Frankenstein, Chapter 12 summary
Chapter 12 of 28 · Part 2 · 8 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 12, the unnamed narrator watches a poor family, secretly eases their work, and begins learning their language while remaining hidden beside their cottage. Their kindness strengthens his desire for companionship, but seeing his reflection brings despair and makes him postpone introducing himself until he can speak to them.
What happens
- The narrator remains hidden and observes the affection, sadness, and poverty of the blind father, Agatha, and Felix.
- Recognizing their hunger, he stops stealing food and secretly gathers firewood and performs chores for them.
- He learns several spoken words and the family’s names, then begins to understand the connection between reading and speech.
- His reflection in a pool horrifies him, and he decides to master language before revealing himself.
- Spring improves the family’s food supply and lifts his spirits as he imagines gaining their affection.
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In this chapter
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Why does the narrator stop taking the family’s food?
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