De Lacy Family

The DeLacey Family can be found in Volume 2 of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Though the family and the
monster have minimum interaction, they play a major role in the monster's development as a character.
As the monster wanders the countryside to escape the wrath of the first town he discovers, he builds a
small dwelling to view the outside world from a distance. He comes to study a poor, peasant family. The
first member of the family the monster observes is a young woman named Agatha. The monster notes
her plain way of dressing and her "patient, yet sad" countenance as she does her chores (Shelley, 79).
The monster later sees a young man named Felix and recalls his countenance as one of "a deeper
despondence" (Shelley, 79). During his observation, the monster realizes that part of the "dwelling" he
created allows him to see into the house of the brother and sister he had been watching. As he peers
through the cottage, he observes "an old man, leaning with his head on his hands in a disconsolate
attitude" (Shelley, 80). The monster learns that this is the leader of the family, a blind man named
DeLacey. The monster begins to admire the family’s nights of music-playing and story-telling. Despite
the family’s love for one another, the monster observes the continuation of their collective sadness until
the arrival of an Arabian woman. The monster shares that the new addition to the family is Felix’s love,
Safie. He learns that Safie and Felix were separated after Safie’s father “became obnoxious to the
government”, which led to the family’s sadness (Shelley, 92). After witnessing their joyful reunion, the
monster begins his self-education through observation of Felix's teaching lessons for Safie and books he
finds in the woods. One night, when DeLacey is home alone, the monster finds the courage to finally
meet him. Their seemingly successful conversation comes to a screeching halt when DeLacey’s family
enters the cottage and attacks the monster out of fear. This encounter fuels the monster’s anger for his
creator, Frankenstein.

The monster’s observation of the DeLacey family teaches him the concept of sympathy. He becomes
aware of the family’s financial situation through close observation of their behavior. The monster
recalls, “A considerable period elapsed before I discovered one of the causes of the uneasiness of this
amiable family; it was poverty: and they suffered that evil in a very distressing degree”. Not long into the
monster’s development, he begins to understand the concept of class. This understanding allows him to
see the battle the family is facing with their ability to produce their own means of survival.

Through his thorough observation of the DeLaceys, the monster learns the theme of family. This comes
under family values. The monster learns that DeLacey is a blind man and his children, Felix and Agatha
have to compensate for this loss of labor by each doing more than their fair share of work around the
cottage. The monster becomes fascinated by the relationship between the father and his two children.
He observes, “Nothing could exceed the love and respect which the younger cottagers exhibited
towards their venerable companion. They performed towards him every little office of affection and
duty with gentleness; and he rewarded them with his benevolent smiles” The monster’s understanding
of family begins with his analysis of the relationship between the three family members. He sees the
kind treatment that is reciprocated from parent to child. Felix and Agatha serve their father through
their work around the house, and they are rewarded by the affection and appreciation of their father,
which is shown through his “benevolent smiles”. According to Anne Mellor, the De Lacey household
represents an “alternative nuclear family structure based on sexual equality and mutual affection”.
Thus, whatever human qualities the monster learns is from the observance of the De Lacy family. The
human qualities of sympathy and love attract him and he yearns to be a part of the community.
However as soon as he is misunderstood, he feels terrible and turns his rage towards his creator as he
feels abandoned and lonely. The De Lacy family indirectly taught the creature human emotions and as
the creature is unable to be a part of the family his monstrous qualities resurface; hatred and violence
drives him to take revenge against his creator.