Objectification Of Women In Frankenstein

Words: 746
Pages: 3

Throughout Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, women are portrayed as minor characters of great importance to the various narrators. For example, Walton writes letters to his dear sister and both Victor Frankenstein and his creation seek happiness through the companionship of women. However, women are not given a voice and many are killed. Does Frankenstein as a whole serve to empower women, or paint them as secondary to men? Women play an indispensable part in the lives of men in Frankenstein, for they are often put on a pedestal and admired for the happiness they can potentially give to men. However, this leads to the objectification of women as they serve a specific purpose to men. Justine, Elizabeth, and the monster’s potential companion are …show more content…
Victor says, “I shuddered to think that future ages might curse me as their pest… the wretch saw me destroy the creature on whose future existence he depended for happiness, and, with a howl of devilish despair and revenge, withdrew” (145). The creation’s potential companion is under the control of Victor Frankenstein, who serves as an instrument to potentially give the creation happiness and as one that deeply hurts the creation and causes him to seek revenge. When his creation kills Elizabeth, Victor says, “Great God! Why did I not then expire! Why am I here to relate to the destruction of the best hope, and the purest creature of earth?” (167) Victor proves himself to be a narcissist as he only thinks of how his actions may affect himself and not others. Though he describes Elizabeth as “purest” he also calls her a “creature” much like how his creation is described. To him, Elizabeth would’ve served as a source of happiness and is merely a toy he could’ve played with, much like how he creates his monster in the beginning. Both he and his monster destroy the women they love, or potentially would’ve loved, to play with each other’s emotions and prove the little care they actually have for them. In turn, Shelley once again proves the selfish nature of men and grants women another reason for them …show more content…
Frankenstein opens with Walton asserting, “You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings” (28). Walton expresses a sense of mockery to his sister, suggesting “I told you I’m right” undertones. He doesn’t consider his sister’s guidance, much like how the other men in this novel think of themselves before women. Although the novel doesn’t portray a heroic woman to empower others at the time, it surely mocks the narcissism of the male characters, who end up doomed without the presence of women in their lives, and illustrates the dangers of