In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, many abstract notions are addressed through Victor Frankenstein’s trials and tribulations with his creation, the monster. The monster’s unconventional approach to justice serves as a direct contrast to society’s accepted definition of it, creating a natural tension and polarizing the two groups, while simultaneously blurring the lines between what is just and unfair to reiterate the fact that justice is not a clear-cut standard. The notion of justice falls on many, if not all characters, in the story, presenting itself as a prominent component of the piece as a whole. Even the monster in all of his terror and disgust, searches for justice, offering a different perspective on what is considered fair through his
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The monster’s initial treatment is largely indicative of what he becomes. Even Victor, his creator, is thoroughly disgusted by his creature upon first look, describing how “...the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” (58). Victor’s initial reaction automatically sets the monster up for failure as Victor, the one who is supposed to nurture and take care of him, puts him in a lowly category of being before he has a chance to act. This trend only continues as the monster makes his way into the world, stating how an old shepherd “...turned on hearing a noise; and perceiving me, shrieked loudly, and quitting the hut, ran across the fields with a speed of which his debilitated form hardly appeared capable” (108). Later on, when the De Lacey’s reject the monster after seeing his appearance, the monster sets their cottage on fire because “...the blast [the wind] tore along like a mighty avalanche and produced a kind of insanity in my spirits, that burst all bounds of reason and reflection” (140). While the monster attributes his wrongdoing to nature and acknowledges how he acts imprudently, it makes sense that he should behave so rashly because that is all he has experienced. Due to his appearance, when people see him they …show more content…
The monster tells Victor how he not only began to master their language, but also comprehend “...cursory knowledge of history and a view of several empires at present existing in the world; it gave me an insight into the manners, governments, and religions of the different nations of the earth” (122). His dedication and diligence to make himself as similar as possible to the cottagers demonstrates his desire to fit into and become a part of society--one that highly regards virtue, honesty, kindness. However, the knowledge he acquires to fulfill his desire to live a virtuous life is disregarded the moment the De Lacey’s cast him out, proclaiming “...from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species, and, more than all, against him who had formed me, and sent me forth to this insupportable misery” (138). This situation reiterates the fact that no matter the amount of knowledge one obtains, according to Shelley, external factors are far more impactful. Both Victor and the monster are educated, and while it it is in different ways, both make large mistakes regardless of their knowledge of what is right and wrong. Victor unlawfully gives life to a creature, going against religious stipulations and rules of the natural world, while the monster murders many people in search of vengeance on Victor. This speaks to the fact that
The monster’s initial treatment is largely indicative of what he becomes. Even Victor, his creator, is thoroughly disgusted by his creature upon first look, describing how “...the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” (58). Victor’s initial reaction automatically sets the monster up for failure as Victor, the one who is supposed to nurture and take care of him, puts him in a lowly category of being before he has a chance to act. This trend only continues as the monster makes his way into the world, stating how an old shepherd “...turned on hearing a noise; and perceiving me, shrieked loudly, and quitting the hut, ran across the fields with a speed of which his debilitated form hardly appeared capable” (108). Later on, when the De Lacey’s reject the monster after seeing his appearance, the monster sets their cottage on fire because “...the blast [the wind] tore along like a mighty avalanche and produced a kind of insanity in my spirits, that burst all bounds of reason and reflection” (140). While the monster attributes his wrongdoing to nature and acknowledges how he acts imprudently, it makes sense that he should behave so rashly because that is all he has experienced. Due to his appearance, when people see him they …show more content…
The monster tells Victor how he not only began to master their language, but also comprehend “...cursory knowledge of history and a view of several empires at present existing in the world; it gave me an insight into the manners, governments, and religions of the different nations of the earth” (122). His dedication and diligence to make himself as similar as possible to the cottagers demonstrates his desire to fit into and become a part of society--one that highly regards virtue, honesty, kindness. However, the knowledge he acquires to fulfill his desire to live a virtuous life is disregarded the moment the De Lacey’s cast him out, proclaiming “...from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species, and, more than all, against him who had formed me, and sent me forth to this insupportable misery” (138). This situation reiterates the fact that no matter the amount of knowledge one obtains, according to Shelley, external factors are far more impactful. Both Victor and the monster are educated, and while it it is in different ways, both make large mistakes regardless of their knowledge of what is right and wrong. Victor unlawfully gives life to a creature, going against religious stipulations and rules of the natural world, while the monster murders many people in search of vengeance on Victor. This speaks to the fact that