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Role Of Female Characters In Frankenstein

427 Words2 Pages

David
Nov/01/15
Frankenstein

In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, women are shown as passive, disposable, and mainly serve to effect men’s lives. Female characters, such as Elizabeth, Justine and Agatha do not have their own roles, but are there to clearly represent the male characters in the novel. Female characters revolve around men and effects men from the events that they go through. Every woman character in the novel serves a specific purpose in the Frankenstein. A maid in Frankenstein’s house, Justine, is a very passive character. Having grown up poorly, Justine is tossed back and forth between her family and Frankenstein’s. Not being able to speak up for herself, Justine is wrongly accused of murdering William Frankenstein. Although everything said about her is false, Justine remains calm and says, ““God knows how entirely …show more content…

Described as a gentle character from the beginning, Elizabeth has always been loved from Frankenstein. Elizabeth is seen as an important possession to Victor. Eventually, the monster, in order to hurt his creator, plans to kill Elizabeth. However, even when Elizabeth’s life is threatened, Victor forgets about her and advances his fight with monster. “She left me, and I continued some time walking up and down the passages of the house and inspecting every corner that might afford a retreat to my adversary…when suddenly I heard a shrill and dreadful scream” (173). This shows that although Victor loves Elizabeth dearly, he heads on for what he finds more significant. Elizabeth has become just like Justine, another inert victim from the insanity between the monster and the victor. Elizabeth’s role has been reduced to simple tool for revenge. Every female character has a demeaning characterization, because women are easily used, identified and abused. All of them live their lives for specific reasons to impact a man’s

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