Frankenstein 7

• “It was as the ass and the lap-dog; yet surely the gentle ass whose intentions were affectionate, although his manners were rude, deserved better treatment than blows and execration.” (p. 103)
  

The fable, The Ass and the Lap-Dog, was written by French fabulist Jean de La Fontaine. In the fable, the ass studies the lap-dogs' behavior - which is admired by their master. The ass attempts to imitate the same behavior as the lap-dog to earn the same affection, but instead is beaten back to his stable. Similar to the fable and as Shelley describes, the monster is desperately trying to learn the language and mannerisms of the peasants' in order to find friendship and companionship. Although the monster has good intentions and a kind heart, his hideous appearance will result in the peasants' disgust towards him.

(Works Cited)
"The Ass and the Lap-Dog." Litscape.com. Web. 2 Aug. 2009. http://www.litscape.com/author/Aesop/The_Ass_and_the_Lap-Dog.html.

"Jean de La Fontaine." Wikipedia. 30 July 2009. Web. 2 Aug. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_La_Fontaine.

(Photo Credit)
Photograph. Litscape.com. Web. 13 Sept. 2009. http://www.litscape.com/images/Aesop/The_Ass_and_the_Lap-Dog.jpg.