Society And Social Issues
Society and social issues in Frankenstein, Or The Modern
Prometheus are often taken as points of interest because of certain world events
(most notably the French revolution) that took place around the time the book was written.
Mary Shelley's father was a well known anarchist and anti-royalist.
Shelley has included many class and justice issues over the course of Frankenstein,
Or The Modern Prometheus, for example in chapter 1:
"I am by birth a Genevese; and my family is one of the most distinguished of that republic. My ancestors had been for many years counsellors and syndics; and my father had filled several public situations with honour and reputation. He was respected by all who knew him for his integrity and indefatigable attention to public business. He passed his younger days perpetually occupied by the affairs of his country; and it was not until the decline of life that he thought of marrying, and bestowing on the state sons who might carry his virtues and his name down to posterity.
As the circumstances of his marriage illustrate his character, I cannot refrain from relating them. One of his most intimate friends was a merchant, who, from a flourishing state, fell, through numerous mischances, into poverty. This man, whose name was Beaufort, was of a proud and unbending disposition, and could not bear to live in poverty and oblivion in the same country where he had formerly been distinguished for his rank and magnificence. Having paid his debts, therefore, in the most honourable manner, he retreated with his daughter to the town of Lucerne, where he lived unknown and in wretchedness. My father loved Beaufort with the truest friendship, and was deeply grieved by his retreat in these unfortunate circumstances. He grieved also for the loss of his society, and resolved to seek him out and endeavour to persuade him to begin the world again through his credit and assistance."
This quote illustrates a number of social injustices with society at
the time. The reader is instantly informed that the Frankenstein family is middle class,
and as such they gain innumerable advantages in society. In this particular quote this is
shown mainly through Alphonse, who has essentially been born into a long line of the rich
and respected, and has been able to make all of the choices in his life as to what he
does, when he settles down and the like. Though Shelley was born into such a lifestyle
herself, it seems to be a comment on how the rich sustaining the rich as being a social
loophole.
We can also see through Beaufort that, though it is presumably almost impossible to
have worked up the classes, it seems despondently easy to slip from being rich to poor.
There was absolutely no social safety net for him, having seemingly commited no crime, and
if it were not for his friendship with Alphonse, he would most likely have been completely
destroyed. This sort of social injustice is also shown through the De Laceys later on in
the book, though in their case there was a clear antagonist.
Other social issues prepared but as yet not typed up:
Injustice with the De Laceys
The mistreatment of Safie's father in comparison to the Creation
Justine's trial (following quote relates to it)
"We were soon joined by Elizabeth. Time had made great alterations in her form since I had last beheld her. Six years before she had been a pretty, good-humoured girl, whom every one loved and caressed. She was now a woman in stature and expression of countenance, which was uncommonly lovely. An open and capacious forehead gave indications of a good understanding, joined to great frankness of disposition. Her eyes were hazel, and expressive of mildness, now through recent affliction allied to sadness. Her hair was of a rich dark auburn, her complexion fair, and her figure slight and graceful. She welcomed me with the greatest affection. "Your arrival, my dear cousin," said she, "fills me with hope. You perhaps will find some means to justify my poor guiltless Justine. Alas! who is safe, if she be convicted of crime? I rely on her innocence as certainly as I do upon my own. Our misfortune is doubly hard to us; we have not only lost that lovely darling boy, but this poor girl, whom I sincerely love, is to be torn away by even a worse fate. If she is condemned, I never shall know joy more. But she will not, I am sure she will not; and then I shall be happy again, even after the sad death of my little William."
"She is innocent, my Elizabeth," said I, "and that shall be proved; fear nothing, but let your spirits be cheered by the assurance of her acquittal."
"How kind you are! every one else believes in her guilt, and that made me wretched; for I knew that it was impossible: and to see every one else prejudiced in so deadly a manner, rendered me hopeless and despairing." She wept.
"Sweet niece," said my father, "dry your tears. If she is, as you believe, innocent, rely on the justice of our judges, and the activity with which I shall prevent the slightest shadow of partiality."