Student Question

Why does Shelley draw parallels between the De Lacey family and the creature in Frankenstein?

Quick answer:

Shelley draws parallels between the De Lacey family and the creature to evoke sympathy for the creature and explore the theme of Nature vs. Nurture. Both the family and the creature experience alienation, and the creature learns language by observing them. This connection highlights his potential for humanity and kindness, emphasizing that, like other nurtured characters, he could have been loving if not for rejection. The parallels underscore the creature's humanity and the impact of abandonment.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Mary Shelly does create parallel circumstances between the characters of her novel Frankenstein. Perhaps one of the parallels most ignored is the one created between the DeLacey family and Victor's monster.

This parallel is created through the experiences both share. The old man, Mr. DeLacey, is blind. Through the loss of this one sense, he is required to depend upon his others. The monster, like DeLacey, is challenged as well. His lack of language forces him to be unable to communicate. It is only through his watching of the DeLacey family that he is able to learn to speak. This lack of language allows the reader to sympathize with him in the same way that they sympathize with the old man.

Another way that the family and the monster are similar is the fact that both seem to be separated from the rest o0f the world. The...

Unlock
This Answer Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

family lives together apart from the rest of civilization. The monster, through no fault of his own, must live the same way. Both the monster and the family have been alienated.

The reasoning for these parallels is to allow the reader to find sympathy for the monster. By parallelling him with the DeLacey's a reader can see that he is not so different. This is very important given Shelley seems to want readers to empathize and sympathize with the monster. Without paralleling him with the DeLaceys, a reader cannot see his "human side."

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

One of the main themes that Mary Shelley's Frankenstein explores is Nature vs. Nurture.  For, prevalent throughout the narrative is one example after another of nurturing on the part of those connected to Victor in sharp contrast to his complete abandonment of his creature. Time and again, one character cares for another:  Caroline Frankenstein is very solicitous of the orphaned Justine and Elizabeth, Elizabeth testifies on behalf of Justine at her trial for the death of William, Henry Clerval rushes to the aid of his dear friend, Victor; moreover, Alphonse Frankenstein does everything that he can for his family.

In Chapter 11, when the creature discovers that the hovel he has found in the woods is adjacent to a poor family, he spies upon them in amazement at the loving relationship that they all have.  And, although they are rather destitute, there is a warmth and happiness that emanates from the little cottage.  It is with wonder and desire that the creature listens and learns from the Delacey family--"It was a lovely sight, even to me, poor wretch!" As he observes the family, the creature recounts his feelings,

The silver hair and benevolent countenance of the aged cottager won my reverence, while the gentle manners of the girl enticed my love.

Then, in Chapter 12, the creature continues to observe the family and learns that they communicate to each other through sound. "This was indeed a godlike science, and I ardently desired to become acquainted with it," he relates.  And, as he continues to observe the Delacey's, the creature yearns to interact with them himself.  Unfortunately, they are terrified by his physical appearance and he is again rejected. 

Having been refused the healing comfort of other beings, the creature suffers greatly from the pain of his isolation, and he is almost forced into committing evil acts because of this rejection,whereas previously, he harbored no cruel or malicious thoughts when he vicariously participated in the loving relationships of the Delacey family.  Thus, Shelley suggests that given the nurturing that the Frankenstein family proferred the other "orphans," Justine and Elizabeth," the creature would have continued to be loving and unselfish as he has been toward the Delaceys. The renowned critic Harold Bloom underscores this observation as he writes,

The greatest paradox and most astonishing achievement of Mary Shelley's novel is that the monster is more human than his creator.

As exemplified in his attitudes towards the Delaceys, Frankenstein's creature is essentially the Rousseauian "noble savage" and, like those in the nurturing Frankenstein family, he is affable and kind. However, he is later rejected and treated cruelly, a condition that leads him to act in similar fashion as he suffers so terribly from his alienation.  Through the use of parallels, Mart Shelley demonstrates that without proper nurturing, man becomes capable of extreme cruelty.

Approved by eNotes Editorial