Justice

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley uses justice as a central theme to the novel. There are instances of legal justice. Justine and Victor both go to trial and are tried as murderers. Justine, unfortunately was found guilty, but Victor was found innocent. However, justice is more centered on the creature's understanding of it. "but beware! Your hours will pass in dread and misery, and soon the bolt will fall which must ravish from you your happiness forever. (Shelley, 122-3). The creature's understanding of justice focuses on vengeance. He teaches himself, from early on, that his emotions must be better or equal to Victor's. The creature's desire for belonging and acceptance distort the true meaning of justice: doing what is right. Furthermore, Victor's sense of justice becomes distorted when he focuses on the creature. Rather than befriending it or make amends with it, Victor scorns the creature and uses the same ideology of justice that the creature uses.