Theme Of Knowledge In Frankenstein

Knowledge of Religion and Frankenstein

"It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer (Blackstone)." This quote explains how a proper court case is viewed, but what if there was a confession? In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, that’s exactly what happens to Justine; some planted evidence and then a false confession. In her book, it forces us to complete the role of God in a struggle of justice. Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein expresses the belief that religious knowledge will overcome the courts system, regardless of evidence. The one theme of knowledge in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein is people believe religious knowledge will overcome the court knowledge. This theme of knowledge is demonstrated by the court case of William,

This relates to the overall theme that people believe in a religious knowledge over the knowledge of the court. In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein it states, “’God knows,’ she said, ‘how entirely I am innocent. But I do not pretend that my protestations should acquit me: I rest my innocence on a plain and simple explanation of the facts which have been adduced against me; and I hope the character I have always borne will incline my judges to a favourable interpretation, where any circumstance appears doubtful or suspicious.’(Shelly, 104)" The first part of this quote suggests who the true judge of Justine is. God has ultimate power over Justine and her future. It also suggests that God’s knowledge will overcome the evidence of the court. Religious knowledge is valued over the courts knowledge. Justine is extremely religious and believes that a correct jury conviction will come because she believes God will allow the correct thing to happen. She holds that God’s knowledge will overcome any court evidence and knowledge. The theme that people believe that a religious knowledge is superior to the court system is connected to Justine’s conversation with Elizabeth because she believes God, innocence, and good moral standing will overcome the court evidence and allow her a

Elizabeth, upset, expresses the values of religion, and how she believes God’s knowledge will overcome the courts guilty verdict. In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein Elizabeth says, "’Oh, Justine!’ said she, ‘why did you rob me of my last consolation? I relied on your innocence; and although I was then very wretched, I was not so miserable as I am now.’[…] ‘Rise, my poor girl,’ said Elizabeth, ‘why do you kneel, if you are innocent? I am not one of your enemies; I believed you guiltless, notwithstanding every evidence, until I heard that you had yourself declared your guilt. That report, you say, is false; and be assured, dear Justine, that nothing can shake my confidence in you for a moment, but your own confession.’ (Shelly, 107)" This quote discusses the value of forgiveness in this society, as well as the value of God by Elizabeth. By falsely admitting to the crime, Justine has made Elizabeth look stupid in front of her peers, yet it is not even a question for Elizabeth to forgive her. It also explores an idea that innocence in God’s eye is better than such in the courts eyes. Elizabeth is incredibly caring for people, specifically Justine, although she was devastated by Justine’s confession to William’s murder. Religious knowledge is more valuable than a jury’s verdict and that value is connected to Elizabeth’s feelings on Justine because Elizabeth does not believe in the guilty verdict by