Finding Virtue in Frankenstein Virtue is more often found on the margins of society than at its center. In Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, the monster exemplifies virtue to a greater extent than his creator, Victor Frankenstein. Shelley's creature is an individual of great sensitivity, kindness and intuition. In contrast to James Whale's 1931 film Frankenstein, which portrays the creature as a clumsy idiot, Shelley's monster was modeled on Rousseau's notion of humanity as a "noble savage". The nobility of the creature is evident when he meets a simple French family and observes and draws the oddities of humanity. A naturalist, the Monster responded to nature with appreciation and joy. With the scientist's eye, he gradually differentiated one object from another. He observed, experienced and exploited the benefits of the created order. This contemplative naturalist distinguished the calls of each species of bird and attempted to imitate their song, despite his hoarse voice. Similar to an infant adapting to the shock of being, he painfully adapted to the violent light and sound, quickly learning the lesson that perception and consciousness hurt. Shunning the glare of sunlight, the Monster was lulled by the subtle glow of the moon. The moon provided an omnipresent companion and a source of spiritual wonder. Loneliness insisted that he personify the moon as a special sponsor, but the moon's accompaniment was too subtle for the Creature's nourishment. His desire for a relationship was sincere and intense. While his creator, Victor Frankenstein, hid in secrecy to avoid his fellow scientists, family and friends, the Monster drifted towards civilization to find comfort and feelings of commonality. As much as he wanted to have and be a friend, the community was unimaginable. His hideous disfigurement forces the Monster to live as a clandestine observer of humanity. The De Laceys, a family in exile, became his model of human culture. The family unexpectedly mentors the Monster. They had retreated from the urban heart of Paris to a rustic German village for political and legal reasons. Their suffering and isolation evoked their sensitivity and humanity. Their virtue was found at the margin, at the extremity. In them the Creature had the model and the place to grow towards maturity. The Monster's emotions roiled as he peered into family life. He admired his human examples for their deep love for each other and their sacrifice in times of poverty.