“When I was thirteen years of age we all went on a party of pleasure to the baths near Thonon; the inclemency of the weather obliged us to remain a day confined to the inn. In this house I chanced to find a volume of the works of Cornelius Agrippa. I opened it with apathy; the theory which he attempts to demonstrate and the wonderful facts which he relates soon changed this feeling into enthusiasm. A new light seemed to dawn upon my mind, and bounding with joy, I communicated my discovery to my father”

In chapter 2, Frankenstein recalls his youth as being defined by his pursuits for knowledge.  However, unlike most children, he yearned to discover life’s hidden secrets.  His ambitions unfulfilled, it was upon strange coincidence that he stumbles across that would bring him the epiphany he so greatly desired.

“One night during my accustomed visit to the neighbouring wood where I collected my own food and brought home firing for my protectors, I found on the ground a leathern portmanteau containing several articles of dress and some books. I eagerly seized the prize and returned with it to my hovel. Fortunately the books were written in the language, the elements of which I had acquired at the cottage; they consisted of Paradise Lost, a volume of Plutarch’s Lives, and the Sorrows of Werter. The possession of these treasures gave me extreme delight; I now continually studied and exercised my mind upon these histories, whilst my friends were employed in their ordinary occupations. ”

In chapter 15, The Monster, continues to recall what would be considered his youth.  Because of his insecurities, he lives as a silent observer to the Delacey ‘s. He spends his days learning from and secretly helping the impoverished family.  Without any intention, he discovers 3 great works of literature that would have a profound impact to him.

There are obvious similarities and differences to the discoveries of Frankenstein and The Monster. They were accidental discoveries that effected both in such a way that they had never known.  Frankenstein, despite his fathers dismissal of the treasure, was brought joy and motivation.  The Monster had no one to share his discoveries with, therefore  he had way to reconcile the feelings of pure joy with those of  dejection.

The literary value of their discoveries is another example.  The works of Cornelius Agrippa had, at some point, been of philosophical  value but was now seen as “sad trash”. Because the works had been long since disproved, one might consider it’s contents “fiction” or “fantasy”. However, because his father had not taken the time to explain this to him, Frankenstein viewed this as a literary truth.  Conversely, unbeknownst to The Monster,  “Paradise Lost” and “Sorrows of Werter” (the books he felt most impacted by) are respected works of fiction. He read these with the same regard that he had with the works he studied from the Delacey’s.