Frankenstein / Moral Conflict
It was to be decided whether the result of my curiosity and lawless devices would cause the death of two of my fellow beings: one a smiling babe full of innocence and joy, the other far more dreadfully murdered, with every aggravation of infamy that could make the murder memorable in horror. Justine also was a girl of merit and possessed qualities which promised to render her life happy; now all was to be obliterated in an ignominious grave, and I the cause! A thousand times rather would I have confessed myself guilty of the crime ascribed to Justine, but I was absent when it was committed, and such a declaration would have been considered as the ravings of a madman and would not have exculpated her who suffered through me. She was dressed in mourning, and her countenance, always engaging, was rendered, by the solemnity of her feelings, exquisitely beautiful.
Microstory
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the village, a young woman clad in black stood before the crowd, her heart a tempest of despair. Justine's warm smile, now eclipsed by the weight of false accusations, was a haunting beauty that could turn the most indifferent heart to sorrow. In that moment, she felt the crushing burden of her friend's silent torment, the unseen specter of guilt hovering over her like a dark cloud, whispering of the life stolen by the whims of an unyielding ambition. (AI-generated story)
This excerpt encapsulates the profound moral conflict central to Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', reflecting the themes of guilt and responsibility. The juxtaposition of innocence, represented by the 'smiling babe', against the horror of murder highlights the ethical implications of Frankenstein's pursuits, suggesting that unchecked ambition can lead to devastating consequences for the innocent. The acute awareness of the protagonist's complicity in Justine's fate brings to light the novel's exploration of the relationship between creator and creation, where the consequences of transgression weigh heavily on the soul. This tension serves as a poignant reminder of the broader implications of scientific exploration during the Enlightenment, particularly regarding the responsibilities that come with knowledge and power. (AI-generated commentary)