Justine Moritz

Justine is the housekeeper for the Frankenstein family. She is initially introduced to the reader in Chapter 6 in Elizabeth’s letter.

Introduction

Justine is the housekeeper for the Frankenstein family. She was rejected by her own mother, Madame Moritz, after the death of her husband.
She is initially introduced to the reader in Chapter 6 in Elizabeth’s letter.

Affection

Justine is treated kindly by the Frankenstein family and is regarded with more affection than a servant, given "an education superior to that which she had at first intended."

Conviction

After the Monster kills William, Justine is arrested and charged for his murder due to circumstantial evidence, after being framed by the Monster.
She ends up falsely confessing to the killing due to her fear of going to hell and is executed, even though Victor visits her and knows exactly who had committed the young child’s murder.

What do we Know About Justine?

Shelley addresses the issues of justice and the submissive nature of women and lower classes in society through the character of Justine. Justine ends up paralleling the Monster in many ways.

Issues addressed

Through the character of Justine, Shelley addresses:
- The issue of justice (which is a play on the character’s name).
- The submissive nature of women in society.
- The submissive nature of the lower classes in society.

A martyr

Despite all that she endures, Justine is a sympathetic character, a martyr or "saintly sufferer".
She ends up paralleling the Monster in many ways.

Parallels with the Monster

She suffers prejudice because of something that is not her fault.
The priest calls her a "monster".
She shows loyalty and kindness towards the Frankenstein family, just like the Monster does with the De Laceys as he watches them secretly, collecting wood and clearing snow from their path.
She is rejected by her parent, just like the Monster is by Victor.

1Narrative Structure

1.1Narrative Structure

1.1.1Narrative Structure

1.1.2Narrative Distancing

1.1.3End of Topic Test - Narrative Structure

2Character Summaries

2.1Walton & Frankenstein

2.1.1Walton

2.1.2Victor Frankenstein

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Walton & Frankenstein

2.2The Monster

2.2.1The Monster

2.2.2The Monster 2

2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster

2.3Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.3.1Elizabeth Lavenza

2.3.2Justine Moritz

2.3.3Henry Clerval

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.4Families & Other Characters

2.4.1The Frankenstein Family

2.4.2The De Lacey Family

2.4.3Other Characters

2.4.4End of Topic Test - Families & Other Characters

3Intertextuality & Allusions

3.1Intertextual References

3.1.1The Modern Prometheus

3.1.2The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

3.1.3The Bible

3.1.4Mutability & Tintern Abbey

3.1.5End of Topic Test - Intertextual References

3.2Philosophical & Scientific Theories

3.2.1Edmund Burke

3.2.2Thomas Paine

3.2.3John Locke

3.2.4Jean-Jacques Rousseau

3.2.5Historical Figures

3.2.6End of Topic Test - Philosophy & Science Theories

4Biographic Context

4.1Biographic Context

4.1.1Shelley's Parents

4.1.2Loss & Maternal Anxiety

4.1.3Literary Legend

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Biographical Context

5Chapter Summaries

5.1Letters

5.1.1Letters 1 & 2

5.1.2Letters 3 & 4

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Letters

5.2Chapters

5.2.1Chapters 1-2

5.2.2Chapters 3-4

5.2.3Chapters 5-6

5.2.4Chapters 7-9

5.2.5Chapters 10-11

5.2.6Chapters 12-15

5.2.7Chapters 16-19

5.2.8Chapters 20-23

5.2.9Chapter 24 & Walton’s Last Letters

5.2.10End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6

5.2.11End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-15

5.2.12End of Topic Test - Chapters 16-23

5.2.13End of Topic Test - Chapter 24 & Walton's Letters

6Key Themes

6.1Key Themes

6.1.1Curiosity & Knowledge

6.1.2Science & Society

6.1.3Loss & Companionship

6.1.4Connection to Nature

6.1.5Injustice

6.2Key Locations

6.2.1Extreme Landscapes

6.2.2Industrialised University Cities

6.2.3End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Locations

Jump to other topics