Whether burdened by poverty, illness, or hunger, each member of the family rallies to protect

this intimate community. A true family resists condemnation and rejection because each

member shares a bond to the other members. It is in this notion of the family that the character

differences between Felix and Victor emerge. While, during times of crisis, Felix' selfless sense

of duty and responsibility gorvern his actions, Victor chooses inactivity, to the ruin of his family.

Although both Felix and Victor commit acts for which their families are punished. Felix spends

his life in service to his family. Victor realizes too late the importance of assuming responsibility

Consumed with the outcome of a court case and believing that the verdict was unjust,

Felix plans to liberate the prisoner. Felix obsesses over the manner in which he might liberate

"Felix has accidentally been present at the trial; his horror and indignation were uncontrollable, when he heard the decision of the court. He made, at that moment, a solemn vow to deliver him, and then looked around for t

in the daily operation of the household.

to liberate his own family by surrendering himself to the authorities.

Victor's family in not as cohesive as the De Lacey family and therefore, cannot survive hardship as easily. After the death of Caroline, the family become decentralized and never regains the "fairy-tale" qualities of Victor's childhood.

"The Government of France were greatly enraged at the escape of their victim, and spared no pains to detect and punish his deliverer. The plot of Felix' was quickly discovered, and De Lacey and Agatha were thrown into prison. The news reached Felix, and roused him from his dream of pleasure. His blind and aged father, and his gentle sister, lay in a noisome dungeon, while he enjoyed the free air, and the society of her whom he loved. This idea was torture to him. He quickly arranged with the Turk, that if the latter should find a favourable opportunity for escape before Felix could return to Italy, Safie should remain as a boarder at a convent at Leghorn; and then quitting the lovely Arabian, he hastened to Paris, and delivered himself up to the vengeance of the law, hoping to free De Lacey and Agatha by this proceeding." (p. 113)

exchange for their freedom. Surprisingly, when the family is robbed of wealth and honor, the

Some common words found in the essay are:
De Lacey, Felix Victor, Lacey Agatha, , De Lacey's, Italy Safie, Government France, Felix Agatha, de lacey, lacey family, family unit, prisoner felix, lacey agatha, father sister, felix victor, de lacey family, de lacey agatha,
Approximate Word count = 933
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)