Norms In Frankenstein

Throughout Frankenstein by Mary Shelley readers see many aspects in which the main character Victor has little feelings toward family, friends or the creature. In Frankenstein, the most monstrous aspect of Victor's character is his lack of remorse or caring for things that an emotional human being typically cares about. The Author argues that these negative elements are detrimental in society because one must have sympathy in order to feel emotions toward one another.
In Volume 1 of Frankenstein, Victor's fearfulness to speak about the truth unleashes the “monster” in Victor and leads to Justine's execution. Through the portrayal of of the “monster” inside Victor, readers see how Victor has no sympathy for Justine or family. The “norm” in society …show more content…
In chapter 7, it is apparent Victor does not fit these “norms.” Justine's trial to see if she is innocent or guilty of killing William is starting. The whole family is attending the trial and everyone is in a dull and sullen mood. Victor states “Justine also was a girl of merit, and possessed qualities which promised to render her life happy: now all was to be obliterated in an ignominious grave: and I the cause!”(Shelley, 61) The definition of merit means worthy. Victor is stating how how Justine was worthy and innocent. Even when Victor tells the readers how Justine is worthy, Victor does not speak up to help Justine. In this quote it also says how Justine will be in a “grave.” This shows that Victor knows Justine will not have good consequences if no one speaks up and that it can lead to Justine’s death. Most would help out a loved one if they knew a close one could end up dead. In this case, Victor knows it was not Justine who committed this crime, but still does not speak out to help Justine avoid these consequences. The quote ends with Victor saying “I the cause!” Shelly is telling the readers that Victor knows he is the cause. If Victor knows he is the cause of all this chaos and knows the consequences, wouldn't you think an individual would want to help a …show more content…
From Victor constantly seeking knowledge, Victor is aware that messing with the use of knowledge, can really hurt someone. Victor is aware of this because of the consequences that has happened to him from messing with knowledge. At the end of Frankenstein, Victor is on his journey to go find the Creature. It is winter outside, so the conditions are cold and icy. Walton’s ship is enclosed by ice and lives of his crew are in his hands, and he isn't sure whether to turn back and go home, or to continue to the North Pole. Victor soon becomes very ill. Walton's crew demands a promise that as soon as the ice clears, if it clears, they will go home. Then Victor says “'Oh! Be men, or be more than men. Be steady to your purposes and firm as a rock. This ice is not made of such stuff as your hearts may be; it is mutable and cannot withstand you if you say that it shall not. Do not return to your families with the stigma of disgrace marked on your brows. Return as heroes who have fought and conquered and who know not what it is to turn their backs on the foe.'" (Shelley, 183) Here, Victor tells Walton and his crew to not give up and keep pushing until they have conquered the knowledge they need. Victor telling them this, shows how Victor does not have sympathy towards others because from his experience with the creature he has seen the negatives of pushing knowledge but is telling others to push knowledge knowing that