The Evolution of Justice in Frankenstein's Monster

In Mary Shelley's groundbreaking novel, Frankenstein, the intricate journey of the creature—Victor
Frankenstein's creation—unfolds as a profound exploration of societal rejection, evolving perspectives on justice,
and the ultimate descent into vengeance. This essay delves into the creature's transformative odyssey, tracing
the evolution of his views on society and justice through pivotal moments that shape his tragic trajectory.

The Innocence of Wonder

The creature's introduction to the world is marked by innocence and an innate curiosity. Describing his initial
encounter with nature, he expresses awe and pleasure, perceiving beauty even in his grotesque existence.

This
innocence extends to his yearning for acceptance among humans, encapsulated by his desire to belong to the De
Lacey family. For the creature, justice equates to acknowledgment and a rightful place in the world—a notion
shaped by his naive understanding of human connections.

The De Lacey Interlude

The creature's time observing the De Lacey family becomes a crucial juncture in his evolving perception of
justice. The warmth and love within the family offer him a glimpse of the human connection he craves. However,
the introduction of Safie and the family's subsequent rejection expose him to the darker facets of humanity.
This pivotal moment challenges his idealized vision of justice, paving the way for a more nuanced
understanding.

While he does not have a complete understanding of the dynamics of a family, the creature senses the care and love
that the three people have for each other. He desires to share in this closeness and becomes a secret member of
the De Lacey family, observing the habits of Felix, Agatha, and old man De Lacey.

This newfound connection
provides the creature with a sense of belonging, a taste of the justice he yearns for. He expresses his pleasure
with his current residence, stating, "It was indeed a paradise, compared to the bleak forest, my former
residence, the rain-dropping branches, and dank earth. I ate my breakfast with pleasure" (Shelley, 123).

The creature's exposure to the love and connection within the De Lacey family is juxtaposed with the darker
aspects of humanity he encounters through the story of the newcomer, Safie. The creature's understanding of
justice becomes more nuanced as he grapples with the complexities of human relationships and the potential for
both good and evil within society.

Literary Influences and the Loss of Innocence

The creature's encounter with literature, particularly Milton's Paradise Lost, contributes significantly
to his evolving worldview. As he immerses himself in the narrative, drawing parallels between his existence and
that of Satan, a profound internal struggle ensues. The books, serving as a window into societal failures,
intensify his awareness of the world's injustices. The rejection by the De Laceys, however, marks the
creature's first tangible experience of societal cruelty, shattering his illusions of a just and compassionate
world.

While these books teach the creature about the failure of society and the lack of justice in the world, the
rejection by the De Laceys once he finally reveals himself to the family is his first real example of this.
Although this was not his first time being rejected from society, it is by far the most traumatizing, forever
changing his views on the supposed goodness of humanity.

The Descent into Darkness

The turning point in the creature's journey comes with his plea to Victor Frankenstein for a companion. Rejected
and denied the possibility of love and companionship, the creature's pursuit of justice takes a malevolent turn.
His need for vengeance against his creator becomes all-consuming, unleashing a dark force within him. The
destruction of the female companion and the subsequent murders of Victor's loved ones symbolize the creature's
descent into the abyss of revenge.

Vengeance as a Distorted Justice

The creature's rationale for seeking revenge against Victor stems from a warped sense of justice—retaliation for
the denial of love and companionship. The murders become a manifestation of the creature's internalized
darkness, mirroring the societal evils he once condemned. In his final confrontation with Victor, the creature
acknowledges the degradation of his once noble aspirations, emphasizing the perversion of justice that now
defines his existence.

The other major event that forces Frankenstein's monster to reconsider his views of justice and injustice occurs
when, after realizing that he will never be a part of human society, the monster begs his creator to make him a
female, a partner with whom he can satisfy his desire for the love and care that he did not receive from the De
Laceys. Frankenstein, however, cannot live with the implications of such a creature and destroys it before it
is completed, at the same time destroying the monster's last chance at happiness. After this, the monster
begins to seek a justice not of friendship and acceptance but of revenge for his creator's sins.

The Abyss of Revenge

The creature's need for vengeance becomes all-consuming. Since Frankenstein ruined the monster's only hope of love,
it is only fair and just, in his eyes, to destroy those people that Victor holds dearest. With these murders, the
creature opens his soul up to the same evil that hangs over society. The monster's final interview with Walton is
the most telling of the drastic changes in his views on society, justice, and injustice. He speaks these words to
Walton, "Once I had falsely hoped to meet with beings, who, pardoning my outward form, would love me for the
excellent qualities which I was capable of bringing forth. I was nourished with high thoughts of honor and
devotion. But now vice has degraded me beneath the meanest animal" (Shelley, 273).

The creature, who once saw beauty in hope in nature and humanity, is now filled with darkness. "Evil thenceforth
became my good," (Shelley, 272) he speaks. This thorough change in mental state was brought upon by his
incessant rejection from those he most admired. Frankenstein's creature finally receives the justice he had been
seeking as he stands over his creator's lifeless body, but still feels sadness at his master's passing. Victor
was his last connection to the human world, a society that he had once been so envious of but now felt only
contempt for. Now that he had completed his transformation from "fallen angel" to the "malignant devil," the
creature realizes that he has no other choice but to let death overcome him as well.

Reflections on Humanity

The creature's shift in attitudes regarding society, justice, and injustice is finalized in the final chapter of
Shelley's novel, but it had been occurring since he very first opened his eyes. The monster's admiration for
society turns to abhorrence at the crimes that it had committed against him. Justice, which the monster once
believed could be obtained by finding his place in the world, becomes defined by his utter need for revenge. And
the greatest injustice, in the monster's eyes, is the disdain with which he was treated by humanity, including his
own creator. If he had not been a monster before, he surely was then.

James A. Baldwin once said, "The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose." This
is true in the case of Frankenstein's monster. Once he loses any chance of anything other than a life of
solitude, he becomes the despicable and destructive monster that he had always been viewed as.

Conclusion: A Reflection on Monstrosity and Society

Frankenstein's monster, once filled with wonder and hope for justice, becomes a poignant symbol of the
consequences of societal neglect and the corruption of innocence. His evolution serves as a mirror reflecting the
darker facets of humanity, urging readers to contemplate the societal structures that breed monsters. Ultimately,
the creature's journey prompts us to question the very essence of justice and the fragile balance between
acceptance and rejection in the intricate tapestry of human existence.

The tragedy of Frankenstein's monster is a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of societal indifference.
Shelley's narrative invites readers to ponder the implications of creating and rejecting those who do not conform
to societal norms. The creature's transformation is not merely physical but a manifestation of the profound
impact societal rejection can have on an individual's psyche.

As the creature stands over Victor's lifeless body, the culmination of his quest for justice leaves readers
grappling with the complexities of morality, humanity, and the consequences of societal neglect. His story
resonates as a timeless exploration of the thin line between monstrosity and humanity, emphasizing the
importance of empathy and understanding in the face of societal differences.