Justice Flashcards
How does Victor experience the limitations of the justice system?
-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.
How does Justine experience injustice?
-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’.
How does the Monster experience injustice?
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.
‘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 seem as if justice is being served.
‘A thousand time 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.
‘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 fufil and that by making a companion for the Monster, he might be able to achieve a sense of justice.
