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Anela Vrki University of Zadar English Department Gothic genre Dr Marko Luki, Chair of American Studies, Senior Research Assistant

Passive female characters in Frankenstein

Mary Shelley was Mary Wollstonecrafts and William Godwins daughter. Mary Wollstonecraft was a famous British writer, philosopher and feminist. She is best known for one of the earliest works of feminist philosophy, A Vindication of the Rights of Women. In that work she argues the position of women in society. Mary Wollstonecraft claims that women are not inferior to men but it only appears that way because of the lack of education for woman. She advocated the equality of women and men. Mary Wollstonecraft died when Shelley was eleven, after giving birth to her second daughter. Mary Shellys father was a British novelist, journalist and political philosopher. He is considered as one of the first exponents of utilitarianism and modern anarchism. In his famous work he attacked political institutions and aristocratic privileges, and in a way he is the author of first mystery novel. Taking these facts into consideration, it is visible that her parents were both

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outspoken fighters for human rights, especially her mother when it comes to the question of women rights. So it is logical for one to find it unusual and strange, that Mary Shelley wrote a novel that carries such weak female characters. Even though her mother died while Shelley was young, it could be considered that she took interest in her mothers life, and questions and problems she was advocating. Also as a child of another parent who was completely active in many kinds of social aspects, a normal conclusion would be that Shelley also developed some firm opinions and attitudes about society, and closely connected with this subject, about position of woman in society. There are several female characters in Frankenstein, and each of them serves as a mean throughout male characters experience different situations and gathers experiences and knowledge. The first female character that the reader encounters in the novel is Margaret, sister of captain Walton, and we meet her throughout letters. She is the most passive female character in the novel. Shelley uses Margaret so Walton can transfer his story to the readers. We, as readers, do not know if Margaret even gets the letters that Walton sends to her because she never writes back. Or to be more specific we do not know if she writes back. We actually do not know if she exists, nor is she just some imaginary product of Waltons brain. This is the first example how female character is only an instrument throughout a male character expresses itself. Next female character that we encounter in Frankenstein is Caroline Beaufort. She can be considered as the only female character that actually shows that she possesses some kind of character and ability of living without constant help from male characters. When her father fell

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ill she took the initiative and independently continued her life and took care of her ill father. That is the only female action in the book that shows some female strength. But just before she could succeed and bring out herself as an independent female character, she is being rescued by a male character, Victors father. That action in a way put her back in the position of the woman in 19th century. Through Frankenstein we can clearly see the position of women in family, and society in general. But it is strange that Shelley made her female characters that much passive, considering the role of her mother in society. One of the most representative passive female characters is Justine Moritz. Justine is typical example of passivity. Justine is adopted by Frankensteins because her mother treated her horribly. It is the first example where she couldnt stand up for herself. When she gets adopted by Frankensteins, she adopts the entire passiveness of female characters in Frankenstein family. As a reader, one can create a picture of Justine as a kind-hearted, gentle and grateful person, one that could not be able to murder William. But her passivity goes beyond any sense that she, when accused of committing a murder, does not even tries to justify herself. 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 Her passivity even goes further when she, in the end, admits the manslaughter the Monster committed. It can be considered as an ultimate inactivity, and once again in the novel, the female character becomes a victim of circumstances. Another example of female character being only an instrument through which male characters gain experience and knowledge is Agatha, the cottagers daughter. The Monster gets

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his first lessons just by observing the way Agatha treats her blind father. Her role in the novel is to serve the Monster to learn some basic human behaviors, the ones his creator failed to fulfill. The last female character, but probably the most important in the novel is Elizabeth. Elizabeth is an orphan that is also adopted by Frankensteins family. They consulted their village priest and the result was that Elizabeth Lavenza became the inmate of my parents house my more than sister, the beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations and my pleasures (chapter 1, paragraph 6) She is typical passive female character. Everything she does does it to make people around her happy. Even when she is doing things she loves, e.g. painting, she doesnt do it for her own pleasure, but for pleasures of other. Not only that she is passive by herself, but the relations with other characters in the novel make her even more passive and inactive. Elizabeth paints when Caroline wants her to paint, and Victor treats her as his property, her every action is directed to please someone else. I looked upon Elizabeth as mine - mine to protect, love and cherish. All praises bestowed on her I received as made to a possession of my own (21) Even though Victor treats Elizabeth as his possession, she is his weak spot, and that is why in the end she dies. Monster, well aware of his creators way of thinking uses Eliz abeth to get what he wants, and, again, female character is just an instrument between a play of two male characters. Her passivity is even more emphasized when Victor, well aware of the danger that Elizabeth is in, still decides to continue the game between monster and his own mind. He selfishly puts himself above Elizabeths safety and once again, female character in Frankenstein becomes a victim of circumstances.

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It is characteristic for early gothic literature that female characters are passive and always saved by a male character or eventually they in the end all die. But considering Mary Shelley and her role in society, her parents we cannot ignore the fact that her female characters are too passive. She reaches she extremes whit that much passivity, which in a way even can provoke or irritate the reader. It is probable that Shelley was just trying to describe the position of women in society, but it is also probable that she is simply mocking female roles in family, society, and that she through novel actually mocks the whole value system of 19th century. Still, taking everything into consideration Shelley wrote a novel where female characters do not have space to grow intellectually, she even aborts the development of another female character when Victor refuses to create a female companion for the Monster. There can be many reasons, maybe she was just painting the picture of 19th century society, maybe she was mocking it, or maybe she didnt want to continue her parents path and considered that women do not need more power or initiative.

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Literature:

1. Laurence M. Porter; Women's Vision in Western Literature: The Empathic Community 2. Thomas Reed Whissen; Classic Cult Fiction: A Companion to Popular Cult Literature 3. http://www.studentpulse.com/articles/139/women-as-the-submissive-sex-in-mary-shelleysfrankenstein

4. http://everything2.com/title/The+role+of+women+in+Frankenstein