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Frankenstein Gender Roles Essay

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Abhinav Divi Mrs. Bakkala English, 10 May 9, 2023 Gender Roles in Frankenstein Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein explores the traditional gender roles of the 18th century setting that determines the role of society depending on being a man or a woman, Shelly critiques the social and cultural norms at the time by showing the different characters and their role in society based on gender. Characters like Victor are given more freedom in accordance to their gender while characters like Elizabeth really have no say and are not really included within the storyline, examples like these are a significant driving factor in the plot of the story. In the novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelly, gender roles reflect the norms of society during the 1700’s. …show more content…

This further exemplifies the gender roles of the time because the creature wants a female companion, this follows the idea of a typical romantic relationship at the time. This shows how the creature observed the gender roles and concluded that relationships were between male and female by being “nurtured” into the idea. The gender roles being practiced in society were what taught the Creature his ideas on having a companion which would conclude that the ideologies of the Creature were of direct influence of the gender roles that he …show more content…

Victor is reflecting on the way that he was brought up, his parents are kind and indulgent and he is given many opportunities as a man as opposed to a woman, while he isn't oppressed by gender roles he is still met with the the social pressure to succeed on behalf of his gender which is a positive outcome of Victors gender. "No youth could have passed more happily than mine. My parents were possessed by the very spirit of kindness and indulgence. We felt that they were not the tyrants to rule our lot according to their caprice, but the agents and creators of all the many delights which we enjoyed. When I mingled with other families, I distinctly discerned how peculiarly fortunate my lot was, and gratitude assisted the development of filial love. My temper was sometimes violent, and my passions vehement; but by some law in my temperature they were turned not towards childish pursuits but to an eager desire to learn, and not to learn all things indiscriminately. I confess that neither the structure of languages, nor the code of governments, nor the politics of various states possessed attractions for me. It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn."(Shelly 2) Men like Victor were given the freedom to pursue intellect and exceed academically and were encouraged to do so, as opposed to women who were not given such an opportunity and as a result of this belief Victor feels as though his actions

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There is also the concept of the balance of masculinity and feminity throughout the novel. Victor, although he is a male character, displays a need to create something and care for it, even if it is to fill some sort of abstract ‘debt’ he feels towards his parents and Elizabeth, and he inevitably ends up abandoning his creation. Victor’s desire to create a living being, despite the way he treated after its birth, is a trait that one typically associates with

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Victor's relentless pursuit of knowledge and his aspiration to conquer the secrets of life propels him into a destructive spiral. As his ambitions consume him, his mental state progressively deteriorates, leading to profound consequences. "In a fit of enthusiastic madness, I created a rational creature and was bound towards him, to assure, as far as was in my power, his happiness and well-being" (Shelley, 56). Victor's admission of his "enthusiastic madness" underscores the toll his ambitions have taken on his mental well-being. The weight of his creation becomes an unbearable burden that torments his psyche.

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In contrast, during his childhood, Victor was governed by social rules and family expectations. Victor states, “No youth could have passed more happily than mine. My parents were indulgent, and my companions amiable … we always had an end placed in view”. There is a certain false myopic idealism present in the statement. In fact, most of Victor’s intents are impulsive and irrational without “an end placed in view”.

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In the novel, Victor faces the consequences of the pursuit of knowledge. This shows when Victor created the monster that would later kill his wife. As evidenced, “... the deadly languor and coldness of the limbs told me that what I now held in my arms had ceased to be Elizabeth whom I had loved and cherished”(213). This quote conveys

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As per usual, advancements in a story are made through various literary elements, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's Frankenstein is of no exception. Though what sets this authors use of these elements apart is the effectiveness in which they are presented in what can be considered a prologue of sorts, the letters. As a foreshadowing to what may occur between characters of differing sexes, gender roles are established. For the development of the a main character, Robert Walton, season (a key factor in character development as discussed in the literary work To Read Like A Professor) is described in thorough detail by non other than Walton himself, as he also goes on to discuss his opinion on it. Gender roles remain an important developmental tool

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Frankenstein and his Creations tone toward their Creators Mary Shelley's theme for Frankenstein is the neglectful and obsessive aspirations of parents manifest into reality and contribute towards the destiny of their creations and children. Shelley conveys this idea by creating two main characters with expressive portrayals of their contradicting parents and childhoods. Victor Frankenstein is born into an aristocratic family who love him dearly. As a child Victor's mother sees it as a necessity to “[present] Elizabeth to me as her promised gift”(Shelley 21). Victor's mother's gift of another creation acts as a true testament to Victors mothers love.

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A second quotation that furthers the argument takes place when Victor contemplates the problems he created for his friends and family. “But I felt that I had no right to share their intercourse. I had unchained an enemy among them whose joy it was to shed their blood and to revel in their groans. How they would, each and all, abhor me and haunt me from the world did they know my unhallowed acts and the crimes which had their source in me!” (Shelley 176).

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The change in Victor’s emotional state supports the author’s message of intelligence. As he continued his journey, his spirits rose, “I ardently desired the acquisition of knowledge. “I often had, when at home, thought it hard to remain during my youth cooped up in one place and had longed to enter the

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