In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Justine Moritz is an innocent servant in the Frankenstein household when she is accused of murdering William, the youngest Frankenstein child. She is tried, convicted largely on circumstantial evidence, and sentenced to death by hanging. Her execution profoundly affects Elizabeth and Victor, exposing the lethal consequences of unchecked ambition and societal prejudice. This verified account details the narrative circumstances, evidentiary record, and emotional aftermath of her death within the novel’s framework.
Context Leading to the Accusation
After the monster’s creation, Victor falls into illness; meanwhile, William is found murdered near Geneva. Suspicion falls on Justine because she is found with a bloodstained cloak that belonged to William. Though she insists she is innocent, the circumstantial case is strong, and she has no effective legal defense. This reflects the broader themes of injustice and the vulnerability of women in the justice system examined throughout the novel.
The Trial and Conviction
Justine’s trial centers on a locket inscribed with the initials of Elizabeth, which was discovered in the folds of the bloodied cloak. The prosecution presents this as direct evidence linking her to the crime, while her emotional but inconsistent testimony undermines her credibility. The court convicts her, emphasizing the dangers of prejudice and the limitations of 19th-century legal practice. This narrative serves as a critique of how institutional bias can shape outcomes in capital cases.
Evidence Presented at Trial
| Evidence | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bloodstained cloak | Belonged to William; found on Justine | Narrative artifact in novel |
| Locket with Elizabeth’s initials | Located in the folds of the cloak | Narrative artifact in novel |
| Justine’s testimony | Claims innocence; admits to possessing the cloak | First-person account within the novel |
Circumstantial Case vs. Actual Perpetrator
The real murderer is the monster, who later confesses to Victor and narrates his own role in William’s death. Yet the legal system cannot access this confession. The novel uses this gap to explore themes of truth, responsibility, and the moral cost of abandoning created beings. Justine becomes a symbol for those sacrificed by a society that refuses to acknowledge its own creations.
Method of Execution
Justine is executed by hanging, a common method of capital punishment in the historical setting of the novel. Her death occurs publicly, reinforcing the state’s power and the finality of the legal judgment. For Victor, her execution is a pivotal moment that deepens his guilt and sense of complicity, driving him toward further action against the monster.
Aftermath and Emotional Impact
Her death leaves Elizabeth devastated and Victor consumed by guilt and rage. Elizabeth’s grief marks a turning point in her relationship with Victor, while his sense of responsibility for the consequences of his actions intensifies. This sequence sets the stage for the tragic chain of events that follows, including the deaths of other family members and Victor’s eventual pursuit of the monster.
Enduring Themes and Legacy
Justine’s execution remains one of the most powerful critiques of judicial error and social prejudice in literature. Her death illustrates how quickly an individual can be condemned based on circumstantial evidence and societal fears. Modern readers continue to draw parallels to issues of wrongful conviction, gender bias, and the ethics of responsibility in science and invention.
Overall, the way Justine dies in Frankenstein is not only a crucial plot point but also a foundational element of the novel’s exploration of justice, guilt, and moral responsibility.