• If the multitude of mankind knew of my existence, they would do as you do, and arm
    themselves for my destruction

    Thus, the Creature explicitly remarks what the experience of Justine's trial and execution
    had conveyed to Elizabeth, that men are universally "monsters thirsting for . . .
    blood" (II:1:8). This is exactly antipathetic to the tenets of disinterested benevolence
    Godwin had championed in his public writings (see Political Justice Book IV, Chapter
    8 and elsewhere in that treatise) and in the instruction of his children.