Chapter+13

Stalking the Family "Are you stalking me? Because that would be super." Ryan Reynolds ** Contributors ** Christine Young Melissa Puntkattalee
 * Chapter 13 **


 * Summary**

The Creature tells the story of Safie's arrival to the cottage. There is a change of mood exhibited by the cottagers as their spirits are lifted. The Creature learns about history, society, and human relationship through Felix as he is teaching Safie.


 * Allusions:**

Volney's //Ruins of Empires-// Through this work the Creature learns about the history of the Asiatics, the Grecians, and the Romans.The creature is touched by the work and cries alongside Safie when they hear the story. This allusion helps show that the Creature also has emotions and sympathy.


 * Motifs/Symbols:**

1. __The Weather__: "Spring advanced rapidly; the weather became fine, and the skies cloudless. It surprised me, that what before was desert and gloomy should now bloom with the most beautiful flowers and verdue " (135). The Creature's mood reflects the weather. Now that the Creature has gotten to know the cottagers, it believes that it can one day become their friend and companion. "...her presence diffused gladness through the cottage, dispelling their sorrow as the sun dissipates the morning mists" (137). The weather not only reflects the mood of the Creature, but also the mood of the cottagers. The cottager's mood has changed to happiness due to the arrival of Safie the Arabian.

2. __Black__: "The lady was dressed in a dark suit, and covered with a thick black veil "(136). The color black can symbolize sadness, mystery, and depression. Safie wearing a black veil signifies that she has a sad, mysterious past. Her past is revealed later on in the story to show that her sadness is due to her not being able to be with her lover, Felix. Once Safie has reached the cottagers, she is no longer seen or portrayed with anything black on because she exudes happiness.

3. __Nature__: "...the black ground was covered with herbage, and the green banks interspersed with innumerable flowers, sweet to the scent and the eyes..." (138). Not only does the weather reflect emotions and moods, but also nature. Upon Safie's arrival, the cottagers' spirits are lifted and nature reflects this change. The ground is now covered with growth, life, and beauty.

4. __Music__: In the novel, music represents hope for happiness. When music is present, the characters become aware of hope and emotion. The father, De Lacey, plays the guitar in the beginning of the chapter and brings forth cheer from Felix. When the Creature hears Safie and Agatha sing and play the guitar, he feels hope and cheer that he says "drew tears of sorrow and delight from my eyes" (137).


 * Themes:**

__The Need for Acceptance is Universal__ The author portrays acceptance as something that is sought out by everyone. Appearance is directly related to the theme of acceptance due to many of the characters judging others by their apperance. The author, Mary Shelley, describes in detail the countenance of each character. The cottage dwellers are described as normal looking, the Arab as beautiful and mysterious, and the Creature as misshapen and dreadful. Safie's appearance is highlighted as she is described as having "angelic beauty" (136). The more attractive the character, the more others seem to accept them. All characters have a commonality, the need for relationship and acceptance.


 * Character Development:**

__Felix__: In the beginning of the chapter, Felix "was melancholy beyond expression" (135). He was depressed and lacked life. After the Safie arrived, Felix became full of life and "seemed ravished with delight when he saw her, every trait of sorrow vanished from his face, and it instantly expressed a degree of ecstatic joy..." (136). His character changes as he is filled with joy and happiness.

__The Creature__: In this chapter, the Creature develops by learning more about society and how it may be different from other members of society. The Creature gains knowledge about human relationships and it begins to question its birth and existence. "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?" (140).


 * Significant Quotes and explanations:**

"When I looked around, I saw and heard of none like me" (140).
 * The significance of this quote is the Creature's knowledge that it is different from everyone else in the world. The Creature realizes that it has no money, no friends, no property and that everyone flees from it because it is a monster. This quote foreshadows the Creature's realization that it needs a companion and that Frankenstein is the only person who can make a companion for it.

"Of what a strange nature is knowledge! It clings to the mind, when it has once seized on it, like a lichen on a rock" (141).
 * This quote is said by the Creature, however, it can also be applied to the life of Frankenstein. The meaning behind the quote is that once the Creature has learned more about how society functions, he cannot stop thinking about how he might not belong in this world. The quote can also be applied to Frankenstein because once Frankenstein gained knowledge of how to create life, he was fervent in his actions and would not quit until his work was done.


 * Art Gallery: Lady on Horseback**


 * Sources:**

Reynolds, Ryan. Thinkexist.com n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2010.

Shelley, Mary. __Frankenstein__. New York: Simon and Scheuster Paperbacks, 2009. 135-141. Print. Beautiful work!