Examples Of Patriarchy In Frankenstein

Morgan Boyd

Ms. Coke

English 12 Honors

20 March 2023

Feminism in Frankenstein

Patriarchies are one of the most common, yet inequitable societies that are “acceptable” of mankind. Male dominated societies are predominant throughout the past and present and oftentimes under this authority women are exploited and oppressed. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley delves into patriarchy and portrays how women fit into this social system.

Women are important to the story but are not present. Robert Walton writes letters to his sister at the beginning of the book which include his journey, his sights, and some of his accomplishments. In one of the letters he writes, “...my first task is to assure my dear sister of my welfare, and increasing confidence in the

Victor creates only a male monster when he is working on his project. When asked by this creature to create a female companion for him, Victor immediately says no and refuses to create another monster. He eventually agrees and starts to create a female companion for the Monster. While he does this he describes his work as, “was indeed a filthy process in which I was engaged…. My eyes were shut to the horror of my proceedings. But now I went to it in cold blood, and my heart often sickened at the work of my hands….with obscure forebodings of evil, that made my heart sicken in my bosom” (Chapter 19, pg. 139). Victor feels all of these negative emotions of creating a female monster. While he describes creating his first monster as an enthusiastic frenzy and exciting for him, he is disgusted and sees creating a female monster as a grueling task. Initially Victor started to create this female monster for the sake of the Monster’s feelings and well being, which in itself is an example of how women in the story are there only for the sole purpose of a male. The female monster is not even given a chance at life before she is destroyed and is left to be silent and lifeless. Even with her being absent in life, she is important to the story because it drives the Monster to kill Elizabeth, Victor’s

The Monster begs Victor to make a female companion for him. At first, he agrees and starts to construct a female monster. Half way through the project Victor realizes that if he were to complete the female monster, she could bear children and he says, “which the daemon thirsted would be children, and a race of devils would be propagated upon the earth…” (Chapter 20, pg. 141). The two of them could possibly have children and then there would be now way for victor to stop the Monsters from engaging and having more children which would bring future generations. The main reasoning behind Victore denying to finish the female monster is that she could possibly become a mother. Him not finishing the female companion adds to the theme of the lack of