Who Was Responsible For The Trial In Frankenstein Research Paper

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The trial showed that Frankenstein’s actions resulted in the deaths of three people: Elizabeth, Henry, and Justine. From the state of Alaska’s definition of manslaughter, the prosecution proved Frankenstein’s responsibility for the deaths through his reckless actions in his neglect of the creature, and by intentionally keeping the creation a secret. Frankenstein’s responsibility for the deaths relies in his neglect of the creation. Once the creation became alive, Frankenstein immediately ran away. “Unable to endure the aspect of being I had created, I rushed out of the room,” (Shelley, 35). He did not try to see how the creation would act, he did not try to befriend it, or help it fit in. He abandoned the creation and it became lonely, and …show more content…

In the trial, Henry said that Frankenstein never said anything about a creature. Frankenstein also mentioned his secrecy and said: “I tried to conceal this as much as possible…”(115). Thus because Frankenstein intentionally left the creation a secret, Henry was not prepared for an attack and was forced to submit to his murderer, the creature. If he had been warned, he could have been more prepared and might not have died. Frankenstein’s intentional secrecy also resulted in the death of Justine. He surmised her innocence, but did nothing to prove it to the Magistrate. He did tell the magistrate of Justine’s guilt, but he had no evidence to support another killer, thus intentionally keeping the monster secret. In the trial he mentioned the worries he had for his reputation, this showed that he intentionally kept it a secret,resulting in the death of Justine. He also intentionally did not inform Elizabeth, making him responsible for her death. He never explained the danger, and continued to marry her. They both testified that Elizabeth was oblivious. Frankenstein even wrote Elizabeth, saying: “I have a terrible secret...I will confide this tale… the day after our marriage”(140). He intentionally waited to tell her. If he had told her, she would have been protected. Thus he brought her into the danger and is responsible for her