Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore me from his father, to whose knees I clung, in a transport of fury, he dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick.
Chapter 15 · The Creature
Context
The Creature has revealed himself to the blind De Lacey and is begging for protection when Felix, Agatha, and Safie return. Felix immediately attacks the Creature, dragging him away from his father and beating him with a stick.
Analysis
The phrase 'supernatural force' assigns Felix power beyond normal human strength, suggesting that fear or rage unlocks capacities ordinary social interaction does not require. The syntax—'tore me from his father, to whose knees I clung'—places the Creature in a posture of supplication (clinging to knees is a classical gesture of begging) that Felix violently breaks. The rushed pacing, with multiple clauses connected by commas, mirrors the chaos of the attack and denies the Creature time to explain or defend himself.
Essay Tip
Support a thesis that the De Laceys' violence, not the Creature's appearance, is what truly creates the monster—this quote shows the Creature in a submissive, pleading position when he is attacked, so his later turn to revenge is a response to being brutalized despite his innocence and vulnerability.