Critical Essay Paper on Frankenstein
UIS English 311
May 14, 2012
Without a Mother the Creature is Doomed
Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, shows a feminist point of view on the importance of mothers as nurturers. Schuyler Sokolow and Regan Walsh write in their essay, “The Importance of a Mother Figure in Frankenstein” that Shelley portrays “the nurturing of a loving parent is extremely important in the moral development of an individual” (1). Thus, the lack of a strong and successful female role model throughout the story gives way to the creature struggling in life. Shelley’s own life often mirrors the happenings in this text. The men that surrounded Shelley were not concerned with feelings. Her own father, “whom she adored,” “neglected her, leaving her feeling unwanted” and her husband’s “lack of grief [when] their babies died augmented this conviction in necessity for women in society,” as stated in the essay, “Frankenstein: Shelley Use of Masculine and Feminine Roles” (1). She grew up without her mother and a neglectful father, much like the creature, which often called to question her abilities as a parent—“this is expressed in Victor Frankenstein’s complete failure in parenting” (Sokolow-Walsh, 1). Shelley’s subtle, and not so subtle, examples of a nurturer being needed to be successful in life are shown throughout the novel. The creature’s crimes and yearning for a female presence supports Shelley’s idea that nature is not enough for human development, a woman’s nurturing is essential for success.
“In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley examines her own fears and thoughts about pregnancy, childbirth, and child development” (Sokolow-Walsh, 1). Her fears were established very young due to the fact that her mother died giving birth to her and thus, she grew up without a mother—aside from a stepmother who never attempted to bond with her. She always felt ill-prepared for life not having a mother to guide her. She leaned on her father for the nurturing she craved and cared for him deeply
May 14, 2012
Without a Mother the Creature is Doomed
Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, shows a feminist point of view on the importance of mothers as nurturers. Schuyler Sokolow and Regan Walsh write in their essay, “The Importance of a Mother Figure in Frankenstein” that Shelley portrays “the nurturing of a loving parent is extremely important in the moral development of an individual” (1). Thus, the lack of a strong and successful female role model throughout the story gives way to the creature struggling in life. Shelley’s own life often mirrors the happenings in this text. The men that surrounded Shelley were not concerned with feelings. Her own father, “whom she adored,” “neglected her, leaving her feeling unwanted” and her husband’s “lack of grief [when] their babies died augmented this conviction in necessity for women in society,” as stated in the essay, “Frankenstein: Shelley Use of Masculine and Feminine Roles” (1). She grew up without her mother and a neglectful father, much like the creature, which often called to question her abilities as a parent—“this is expressed in Victor Frankenstein’s complete failure in parenting” (Sokolow-Walsh, 1). Shelley’s subtle, and not so subtle, examples of a nurturer being needed to be successful in life are shown throughout the novel. The creature’s crimes and yearning for a female presence supports Shelley’s idea that nature is not enough for human development, a woman’s nurturing is essential for success.
“In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley examines her own fears and thoughts about pregnancy, childbirth, and child development” (Sokolow-Walsh, 1). Her fears were established very young due to the fact that her mother died giving birth to her and thus, she grew up without a mother—aside from a stepmother who never attempted to bond with her. She always felt ill-prepared for life not having a mother to guide her. She leaned on her father for the nurturing she craved and cared for him deeply
Cited: “Frankenstein: Shelley Use of Masculine and Feminine Roles.” 123HelpMe.com. April 30, 2012. http://www.123HelpMe.com/view/asp?id=36731. Minutillo, Jen. “Motherless Parenting: The Role of Responsibility.” Ball State University, English 233: Dr. Adams-Campbell, May 4, 2010. http://jnminutillo.iweb.bsu.edu/portfolio/artifacts/assets/eng230_frankenstein.pdf Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. 2nd ed. New York: Norton, 2012. Sokolow, Schuyler and Walsh, Regan. “The Importance of a Mother Figure in Frankenstein.” Yesgot.com. 2011-7-9. Spielberg, Steven Director. Hook. Amblin Entertainment, 1991.