Examples Of Feminist Criticism Of Frankenstein

Feminist Criticism “In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the author characterizes each woman as passive, disposable and serving a utilitarian function” (Haddad). For example the women in the story provide nothing more, but a channel of action for the male characters of the story. Justine’s character is very passive and she is tossed back and forth between the family and frankenstein, when she is accused of murdering Victor’s brother. This just shows a basic role of how women were put out to be just in this story. Many other women had their own role ofr what their character were based on of women in different ways. Overall women were not the main is what Ii would say in this story or relating to the real world .

“From the outset the presentation
of the male gender in Frankenstein is marked by strong similarities with traditional male archetypes” (“The Female Gender and Its Significance. . .“). One example of this is that the main character is male that being said he is also the one creating the creature. The female gender in Frankenstein is portrayed in a more sympathetic light and corresponds closely to Victorian ideals of women as familial caregivers. An example of this could be when Victor and his wife on their wedding night, Victor was f\scared of the being he created while his wife saw that he was scared and ask him ever so gently was he ok. Which means the female characters have the power or will to calm people down or care for them. While the male characters have the power to be leading in situations.

One thing that is masculine in the story that the men do or the main character is that he became a doctor to be able to care for his family or his wife. Victor was also trying to protect elizabeth from the creature which was in stating that she is probably weak and can't protect herself. One thing that is feminine about the women in this story is that they are a little passive, they are also in the stereotype of women should be at home cleaning and caring for the children. When elizabeth sees that Victor is frightened she goes and ask him if she is ok, then assumes he did not want to be with her. Her natural feminine action came into play with what was happening with the wedding just happening and everything. This are just some of the feminine and masculine things that happens in this story frankenstein.