The Theme of Justice in Frankenstein

The novel delves into the consequences of playing god and the impact of one's actions on others. Throughout the story, various characters grapple with the idea of justice, and the novel ultimately raises questions about who is truly responsible for the tragedies that unfold. This essay will analyze the theme of justice in Frankenstein, examining how it is portrayed through the characters and their actions.

Victor Frankenstein's Pursuit of Justice

From the beginning of the novel, Victor Frankenstein is driven by a sense of justice. He seeks to uncover the secrets of life and death in order to conquer mortality and bring back the dead. However, his pursuit of knowledge and power ultimately leads to his downfall. Victor's creation of the monster can be seen as an attempt to play god and take justice into his own hands. He believes that he has the power to create life, but he fails to consider the consequences of his actions. Victor's ambition and hubris blind him to the ethical implications of his experiments, and he ultimately abandons his creation, leading to tragic consequences.

Victor's sense of justice is further tested when the monster begins to wreak havoc on society. The monster's actions can be seen as a form of retribution for the injustices he has suffered at the hands of his creator. The monster seeks revenge on Victor for abandoning him and denying him the love and companionship he craves. In this sense, the monster's actions can be seen as a twisted form of justice, as he seeks to hold Victor accountable for his actions.

The Monster's Quest for Justice

While Victor is driven by a sense of justice in his pursuit of knowledge, the monster is motivated by a desire for justice in his quest for acceptance and understanding. The monster is rejected by society because of his appearance, and he is forced to live a life of isolation and loneliness. He longs for companionship and love, but he is denied these basic human needs because of his monstrous appearance.

The monster's actions can be seen as a response to the injustices he has suffered. He seeks revenge on Victor for creating him and then abandoning him to a life of misery and loneliness. The monster's quest for justice is driven by a desire to hold Victor accountable for his actions and to seek the love and acceptance he has been denied. In this sense, the monster's actions can be seen as a form of justice, as he seeks to right the wrongs that have been done to him.

The Consequences of Injustice

Throughout the novel, Mary Shelley explores the consequences of injustice and the impact it can have on individuals and society as a whole. Victor's actions have far-reaching consequences that ultimately lead to tragedy and despair. His pursuit of knowledge and power results in the creation of a monster that wreaks havoc on society, causing death and destruction wherever he goes.

Similarly, the monster's quest for justice has devastating consequences for both himself and those around him. His actions are driven by a desire for revenge and retribution, but they ultimately result in further alienation and isolation. The monster's quest for justice ultimately leads to his own destruction, as he realizes that he can never truly find the love and acceptance he craves.

Conclusion

The theme of justice in Frankenstein is a complex and multifaceted one. The novel raises questions about the nature of justice and the consequences of one's actions. Victor Frankenstein's pursuit of knowledge and power ultimately leads to tragedy and despair, while the monster's quest for justice results in further alienation and isolation. Mary Shelley uses the characters of Victor and the monster to explore the concept of justice and to raise questions about who is truly responsible for the injustices that occur. Ultimately, Frankenstein serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of playing god and the importance of considering the ethical implications of one's actions.