In the eleventh chapter of Frankenstein, the monster begins reflecting on his earliest days of existence.  He talks about his discoveries, and everything that he taught himself amidst those early days of confusion and loneliness.  In relation to Emile, the basics of survival that the monster learns come from the school of nature, making decisions based on the torments of “hunger and thirst”.   His learning through experience proves to be incredibly important.  He lives and thrives off of instinct, and only upon encountering humans and their disgust towards does he learn from the school of man.  Again, he learns from the school of man; language, communication, guilt, once he begins observing the cottage and its inhabitants, proving that “all that we need when we come to man’s estate, is the gift of education” (Part One).   This part of the monsters education is vital if he is to be able to function in the realm of man.

Rousseau puts a great deal of emphasis on the school of nature.  In chapter twelve however, when the monster begins feeling lonely, sad, and isolated, it seems that the school and realm of man is the most valuable to him.  The school of nature, no matter how useful, will never teach him the benefits of social interaction and human relationships.