Masculinity In Frankenstein

Throughout the progress of understanding human development, the notion of gender has commonly been the topic of discussion and debate when attempting to understand its foundation. While it is argued to be a societal and cultural manifestation, others suggest it is a biological construct. When an individual is subjected to socialization, they are introduced to the common values, beliefs and cultural norms that are established in society. Despite the ongoing and inconclusive nature vs. nurture debate, what constitutes as masculinity in literature can be found through narratorial voice. The construction and representation of masculine identity as arrogant and condescending can be illustrated through the male narrators in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
and The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. In Shelley’s work, the masculine perspectives are a deliberate act of retaliation, whereas Franklin’s contexts are essentially subconscious as a man of his respective time period. Both texts are rooted in patriarchal dominated thought and use rhetoric and tone to reflect the gender norms, which further demonstrate how those norms are taken for granted by the ambitious male narrators. Through control by way of sovereignty and a lack of female characters in Frankenstein and authority by way of affluence and intelligence in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, gender bias is made evident.