Frankenstein Moral Conscience

In the Gothic Novel, Frankenstein, by Mary W. Shelley, the moral conscience of the two main characters, Victor Frankenstein and the Creature is a prominent theme throughout the novel. The novel explores the consequences of reckless ambition and the responsibilities that come with creating life. Victor's ambition and the subsequent abandonment of his creation lead to devastating outcomes, while the Creature's yearning for acceptance and love exposes the dark side of human nature. Through the contrasting experiences of Victor and the Creature, Mary Shelley highlights the importance of moral conscience and the consequences of failing to exercise it. Both Victor and the Creature exhibit moral conscience by acknowledging the ungodly actions they do throughout the novel.

Victor displays moral conscience when the creature kills William and Justine is convicted of killing William. Victor is tortured by the knowledge that the creature killed his family. He understands that his scientific “curiosity and lawless devices would cause the death” (Shelley 49) of two of his most cherished family members. Victor realizes that creating the creature has only caused destruction and despondency. Although the monster has killed William, Justine is blamed for the murder. Frankenstein

He tells Frankenstein that he killed William because of how his creator treated him. He explains to Victor “I am malicious because I am miserable” because of how I look (96). He is murderous because Frankenstein made him an ugly beast hated by mankind. The creature describes his appearance and soul as devilish. He relates himself to the serpent in Genesis saying “[he] ought to be thy Adam; but am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed” (61). The creature intended to be good, but he let his desire for vengeance corrupt his soul. He understands his actions are malicious but does them out of retaliation to