Question

Which phrases from the passage clearly critique the class system as the creature reveals his dawning understanding of it? Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (excerpt) Every conversation of the cottagers now opened new wonders to me. While I listened to the instructions which Felix bestowed upon the Arabian, the strange system of human society was explained to me. I heard of the division of property, of immense wealth and squalid poverty; of rank, descent, and noble blood. The words induced me to turn towards myself. I learned that the possessions most esteemed by your fellow-creatures were, high and unsullied descent united with riches. A man might be respected with only one of these acquisitions; but without either he was considered, except in very rare instances, as a vagabond and a slave, doomed to waste his powers for the profit of the chosen few. And what was I? Of my creation and creator I was absolutely ignorant; but I knew that I possessed no money, no friends, no kind of property.

Answer 1

the phrases are "the strange system of human society", "of immense wealth and squalid poverty", and "doomed to waste his powers for the profit of the chosen few."

Answer 2

The phrases that clearly critique the class system are: of the division of property, of immense wealth and squalid poverty and doomed to waste his powers for the profit of the chosen few. The first one emphasizes the unequal distribution of wealth, where some people enjoy the plentiful abundance and others agonize in lack of everything. The other underlines the injustice of social exploitation.