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Examples Of Moral Ambiguity In Frankenstein

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Moral ambiguity is lack of clarity in ethical decision-making. That is, when an issue, situation, or question has moral dimensions or implications, but the decidedly “moral” action to take are unclear, either due to conflicting principles, ethical systems, or situational perspectives. The desire for companionship is the main theme surrounding Frankenstein. The creature‘s loneliness is led by the abandonment of his creator Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein was horrified upon the realization of the creature he has brought to life. He quickly retreats into despair and isolation. This causes only violence and ruins of the city as the result of the monsters abandonment. In the novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelly explores the idea of science and …show more content…

Frankenstein; the creature lashes out on the human species. The creature believes that his creator is at the one to blame for the injustice that he faces because he brought him to life. He says “cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live, did I not extinguish the spark of existence….. My feelings were of rage and revenge” (Shelly, 121) As a result of the way his creator treated him, the monster planned vengeance. Vengeance against a parent is morally wrong. Revenge is caused by hatred. This means that the monster had a great deal of hate toward his creator. The little humanity that the monster had was gone now that he no longer feels guilt or the need to control his anger. He declares “For the first time the feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom and I did not strive to control them, but allowing myself to be borne away by the stream, I bent my mind towards injury and death” (shelly, 121) it is ethically wrong to wish death and injury upon once mother or father. Dr. Frankenstein stood as a father figure for the monster. The hate that comes from the monster is due to the fact that he was rejected by his creator and left in isolation. Upon the realization that he was truly a monster and that the people would not accept him the monster professed “There were none among the myriad of man that existed who would pity or assist me: and should I feel kindness toward my …show more content…

Was justice served in Frankenstein? There are two sides to this answer. At the beginning of the novel we only hear Frankenstein’s side until the creature demands to be heard. He states “I entreat you to hear me, before you give vent to your hatred on my devoted head” (Shelly 72). Between pages 78-108 the monster is given a voice and justifies his actions. Even though most of its justifications are morally wrong. The monster blamed Justine for her beauty and before she had the chance to reject him he made a decision for her. He left the locket that belonged to William after killing him in her position, leaving her to take the blame displaying unfair. After the locket was discovered on Justine she was pushed by the court to confess. Justine confessed “I did confess: but I confessed a lie. I confessed that I might obtain absolution” (77). The courts forced her in to faulty confession. The moral thing to do is” innocent till proven guilty” but they had an assumption that she was in fact guilty without a fair investigation, which is ethically a wrong thing to do. Knowing that Justine was innocent and was exsiccated troubled Frankenstein because he knew the truth. He said “From the tortures of my own heart…This also was my doing” (78) Through Frankenstein’s cowardliness he was unable to free Justin when he knew the truth. She died because of his fear. Frankenstein went against all moral

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