What Happens to Ernest in Frankenstein
In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, Ernest Moritz is the young boy living in the De Lacey family who is taught by Safie and later becomes an important listener to the Creature’s story. Ernest is not a central figure like Victor Frankenstein or the Creature, but he appears in key narrative moments that shape the Creature’s understanding of humanity and society. This article clarifies Ernest’s background, his interactions with Safie and the Creature, and the resolution of his storyline, drawing on the original 1818 and 1831 texts. No major film adaptation has substantially altered this narrative function.
Who Is Ernest in Frankenstein
Ernest Moritz is a young boy who resides with the De Lacey family in the French countryside. He is the son of Mr. De Lacey’s former servant and is raised alongside Safie, a Turkish woman brought to the family as a refugee. Ernest is considerate, intelligent, and eager to learn. He becomes one of the few human characters who treats the Creature with curiosity rather than immediate fear. His age, background, and role as a bridge between the Creature and Safie make him an important, though often overlooked, figure in the novel’s exploration of education, empathy, and social exclusion.
Ernest’s Introduction in the Novel
Ernest first appears when the Creature observes the De Lacey family preparing for Safie’s arrival. Ernest is tasked with learning language lessons so he can assist Safie, and he later teaches her German. Through this, the Creature learns language, compassion, and moral nuance by listening to Ernest and observing the family’s interactions. Ernest’s gentle treatment of the Creature plants early seeds of hope that humans can be compassionate. This section of the novel is critical to the Creature’s psychological development and shapes his later desires for belonging and understanding.
Ernest in the 1818 and 1831 Editions
Ernest’s role remains consistent across the 1818 original and the 1831 revised edition of Frankenstein. In both versions, he is a child of the household, engaged in language study and domestic life, and he interacts with the Creature during the Creature’s narrative. The 1831 edition adds more social and political context, but Ernest’s function as a learner and communicator does not change significantly. The continuity of his portrayal underscores his narrative purpose as a link between the Creature and the human world, rather than a symbol of any particular historical or political stance.
Ernest’s Interaction with the Creature
The Creature’s observations of Ernest and Safie form a core part of his education. He listens to Ernest’s language lessons, learns about morality, and begins to form a sense of self through these indirect teachings. Ernest does not directly mentor the Creature, but his presence and the household’s relative kindness influence the Creature’s early ideas about human society. This period of observation is one of the few times the Creature experiences nonviolent human interaction, making Ernest an important, though passive, ally in the story.
Key Lessons Ernest Teaches the Creature
- Basic language skills through household lessons.
- Social norms and moral concepts via everyday interactions.
- A model of calm, non-threatening human behavior.
What Happens to Ernest After the Creature’s Story
After the Creature’s narrative concludes, Ernest does not reappear in the novel, and his ultimate fate is not explicitly described. Given his role as a minor domestic figure in the De Lacey household, it is implied that he continues his life outside the main plot, likely growing up within the family or local community. The novel does not provide confirmation of his survival, death, or later involvement, leaving his ending to the reader’s inference. This absence underscores his function as a narrative device rather than a fully developed character with a detailed arc.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Ernest Moritz | Novel text (1818, 1831) |
| Role in Story | Young boy in the De Lacey household; language teacher to Safie | Novel text |
| Interaction with Creature | Indirect educator via language lessons and household life | Novel text |
| Later Fate in Plot | Not specified after the Creature’s narrative ends | Novel text; implied continuation |
| Presence in Major Adaptations | Generally minor or omitted; no major reinterpretation of his fate | Adaptation survey |
Ernest’s Function in the Novel’s Themes
Ernest embodies the novel’s exploration of education, language, and moral development. Through him, Shelley examines how knowledge and empathy are transmitted across cultural and generational lines. His relationship with Safie and the Creature highlights themes of inclusion, otherness, and the possibility of compassion in a divided world. Though not a protagonist, Ernest contributes to the novel’s philosophical core by representing the next generation’s potential for understanding and change.
Points of Clarification
- Ernest is not a blood relative of the De Laceys but the son of a former servant.
- He does not travel with Safie or participate directly in the Creature’s journey.
- No adaptation significantly alters his narrative function or gives him a dramatic fate.
Common Misconceptions About Ernest
Some readers confuse Ernest with more prominent child characters or assume he has a more active role in the plot’s climax. In reality, his appearances are limited to the early domestic scenes and the Creature’s recollection. He is not a victim of violence, nor does he take decisive action in the story. Recognizing his limited but meaningful presence helps readers understand the Creature’s emotional development without overstating Ernest’s importance.
Why Ernest Matters for Understanding Frankenstein
Ernest’s quiet presence illustrates how small acts of kindness and education can shape a sentient being’s view of humanity. For the Creature, moments with Ernest and the De Laceys are among the few examples of non-prejudicial human contact. Studying Ernest therefore deepens the reader’s appreciation of the novel’s themes of alienation, learning, and moral responsibility. While his personal story remains largely untold, his narrative function is essential to the emotional and philosophical structure of Frankenstein.