Final answer:
Mary Shelley's work suggests a critical view of the legal courts of her era, sympathizing with those wrongfully judged and emphasizing the need for law reform. Historical parallels such as the Sacco and Vanzetti case and the Scottsboro Boys also contribute to this critical perspective of the justice system. Shelley's views highlight the intersection of law with social and class biases, calling into question the fairness of the legal system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Through the various trials depicted in her writing, including those of Safie's father and Justine, Mary Shelley seems to express a critical view of the legal courts of her era. Shelley portrays the justice system as flawed and potentially unjust due to social biases, a disregard for the truly guilty or innocent, and the limitations in law that fail to consider individual circumstances and motivations. This critical perspective is reinforced by the thematic elements in her work as well as the historical context of her time, where the law often intersected with issues of class, gender, and social prejudices.
Historical cases, such as those of Sacco and Vanzetti, the Scottsboro Boys, and the Scopes trial, similarly illustrate perceived failings in the legal system. These trials exposed prejudices, inadequate legal representation, and the impact of public opinion on justice, as well as raising questions about the role of judges and discrepancies in legal interpretation.
Shelley's literary critiques, combined with real-world historical precedents, underscore her skepticism about the capacities of the courts to deliver fair and impartial justice. They also reflect broader concerns of the time regarding the equitable application of the law and the need for its reform to protect the rights of all individuals.