Frankenstein · Chapter
Chapter XIV explained
The Creature recounts the history of the De Lacey family, learning that they were once wealthy and respected in Paris.
What happens
The Creature recounts the history of the De Lacey family, learning that they were once wealthy and respected in Paris. Their ruin was caused by Safie's father, a Turkish merchant condemned to death, whom Felix helped escape. Felix fell in love with Safie, but after the De Laceys were imprisoned and exiled, the Turk betrayed Felix and took Safie away. Safie, inspired by her Christian mother's teachings, defied her father and journeyed alone to reunite with Felix in Germany.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Friendship
Felix's devotion to his father and sister drives him to sacrifice his freedom, while Safie's loyalty to her mother's teachings shapes her defiance.
Isolation and Loneliness
The De Laceys' exile and Safie's solitary journey to Germany underscore the theme of isolation experienced by the characters.
Characters to notice
- The Creature
Narrates the history of the De Lacey family after learning it through observation and letters.
- Felix De Lacey
Son of De Lacey; heroically helps Safie's father escape prison, falls in love with Safie, and suffers exile and poverty after being betrayed.
- Safie
Daughter of the Turkish merchant; educated by her Christian mother, she defies her father to reunite with Felix in Germany.
- Agatha De Lacey
Daughter of De Lacey; imprisoned with her father after Felix's plot is discovered.
- Old De Lacey
Father of Felix and Agatha; a once-affluent Frenchman now living in exile in a German cottage.
Key passages
“The name of the old man was De Lacey. He was descended from a good family in France, where he had lived for many years in affluence, respected by his superiors, and beloved by his equals.”
The old man was called De Lacey, from a respected French family that had once been wealthy and well-liked.
Introduces the De Lacey family background.
“Felix had accidentally been present at the trial; his horror and indignation were uncontrollable, when he heard the decision of the court. He made, at that moment, a solemn vow to deliver him.”
Felix happened to be at the trial and was so outraged by the unjust verdict that he vowed to rescue the prisoner.
Felix's motivation to help Safie's father.
“She instructed her daughter in the tenets of her religion, and taught her to aspire to higher powers of intellect, and an independence of spirit, forbidden to the female followers of Muhammad.”
Safie's mother taught her Christian values and encouraged intellectual ambition and independence, which were not allowed for Muslim women.
Safie's mother's influence on her worldview.
“The prospect of marrying a Christian, and remaining in a country where women were allowed to take a rank in society, was enchanting to her.”
Safie was delighted at the idea of marrying a Christian and living in a society where women had higher status.
Safie's desire for freedom and equality.
“Such were the events that preyed on the heart of Felix, and rendered him, when I first saw him, the most miserable of his family.”
These misfortunes tormented Felix, making him the unhappiest member of his family when the Creature first saw him.
Felix's emotional state before Safie's arrival.