Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

sentiment intrensigeant dupee d'une amertume et d'un effroie inconsiderable, cette calomnie nous emmenne sur des chemins parsemmee de douleurs, d'imcomprehension, de mal etre et surtout d'illusion au bonheur.

Mary Shelley ‘s science fiction novel Frankenstein written in the nineteenth century emphasizes the laws and ethics of that period of time. It clearly reflects a period of patriarchs, when male dominance is apparent in all areas of life. In this novel Mary Shelley distinctively shows the role of women during the patriarchal period of time through female characters. These characters include Caroline, Elizabeth, Justine, Safie, and the female monster. Unequal rights and opportunities and injustice of the legal system prevent women from full exploration of their abilities and development as equal companions to male individuals; consequently, women in the novel become a passive, powerless product of this period of time that are shown in contrast with strong female characters like Safie and the possible female monster companion.

Mary Shelley shows throughout the novel how unequal rights and opportunities of women are compared to men in the nineteenth century. Through the male characters of Victor Frankenstein, Robert Walton, and Henry Clerval the author describes men’s strong interest in science, their accomplishments, and desires to make the discovery of something extraordinary. They are full of strong will, persistence, and ambition. All three male characters are well educated in science, literature and have acquired a good career. Anne K. Mellor points out, “The men in Frankenstein’s world all work outside the home, as public servants (Alphronse Frankenstein), as scientists (Victor), as merchants (Clerval and his father), or as explorers (Walton)” (275). Women, on the other hand, are not allowed to get an education in any universities, to obtain a professional career and a place in the society. Even though Caroline Beaufort and her adopted daughter Elizabeth Lavenza are members of a respectful, well-established family, they are not able to get a higher education and pursue a professional career in the nineteenth century society. Elizabeth is denied these opportunities, despite her passionate desire to explore and to enlarge her knowledge. As Ann Mellor explains in her work, “Victor Frankenstein’s nineteenth century Genevan society is founded on a rigid division of sex roles: the male inhabits the public sphere, the female is relegated to private or domestic sphere”(275).

...