Monday, May 16, 2011

Victim in Chapters 1-8

1. Who is the biggest victim in chapters 1-8? Victor? William? Justine? The creature?(You may choose another character). Explain your choice.

16 comments:

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Eleni said...

Although I think Elizabeth is the biggest victim in the book, Justine is the biggest victim in chapters 1-8. Justine plays a small yet significant role in the book. She plays victim to both the justice system and Frankenstein and his monster. Justine had a tragic childhood with a neglecting family and was welcomed into the Frankenstein home and treated like any other family member. Previously Justine had been blamed for the deaths of her siblings by her malicious mother, and then she gets blamed for the death of William. I think the Justine William relationship parallels Victor and Henry’s as Victor is also accused of the murder of a loved one. That being said, Victor is actually to blame for Henry’s death whilst innocent Justine has been framed and probably actually blamed herself for William’s death, ridden with guilt. Unlike Victor she isn’t so easily let off despite the fact that Victor, who had the authority to completely dismiss the case, knew she was completely innocent and he was the cause of his brother’s desk. She must have been an emotional wreck as she managed to keep all her pain bottled up and admitted to all the accusations against her, despite them all being false. I think that initially just finding out about William’s death devastated her, let alone being accused of the murder. It must have been excruciating having to admit to terrible things you know you haven’t done just because you know it’ll be easier to defend against to the people you thought loved and trusted you.

Me said...

The only true victim I see in this book is the creature, and especially in chapters 1-8. Victor wanted to create life, he wanted t do something that scientists never did, but the real reason he wanted to do this is because he lost his mother. Victor tried to create life, but did he think that he was going to create a normal human from dead human parts? Didn’t he ever though that there will be consequences if something goes wrong? Obviously not, so he was so excited about the fact he was going to create life, but when he saw what he created, a hideous monster, he ran away in his room in shock, and fell asleep. Well, what happen to that monster, he was just brought to life and abandon. Victor created that life, even if he was a monster, a hideous, scary creature, he still had a heart; he was still a life. Even if the creature was 2 feet tall, he was still a newborn baby in a way since he was only –probably- 10 seconds old after Victor ran away from him. What was the poor creature suppose to do? He was new to this world, if Victor didn’t ran away and at least talk to him, guide him just for a while then most of the crimes the monster did would’ve happen. The monster wasn’t born to kill, he was just a normal creature after his father left him there, alone in this world he just came and had no knowledge about. Then the monster went out to society and everyone rejected him because he was hideous, but it’s not his fault. Then he went and killed William, but it’s not his fault, he didn’t know what’s right or wrong, he didn’t know what was he suppose to do in this world Victor brought him and abandon him! When the monster killed William and then Justine Victor hated him, and now became enemies. Victor never took a second to be a right father for the life he created in this world, he didn’t guide his son to what is right and world in this harsh world we are living, and know he even dares to call his creation his enemy. I agree that this creature took many lives, people close to Victor that he cared about, but would the monster do all of these crimes if Victor was a right father, or would the monster do all of these crimes if he was guided right from anyone in the harsh society he had to deal with? For me the only victim in this story is the creature. He was not a monster from the first place just because he looked like one; his father made him a monster.

LoL*Girl13 said...

-- Response to JoBros-Leni Post on Victim in Chapters 1-8 --

I totally agree with the fact that Justine was one of the biggest victims in Chapters 1-8. Although innocent she is accused of a horrible murder. The fact that Leni also makes a parallel to Victor being accused of Clerval’s murder later in the book is awesome. It seems as if Justine’s injustice was a foreplay (foreshadowing) to Victor’s imprisonment.
However another great victim in the chapters, which actually kicked the whole murders and victims in action, was the monster itself. What other greater injustice can be done but to be brought to live, then deserted, hated, cursed, only for its countenance and form? Although Justine is a big victim in Chapter 1-8, without the injustice done to the monster, none of this would have happened, making the monster for me the bigger victim.

yianniwoods1234 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
yianniwoods1234 said...

I believe that Justine suffered the most because she lost her life for no reason whilst Frankenstein basically watched her die, and said nothing. Frankenstein could have saved the innocent persons life, but by being scared, he let a family member and a close friend die. Even though Frankensteins monster was the one who killed Henry and caused Justine to die, Frankenstein can alternatively be thought of as a monster too, since he didn't stand up for the innocent girl. The monster was another victim aswell since Victor didn't care for him, leading it on a killing spree. Victor is technically responsible for all of the deaths, as creating this thing, and not loving it caused it to kill people. The monster also knows the true torture of killing Victors family members, since he doesn't kill Victor directly. Victor slowly watches people he loves die around him, as shown later in the book aswell.Justine seems like the biggest victim from chapters 1-8 for me as she also admitted to killing a close friend, which she didn't. These chapters played a significant role in foreshadowing what would happen to victors friends and family.

LilMissBritain said...

Justine is the biggest victim in chapter 1-8. Justine was accused of being the cause for her sibling's deaths by her ignorant mother who failed to realise she was the cause of her children's demise. After her enslavement to her mother, Justine was welcomed into Victor's home with open arms. Justine's character highlights Frankenstein's selfish personality. Her innocence is known to us and to Victor, yet he'd rather see a woman he supposedly cared deeply about be sentence than admit his own wrong-doings. Justine and Victor are in a similar situation at this point as if Justine pleads not guilty, the explanation of how the locket ended up in her pocket may force people to question her sanity and if Victor were to admit his involvement in his brother's death, he'd be forced to reveal he'd created a monster which may also cause people to question his sanity. Victor and Justine's relationship is emulated later in Victor and Clerval's friendship. Victor finds himself in Justine's shoes for once, accused of a crime he did not commit.

Pometa said...

As much as Justine suffered, I believe the true victim in not only chapter 1-8, but throughout the entire novel, is the monster. As yianni says, the monster wouldn't have gone on a killing spree if Victor hadn't abandoned him in the first place. Justine is a victim of Victor's irresponsibility towards the monster, a death that along with William's, could have been easily prevented.
Again, as tragic and unfair as William and Justine's deaths were, the reason they died is because the monster suffered and was treated unfairly. Thus, in my opinion, the victim in Chapters 1-8, is the monster.

maria1994 said...

I agree with Pometa, the monster is the victim. If he was given love and affection he would give the same back. People are intimidated by him thats why he behaves like that. Victor, who is his creator, had to teach him how to be a good person. From the moment he was created he was alone and everybody rejected him. He needed love and someone to help him learn.

strawpie_13 said...

I guess if this question was for the whole novel we would all agree that the monster is the victim, but Justine is for chapter's 1-8 because she was blamed for a murder she hadn't committed. On the other hand the monster isn't much of a victim for being created, we can't all blame our parents for giving us life. So if we were to say that its not his fault he was created well that's not an excuse for him to go around killing people. How comes orphans who are sometimes abandoned by their parents survive in orphanages? I know some turn bad and some don't but still what is the difference, they are both human. Though being abandoned for physical defaults(as LoL*Girl13 mentioned above) by his creator/father and living a lonely life would be more of a valid argument that in my opinion still doesn't justify the monster and his actions.

yazan dabbagh said...

I agree with Pometa because none of those things would have occurred to Justine or William if it wasn't for the maltreatment of the monster. If Victor was more responsible and actually took care of the monster then nothing would have happened. But the sad reality is that Victor actually worked hard to make it and in the end he abandons a monster that doesn't know whats going on so he decides to take his anger out on whatever initially started his rough life and that is humans.

Antonia said...

I agree with Fashion Minded Girl.
In chapters 1-8 victims, it could be the moster but it could also be Frankestein. The monster got abondon by his father at the very first moment he came to life, he had no one to guide him right in this world and he was all alone.

omonoia9 said...

I agree with yianniwoods1234 because Justine was the most incense and suffered the most, and doctor Frankenstein watched her dying slowly without doing anything, Frankenstein could save her but because he was scared he preferred to let a family member die.
In another part that I agree with yianniwoods1234 is that even though the monster killed all those people it's Frankenstein’s fault because he could stop it, killing all those people.

axipower said...

in response to Fashion Minded Girl
-----------------------------------
I agree with you that everything should be blamed on Victor. As I have stated in my answer, lack of parenthood and mistreatment by your parents will seriously influence your personality and character. Victor is responsible for the monster and he failed to provide basic needs to him that every parent should offer.
On the other hand though I'm having a really hard time considering him a victim. How can a murderer be considered a victim? He has hurt other people because of the way he was treated. He spread pain to other peoples families. Let me give you an example:
Luis Garavito is a Columbian serial killer. As a child Luis suffered from serious physical and psychological abuse by his father. Supposedly he was beaten and molested by him. This man grew up and is responsible for the murder of possibly 172 male children (138 confirmed). Just like the monster his was mistreated by his parent. Should we consider the person responsible for killing 172 kids a victim as well because he had an extremely rough childhood? Considering these people victims would be like justifying their actions.

All information regarding Luis Garavito was retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Garavito

Alaz said...

I think the real victim in Chapters 1-8 is the monster.Frankestein didnt even give the monster a chance in the first place,Frankenstein just judged the monster just from the way he looked but you shouldnt judge the book by its cover.If Frankenstein actually didnt reject his monster and wasnt a bad parent now these things would have never happened,the monster wouldnt have killed anybody,Justine would still be innocent and William would still be alive.
In that time the monster was just a baby,he was just born and if Frankenstein showed him love,took care of him, the monster wouldnt be angry just like he is now, he might have actually been delightful.If you do something you have to take the full responsibility,it doesnt matter if the thing you did is good or bad but Frankenstein didnt do that and he acted so inmature and selfish that made the monster be a monster.Now because of karma and that every action has a reaction,he is paying for rejecting his own child but the bad thing is that he is not the only one trying to suffer.

Sel said...

Eleni has nailed it on the head. Poor Justine is truly victimised in this part of the book. For one thing, she was wrongly accused and put to death. How much more of a victim can you be than that? However, I don’t agree with Eleni that she was probably an emotional wreck. I believe she had taken the decision to confess in order to avoid being excommunicated and had come to terms with her decision and her likely death. She was calm both externally as well as internally. In that respect perhaps it could be argued that she was no longer a victim because she was in control of her emotions and had accepted what was going to happen to her.