Reading Help Frankenstein Ch.10-24
`
` "The government of France were greatly enraged at the escape of their `
` victim and spared no pains to detect and punish his deliverer. The `
` plot of Felix was quickly discovered, and De Lacey and Agatha were `
` thrown into prison. The news reached Felix and roused him from his `
` dream of pleasure. His blind and aged father and his gentle sister lay `
` in a noisome dungeon while he enjoyed the free air and the society of `
` her whom he loved. This idea was torture to him. He quickly arranged `
` with the Turk that if the latter should find a favourable opportunity `
` for escape before Felix could return to Italy, Safie should remain as a `
` boarder at a convent at Leghorn; and then, quitting the lovely Arabian, `
` he hastened to Paris and delivered himself up to the vengeance of the `
` law, hoping to free De Lacey and Agatha by this proceeding. `
` `
` "He did not succeed. They remained confined for five months before the `
` trial took place, the result of which deprived them of their fortune and `
` condemned them to a perpetual exile from their native country. `
` `
` "They found a miserable asylum in the cottage in Germany, where I `
` discovered them. Felix soon learned that the treacherous Turk, for `
` whom he and his family endured such unheard-of oppression, on `
` discovering that his deliverer was thus reduced to poverty and ruin, `
` became a traitor to good feeling and honour and had quitted Italy with `
` his daughter, insultingly sending Felix a pittance of money to aid him, `
` as he said, in some plan of future maintenance. `
` `
` "Such were the events that preyed on the heart of Felix and rendered `
` him, when I first saw him, the most miserable of his family. He could `
` have endured poverty, and while this distress had been the meed of his `
` virtue, he gloried in it; but the ingratitude of the Turk and the loss `
` of his beloved Safie were misfortunes more bitter and irreparable. The `
` arrival of the Arabian now infused new life into his soul. `
` `
` "When the news reached Leghorn that Felix was deprived of his wealth `
` and rank, the merchant commanded his daughter to think no more of her `
` lover, but to prepare to return to her native country. The generous `
` nature of Safie was outraged by this command; she attempted to `
` expostulate with her father, but he left her angrily, reiterating his `
` tyrannical mandate. `
` `
` "A few days after, the Turk entered his daughter's apartment and told `
` her hastily that he had reason to believe that his residence at Leghorn `
` had been divulged and that he should speedily be delivered up to the `
` French government; he had consequently hired a vessel to convey him to `
` Constantinople, for which city he should sail in a few hours. He `
` intended to leave his daughter under the care of a confidential `
` servant, to follow at her leisure with the greater part of his `
` property, which had not yet arrived at Leghorn. `
` `
` "When alone, Safie resolved in her own mind the plan of conduct that it `
` would become her to pursue in this emergency. A residence in Turkey `
` was abhorrent to her; her religion and her feelings were alike averse `
` to it. By some papers of her father which fell into her hands she `
` heard of the exile of her lover and learnt the name of the spot where `
` he then resided. She hesitated some time, but at length she formed her `
` determination. Taking with her some jewels that belonged to her and a `
` sum of money, she quitted Italy with an attendant, a native of Leghorn, `
` but who understood the common language of Turkey, and departed for `
` Germany. `
` `
` "She arrived in safety at a town about twenty leagues from the cottage `
` of De Lacey, when her attendant fell dangerously ill. Safie nursed her `
` with the most devoted affection, but the poor girl died, and the `
` Arabian was left alone, unacquainted with the language of the country `
` and utterly ignorant of the customs of the world. She fell, however, `
` into good hands. The Italian had mentioned the name of the spot for `
` which they were bound, and after her death the woman of the house in `
` which they had lived took care that Safie should arrive in safety at `
` the cottage of her lover." `
` `
` `
` Chapter 15 `
` `
` "Such was the history of my beloved cottagers. It impressed me deeply. `
` I learned, from the views of social life which it developed, to admire `
` their virtues and to deprecate the vices of mankind. `
` `
` "As yet I looked upon crime as a distant evil, benevolence and `
` generosity were ever present before me, inciting within me a desire to `
` become an actor in the busy scene where so many admirable qualities `
` were called forth and displayed. But in giving an account of the `
` progress of my intellect, I must not omit a circumstance which occurred `
` in the beginning of the month of August of the same year. `
` `
` "One night during my accustomed visit to the neighbouring wood where I `
` collected my own food and brought home firing for my protectors, I `
` found on the ground a leathern portmanteau containing several articles `
` of dress and some books. I eagerly seized the prize and returned with `
` it to my hovel. Fortunately the books were written in the language, `
` the elements of which I had acquired at the cottage; they consisted of `
` Paradise Lost, a volume of Plutarch's Lives, and the Sorrows of Werter. `
` The possession of these treasures gave me extreme delight; I now `
` continually studied and exercised my mind upon these histories, whilst `
` my friends were employed in their ordinary occupations. `
` `
` "I can hardly describe to you the effect of these books. They produced `
` in me an infinity of new images and feelings, that sometimes raised me `
` to ecstasy, but more frequently sunk me into the lowest dejection. In `
` the Sorrows of Werter, besides the interest of its simple and affecting `
` story, so many opinions are canvassed and so many lights thrown upon `
` what had hitherto been to me obscure subjects that I found in it a `
` never-ending source of speculation and astonishment. The gentle and `
` domestic manners it described, combined with lofty sentiments and `
` feelings, which had for their object something out of self, accorded `
` well with my experience among my protectors and with the wants which `
` were forever alive in my own bosom. But I thought Werter himself a `
` more divine being than I had ever beheld or imagined; his character `
` contained no pretension, but it sank deep. The disquisitions upon `
` death and suicide were calculated to fill me with wonder. I did not `
` pretend to enter into the merits of the case, yet I inclined towards `
` the opinions of the hero, whose extinction I wept, without precisely `
` understanding it. `
` `
` "As I read, however, I applied much personally to my own feelings and `
` condition. I found myself similar yet at the same time strangely `
` unlike to the beings concerning whom I read and to whose conversation I `
` was a listener. I sympathized with and partly understood them, but I `
` was unformed in mind; I was dependent on none and related to none. `
` `The path of my departure was free,' and there was none to lament my `
` annihilation. My person was hideous and my stature gigantic. What did `
` this mean? Who was I? What was I? Whence did I come? What was my `
` destination? These questions continually recurred, but I was unable to `
` solve them. `
` `
` "The volume of Plutarch's Lives which I possessed contained the `
` histories of the first founders of the ancient republics. This book `
` had a far different effect upon me from the Sorrows of Werter. I `
` learned from Werter's imaginations despondency and gloom, but Plutarch `
` taught me high thoughts; he elevated me above the wretched sphere of my `
` own reflections, to admire and love the heroes of past ages. Many `
` things I read surpassed my understanding and experience. I had a very `
` confused knowledge of kingdoms, wide extents of country, mighty rivers, `
` and boundless seas. But I was perfectly unacquainted with towns and `
` large assemblages of men. The cottage of my protectors had been the `
` only school in which I had studied human nature, but this book `
` developed new and mightier scenes of action. I read of men concerned `
` in public affairs, governing or massacring their species. I felt the `
` greatest ardour for virtue rise within me, and abhorrence for vice, as `
` far as I understood the signification of those terms, relative as they `
` were, as I applied them, to pleasure and pain alone. Induced by these `
` feelings, I was of course led to admire peaceable lawgivers, Numa, `
` Solon, and Lycurgus, in preference to Romulus and Theseus. The `
` patriarchal lives of my protectors caused these impressions to take a `
` firm hold on my mind; perhaps, if my first introduction to humanity had `
` been made by a young soldier, burning for glory and slaughter, I should `
` have been imbued with different sensations. `
` `
` "But Paradise Lost excited different and far deeper emotions. I read `
` it, as I had read the other volumes which had fallen into my hands, as `
` a true history. It moved every feeling of wonder and awe that the `
` picture of an omnipotent God warring with his creatures was capable of `
` exciting. I often referred the several situations, as their similarity `
` struck me, to my own. Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to `
` any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine `
` in every other respect. He had come forth from the hands of God a `
` perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the especial care of `
` his Creator; he was allowed to converse with and acquire knowledge from `
` beings of a superior nature, but I was wretched, helpless, and alone. `
` Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition, for `
` often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter `
` gall of envy rose within me. `
` `
` "Another circumstance strengthened and confirmed these feelings. Soon `
` after my arrival in the hovel I discovered some papers in the pocket of `
` the dress which I had taken from your laboratory. At first I had `
` neglected them, but now that I was able to decipher the characters in `
` which they were written, I began to study them with diligence. It was `
` your journal of the four months that preceded my creation. You `
` minutely described in these papers every step you took in the progress `
` of your work; this history was mingled with accounts of domestic `
` occurrences. You doubtless recollect these papers. Here they are. `
` Everything is related in them which bears reference to my accursed `
` origin; the whole detail of that series of disgusting circumstances `
` which produced it is set in view; the minutest description of my odious `
` and loathsome person is given, in language which painted your own `
` horrors and rendered mine indelible. I sickened as I read. `Hateful `
` day when I received life!' I exclaimed in agony. `Accursed creator! `
` Why did you form a monster so hideous that even YOU turned from me in `
` disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own `
` image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the `
` very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire `
` and encourage him, but I am solitary and abhorred.' `
` `
` "These were the reflections of my hours of despondency and solitude; `
` but when I contemplated the virtues of the cottagers, their amiable and `
` benevolent dispositions, I persuaded myself that when they should `
` become acquainted with my admiration of their virtues they would `
` compassionate me and overlook my personal deformity. Could they turn `
` from their door one, however monstrous, who solicited their compassion `
` and friendship? I resolved, at least, not to despair, but in every way `
` to fit myself for an interview with them which would decide my fate. I `
` postponed this attempt for some months longer, for the importance `
` attached to its success inspired me with a dread lest I should fail. `
` Besides, I found that my understanding improved so much with every `
` day's experience that I was unwilling to commence this undertaking `
` until a few more months should have added to my sagacity. `
` `
` "Several changes, in the meantime, took place in the cottage. The `
` presence of Safie diffused happiness among its inhabitants, and I also `
` found that a greater degree of plenty reigned there. Felix and Agatha `
` spent more time in amusement and conversation, and were assisted in `
`
` "The government of France were greatly enraged at the escape of their `
` victim and spared no pains to detect and punish his deliverer. The `
` plot of Felix was quickly discovered, and De Lacey and Agatha were `
` thrown into prison. The news reached Felix and roused him from his `
` dream of pleasure. His blind and aged father and his gentle sister lay `
` in a noisome dungeon while he enjoyed the free air and the society of `
` her whom he loved. This idea was torture to him. He quickly arranged `
` with the Turk that if the latter should find a favourable opportunity `
` for escape before Felix could return to Italy, Safie should remain as a `
` boarder at a convent at Leghorn; and then, quitting the lovely Arabian, `
` he hastened to Paris and delivered himself up to the vengeance of the `
` law, hoping to free De Lacey and Agatha by this proceeding. `
` `
` "He did not succeed. They remained confined for five months before the `
` trial took place, the result of which deprived them of their fortune and `
` condemned them to a perpetual exile from their native country. `
` `
` "They found a miserable asylum in the cottage in Germany, where I `
` discovered them. Felix soon learned that the treacherous Turk, for `
` whom he and his family endured such unheard-of oppression, on `
` discovering that his deliverer was thus reduced to poverty and ruin, `
` became a traitor to good feeling and honour and had quitted Italy with `
` his daughter, insultingly sending Felix a pittance of money to aid him, `
` as he said, in some plan of future maintenance. `
` `
` "Such were the events that preyed on the heart of Felix and rendered `
` him, when I first saw him, the most miserable of his family. He could `
` have endured poverty, and while this distress had been the meed of his `
` virtue, he gloried in it; but the ingratitude of the Turk and the loss `
` of his beloved Safie were misfortunes more bitter and irreparable. The `
` arrival of the Arabian now infused new life into his soul. `
` `
` "When the news reached Leghorn that Felix was deprived of his wealth `
` and rank, the merchant commanded his daughter to think no more of her `
` lover, but to prepare to return to her native country. The generous `
` nature of Safie was outraged by this command; she attempted to `
` expostulate with her father, but he left her angrily, reiterating his `
` tyrannical mandate. `
` `
` "A few days after, the Turk entered his daughter's apartment and told `
` her hastily that he had reason to believe that his residence at Leghorn `
` had been divulged and that he should speedily be delivered up to the `
` French government; he had consequently hired a vessel to convey him to `
` Constantinople, for which city he should sail in a few hours. He `
` intended to leave his daughter under the care of a confidential `
` servant, to follow at her leisure with the greater part of his `
` property, which had not yet arrived at Leghorn. `
` `
` "When alone, Safie resolved in her own mind the plan of conduct that it `
` would become her to pursue in this emergency. A residence in Turkey `
` was abhorrent to her; her religion and her feelings were alike averse `
` to it. By some papers of her father which fell into her hands she `
` heard of the exile of her lover and learnt the name of the spot where `
` he then resided. She hesitated some time, but at length she formed her `
` determination. Taking with her some jewels that belonged to her and a `
` sum of money, she quitted Italy with an attendant, a native of Leghorn, `
` but who understood the common language of Turkey, and departed for `
` Germany. `
` `
` "She arrived in safety at a town about twenty leagues from the cottage `
` of De Lacey, when her attendant fell dangerously ill. Safie nursed her `
` with the most devoted affection, but the poor girl died, and the `
` Arabian was left alone, unacquainted with the language of the country `
` and utterly ignorant of the customs of the world. She fell, however, `
` into good hands. The Italian had mentioned the name of the spot for `
` which they were bound, and after her death the woman of the house in `
` which they had lived took care that Safie should arrive in safety at `
` the cottage of her lover." `
` `
` `
` Chapter 15 `
` `
` "Such was the history of my beloved cottagers. It impressed me deeply. `
` I learned, from the views of social life which it developed, to admire `
` their virtues and to deprecate the vices of mankind. `
` `
` "As yet I looked upon crime as a distant evil, benevolence and `
` generosity were ever present before me, inciting within me a desire to `
` become an actor in the busy scene where so many admirable qualities `
` were called forth and displayed. But in giving an account of the `
` progress of my intellect, I must not omit a circumstance which occurred `
` in the beginning of the month of August of the same year. `
` `
` "One night during my accustomed visit to the neighbouring wood where I `
` collected my own food and brought home firing for my protectors, I `
` found on the ground a leathern portmanteau containing several articles `
` of dress and some books. I eagerly seized the prize and returned with `
` it to my hovel. Fortunately the books were written in the language, `
` the elements of which I had acquired at the cottage; they consisted of `
` Paradise Lost, a volume of Plutarch's Lives, and the Sorrows of Werter. `
` The possession of these treasures gave me extreme delight; I now `
` continually studied and exercised my mind upon these histories, whilst `
` my friends were employed in their ordinary occupations. `
` `
` "I can hardly describe to you the effect of these books. They produced `
` in me an infinity of new images and feelings, that sometimes raised me `
` to ecstasy, but more frequently sunk me into the lowest dejection. In `
` the Sorrows of Werter, besides the interest of its simple and affecting `
` story, so many opinions are canvassed and so many lights thrown upon `
` what had hitherto been to me obscure subjects that I found in it a `
` never-ending source of speculation and astonishment. The gentle and `
` domestic manners it described, combined with lofty sentiments and `
` feelings, which had for their object something out of self, accorded `
` well with my experience among my protectors and with the wants which `
` were forever alive in my own bosom. But I thought Werter himself a `
` more divine being than I had ever beheld or imagined; his character `
` contained no pretension, but it sank deep. The disquisitions upon `
` death and suicide were calculated to fill me with wonder. I did not `
` pretend to enter into the merits of the case, yet I inclined towards `
` the opinions of the hero, whose extinction I wept, without precisely `
` understanding it. `
` `
` "As I read, however, I applied much personally to my own feelings and `
` condition. I found myself similar yet at the same time strangely `
` unlike to the beings concerning whom I read and to whose conversation I `
` was a listener. I sympathized with and partly understood them, but I `
` was unformed in mind; I was dependent on none and related to none. `
` `The path of my departure was free,' and there was none to lament my `
` annihilation. My person was hideous and my stature gigantic. What did `
` this mean? Who was I? What was I? Whence did I come? What was my `
` destination? These questions continually recurred, but I was unable to `
` solve them. `
` `
` "The volume of Plutarch's Lives which I possessed contained the `
` histories of the first founders of the ancient republics. This book `
` had a far different effect upon me from the Sorrows of Werter. I `
` learned from Werter's imaginations despondency and gloom, but Plutarch `
` taught me high thoughts; he elevated me above the wretched sphere of my `
` own reflections, to admire and love the heroes of past ages. Many `
` things I read surpassed my understanding and experience. I had a very `
` confused knowledge of kingdoms, wide extents of country, mighty rivers, `
` and boundless seas. But I was perfectly unacquainted with towns and `
` large assemblages of men. The cottage of my protectors had been the `
` only school in which I had studied human nature, but this book `
` developed new and mightier scenes of action. I read of men concerned `
` in public affairs, governing or massacring their species. I felt the `
` greatest ardour for virtue rise within me, and abhorrence for vice, as `
` far as I understood the signification of those terms, relative as they `
` were, as I applied them, to pleasure and pain alone. Induced by these `
` feelings, I was of course led to admire peaceable lawgivers, Numa, `
` Solon, and Lycurgus, in preference to Romulus and Theseus. The `
` patriarchal lives of my protectors caused these impressions to take a `
` firm hold on my mind; perhaps, if my first introduction to humanity had `
` been made by a young soldier, burning for glory and slaughter, I should `
` have been imbued with different sensations. `
` `
` "But Paradise Lost excited different and far deeper emotions. I read `
` it, as I had read the other volumes which had fallen into my hands, as `
` a true history. It moved every feeling of wonder and awe that the `
` picture of an omnipotent God warring with his creatures was capable of `
` exciting. I often referred the several situations, as their similarity `
` struck me, to my own. Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to `
` any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine `
` in every other respect. He had come forth from the hands of God a `
` perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the especial care of `
` his Creator; he was allowed to converse with and acquire knowledge from `
` beings of a superior nature, but I was wretched, helpless, and alone. `
` Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition, for `
` often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter `
` gall of envy rose within me. `
` `
` "Another circumstance strengthened and confirmed these feelings. Soon `
` after my arrival in the hovel I discovered some papers in the pocket of `
` the dress which I had taken from your laboratory. At first I had `
` neglected them, but now that I was able to decipher the characters in `
` which they were written, I began to study them with diligence. It was `
` your journal of the four months that preceded my creation. You `
` minutely described in these papers every step you took in the progress `
` of your work; this history was mingled with accounts of domestic `
` occurrences. You doubtless recollect these papers. Here they are. `
` Everything is related in them which bears reference to my accursed `
` origin; the whole detail of that series of disgusting circumstances `
` which produced it is set in view; the minutest description of my odious `
` and loathsome person is given, in language which painted your own `
` horrors and rendered mine indelible. I sickened as I read. `Hateful `
` day when I received life!' I exclaimed in agony. `Accursed creator! `
` Why did you form a monster so hideous that even YOU turned from me in `
` disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own `
` image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the `
` very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire `
` and encourage him, but I am solitary and abhorred.' `
` `
` "These were the reflections of my hours of despondency and solitude; `
` but when I contemplated the virtues of the cottagers, their amiable and `
` benevolent dispositions, I persuaded myself that when they should `
` become acquainted with my admiration of their virtues they would `
` compassionate me and overlook my personal deformity. Could they turn `
` from their door one, however monstrous, who solicited their compassion `
` and friendship? I resolved, at least, not to despair, but in every way `
` to fit myself for an interview with them which would decide my fate. I `
` postponed this attempt for some months longer, for the importance `
` attached to its success inspired me with a dread lest I should fail. `
` Besides, I found that my understanding improved so much with every `
` day's experience that I was unwilling to commence this undertaking `
` until a few more months should have added to my sagacity. `
` `
` "Several changes, in the meantime, took place in the cottage. The `
` presence of Safie diffused happiness among its inhabitants, and I also `
` found that a greater degree of plenty reigned there. Felix and Agatha `
` spent more time in amusement and conversation, and were assisted in `
`