Frankenstein’s struggle to understand his origins is once again highlighted in this chapter, as he questions his past and his purpose: “ 'The path of my departure was free, ' and there was none to lament my annihilation. My person was hideous and my stature gigantic. What did this mean? Who was I? What was I? Whence did I come? What was my destination? These questions continually recurred, but I was unable to solve them.” (pg. 131). He later compares his own creation to that of Adam, explaining, “Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine in every other respect. He had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the …show more content…
Frankenstein questions his own morals and purpose, as he realizes, “‘Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him, but I am solitary and abhorred. '” (pg. 133). After viewing such acts of hatred and prejudice committed against him by the people around him, he reconsiders how he should be behaving, and wonders why there are no others similar to him. He explains, “Increase of knowledge only discovered to me more clearly what a wretched outcast I was.” (pg. 133). This chapter features a key plot point, as Frankenstein decides to reveal himself to the cottagers whom he has been observing for many months. After exposing himself to the blind father, he is discovered by Felix, who runs him out of the house, fearful for his family’s safety. This rejection is a huge shock to Frankenstein, who felt a deep connection with the family after watching them for so long. It is this negative reaction which leads Frankenstein to lash out and behave violently, which is described in the next chapter. The chapter ends with the following description: “Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore me from his father, to whose knees I clung, in a transport of fury, he dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick. I could have torn him limb from limb, as the lion rends the