Final answer:
Justine confessed to a crime she didn't commit in 'Frankenstein' due to coercion from her confessor, who threatened her with excommunication and hell, leading her to hope for sympathy and a lighter sentence.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Frankenstein, Justine admitted guilt to the crime she didn't commit because she was pressured and influenced by the circumstances surrounding her, particularly by the coercion of her confessor.
During her trial for the murder of William Frankenstein, despite being innocent, she faced an intense and intimidating situation in which her confessor threatened her with excommunication and hell unless she confessed. Under this extreme duress and the promise of salvation, she falsely admitted to the crime, hoping to gain sympathy and perhaps be spared from the death penalty.
In the passage, it appears that Justine admits guilt to the crime because she believes that her confession, even though false, would not save her from the dire consequences she faced. Victor Frankenstein, the narrator, expresses his internal struggle and regret that he did not confess to the crime himself, as he was absent when it occurred.
Justine's admission seems to stem from a sense of hopelessness and a belief that the justice system would not believe her innocence, especially given the circumstances and the societal perception of her actions. Her decision reflects the tragic consequences of her false confession and the complexities of justice in the narrative.