Felix was warmed by several `
` letters that he received from this lovely girl, who found means to `
` express her thoughts in the language of her lover by the aid of an old `
` man, a servant of her father who understood French. She thanked him in `
` the most ardent terms for his intended services towards her parent, and `
` at the same time she gently deplored her own fate. `
` `
` "I have copies of these letters, for I found means, during my residence `
` in the hovel, to procure the implements of writing; and the letters `
` were often in the hands of Felix or Agatha. Before I depart I will `
` give them to you; they will prove the truth of my tale; but at present, `
` as the sun is already far declined, I shall only have time to repeat `
` the substance of them to you. `
` `
` "Safie related that her mother was a Christian Arab, seized and made a `
` slave by the Turks; recommended by her beauty, she had won the heart of `
` the father of Safie, who married her. The young girl spoke in high and `
` enthusiastic terms of her mother, who, born in freedom, spurned the `
` bondage to which she was now reduced. She instructed her daughter in `
` the tenets of her religion and taught her to aspire to higher powers of `
` intellect and an independence of spirit forbidden to the female `
` followers of Muhammad. This lady died, but her lessons were indelibly `
` impressed on the mind of Safie, who sickened at the prospect of again `
` returning to Asia and being immured within the walls of a harem, `
` allowed only to occupy herself with infantile amusements, ill-suited to `
` the temper of her soul, now accustomed to grand ideas and a noble `
` emulation for virtue. The prospect of marrying a Christian and `
` remaining in a country where women were allowed to take a rank in `
` society was enchanting to her. `
` `
` "The day for the execution of the Turk was fixed, but on the night `
` previous to it he quitted his prison and before morning was distant `
` many leagues from Paris. Felix had procured passports in the name of `
` his father, sister, and himself. He had previously communicated his `
` plan to the former, who aided the deceit by quitting his house, under `
` the pretence of a journey and concealed himself, with his daughter, in `
` an obscure part of Paris. `
` `
` "Felix conducted the fugitives through France to Lyons and across Mont `
` Cenis to Leghorn, where the merchant had decided to wait a favourable `
` opportunity of passing into some part of the Turkish dominions. `
` `
` "Safie resolved to remain with her father until the moment of his `
` departure, before which time the Turk renewed his promise that she `
` should be united to his deliverer; and Felix remained with them in `
` expectation of that event; and in the meantime he enjoyed the society `
` of the Arabian, who exhibited towards him the simplest and tenderest `
` affection. They conversed with one another through the means of an `
` interpreter, and sometimes with the interpretation of looks; and Safie `
` sang to him the divine airs of her native country. `
` `
` "The Turk allowed this intimacy to take place and encouraged the hopes `
` of the youthful lovers, while in his heart he had formed far other `
` plans. He loathed the idea that his daughter should be united to a `
` Christian, but he feared the resentment of Felix if he should appear `
` lukewarm, for he knew that he was still in the power of his deliverer `
` if he should choose to betray him to the Italian state which they `
` inhabited. He revolved a thousand plans by which he should be enabled `
` to prolong the deceit until it might be no longer necessary, and `
` secretly to take his daughter with him when he departed. His plans `
` were facilitated by the news which arrived from Paris. `
` `
`