Cultural Issues In Frankenstein Research Paper

During the Romantic Era, many cultural problems lurked within society’s belief towards women and the impoverished. These problems included the women’s role as a submissive human being and the poor conditions of the commoners. The culture of England in the years 1800 to 1850 had a profound effect on the novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley. During Romantic England, the people were still divided into different classes based on social and economic status;the hierarchical structure is composed of the upper, middle, and working class. These classes were “distinguished by inequalities in such areas as power, authority, wealth, working and living conditions, life-styles, life-span, education, religion, and culture” (“victorian” par.1). The problems of oppression against certain classes and women caused people to revolt across England. Certain reforms were brought into England, gradually changing society’s views on these issues.
It was believed that a woman's sole purpose in life is to “...find a husband, reproduce and then spend the rest of their lives serving him” (“washington” par.1). Mary Shelley portrays society’s belief of man’s power over women when Frankenstein thinks of Elizabeth as “mine to protect, love, and cherish”( ). The novel takes place in a society where man has the ultimate power and woman is obedient to his every wish. Elizabeth is not described as family; instead she is described as Frankenstein’s possession. She is presented as the future wife of Frankenstein who abides to her role as a servant to the Frankenstein family. Her acceptance of her role in society is shown when she says “I would sacrifice my life to your peace”(Shelley 61). Elizabeth’s life revolves around her future husband--she is willing to do anything for