How we cite our quotes: (chapter.paragraph)
Quote #4
By degrees I made a discovery of still greater moment. I found that these people possessed a method of communicating their experience and feelings to one another by articulate sounds. I perceived that the words they spoke sometimes produced pleasure or pain, smiles or sadness, in the minds and countenances of the hearers. This was indeed a godlike science, and I ardently desired to become acquainted with it. (12.9)
We wonder if the monster would have called language a "godlike science" if the De Lacey family had been texting each other "Where R U" and "K TX."
Quote #5
By great application, however, and after having remained during the space of several revolutions of the moon in my hovel, I discovered the names that were given to some of the most familiar objects of discourse; I learned and applied the words, 'fire,' 'milk,' 'bread,' and 'wood.' I learned also the names of the cottagers themselves. The youth and his companion had each of them several names, but the old man had only one, which was 'father.' The girl was called 'sister' or 'Agatha,' and the youth 'Felix,' 'brother,' or 'son.' I cannot describe the delight I felt when I learned the ideas appropriated to each of these sounds and was able to pronounce them. I distinguished several other words without being able as yet to understand or apply them, such as 'good,' 'dearest,' 'unhappy.' (12.9)
There's a lot to say about this passage, but we're fixated on just one weird thing: De Lacey only has one name, "father." What that means, of course, is that while Felix and Agatha call each other Felix and Agatha or brother and sister, they never call their dad "De Lacey." Doesn't that make him nameless, in a way?
Quote #6
I improved, however, sensibly in this science, but not sufficiently to follow up any kind of conversation, although I applied my whole mind to the endeavour, for I easily perceived that, although I eagerly longed to discover myself to the cottagers, I ought not to make the attempt until I had first become master of their language, which knowledge might enable me to make them overlook the deformity of my figure, for with this also the contrast perpetually presented to my eyes had made me acquainted. (12.12)
The monster is right that being really good at, say, talking or writing or communicating in general can make up for a lot of physical imperfections. But it's not enough to make up for being created out of corpse parts.