Feminist Analysis of Frankenstein

Feminist Analysis of Frankenstein

They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and this is the case with Mary Shelley. She was born to two very liberal people in Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin, which influenced her life greatly. The belief that all people are equals was gained from them and later translated in the text of Frankenstein by the characters and their actions. This somewhat hidden theme is overlooked if not looked at carefully.

Shelley's parents were very influential in nearly every aspect of her life. Even though her mother died shortly after Mary's birth her spirit lived within her. Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley's mother, was a big feminist that pushed for females to be treated as equals. This issue of inequality is brought to the attention of the reader by the lack of a big, strong female character in Frankenstein. Instead Mary Shelley features a male dominated book which is full of male error. William Godwin, Mary Shelley's father, was also an influential figure in her life. He was a well established author who exposed her to other radical thinkers and literary greats. It is even said that Godwin's friend Lord Byron is what made Mary write Frankenstein. With these influences and their ideas it wasn't a surprise by the way the characters acted.

Hidden in-between weak female characters is a female called Safie. She is Mary Shelley's embodiment of what women can accomplish if they fight for what they believe. Other female characters like Victor's mother die or fade away. The women are best described as passive. Victor's mother dies because she takes care of Elizabeth. Elizabeth waits patiently and is consequently the victim of the monster. Justine is another woman who dies because of her passivity. She admits to a murder she didn't even commit. These actions make women look so weak that one must wonder why. By doing so she shows what happens when women are complacent to their position, and Safie is what they can accomplish if they work toward their goal. Safie may be a strong character, but due to her small part is never really noticed, and therefore the message is out that women must take active roles in society, because they are equally talented if given the opportunity. Mary Wollstonecraft made the point that women are equal if given the chance and this message is clear in Frankenstein.

Women