In chapters 1 and 2 Victor Frankenstein considers his family the most distinguished in Geneva. His father was respected due to his high honor and reputation. He is juxtaposed by his intimate friend, Beaufort, who was also once distinguished, but fell into poverty. Beaufort is still the same man, however his lack of wealth makes him inferior to an intellectual man. This sort of classism seperates beggars from counsellors. Shelly incorporates the fact that those intimate friends remains friends to emphasize the humble nature of Victor's family. That also suggests that Victor's family moral values are above those classified by society. The family may be looked down for being associated with a beggar, but that does not stop their friendship.
Anguish and despair break the weak. Beaufort could not bear being cast off as a beggar. Victor was cast away from society, yet he remained collected and determined to acheive his goal. Being put in categories does not measure the integrity of each person; how he handles being in that category defines a man.
Society not only put social classes on rank, but it put women inferior to men. In Victor's narrative he uses the word "creature" to suggest Elizabeth's inferiority to him. Although he follows that by emphasizing Elizabeth's purity with diction such as "radiance" and light. Men sought the role of the protector such as Alfonse toward Caroline. After her father's death she became more vulnerable and fell in the arm's of Victor's father. She was to be the bearer and care taker of their children. Society would not allow anything more.
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