Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus
by Mary Shelley
Contents
Chapter XV
Overview
The Creature discovers books and Victor’s journal, which deepen his self-awareness and confirm his horrific origin. Hoping for acceptance, he approaches the blind De Lacey and almost wins sympathy, but Felix, Agatha, and Safie return, react in terror, and drive him away. This shatters the Creature’s hope for human connection and hardens his isolation.
Summary
The Creature, inspired by the De Lacey family’s virtues, continues educating himself. In August he finds a portmanteau with clothes and three books—The Sorrows of Werter, Plutarch’s Lives, and Paradise Lost—and studies them avidly.
Each book shapes his mind differently: Werter feeds melancholy and speculation; Plutarch inspires admiration for virtuous lawgivers and public life; Paradise Lost, read as history, makes him compare himself to Adam and especially to Satan, intensifying envy and alienation.
He then discovers papers in the clothing stolen from Victor’s laboratory—Victor’s journal of the months before animation. Reading vivid descriptions of his creation and deformity, the Creature learns his origin, curses Victor, and feels irrevocably abhorred.
Despite despair, he resolves to seek acceptance from the cottagers, planning to first win over the blind De Lacey, whose judgment will not be swayed by appearance. As autumn and winter pass, Safie’s presence brings the family contentment, deepening the Creature’s longing for companionship.
Seizing a moment when Felix, Agatha, and Safie are away, the Creature enters the cottage. He speaks respectfully to De Lacey, who responds kindly and offers help even without seeing him. The Creature reveals he seeks the family’s protection—then discloses that De Lacey’s household are the very “friends.”
At that instant, Felix, Agatha, and Safie return. Agatha faints; Safie flees; Felix violently drives the Creature from De Lacey’s side and beats him. Choosing restraint over retaliation, the Creature escapes to his hovel, his hope of acceptance crushed.
Who Appears
- The CreatureProtagonist-narrator; learns from three books, reads Victor’s journal, plans a plea to De Lacey, and is violently rejected.
- De LaceyBlind patriarch; listens kindly to the Creature and offers help before being interrupted by his family.
- Felix De LaceyReturns mid-interview, sees the Creature, reacts in terror, and beats him away from his father.
- Agatha De LaceyShocked by the Creature’s appearance; faints upon entering the cottage.
- SafieReturns with Felix and Agatha; flees the cottage in fear at the Creature’s sight.
- Victor FrankensteinAbsent creator; his journal reveals the Creature’s origin and intensifies the Creature’s anguish.