Repercussions Of Behavior Frankenstein

The Repercussions of Behavior

Mary Wollstonecraft once stated, "I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves."This feminist equality statement was passed onto her daughter, Mary Shelly when she wrote a haunting tale that not only explores the dangers of creation and power but also incorporates deep layers that criticize the gender roles in the harsh society of the 1800s. Through her feminist views, the author used contrasting relationships between men and women to reveal a never-ending cycle, where behaviors feed into the stereotypical gender roles. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelly uses male behavior toward submissive women to expose the continuous power dynamics in gender, ultimately highlighting the societal norm that allows

Women in Frankenstein are shown to reinforce male roles and therefore justify men's assertive, dominant behavior. Mary Shelly demonstrates a submissive nature through Justine, who was wrongfully convicted of a crime she did not commit. Through this scene, her character is used to portray conformity into the wrongful accusals from the men in her trial, including Victor who has the ability to save her yet allows her to be stripped of power. She accepts her position saying, “God knows how entirely I am innocent. But I do not pretend that my protestations should acquit me; I rest my innocence on a plain and simple explanation of the facts (65).” The author employs power dynamics in gender to criticize the limitations imposed on women by society. The emphasis on the character's helplessness demonstrates the stereotype that women are powerless when compared to a man's knowledge and

This possessive relationship critiques the stereotypical gender roles regarding power and status. Through Victor, as Mary Shelly writes, “No word, no expression could body forth the kind of relation in which she stood to me—my more than sister, since till death she was to be mine only (37),” she is criticizing males behavior which leads to the submissive traits of women. The phrase, “my more than sister”, demonstrates that the situation is one-sided, ultimately allowing the man to take control or possession over a woman. Mary Shelly demonstrates the power dynamics in knowledge between gender when the creation’s “days were spent in close attention, that I might more speedily master the language; and I may boast that I improved more rapidly than the Arabian, who understood very little and conversed in broken accents, whilst I comprehended and could imitate almost every word that was spoken (121).” As shown, the creation is a symbol of progress. However, there is an imbalance between female and male power regarding the ability to process knowledge. Shelly uses this quote to criticize the societal norm that men have an advantage when it comes to intellect. Not only is the male asserting his dominance over women, but he is also automatically preserving a system where they are imbued in submissive