Dr. Frankenstein: The Ethical One It would be quite easy to cast the protagonist in Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein"ÃÂ, Dr Victor Frankenstein as a fellow with very poor ethics. Robbing graves and practicing science that at the time passed only for witchcraft would not be a great way to win the approval of an ethics committee. However, in the context and the ethics of the novel Frankenstein does possess one characteristic that in the course of the book is ethical. The manner in which Frankenstein goes about his creation process and crusades for the destruction of his creation is his fierce work ethic and individualistic nature; because of this, in the context of the novel, Frankenstein's actions are ethical. The first way we can understand this is by the method in which he pursues his scientific endeavors. The second way is in the manner he attempts to destroy his creation.
Steel engraving (993 x 71mm) for frontispiece to t...
Promotional photo of Boris Karloff from The Bride ...
Manuscript page from Frankenstein by Mary ShelleyBy creating the monster by himself and trying to destroy the monster alone, Frankenstein has, in the context of the novel behaved ethically.
Frankenstein's work ethic and individualistic nature are evident in his creation of his monster. The first sign that Frankenstein's work ethic is ethical in his creation of the monster. Frankenstein deprived himself of many basic human needs "the charms of nature"ÃÂ(33) and "friends who were so many miles absent"ÃÂ(33). Victor has made a habit of depriving himself of these human foundations because he has realized an ultimate goal and feels it is his duty to himself to pursue it with all the tenacity one man could stand. We know this is ethical in the context of the novel because Victor's good friend, the benevolent Clerval, has worked under his father for three years with the ultimate goal of attending school. Clerval has been static in his education...