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Examples Of Ethical Issues In Frankenstein

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In the novel, “Frankenstein”, by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein demonstrates unethical behaviour many times during the major moments in the book. Frankenstein‘s poor decisions include leaving loved ones to pursue education and making a creature, his method of dealing with the creature, and his method of dealing with the deaths of his friends and family. Victor Frankenstein’s moral and ethical misjudgements spark the tragedies in the novel.

Early in the story, Victor Frankenstein isolates himslef from his family to pursue education. Victor’s first poor ethical decision is his choice to value his own work and education over his loved ones at home. He never visited his family once in the two years he was studying, and makes minimal attempts …show more content…

If he had admitted his creatures existence earlier or not abandoned it, the lives of his loved ones would be protected. However, Victor acted shy, selfish, and passive when his family’s lives were at danger. William Frankenstein, Victor’s six year old brother, could have been saved if Dr. Frankenstein kept his creation away from society and raised it like a normal father would. Since he he left the creature exposed to the world, it didn’t know any better and killed William. Since no one knows who committed the crime, Justine Moritz, the house servant, is blamed. It would be ethical and morally right of Victor to admit he is responsible for the crime, but he stays quiet, allowing Justine to unjustifiably die. He states, “During the whole of this wretched mockery of justice I suffered living torture. It was to be decided whether the result of my curiosity and lawless devices would cause the death of two of my fellow beings” (pg.68). Victor is also shown as selfish when he values his own desire for revenge over his wife Elizabeth's life. On his wedding night, Victor leaves his wife alone in bed, unguarded, and starts searching for the creature. He suddenly hears Elisabeth scream and realizes the mistake he made. Instead of guarding his wife through the night, he leaves her exposed by herself. This was a very unethical and self centered decision. If Victor Frankenstein put aside his selfish desires and knew how to properly react when his loved ones were in danger, his family would be

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