Presentation

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Theme: Gender (Enforcing Stereotypes)

Shelley enforces certain gender stereotypes of the nineteenth century in her characterisation. The male characters are active and dominant and the majority of the female characters are passive or even angelic.

The Angel in the House

In 1854, a poet named Coventry Patmore published a poem called ‘The Angel in the House’.
This praised his wife Emily as the perfect wife and held her up as an example for all women.

The ideal wife

The poem gained popularity in the late nineteenth century, and the idea has come to be associated with the image of the ideal Victorian wife.
The image is one of meek submission: devoted to her husband and always acting in a manner which pleased him.

The poem

This is evident in a quotation from the poem:
- “Man must be pleased; but him to please / Is woman's pleasure”.
The ‘Angel in the House’ is presented as being passive and selfless, but she is also charming, graceful, and – especially – pure.

Elizabeth

Although the poem was written after ‘Frankenstein’, it is still possible to see its ideas reflected in the novel.
- Elizabeth seems to be a perfect example of this – fulfilling her roles in the family home, whilst always remaining loyal to and adoring of Victor, despite his actions.

Theme: Gender (Contradicting Stereotypes)

Some female characters do contradict gendered norms, e.g. Justine Moritz and Safie.

Justine Moritz

Justine Moritz exhibits great moral courage during her trial.
This is emphasised through the unfavourable comparisons Shelley makes with Victor’s lack of courage.

Safie

The character of Safie can be said to be the only really ‘active’ female character in the novel.
This is demonstrated through her ability and willingness to travel alone, and her strong opinions and ideas.

Safie's upbringing

When we are introduced to Safie’s story, we learn that her mother was a “Christian Arab” who taught her daughter “to aspire to higher powers of intellect, and an independence of spirit” than she thought possible for “the female followers of Mahomet.” (Volume Two: Chapter 6)

Safie's strength

After her mother’s death, Safie retains these strong ideas, making the suggestion of returning to Constantinople in her father’s homeland seem sickening to her.
She pursues her own course of actions in order to avoid the fate her father wishes for her, which she finds so disagreeable.

Theme: Gender (Male Dominancy)

Science in the nineteenth-century was a predominantly male domain. The novel reinforces this and goes further, through Victor's attempts to eliminate the need for women in the creation of life.

The need for women

Another important idea relating to gender is the manner in which Victor’s scientific pursuits seem to usurp the role of the female biological process in creating offspring.
In visualising the success of his scientific experimentations, Victor implies that his pursuits will supersede those of parenthood.

Parenthood

When imagining his accomplishment, he foresees himself as a father figure, however, it is notable that – in achieving this through scientific progress – this parenthood would have no need for the role of a mother.
This suggests that Victor considers the possibility of his becoming superior to the natural state of things, usurping the role of the female in the creation of life.

Victor's attitude

“A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs.” (Chapter 4)

Male scientists

The scientists who Shelley introduces in the novel reflect the scientists of the nineteenth century, and are all male.
The language Shelley uses links to this, often presenting science as a forceful masculine attack.

Male language

The language Victor uses to describe his scientific ambitions is aggressive and masculine, suggesting a desire to overpower nature through his own discoveries.
The verb “penetrate” has sexual connotations, implying that Victor’s pursuits will be akin to a violation of nature.
- “I have described myself as always having been imbued with a fervent longing to penetrate the secrets of nature.” (Chapter 2)