Examples Of Social Class In Frankenstein

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

“ 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