Victor
Begone, vile insect! or rather, stay, that I may trample you to dust!
What is an example of VF's hatred and obsession, a rejection of Aristotle and Kant and a critique of Calvinism.]
“I rely on her [Justine's] innocence as certainly as I do upon my own.”
What is an example of Elizabeth's moral conviction that people’s character matters [Kant]
I do not fear to die,” she said; “that pang is past. God raises my weakness and gives me courage to endure the worst.
What is an example of Justine's moral courage, faith, resignation: she faces death with religious belief, seeing endurance and patience as morally virtuous [Calvinism]
Excessive sorrow prevents improvement or enjoyment, or even the discharge of daily usefulness, without which no man is fit for society.”
What is an example of his utilitarian moral view: grief is dangerous if it interferes with social responsibility?
Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone am irrevocably excluded.
What is an example of recognizing a moral injustice [Aristotle, Kant]?
I felt suddenly, and for the first time during many months, calm and serene joy
What is an example of how VF avoids accountability by when distracted from his creation, highlighting how deeply his guilt and moral burden affect his well-being [Kant, Aristotle].
Alas! Victor, when falsehood can look so like the truth , who can assure themselves of certain happiness ?
What is Kantian critique of the idea of justice — she thinks the way society punishes is often hypocritical or cruel?
What could I do? In an evil hour I subscribed to a lie; and now only am I truly miserable.”
What is an example of Justine's intense sense of moral responsibility, even for something she didn’t commit, because she allowed the lie [Calvinism]?
but is it not a duty to the survivors , that we should refrain from augmenting their unhappiness by an appearance of immoderate grief?
What is an example of his utilitarian moral view: grief as respect.
Remember, that I am thy creature ; I ought to be thy Adam ; but I am rather the fallen angel , whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. .
What is an explicit condemnation of the inability to do one's duty [Kant], be accountable [Aristotle] and also a critique of Calvinism?
Nothing is more painful to the human mind than, after the feelings have been worked up by a quick succession of events, the dead calmness of inaction and certainty which follows
What is evidence of Victor's moral paralysis — torn between his guilt and inability to act [Aristotle, Kant].
Elizabeth was sad and desponding; she no longer took delight in her ordinary occupations; all pleasure seemed to her sacrilege toward the dead; eternal woe and tears she then thought was the just tribute she should pay to innocence so blasted and destroyed.
What is an example of doing one's duty in the face of extreme tragedy and injustice (Justine’s trial and death, William’s death - Elizabeth sees mourning not just as emotion but as a demonstration of respect [Kant]
Ever since I was condemned, my confessor has besieged me; he threatened and menaced, until I almost began to think that I was the monster that he said I was.
What is an example of how even in the most devout, moral pressure (religious authority, social authority) can force a person into conflict with conscience [All of the moral lenses].
“Enter the house of mourning, my friend, but with kindness and affection for those who love you, and not with hatred for your enemies
What is a moral goodness informed by a Christian view?
I was benevolent and good ; misery made me a fiend . Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous .
What is a critique of Aristotleananof virtue coming from within?
'I am thy creature, and I will be even mild and docile to my natural lord and king, if thou wilt also perform thy part, the which thou owest me... Remember, that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel...
What is the creature pointing out Victor's moral failings, particularly VF's duties as creator, likening himself to Adam and Victor to God [Aristotle]
I fear that he will become an idler , unless we yield the point, and permit him to enter on the profession which he has selected .
What is an exampl of Elizabeth’s moral preference for usefulness and minimal harm — valuing professions by their social good and impact on others rather than prestige [Utilitarian]
“Dear lady, I had none to support me; all looked on me as a wretch doomed to ignominy and perdition.”
What is an example of how even the most devout suffer without external moral support [critique of Calvinism]?
If she is, God forbid that she should suffer as guilty.
What is an example of leaving justice in God's hands [Calvinism].
You accuse me of murder ; and yet you would, with a satisfied conscience, destroy your own creature . Oh, praise the eternal justice of man !
What is an example of the ironic disparity beween the creature as human and VF as true monster?
I had been the author of unalterable evils, and I lived in daily fear of fresh mischief. I had covered my face with my hands; and I wept aloud; but tears and lamentations were a poor recompense for my crimes
What is VF impacted by the weight of his guilt and the realization that his suffering does not excuse his "crimes" even as he continues to resist helping the creature, setting up a new moral conflict [both Kant and Aristotle].
William and Justine were assassinated, and the murderer escapes; he walks about the world free, and perhaps respected. But even if I were condemned to suffer on the scaffold for the same crimes, I would not change places with such a wretch.
What is an example of how Elizabeth draws a contrast between guilt and punishment, preferring to suffer unjust punishment than live with guilt as a guilty person [Kant or Stoicism]?.
I thought with horror, my sweet lady, that you should believe your Justine, whom your blessed aunt had so highly honoured, and whom you loved, was a creature capable of a crime which none but the devil himself could have perpetrated.
What is an example of the entanglement of religious and personal values (i.e. Justine values her moral reputation and character and so feels the horror at being suspected unjustly - Calvinism; Aristole)?
Come , Victor ; not brooding thoughts of vengeance against the assassin, but with feelings of peace and gentleness , that will heal, instead of festering, the wounds of our minds.
What is an example of a Utilitarian good?
Yet you , my creator, detest and spurn me, thy creature, to whom thou art bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us.
What is a critique of Kant, Aristotle, and calvinism (explain)?