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Examples Of Social Class In Frankenstein

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In Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, Mary Shelley addresses examples of social class and the way people interpreted it in this time period. Depending on the class the character is in, their life can take one of many different paths. Higher class people usually lead a better life whereas low class people, such as Justine, get caught up in the scheme and suffer the consequences of the actions of others. She also at times shows her own opinion on the social classes through the voice she gives her characters. Certain characters being placed in differing classes, yet still interacting with each other, leads to a deeper story and more interesting conflictions and relationships in the novel. While the creature is telling his story, Shelley writes, “The name of the old man was De Lacey… they had lived in a large and luxurious city called Paris, surrounded by friends and possessed of every enjoyment which virtue, refinement of intellect, or taste, accompanied by a moderate fortune, could afford.” (117). With this quote she explains the high social class the De lacey family held in their past. She …show more content…

“ The father of Safie had been the cause of their ruin...He was seized and cast into prison….He was tried and condemned to death...it was judged that his religion and wealth rather than the crime alleged against him had been the cause of his condemnation” (117) This quote shows a negative side of social class. His wealth and class helped him become condemned, rather than actually committing a crime. The government also disliked his religion of choice. This can show that even with high class in this time period you still did not have the ability to freely choose for yourself. This man chose to believe something different and consequently became a nuisance to the government. Social class and the government's nationalism led to a man being put to death without proper

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Among the two novels, and two tragedies, each main character had moments where they were viewed as outcast or a lone soul. However, the monster in Frankenstein is seen more as the outcast among the three characters due to him being pushed away and abandoned by his creator Victor. Those actions towards him caused him to feel out of place within the world, and he no longer felt accepted. Due to his appearance it was harder for minor characters to accept him or want to be around him. With the entire population of humans against him, the monster field alone, and completely casted aside from everyone’s everyday life.

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Additionally, Shelley's own intellectual curiosity and interest in scientific developments of her time likely informed the character of Victor Frankenstein and his pursuit of creating life through science. Bette London uses Shelley’s background to enhance the representation of the monster in frankenstein. The concept of representation is explored in the context of how groups are represented in media and politics, and how those representations shape public opinion and policy. This idea can be connected to Frankenstein through the novel's portrayal of how societal perceptions of the creature as a monster ultimately shape his fate and lead to his isolation and despair. The representation displayed by John S. Dryzek and Simon Niemeyer ties into Daniel Cottom’s article on Frankenstein and his representation as a

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Shelley described Safie, De Lacey family and the Creature who blessed their lives with the achievement of the knowledge. Safie, daughter of a Turkish descendent father and Arabian mother blessed her life with the learning of the French language, history, manners and the lifestyle of De Lacey family. Felix, a devoted son of the De Lacey family, served as a civil servant in France. The France jurisdictional system punished Safie’s merchant father. Felix believed it was an unjust punishment, so he rescued a merchant from the death.

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