Victor Frankenstein, driven by a desire to transcend natural limits, assembles a humanoid creature from dead matter. Horrified by his creation, he abandons it, prompting the being to seek revenge for its isolation. The narrative follows the catastrophic fallout of this broken bond, moving from the icy Arctic to the serene Swiss Alps, as creator and creation are locked in a mutual pursuit of ruin.
The agony of these reflections was intense, for he found that sorrow only increased with knowledge. He admired the virtues and gentle manners of the cottagers but realized he was shut out from all intercourse with them. The gentle words of Agatha, the smiles of Safie, and the conversation of Felix were not for him. Further lessons concerning the human bonds of family—the father’s doting on the infant and the mother’s care—deepened his despair. He realized that no father had watched his infant days, nor had any mother blessed him with smiles. He had no past, no relations, and no being resembling him. The question of recurring identity—what was he?—could be answered only with groans, leaving him in a blind vacancy of isolation.
The creature’s newfound knowledge had awakened him to his wretched isolation, yet he remained ignorant of the circumstances that had brought such gentle souls to their humble dwelling. His education would soon expand beyond language and history, as the story of the De Lacey family’s fall from prosperity unfolded before him.
The creature learned that the old man, De Lacey, was descended from a good French family and had lived for many years in affluence and respect. His son, Felix, had served his country, and Agatha had ranked with ladies of distinction. Their ruin was caused by Safie’s father, a Turkish merchant who became obnoxious to the French government and was condemned to death on false charges. Felix, present at the trial, was horrified by the injustice and vowed to deliver the prisoner. He communicated with the merchant through a grated window, and although Felix rejected offers of wealth, he was captivated by the lovely Safie, who expressed her gratitude through gestures. The Turk promised Safie’s hand in marriage to secure Felix’s aid.
During the preparations for the escape, Felix received letters from Safie, which the creature later found and read. Safie recounted that her mother was a Christian Arab enslaved by the Turks, who had taught her daughter to aspire to independence and intellect. Safie detested the prospect of returning to Asia and the confinement of a harem, finding the idea of marrying a Christian and remaining in Europe enchanting. Felix successfully helped the merchant escape to Italy, but the plot was discovered. De Lacey and Agatha were imprisoned, and Felix surrendered himself in a futile attempt to save them. The family was tried, deprived of their fortune, and condemned to perpetual exile, finding a miserable asylum in the German cottage.
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