20-minute plan
- Review your notes on the Creature’s time observing the De Laceys (10 mins)
- Map the family’s fate to 2 core Frankenstein themes (5 mins)
- Draft one discussion question linking their fate to Victor’s choices (5 mins)
Keyword Guide · study-guide-general
Frankenstein: What Happened to the De Laceys?
High school and college lit students often struggle to connect the De Laceys' fate to Frankenstein's core themes. This guide cuts through confusion with concrete, study-ready details. You’ll walk away with actionable notes for quizzes, discussions, and essays.
After the Creature reveals himself to the De Laceys, the family flees their cottage in terror. They never return, leaving the cottage abandoned and the Creature fully isolated. This event pushes the Creature toward acts of revenge against Victor Frankenstein.
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Answer Block
The De Laceys are a poor, exiled French family that the Creature observes and learns from in Frankenstein. Their rejection of him marks a turning point in the Creature’s shift from curiosity to rage. Their fate ties directly to the novel’s themes of isolation, prejudice, and the consequences of abandonment.
Next step: Jot down the De Laceys’ fate and its link to the Creature’s revenge in your Frankenstein theme tracker.
Key Takeaways
- The De Laceys flee their cottage immediately after seeing the Creature, never to return.
- Their rejection is the Creature’s final loss of hope for human connection.
- Their fate mirrors Victor’s self-imposed isolation after abandoning his creation.
- The family’s exile from France adds layers to the novel’s exploration of outsider status.
20-Minute Plan and 60-Minute Plan
60-minute plan
- Re-read the sections covering the De Laceys’ departure (20 mins)
- Analyze 3 parallels between the De Laceys’ exile and the Creature’s isolation (20 mins)
- Outline a 3-paragraph essay body tying their fate to the novel’s message about rejection (15 mins)
- Quiz yourself on key details to prep for class or a test (5 mins)
3-Step Study Plan
Action: Compile all details about the De Laceys’ backstory and daily life from your reading
Output: A 2-column note sheet with family facts on one side, Creature’s observations on the other
Action: Connect their fate to 2 other character arcs in the novel
Output: A visual mind map showing links between the De Laceys, Creature, and Victor
Action: Practice explaining their fate in 60 seconds or less
Output: A concise verbal script ready for pop quizzes or cold class calls
Discussion Kit
- What specific details about the De Laceys’ own trauma might have made their rejection of the Creature more likely?
- How does the De Laceys’ flight change the Creature’s understanding of human nature?
- In what ways does Victor’s abandonment of the Creature mirror the De Laceys’ abandonment of their cottage?
- If the De Laceys had reacted differently, how might the novel’s ending change?
- Why do you think the author chose a poor, exiled family as the Creature’s first human contact?
- How does the De Laceys’ fate tie to the novel’s critique of judging others based on appearance?
- What role does the De Laceys’ cottage play as a setting before and after their flight?
Essay Kit
Thesis Templates
- The De Laceys’ abrupt flight from their cottage after encountering the Creature exposes how fear of the unknown can destroy even the most compassionate human instincts, reinforcing Frankenstein’s core theme of isolation.
- By fleeing the Creature, the De Laceys—who themselves know the pain of exile—become agents of the same prejudice that harmed them, creating a circular cycle of rejection central to Frankenstein’s message.
Outline Skeletons
- Intro: Hook with the Creature’s hope for connection, thesis on De Laceys’ fate as turning point; Body 1: De Laceys’ backstory and the Creature’s observation; Body 2: The rejection and immediate flight; Body 3: Link to Creature’s revenge and Victor’s guilt; Conclusion: Tie to novel’s theme of isolation
- Intro: Thesis on De Laceys as mirror for human cruelty; Body 1: De Laceys’ own experience as exiles; Body 2: Their rejection of the Creature as contradictory to their trauma; Body 3: How this event pushes the Creature to violence; Conclusion: Connect to modern discussions of prejudice
Sentence Starters
- The De Laceys’ decision to flee their cottage reveals that even marginalized people can perpetuate systems of exclusion when faced with the unfamiliar.
- Before encountering the Creature, the De Laceys represented the Creature’s last hope for acceptance, but their flight shattered that hope and set him on a path of destruction.
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Exam Kit
Checklist
- I can state the exact trigger for the De Laceys’ flight
- I can link the De Laceys’ fate to 2 core Frankenstein themes
- I can explain how their rejection affects the Creature’s later actions
- I can connect the De Laceys’ exile to their treatment of the Creature
- I can recall key details about the De Laceys’ family dynamic
- I can draft a 1-sentence thesis linking their fate to the novel’s message
- I can identify 1 parallel between the De Laceys and Victor Frankenstein
- I can answer a recall question about their fate in 30 seconds or less
- I can explain why their rejection is more impactful than other slights the Creature faces
- I can list 1 discussion question tied to their fate and theme
Common Mistakes
- Claiming the De Laceys attacked the Creature; they only fled in terror
- Forgetting to link their fate to the novel’s larger themes of isolation and rejection
- Ignoring the De Laceys’ own history of exile, which adds depth to their choice
- Overstating the De Laceys’ role as the sole cause of the Creature’s violence
- Confusing the De Laceys’ cottage with other settings in the novel
Self-Test
- What event causes the De Laceys to flee their cottage?
- How does the De Laceys’ fate change the Creature’s perspective on human connection?
- Name one way the De Laceys’ own trauma ties to their rejection of the Creature?
How-To Block
Action: Pull all notes on the De Laceys from your reading, focusing on their daily life, trauma, and final interaction with the Creature
Output: A organized note sheet with 3 sections: Backstory, Observations, Rejection & Flight
Action: Map each detail of their fate to a core Frankenstein theme (isolation, prejudice, abandonment)
Output: A theme tracker with bullet points linking the De Laceys to each theme
Action: Practice explaining their fate and its thematic links to a peer or recorded voice memo
Output: A polished verbal explanation ready for class discussions or exams
Rubric Block
Accuracy of De Laceys’ Fate
Teacher looks for: Correct, specific details about why and how the De Laceys left their cottage, no invented facts
How to meet it: Cross-reference your notes with the novel’s text to confirm key events, and avoid making claims not supported by the story
Thematic Connection
Teacher looks for: Clear, logical links between the De Laceys’ fate and at least one core Frankenstein theme
How to meet it: Use specific examples from the novel to show how their flight reinforces themes like isolation or prejudice
Critical Analysis
Teacher looks for: Ability to explain the significance of the De Laceys’ fate beyond basic plot summary
How to meet it: Analyze how their rejection affects the Creature’s character arc and Victor’s focused downfall
Linking the De Laceys to Victor’s Guilt
Victor’s abandonment of his Creature sets in motion the chain of events that leads to the De Laceys’ flight. The family’s fate is a direct consequence of Victor’s failure to take responsibility for his creation. Use this before essay drafts to frame Victor’s guilt as a pervasive force in the novel.
The De Laceys as a Symbol of Lost Hope
Before their flight, the De Laceys represent the Creature’s only chance for human connection. Their rejection strips him of all hope, pushing him toward violence. Jot this symbol down in your theme tracker for quick access during quizzes.
Prejudice and Marginalization in the De Laceys’ Story
The De Laceys are themselves exiles, forced to live in poverty because of circumstances beyond their control. Their rejection of the Creature shows that even marginalized people can perpetuate prejudice. List this contradiction in your discussion notes to stand out in class.
Studying the De Laceys for Exams
Exam questions about the De Laceys will often ask you to link their fate to broader themes, not just recall plot details. Focus your study time on these thematic connections alongside memorizing minor plot points. Create flashcards pairing their fate with core themes for quick review.
Using the De Laceys in Class Discussions
Bring up the De Laceys’ own exile when discussing their rejection of the Creature to add depth to your contributions. This shows you’ve thought critically about the novel’s layers of marginalization. Practice this point aloud before class to deliver it confidently.
Common Misconceptions About the De Laceys
Many students incorrectly claim the De Laceys attacked the Creature, but they only fled in fear. Double-check your notes to avoid this mistake on quizzes and essays. Cross-reference your understanding with a classmate if you’re unsure.
Why did the De Laceys flee their cottage in Frankenstein?
The De Laceys fled in terror after seeing the Creature, who had revealed himself in the hope of being accepted. Their immediate reaction was rooted in fear of his appearance, not any violent action on his part.
Do the De Laceys ever come back to their cottage in Frankenstein?
No, the De Laceys never return to their cottage after fleeing the Creature. The space remains abandoned, becoming a symbol of the Creature’s lost hope for connection.
How does the De Laceys’ fate affect the Creature in Frankenstein?
The De Laceys’ rejection is the Creature’s final loss of hope for human connection. This event pushes him to abandon his desire for friendship and instead seek revenge against Victor, his creator.
What is the significance of the De Laceys in Frankenstein?
The De Laceys represent the potential for human kindness and the danger of prejudice. Their rejection of the Creature ties directly to the novel’s core themes of isolation, abandonment, and the consequences of judging others based on appearance.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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