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This was indeed a godlike science,
Haha
when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification.
Alas! I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this miserable deformity.
Happy, happy earth! fit habitation for gods,
Felix
his sweet Arabian.
Simile
Agatha,
Safie.’
my protectors.
An ironic epithet, used 13 times.
Volney’s Ruins of Empires.
wept with Safie over the hapless fate of its original inhabitants.
the possessions most esteemed by your fellow-creatures were, high and unsullied descent united with riches.
And what was I?
When I looked around, I saw and heard of none like me.24 Was I then a monster, a blot upon the earth, from which all men fled, and whom all men disowned?25
Oh, that I had for ever remained in my native wood, nor known or felt beyond the sensations of hunger, thirst, and heat!
The curiosity combined with rationality made that impossible.
“Of what a strange nature is knowledge! It clings to the mind, when it has once seized on it, like a lichen on the rock.
the desire I had of becoming one among my fellows.
No father had watched my infant days, no mother had blessed me with smiles and caresses;
What was I?
Friend? Question
A melodrama worthy of Dickens or Collins.
De Lacey.
“The father of Safie
the unfortunate Mahometan;
Haha - but “possessed” is ugly
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 Mahomet.
Who was I? What was I?
I learned from Werter’s imaginations despondency and gloom:
Plutarch taught me high thoughts;
Paradise Lost
the picture of an omnipotent God warring with his creatures was capable of exciting.
their similarity struck me, to my own.
Like Adam, I was created apparently united by no link to any othe...
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I was wretched, helpless, and alone.
the bitter gall of envy rose within me.
compassionate
Could they turn from their door one, however monstrous, who solicited their compassion and friendship?
conformation
their joys, depending on each other, were not interrupted by the casualties that took place around them.
my heart yearned to be known and loved by these amiable creatures:
to see their sweet looks turned towards me with affection, was the utmost...
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The poor that stopped at their door were never driven away.
They are kind—they are the most excellent creatures in the world; but, unfortunately, they are prejudiced against me. I have good dispositions; my life has been hitherto harmless, and, in some degree, beneficial; but a fatal prejudice clouds their eyes, and where they ought to see a feeling and kind friend, they behold only a detestable monster.’
Nancy liked this
“Cursed, cursed creator!
I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants, and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery.
The monster within
Simile
