Joshua Bennett
In Mary Shelley's 1818 novel 'Frankenstein', Justine Moritz is a servant in the Frankenstein household. She is accused of murdering William Frankenstein, the youngest son of Alphonse and Caroline Frankenstein, and is subsequently executed. Justine's fear of Hell and her devout Catholic faith lead her to falsely confess to the crime. Her character is used to explore themes of injustice, class differences, and the impact of modernization on vulnerable individuals. Justine's Catholic confession also serves a literary purpose, allowing Shelley to critique human institutions and their failures in protecting the innocent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Justine Moritz |
| Occupation | Servant and nanny |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Reason for confessing to William Frankenstein's murder | Fear of Hell |
| Relationship with the Frankenstein family | Close, particularly with Elizabeth Frankenstein |
| Nature | Submissive docility |
| Portrayal of class | Lower social status in Swiss society |
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What You'll Learn
- Justine's Catholic faith is depicted through her devotion and acceptance of her fate
- Her confessor, a priest, plays a role in her false confession
- Justine's religion leads her to sacrifice her life for the absolution of her soul
- She is a scapegoat who pays the price of modernisation
- Justine is a one-off anti-religious character
Justine's Catholic faith is depicted through her devotion and acceptance of her fate
In Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," the character of Justine is portrayed as a devout Catholic whose faith shapes the way she responds to the tragic events that befall her. Justine's Catholic faith is evident through her devotion to religion and her acceptance of her fate, even in the face of immense suffering and injustice.
Justine's devotion to her Catholic faith is manifested in her constant prayers and appeals to God for strength and guidance. Even when faced with false accusations and the prospect of a cruel punishment, she finds solace and comfort in her religious beliefs. For example, when she is unjustly accused of William's murder, she does not lash out in anger or deny the charges vehemently. Instead, she accepts her fate with a sense of resignation and turns to her faith for support: "I look on death as the necessary consummation of all that is good and bad. God speed it! I seek it not. While I live, I wish to be useful." Here, Justine displays a stoic attitude towards death, viewing it as a natural part of life, which is in line with Catholic teachings on mortality and the afterlife.
Justine's Catholic faith also influences the way she interacts with others and perceives her own suffering. She is described as having a gentle and compassionate nature, always willing to help those in need. This selflessness is rooted in her religious belief in caring for others and doing God's work. Even as she faces false accusations and the prospect of execution, she does not become bitter or vengeful. Instead, she continues to show concern for others, such as trying to comfort Elizabeth, who is also grieving over William's death. Justine's ability to maintain her kindness and empathy, despite her own tragic circumstances, reflects a Catholic ideal of compassion and forgiveness.
Additionally, Justine's acceptance of her fate and her willingness to sacrifice herself for others can be seen as a reflection of Catholic martyrdom. She does not try to escape her punishment or shift the blame to others, even when given the opportunity. Instead, she accepts her fate as God's will and is willing to endure the consequences, even if it means an unjust death. This parallels the stories of Catholic saints and martyrs who endured persecution and death rather than renounce their faith. Justine's acceptance of her fate can be seen as a form of spiritual surrender, trusting in God's plan even when it brings her pain and suffering.
Justine's Catholic faith provides her with a sense of inner strength and peace, even in the midst of turmoil. Her devotion to her religion gives her a sense of purpose and helps her maintain her dignity and composure. For example, when facing her impending death, she finds solace in her faith: "I do not fear to die, though I had much desired to live, to transmit to some, who might receive it, what I have acquired of the sentiments of virtue and truth." Here, Justine expresses a desire to live and share her knowledge of virtue and truth, but ultimately accepts that her death is imminent. Her faith gives her the strength to face death with courage and a sense of spiritual tranquility.
In conclusion, Justine's Catholic faith is evident through her devotion, acceptance of fate, and the way she interacts with others. Her religious beliefs shape the way she responds to injustice, providing her with solace, strength, and a sense of spiritual surrender. Justine's character serves as a representation of how faith can influence one's response to suffering, and her acceptance of her fate reflects a Catholic ideal of martyrdom and self-sacrifice.
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Her confessor, a priest, plays a role in her false confession
In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Justine Moritz is a servant in the Frankenstein household. She is a Catholic, and her religious devotion leads her to make a false confession to the murder of William Frankenstein. Justine's fear of Hell and desire for absolution play a significant role in her decision to confess. Her confessor, a priest, also influences her false confession.
Justine's character serves as a scapegoat to highlight the injustices faced by those of lower social status and the vulnerable during that era. She is described as "frank-hearted and happy," "very clever and gentle, and extremely pretty," and "a girl of merit." Despite her positive attributes, she is blamed for the murder of William Frankenstein, the youngest son of Alphonse and Caroline Frankenstein.
The monster, seeking revenge against Victor Frankenstein, frames Justine by planting a photograph of William on her, leading to her accusation and eventual condemnation to death. Justine's Catholic faith is depicted through her devotion and acceptance of her fate, even though she is innocent. Her false confession is a result of her fear of Hell and her desire for absolution.
Her confessor, a priest, plays a significant role in her false confession. In the novel, the priest is shown to abuse his authority and betray Justine's trust. He threatens to withhold absolution to extort a confession from her, which is considered a grave sin in the Catholic Church. The priest's actions contribute to the tragic outcome of Justine's execution, highlighting the failure of human institutions to protect the innocent.
Justine's false confession and subsequent execution serve as a powerful indictment of the justice system and the abuse of religious authority. Her character arc underscores the themes of injustice, vulnerability, and the impact of modernization on society's most vulnerable members.
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Justine's religion leads her to sacrifice her life for the absolution of her soul
In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Justine Moritz is introduced in Chapter 6 as a servant and nanny to the Frankenstein family. She is twelve when she moves into the Frankenstein residence and becomes quite close to the family, particularly Elizabeth, Victor Frankenstein's adoptive sister. Justine is described as "very clever and gentle, and extremely pretty," and she embodies goodness of character.
Despite her innocence, Justine is falsely accused of murdering William Frankenstein, the youngest son of Alphonse and Caroline Frankenstein. The real culprit is Frankenstein's monster, who was seeking revenge against his creator. Justine is discovered with a picture of William that the monster planted on her, and she is sentenced to death for the crime. During her trial, Elizabeth passionately defends her innocence, expressing disbelief that someone as kind and gentle as Justine could commit such a crime.
Justine's Catholic faith plays a significant role in her decision to confess falsely to the murder. She is extremely religious and fears going to Hell, so she confesses to obtain absolution and ensure her place in heaven. Justine believes that God knows she is truly innocent, and she is willing to sacrifice her life for a greater cause. Her dependence on her Catholic religion leads her to this final, fatal act of false confession.
Justine's character serves as a scapegoat who pays the price of modernization, and her death highlights the themes of injustice and the harsh realities faced by those in lower social positions during that era. She is seen as a martyr, sacrificing her life for the absolution of her soul and for leaving her family to serve the Frankensteins.
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![Marquis De Sade's Justine (2-Disc Collector's Edition) [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/717Vif2ydkL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
She is a scapegoat who pays the price of modernisation
In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Justine is portrayed as a pious and devout character, often turning to religion for solace and guidance. While the text does not explicitly state her religious denomination, it is implied that she may be Catholic, and this aspect of her character takes on a symbolic significance within the broader themes of the novel.
Justine's role as a religious figure serves as a stark contrast to the scientific pursuits of Victor Frankenstein, highlighting the conflict between faith and science that is central to the story. This conflict is particularly relevant in the context of the Industrial Revolution, a time of rapid scientific and technological advancement that challenged traditional religious beliefs and practices.
As a devout and innocent character, Justine becomes a scapegoat for the consequences of Victor's scientific experimentation. Her tragic fate underscores the idea that the pursuit of scientific progress can come at a human cost, and that those who are marginalized or powerless are often the ones who suffer the most. Justine pays the price for Victor's ambition, as she is falsely accused and ultimately executed for a crime she did not commit.
Through Justine's character, Shelley explores the darker side of progress and modernization. Justine represents the innocent victim, caught in the crossfire of scientific advancement and societal change. Her fate serves as a warning against unchecked ambition and the potential consequences of prioritizing scientific progress over human life and morality.
Additionally, Justine's religious devotion adds a layer of complexity to her role as a scapegoat. In a time of shifting religious attitudes, her faith may be seen as a relic of the past, unable to provide protection or solace in the face of modern scientific pursuits. Her execution can be interpreted as a symbolic sacrifice, highlighting the way that marginalized beliefs and practices can be eradicated or silenced in the name of progress.
Ultimately, Justine's character serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of modernization. Her fate underscores the novel's cautionary tale about the potential consequences of unrestrained scientific advancement. By making Justine a scapegoat, Shelley forces readers to confront the ethical implications of progress and the responsibility that comes with pursuing knowledge and power.
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Justine is a one-off anti-religious character
In Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein, Justine Moritz is a Catholic servant in the Frankenstein household. She is introduced in Chapter 6 of the novel in a letter to Victor Frankenstein from Elizabeth Lavenza, an orphan taken in by the family and, later, Frankenstein's wife. Elizabeth describes Justine as "very clever and gentle, and extremely pretty". Justine's nature is one of submissive docility, and she is similar to other female characters in the novel, including Elizabeth.
Justine's character serves as a reminder that while God is not killing people she loves, the monster is killing people Frankenstein loves. This suggests that blame lies not with God, but with oneself. Justine's death highlights the themes of injustice and the harsh realities faced by those in lower social positions during that era.
Justine's religion plays a significant role in her decision to confess to the crime. As a devout Catholic, she believes that confessing will grant her absolution and allow her to go to heaven. Her confessor, a priest, likely threatened to withhold absolution to extort a confession from her. By doing so, the priest abused his authority and betrayed the trust Justine had placed in him. Justine's false confession and subsequent execution serve as an indictment of human institutions, such as the justice system and the Catholic Church, failing to protect the innocent.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Justine Moritz, a servant in the Frankenstein household, is depicted as a devout Catholic in the novel.
Justine's Catholic faith is central to the plot as she falsely confesses to the murder of William Frankenstein out of fear of going to Hell. She is executed for the crime.
Geneva, where the story is set, was the home of Calvinism, and Catholics were few. Justine's Catholicism gives her a confessor, who, despite knowing she is innocent, threatens her until she confesses.
Justine's false confession is an indictment of human institutions failing the innocent. Her confessor also breaks the seal of the confessional, committing a mortal sin.
