Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus
by Mary Shelley
Contents
Chapter XIV
Overview
The Creature reveals the De Lacey family’s past: once affluent Parisians, they are ruined when Felix liberates Safie’s unjustly condemned Turkish father. The French government punishes the De Laceys with exile and poverty. The Turk betrays Felix, but Safie, guided by her mother’s teachings, defies her father and journeys to Germany to reunite with Felix.
Summary
The Creature, having gained literacy, recounts the De Lacey family’s history. De Lacey, once respected in Paris, lived with his children Felix and Agatha in comfort. A Turkish merchant, Safie’s father, is unjustly condemned to death, likely due to religion and wealth rather than crime.
Witnessing the verdict, Felix vows to rescue the merchant. He contacts the prisoner through a grated window and rejects bribes, but after meeting Safie, he hopes for a future with her. The Turk promises Safie’s hand while Felix arranges a prison escape and secures passports for his own family.
Felix escorts the fugitives to Italy, where he and Safie grow closer through an interpreter. Secretly despising a Christian match yet fearing exposure, the Turk delays and deceives Felix. Meanwhile, the French government discovers the plot; De Lacey and Agatha are imprisoned. Felix returns to Paris and surrenders, but the trial strips the family of fortune and banishes them.
Ruined, the De Laceys settle in the German cottage observed by the Creature. The Turk abandons Felix, fleeing with Safie and sending only a token sum. This betrayal and Safie’s loss crush Felix’s spirit until hope returns with news of Safie.
Safie’s letters reveal her late Christian Arab mother taught independence and loathing of confinement. Ordered to forget Felix and return to Turkey, Safie refuses. Learning Felix’s place of exile, she takes jewels and money and departs Italy with an attendant, aiming for Germany.
Near her destination, the attendant dies after illness, leaving Safie alone and unfamiliar with the language. Local help guides her the rest of the way, and she arrives safely at the De Lacey cottage, rekindling Felix’s hopes and completing the backstory the Creature has pieced together.
Who Appears
- Felix De LaceyAids Safie’s father’s escape; sacrifices everything; family is exiled; betrayed by the Turk; longs for Safie.
- SafieDaughter of the Turk; inspired by her mother’s ideals; defies her father; travels to Germany to reunite with Felix.
- The Turk (Safie’s father)Unjustly condemned; freed by Felix; secretly opposes Safie’s Christian match; betrays Felix and flees with Safie.
- De LaceyBlind patriarch; imprisoned and exiled due to Felix’s actions; later lives in poverty in Germany.
- Agatha De LaceyFelix’s sister; imprisoned and exiled with her father; shares the family’s fall into poverty.
- The CreatureNarrator; acquires and recounts letters revealing the De Laceys’ history and Safie’s journey.