Short Answer 
Mary Shelley’s *Frankenstein* delves into themes of guilt, responsibility, and societal injustice through the story of Victor Frankenstein and his tragic creation, the creature. The complex characters represent various human traits, with Victor’s ambition leading to guilt and the creature’s desire for acceptance highlighting the consequences of isolation and prejudice. Key excerpts illustrate these moral dilemmas and the emotional depth of the narrative.
Step 1: Understanding the Themes
Mary Shelley’s *Frankenstein* explores profound themes such as guilt, responsibility, and the consequences of creating life. The narrative revolves around Victor Frankenstein’s actions and the resulting turmoil. Key themes include:
- Guilt and Responsibility: Victor’s creation leads to tragic outcomes, highlighting his failure to take responsibility for his actions.
- Sympathy for the Creature: The creature’s plight evokes sympathy, prompting readers to consider the consequences of isolation and rejection.
- Injustice and Prejudice: The story addresses societal injustices and how external factors, like religion and wealth, lead to discrimination.
Step 2: Character Analysis
The characters in *Frankenstein* are complex and represent different facets of humanity. Understanding them is crucial to grasping the moral of the story. Important characters include:
- Victor Frankenstein: A curious scientist who embodies ambition but becomes consumed by guilt after creating the monster.
- The Creature: Often referred to as the monster, his desire for acceptance and understanding leads him to act out against his creator.
- Society: Represents the forces of judgment and prejudice that ultimately alienate both Victor and the creature.
Step 3: Analyzing Key Excerpts
The excerpts from the text are rich with meaning, illustrating the emotional depth and moral dilemmas characters face. Key excerpts to analyze include:
- “Oh Frankenstein, be not equitable‚ÄöA¶”: This plea highlights the creature’s yearning for fairness from Victor, symbolizing his deep-seated need for acceptance.
- “The injustice of his sentence was very flagrant‚ÄöA¶”: This statement underscores societal injustices and reflects the consequences of prejudice against the Turkish merchant.
- “A residence in Turkey was abhorrent to her‚ÄöA¶”: This emphasizes the character’s conflict between personal beliefs and societal expectations, showcasing the theme of alienation.