Analysis of Frankenstein's Innocence: Essay Sample

Why should a man be tried for the actions of another creature? I believe that Victor is innocent for the murders of William Frankenstein and Justine Moritz. Justine Moritz was brought into the family after her mother died and so she became the servant of the family. Justine was also close to the family. William is the youngest sibling of the Frankenstein family. Victor is innocent because he has no control on what the monster does and had no way of knowing he was going to murder someone. It’s like blaming the parent of a criminal instead of the criminal.

The first piece of evidence that I have is that Victor wasn’t there when the murder of William happened. During the murder of William, Victor was in Ingolstadt acompnied by Henry Clerval. “[...] Clerval continued talking for some time about our mutual friends and his own good fortune in being permitted to come to Ingolstadt.” (Shelly 62). During their stay in Ingolstadt they went to the university and learned some new languages. “I welcomed my friend, therefore, in the most cordial manner, and we walked towards my college.” (Shelly 62).

For my second piece of evidence as to why Victor is innocent is that the monster has already confessed to the murders. The monster gives a confession saying that he murdered William once he heard him say he was related to Victor Frankenstein. “Frankenstein! You belong then to my enemy to him towards whom I  have sworn eternal revenge; you shall  be my first victim.”(Shelly 171). The monster also confesses that he planted the evidence on Justine Moritz. “[...] The thought was madness; it stirred the fiend within me not I, but she, shall suffer; the murder I have committed because I am forever robbed of all that she could give me, she shall atone.”(Shelly 172).

I know that the opposite side will say something to the likes of  “He created the monster, so they should both be charged with their murders.” but the truth is you can’t have another person get in trouble for the actions of another.