3.3.1
Presentation & Key Quotations
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Presentation of the Theme of Justice
Shelley presents a world – and a justice system – that is riddled with unfairness.
Justine
- Justine is condemned to death despite her innocence, and the circumstantial nature of the evidence against her.
- Victor views this as a 'wretched mockery of justice'.
Victor
- Victor experiences the limitations of the justice system when he is wrongly accused of Clerval’s murder.
- Victor also seems to recognise the unfairness of denying the Monster a mate, and so perhaps consents to create one out of a commitment to justice.
The Monster
- The Monster deeply feels the injustice of the situation he faces, and plays upon this when he reminds Victor of the duties of a creator towards their creation.
Key Quotations on the Theme of Justice
Shelley presents a world – and a justice system – that is riddled with unfairness.
Guilty
- 'A thousand times rather would I have confessed myself guilty of the crime ascribed to Justine; but I was absent when it was committed, and such a declaration would have been considered as the ravings of a madman, and would not have exculpated her who suffered through me' (Chapter 8).
- Although Victor is certain of Justine's innocence, he uses the flaws in the justice system as an excuse not to speak up about his suspicions.
- Victor's hyperbolic language here undermines his sentiment.
A flawed legal system
- 'All judges had rather that ten innocent should suffer, than that one guilty should escape.' (Chapter 8).
- Victor criticises a flawed legal system which seems willing to punish an innocent person in order for it to seem as if justice is being served.
Creator and creation
- 'For the first time, also, I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were, and that I ought to render him happy before I complained of his wickedness.' (Volume Two: Chapter 2).
- The Monster seems to have been successful in getting Victor to understand the relationship between the creator and their creation.
- Victor seems to acknowledge that there are certain "duties" which he should fulfil and that by making a companion for the Monster he might be able to achieve a sense of justice.
1Plot Summaries
1.1Volume I
2Characters
2.1Victor Frankenstein
2.2The Monster
3Key Themes
3.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge
3.2Prejudice
3.4Companionship & Family
3.5Revenge
3.6Monstrosity
4Authorial Method
4.1Genre & Intertextuality
4.2Form & Structure
4.3Settings & Symbolism
4.4Imagery & Doubling
5Context
6Recap: Main Quotes
6.1Characters Quotes
Jump to other topics
1Plot Summaries
1.1Volume I
2Characters
2.1Victor Frankenstein
2.2The Monster
3Key Themes
3.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge
3.2Prejudice
3.4Companionship & Family
3.5Revenge
3.6Monstrosity
4Authorial Method
4.1Genre & Intertextuality
4.2Form & Structure
4.3Settings & Symbolism
4.4Imagery & Doubling
5Context
6Recap: Main Quotes
6.1Characters Quotes
Practice questions on Presentation & Key Quotations
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1Which character does NOT experience grave injustice?Multiple choice
- 2
- 3What is Victor's excuse for not speaking up for Justine?Multiple choice
- 4
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