In Frankenstein, written by Mary-Ann Shelley, Shelley portrays Victor as the ultimate monster. Throughout the novel, Shelley tests Victor’s morals and concludes him to be arrogant and selfish. Shelley depicts his immorality through the creation of the creature, abandoning his creation, and his decision to uphold his reputation and sacrifice mankind. Shelley illustrates Victor’s immorality through the creation of the creature. When Victor attends university at Ingolstadt, he decides to pursue his studies in the Sciences. Fascinated by the mystery of the creation of life, he begins to study human anatomy and decay. He seeks to be omnipotent, therefore, he creates “[a] new species [that] would bless [him] as its creator and source; […] [and]
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Additionally, he does nothing to prevent the possible massacre of humans, and even considers unleashing another creature. Two years following the creation of the creature, Victor receives a letter from his father, learning about the death of his younger brother, William. Consequently, he returns to Geneva, and while roaming around the forest, Victor sees the silhouette of his creature. He becomes certain that the creature was responsible for the death of his brother, as his “… mere presence […] was irresistible proof…” (70). The following morning, Victor learns that Justine, their family servant, has been accused of the murder because she carried a picture of his deceased mother in her pocket, which was last seen in William’s possession. Subsequently, he informs his family that they “‘… are all mistaken; [and that] [he] know[s] the murderer[ ]’” (72), but does nothing to prove the fact to his parents or the court. Ultimately, he chooses to withhold the information, for “… such a declaration would have been considered as the ravings of a madman…” (75). As a result of the lack of evidence supporting Justine’s innocence, as well as Victor’s decision to remain silent, Justine is condemned to death. Victor is the only person that has the power to stop Justine’s execution, as he has crucial knowledge that could identify the real killer. Instead, he relies on the lack of evidence to determine Justine’s fate, confident that “… any circumstantial evidence […] brought forward [is not] strong enough to convict her.” (73) Additionally, Victor justifies his decision to remain silent, for he believes that it is useless to persuade his relatives to pursue “… a creature capable of scaling the overhanging sides…” (71) of a mountain. Essentially, Victor creates justifications as to why he should remain silent, and relies on fate to relieve
Additionally, he does nothing to prevent the possible massacre of humans, and even considers unleashing another creature. Two years following the creation of the creature, Victor receives a letter from his father, learning about the death of his younger brother, William. Consequently, he returns to Geneva, and while roaming around the forest, Victor sees the silhouette of his creature. He becomes certain that the creature was responsible for the death of his brother, as his “… mere presence […] was irresistible proof…” (70). The following morning, Victor learns that Justine, their family servant, has been accused of the murder because she carried a picture of his deceased mother in her pocket, which was last seen in William’s possession. Subsequently, he informs his family that they “‘… are all mistaken; [and that] [he] know[s] the murderer[ ]’” (72), but does nothing to prove the fact to his parents or the court. Ultimately, he chooses to withhold the information, for “… such a declaration would have been considered as the ravings of a madman…” (75). As a result of the lack of evidence supporting Justine’s innocence, as well as Victor’s decision to remain silent, Justine is condemned to death. Victor is the only person that has the power to stop Justine’s execution, as he has crucial knowledge that could identify the real killer. Instead, he relies on the lack of evidence to determine Justine’s fate, confident that “… any circumstantial evidence […] brought forward [is not] strong enough to convict her.” (73) Additionally, Victor justifies his decision to remain silent, for he believes that it is useless to persuade his relatives to pursue “… a creature capable of scaling the overhanging sides…” (71) of a mountain. Essentially, Victor creates justifications as to why he should remain silent, and relies on fate to relieve