In Frankenstein(TM) it is generally accepted that the female characters and their values are presented in direct contrast to the ambitious, self seeking men. Examine the impact of two or more female characters in this appropriate sta

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Tabitha Scott    12N    Miss Avanall     Frankenstein Women essay

In ‘Frankenstein’ it is generally accepted that the female characters and their values are presented in direct contrast to the ambitious, self seeking men. Examine the impact of two or more female characters in this appropriate statement.

        It is generally accepted that the female characters are more passive and submissive to the active and dominant males. Their role is often in the background waiting at home for the male characters to send orders or perhaps tell of their adventure. Such a role is ironic since Mary Shelley’s mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, was an active feminist and author of feminist book, ‘The Vindication of the Rights of Women’. What is the significance of this irony? Is it possible to parallel some female characters with the male characters?

        As one of the main female characters Elizabeth is made reference to throughout Victor Frankenstein’s narrative. She is self-sacrificing; this characteristic emerges in the passion to prove Justine innocent despite the humiliation she may face, ‘If she is condemned, I never shall know joy more…’ Her efforts to aid Justine are admirable in contrast to the lack of effort from Victor despite the reader’s knowledge of his ability to provide evidence to free Justine. This contrast can be seen as feminist by some critics since Elizabeth has the courage to humiliate herself in order to save Justine where the male character Victor does not. However since Elizabeth does not succeed as a pleading woman it reflects on how much society in those times would listen and be convinced by a woman speaker, and therefore the powerlessness of a woman.

        Elizabeth punctuates the novel with a series of concerned letters pleading with Victor for him to come home whenever he is away. Some critics may argue that she appears to be sat at home waiting for his correspondence or promise to come home before she can do anything. This appears to suggest that women are helpless without men and feel anxious and vulnerable at home and therefore plead for the return for a dominant male. However other critics would point out that Victor’s father was still at home as well as Victor’s brother Edward, therefore there was no lack of male characters in the Frankenstein home so Elizabeth was missing Victor. Though some critics would argue that the characters of Frankenstein senior and his son Edward do not play a dominant and significantly ambitious role in the book and therefore do not have the male characteristics that Elizabeth cannot live without. Perhaps this is true since Frankenstein senior also writes pleading letters to Frankenstein and in his relationship with Victor’s mother he played a submissive role since Mrs. Frankenstein was given anything that she desired without question. ‘There was a show of gratitude and worship in his attachment to my mother….Every thing was made to yield to her wishes and convenience.’

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        Victor Frankenstein is said to be the hero of the novel despite his many flaws. Therefore it is notable that whenever he is away from the Frankenstein household there is a lack of happiness or trouble happens there.  Whenever he leaves Elizabeth remains helpless and vulnerable. Her vulnerability coincides with the typical Gothic theme of a damsel in distress who needs to be saved by the hero. There are certain times in the novel where Elizabeth does fill that role, for example; her despair at the death of William can only be helped by Victor. As well as showing Victor ...

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