For a better understanding of the main part of this term paper, firstly, the predominant
doctrine of separate spheres will be introduced and sufficiently explained. Likewise a short
overview of the situation of women from the 19th century will be given in this chapter. Further
on it will then be demonstrated how Mary Shelley coped with the fact of being a female
writer in a male dominated society and how she managed her life. Afterwards it will be
looked at all women, appearing in the novel Frankenstein, and how Shelley presents them. In
addition it will be analysed in what way Shelley displays critique of the gender division and
the patriarchal society. Finally, the results of the analysis of the novel will be summarised.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Gender Roles or the Concept of Separate Spheres
3. Between the Public and the Private Sphere
3.1. The Life of Mary Shelley
3.2. The Representation of Women in Frankenstein
3.3. Frankenstein – A Critique of the 19th Century Patriarchal Society
4. Conclusion
5. List of Works Cited
Research Objectives & Key Themes
This paper examines the role and significance of female figures in Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, while simultaneously analyzing the ideology of "separate spheres" as it pertains to both Shelley's life and the literary work. By deconstructing the patriarchal social order depicted in the novel, the paper argues that Shelley, far from merely reinforcing gender stereotypes, utilizes her narrative to critique the inferior status of women and the rigid gender division of labor inherent in 19th-century society.
- Analysis of the "separate spheres" ideology in the 19th century.
- Biographical exploration of Mary Shelley as a female writer in a male-dominated society.
- Critical examination of female characters: Margaret Saville, Caroline Beaufort, Elizabeth Lavenza, Justine Moritz, and Safie.
- Critique of the patriarchal structure and gender inequality reflected in the novel.
- The intersection of motherhood, science, and female independence.
Excerpt from the Book
The Representation of Women in Frankenstein
Mary Shelley, inspired by her feminist mother, “portrays the consequences of a social construction of gender which values men over women. Victor Frankenstein’s nineteenth-century Genevan society is founded on rigid division of sex-roles” (Mellor 115). While every man in the novel is attending the public sphere, Alphonse Frankenstein as a public servant, Victor Frankenstein as a scientist, Clerval and his father as merchants and Walton as an explorer, the women are mostly found at home. Moreover, “all the interesting, complex characters in the book are male [...] the females, on the other hand, are beautiful, gentle, selfless, boring nurturers and victims who never experience inner conflict or true desire” (Johnson 151). Most women remain in their domestic domain, being objects of adoration. Furthermore, no woman in Frankenstein speaks directly: “everything we hear from and about them is filtered through the three masculine narrators” (Smith 270).
The first woman who is introduced to the reader is Margaret Saville, Robert Walton’s sister. While Robert is on his way to the North Pole, Margaret stays at home and receives letters from her beloved brother (cf. Shelley 15-32). Robert and Margaret can be seen as exemplary. Whereas he travels the world and is a part of the public sphere, Margaret, as typical for those times, remains in the private spheres and stays at home. Her task is it to “support his spirits” (Shelly 22) and to be kind and gentle (cf. Shelley 18). Although Margaret appears as a passive character in the novel, she had a huge impact on Robert: “My best years spent under your gentle and feminine fosterage, has so refined the groundwork of my character” (Shelley 20). However Margaret can also be seen as an important character for the novel, only due to her existence Robert has a reason to tell the story of Victor Frankenstein. Chakravorty Spivak describes Margaret quite well: “She is the occasion, though not the protagonist, of the novel. She is the feminine subject rather than the female individualist” (Chakravorty Spivak 253). Contradictory, Margaret is the most passive but as well the most necessary woman in the whole novel.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the paper's feminist focus and defines the novel as "Female Gothic," setting the stage for an analysis of gender roles.
2. Gender Roles or the Concept of Separate Spheres: This chapter outlines the historical reality of 19th-century gender divisions and the concept of women as property confined to the domestic sphere.
3. Between the Public and the Private Sphere: This chapter explores how Mary Shelley navigated her life as an author, analyzes the female characters in the novel, and investigates the work as a critique of patriarchal society.
3.1. The Life of Mary Shelley: This section details Mary Shelley's upbringing, her intellectual influences, and her struggle to balance the roles of a writer and a woman in society.
3.2. The Representation of Women in Frankenstein: This section provides a detailed character study of the women in the novel, highlighting their confinement and occasional attempts at resistance.
3.3. Frankenstein – A Critique of the 19th Century Patriarchal Society: This section argues that the novel serves as an allegory for the struggles of women and a critique of the patriarchal control over domestic and public life.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the finding that despite the apparent passivity of female characters, Shelley successfully challenges the gender norms of her time.
5. List of Works Cited: A comprehensive list of primary and secondary literature used for this academic analysis.
Keywords
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, Female Gothic, Separate Spheres, 19th Century, Feminism, Patriarchal Society, Gender Roles, Domesticity, Literary Analysis, Women's Rights, Identity, Submissiveness, Autonomy, Victorian Gender Ideology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on a feminist reading of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, examining how the novel portrays women and whether it challenges or reinforces 19th-century gender ideologies.
What is the "separate spheres" doctrine discussed in the text?
The doctrine posits that men belong in the public "world" of work and politics, while women are confined to the private, domestic sphere, focusing on household duties and the role of the "Angel of the House."
Does the paper argue that Mary Shelley was a feminist writer?
Yes, the paper argues that by navigating the public sphere as a professional writer and by subverting traditional tropes in her fiction, Shelley challenged the systemic limitations placed upon women in her era.
What methodology does the author use to analyze the novel?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, combining feminist literary criticism with biographical context regarding Mary Shelley's life and historical research into the 19th-century social order.
How are the female characters in Frankenstein described?
Most female characters are initially portrayed as passive, obedient, and confined to the domestic domain, though the paper points out instances where they represent broader themes of struggle and potential autonomy.
What are the primary keywords that characterize this study?
Key terms include Female Gothic, Separate Spheres, Gender Roles, Patriarchal Society, Mary Shelley, and Feminist Criticism.
Why does the paper categorize Frankenstein as "Female Gothic"?
It adopts Ellen Moers' term, referring to the specific literary work done by women writers within the Gothic tradition, despite the notable absence of a traditional heroine in the novel.
How does the author interpret the creature's request for a female mate?
The author interprets Victor Frankenstein’s refusal to create a female creature as an act of fear toward uninhibited female sexuality and a violent reassertion of male control over the female body.
- Quote paper
- Laura Weyand (Author), 2012, Mary Shelley, Women & Frankenstein, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/267014
