Comparing Frankenstein And Justine In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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In works of literature, authors use characters whose traits directly contrast those of the protagonists’ in order to emphasize an important part of the main character. In the novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the character Justine, who is faithful and responsible, is used to showcase Victor Frankenstein’s lapse in morality and his lack in concern to nurture and protect life even though he is able to create life. Through the scene of Justine’s sentencing to death, the thematic message of one needing to accept parental responsibility and fulfill the nurturing role in another’s life is revealed through this stark contrast in Victor’s thought processes and actions compared to Justine’s. In the novel, Justine is the Frankenstein family’s maid and is treated as an equal …show more content…

She is virtuous and loved by all, and she also has an unwavering faith in a higher power. Through her strong faith, Justine easily blames herself and takes responsibility for things that are not her fault, such as the death of William. Mary Shelley does not describe the physical aspects of Justine, which allows readers to focus on her personality and morals. By doing so, the differences between Victor and Justine become clear. Unlike Justine, Victor holds little faith in anything. His faith in science wavers once he steers off of the path of traditional, institutionalized methods, and he is left to discover his own path with nothing to put faith in other than in himself. Victor has chosen a more lonesome path, one that concerns only his affairs and no one else’s. By choosing this isolated path, Victor has also inflicted social isolation upon his creation which in turn causes the monster to harm others. The monster is, in fact, the true murderer of William. To cover up his tracks, the monster has chosen to frame Justine as the culprit by putting a photograph that William had been carrying into her pocket. Victor Frankenstein’s monster thinks that no woman

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