Patriarchy In Frankenstein

FRANKENSTEIN - THE ISSUES SHELLEY DISCUSSED IN HER WORK-

The issues that Mary Shelley discusses in her work “Frankenstein” represent the incidents which occurred in her own life and time. These issues are showed according to Shelley’s thoughts and feelings about them. They also enable the reader more interesting points to think about their own lives. These are: * Birth & Creation * Alienation * The Family & The Domestic Affections
She focuses on these issues in terms of “male-dominated” science.

Birth & Creation
In this issue, we see the criticism of Mary Shelley as being the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft who was a woman living in a tradition of literary women and also criticized patriarchy.
The second character is the monster. The difference between them is that the monster didn’t alienate himself, instead, other isolate him because of his horrible look. Apart from his appearance, in fact he appears to be an almost perfect creation. Because he is often more human than the humans. He is benevolent, intelligent and cultured. But he is always rejected and alienated from the society, even Victor abandons him. The people judge him on his appearance regardless of his good nature as many people in society value good looks.
Therefore, Shelley uses this ‘alienation’ issue as she thinks that only society is to blame for position that monster has become. If people had adopted the monster into their society instead of mistreating him, he would have become a member of human society. Namely, she criticizes the way in which people alienate others because of their looks as there is dehumanization of people as a result of Industrial Revolution. So, she also criticized the fact that the mechanized world is valued over the natural world.

The Family & The Domestic
The reason why Victor is not happy is his running away from his family and his leaving the monster. He denied the family unit and suffered so much.
The idealistic family is also demonstrated through the Delacey family. Their family lives with love, there is never an argument amongst them. They often sing and tell stories. The children look after the blind father willingly. These are exactly what Victor can’t do. So he suffers from it throughout the novel. In other words, Shelley discusses the institution of a family by giving an example of an ideal family.
In this issue, Mary Shelley also puts an emphasis on the importance of woman for a male and a family. For example, Elizabeth demonstrates true loyalty to her family and appreciation of the beauty of nature. As a mother figure and love interest she represents procreation and sexuality. She highlights the wrong Frankenstein has done in creating life without involvement of a