The Monster And The Law: Dr. Frankenstein's Legal Woes

In Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein is a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Although Victor claims to be creating his monster for the betterment of humankind, it's more likely that he does so out of arrogance, or out of a desire to become like God.

Victor's interest in science, chemistry, and the balance and contrasts between life and death lead him to become obsessed with the idea of creating life out of inanimate objects. Victor thought he was doing a service to humanity by creating a new human and that he would be revered by his creation. However, after stitching together various parts of human corpses to create his new being, Victor is immediately repelled by his creation and its ugliness. Victor falls into a deep depression and shuns his creation, perhaps because now that he's conquered death, his replacement as God is complete.

In the novel, Victor Frankenstein does not break any laws, as the story is set in the 18th century. However, his actions could be considered unethical and immoral, as he abandons his creation and allows it to roam free, causing chaos and destruction.

Was Dr Frankenstein's creation murder?

The short answer to your question might be this: although Victor Frankenstein claimed to be creating his monster for the betterment of humankind, it's more likely that he did so out of arrogance, or out of a desire to become like God.

As a young man, Victor's interests lie in science, chemistry, and the balance and contrasts between life and death. While a university student, Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating life out of inanimate objects and starts considering how to do so. Victor thought he was doing a service to humanity by creating a "new human."

At one point, Victor says, "A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. I might in process of time (although I now found it impossible) renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption." This quote shows insight into Victor's motivation: he wants to figure out how to cheat death, and he had allowed himself to be overcome by ego. If successful, Victor would be revered by the creature(s) he creates and his creations would make Victor a human god, or so he thought.

Of course, after stitching together various parts of human corpses to create his new being, Victor succeeds in reanimating the dead, but is immediately repulsed by his creation and its "ugliness." Victor falls into a deep depression and shuns his creation, perhaps because now that he's conquered death, his replacement as God is complete. Victor is similar to Goethe's Faust character who went on a quest for knowledge, made a deal with the devil, and is rescued by God. Unfortunately, Victor does not have the benefit of divine intervention. Unlike Faust, Victor knows he will not be saved and instead will perish without redemption.

Did Dr Frankenstein break the 1752 Murder Act?

Did Dr. Frankenstein Break the 1752 Murder Act?

The character of Victor Frankenstein and his actions as depicted in Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, *Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus*, can be analyzed through a legal lens, particularly in relation to the 1752 Murder Act. This Act, which was in force in England at the time the novel is set, provides an interesting framework to examine the potential criminal liability of the fictional character.

The 1752 Murder Act, formally titled "An Act for better preventing the horrid Crime of Murder," introduced the death penalty as the mandatory sentence for anyone convicted of murder. This Act broadened the scope of murder to include not just the act of killing but also certain types of behavior that could lead to death. One key provision relevant to Dr. Frankenstein's actions is the offense of "malicious stabbing, cutting, or wounding" another person, which, if the victim dies within a year and a day, constitutes murder.

In the novel, Victor Frankenstein engages in a form of scientific experimentation that involves the reanimation of dead tissue. He acquires body parts from various sources, including graveyards, and assembles them into a human-like creature, which he brings to life using a secret technique. While Frankenstein's actions do not directly involve stabbing, cutting, or wounding, the process of acquiring and manipulating body parts could potentially fall under this category of offense.

However, to establish a breach of the 1752 Murder Act, it must be proven that Frankenstein's actions were carried out with malicious intent. Malice, in legal terms, refers to the intent to cause harm or the reckless disregard for the life and safety of others. Frankenstein's actions, driven by his ambition to master the secrets of life and death, could be interpreted as showing a reckless disregard for the potential consequences, including the harm that might befall others as a result of his creation.

Did Dr Frankenstein break the 1832 Anatomy Act?

Victor Frankenstein, the fictional protagonist of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, 'Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus', is a Swiss scientist who creates a humanoid creature using corpse parts and ambiguous means involving electricity.

The 1832 Anatomy Act was an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom that gave doctors, teachers of anatomy, and medical students free licence to dissect donated bodies. It was enacted in response to public revulsion at the illegal trade in corpses.

The 1832 Anatomy Act was passed in the same year that Mary Shelley's third edition of 'Frankenstein' was published. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Dr Frankenstein broke the 1832 Anatomy Act. In fact, there are several reasons to believe that he did not.

Firstly, the 1832 Anatomy Act only allowed for the dissection of unclaimed bodies, such as those of people who had died in hospital, prison, or a workhouse. In contrast, Dr Frankenstein assembled his creature using body parts from charnel houses, mortuaries, and animals that he trapped and vivisected.

Secondly, the 1832 Anatomy Act required anyone intending to practise anatomy to obtain a licence from the Home Secretary. There is no indication that Dr Frankenstein had such a licence.

Finally, the 1832 Anatomy Act was passed in the United Kingdom, whereas the events of 'Frankenstein' take place primarily in Switzerland and Germany.

Therefore, while the publication of 'Frankenstein' and the passing of the 1832 Anatomy Act occurred in the same year, there is no evidence to suggest that Dr Frankenstein broke the Act.

Did Dr Frankenstein break any laws relating to grave-robbing?

Grave-robbing was a common practice in the early 19th century, as the demand for bodies to dissect in medical schools far outstripped the supply. The Murder Act of 1752, which ordered the public dissection or hanging in chains of executed murderers, failed to meet the demand for bodies. This led to the emergence of "resurrectionists", who would exhume and sell recently buried corpses to medical schools.

In the novel, Victor Frankenstein is a scientist who creates a humanoid creature using parts from corpses. While the novel does not explicitly state where Frankenstein obtained the body parts, it is implied that he engaged in grave-robbing. Frankenstein is described as visiting graveyards at night and collecting body parts from charnel houses, mortuaries, and by entrapping and vivisecting feral animals.

The legality of Frankenstein's actions in grave-robbing is unclear and depends on the specific laws and regulations in place at the time and location of the story. However, it is worth noting that the novel is set in the 18th century, before the enactment of the 1832 Anatomy Act in England, which provided a legal framework for the use of bodies in medical education and research.

Overall, while Frankenstein's actions in grave-robbing may have been frowned upon or illegal, the specific laws and consequences he would have faced are not explicitly stated in the novel.

Did Dr Frankenstein break any laws relating to human trafficking?

The character of Dr. Frankenstein from Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus" can be analysed through the lens of modern laws relating to human trafficking. In the novel, Dr. Frankenstein creates a living creature from corpses, which raises questions about the legality of his actions if they were to be judged by contemporary standards.

Human trafficking, as defined by the United States government, is a grave crime and a human rights abuse that involves the exploitation and coercion of victims for labour or commercial sex. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) in the United States established a framework for addressing human trafficking, focusing on protection, prevention, and prosecution. This legislation, along with other subsequent laws, provides tools and resources to combat modern slavery and trafficking both domestically and internationally.

In the context of Dr. Frankenstein's actions, human trafficking laws criminalise the deprivation of personal liberty with the intent to obtain forced labour. By creating a living creature and potentially subjecting it to forced labour or other forms of exploitation, Dr. Frankenstein could be considered guilty of human trafficking under modern laws. However, it is important to note that the legal definitions and interpretations of human trafficking may vary across different jurisdictions.

Additionally, the creation of the living creature by Dr. Frankenstein could also be viewed as a form of human experimentation, which is prohibited by laws such as the Nuremberg Code. The removal and mutilation of human remains without legal authority are also considered crimes, further emphasising the illegal nature of Dr. Frankenstein's actions.

Overall, while the specific application of human trafficking laws to Dr. Frankenstein's actions may be subject to interpretation, his conduct in creating the living creature and potentially subjecting it to forced labour or exploitation would likely be considered a violation of modern laws relating to human trafficking and human experimentation.

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