Examples Of Marginalization Of Women In Frankenstein

In the text, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Shelley interpreted that women are depicted as inferior beings that are subservient to men. The is highlighted by the way they are used and disposed in the text. Even when women are mentioned in Frankenstein, their femininity is overwhelmed by the dominance of masculine characters. Their marginalization can be observed in several scenes in the texts, for example during the court ruling of Justine, the rejection of a female creation and in Elizabeth’s role as Victors fiancé. In this paper, I will argue that Shelley used the lack of femininity incorporated in the novel to emphasize the detrimental effects of marginalizing women.
In the text, Shelley highlights that the marginalization of women leads

women to feel powerless and incapable of instigating change. This is displayed by, the character of Justine who is wrongfully accused of murdering William, because of Victor’s reluctance to disclose the creature as the actual murdered. This is because Victor wants to protect himself. It is important to note that despite her being certain of her innocence, the evidence is overwhelming causing Justine to feel powerless and incapable of changing the public’s opinion. Justine describes this feeling of powerless and helplessness to have arisen, “Ever since I was condemned, my confessor has besieged me; he threatened and menaced, until I almost began to think that I was the monster that he said I was” (Shelley 66). Based on the circumstances, Justine was powerless and vulnerable and felt condemned to give up her life. Victor has the power to speak up and explain that the creature was to blame, which would have inherently put Victor at fault because he is his creator. However, instead he allowed Justine to be used and disposed in order to preserve the exposure of his creation to the public and his avoid blame. In addition, Justine has been used as a tool by the creature to provide vengeance against Victor. Victor leaves Justine powerless, forcing her to accept a falsely admitted death sentence or dispose of her in exchange for avoiding guilt or public humiliation. As a result, the marginalization of women leads them to believe that their actions or attitudes do not carry power, disenabling them to initiate change.
Furthermore, women are portrayed as individuals who are only useful when they conform to the societal norm of being nurtures.

This is revealed through the denial over the creation of a female creature, which exemplifies the marginalization of women. Victor’s denial to create a female creature is due to his fears that involves the potential of the creature becoming independent or bearing children. This happened when the creature approached Victor and explained his frequent episodes of depression that were triggered by his sadness and loneliness. At first, Victor agreed to create a female creature out of fear and remorse that he felt for the creature. However, midway through the process, Victor destroys the creation due to the consequences that could arise. Victor begins by speculating that, “she might become ten thousand times more malignant than her mate,” meaning she would embody masculine characteristics and traits (Shelley 138). Victor fears that the creature may become independent, as males are portrayed in the novel, and choose an alternative route that ultimately leads to destruction. Or she may choose the traditional, expected female route and bear children, which would also lead towards destruction. Victor experiences the fear that the female creature may become a parasite to the world either by dismantling her role as tranquil or “appropriate” women, conforming to society or by creating additional wretched creatures. Ultimately, the denial of the female creation leads to the destruction of Victor’s loved ones, Victor, and the creature himself. Thus, when women depart from their designated roles in society they are forced to suffer the

consequences.
Additionally, the power women have is limited in order to control their influence imposed on others. This is seen through the character of Elizabeth and her influence on Victor’s life, which is thereby confining her power. The manner in how Victor uses Elizabeth only allowed him to welcome or accept her influence when it was convenient for him. For example, throughout Victor’s attempt to stabilize his mental health, he used Elizabeth as a crutch. Also, Victor displayed little regard for placing Elizabeth’s life in danger by denying the creature the creation of a female creature. Victor remains preoccupied with the idea of vengeance and defending his safety rather than the safety of Elizabeth. In the text, Victor refers to his tumultuous wedding night as him “In the mean time I took every precaution to defend my person, in case the fiend should openly attack me” (Shelley 162). Again, the concern over Elizabeth is minimal and the concern over the creature dominates his life. Instead of explaining the situation to Elizabeth or remaining by her side throughout the night, he seeks the creature throughout his home. The creature completes his act of vengeance and kills Elizabeth, patronizing the significance of her life to merely being a bystander and a tool for revenge. Therefore, proving that women are only powerful to the extent that men allow them to be.
Throughout the novel, the absence of femininity and the limitations set on women leads to the destruction of the characters. Since the main influencers and doers in the novel are men and women are kept submissive the story goes awry. The men’s pragmatic attitudes were clouded by their pride and lust for control. The men limited the women by forcing women to only exceed in situations where an individual was to be cared for or if they were needed to be used as tools as a contribution to fulfill the men’s goals. Shelley is attempting to explain how silencing or limiting the voices or capabilities of women leads to destruction. In addition, she is implying that through following a tradition set of social norms, a society is doomed to destruction since there is no balance of power between gender. Most, if not all of the power lied in the men in the novel, while the women stood beside them offering themselves as a stepping stone towards their success.
Consequently, Shelley novel is using an exaggerated example to shed light on the consequences of the marginalization of femininity by offering a limited amount of female characters, who are either ignored or used throughout the novel. By limiting a society to only be exposed and dominated by males, it leads to their destruction. In keeping women in a category and limiting their capabilities, it leads to an imbalance between genders forcing feminism to appear insignificant. Through the use of Justine’s court trial, Justine acted in a traditional manner by remaining calm. She also felt powerless and not in control of the trial leading to her confessing over the crime she did not commit and dying. Also, the denial of the creation exemplified the fear Victor had of a female achieving independence and having the will to make decisions for herself or spreading the wretchedness of the creatures. Lastly, through Elizabeth character, Victor ignored her wishes and safety until it became a pressing issue that involved his goal of destroying the creature. Proving again, that women are used as tools, whether it is for vengeance, nurturers or as objects. By diminishing the line between men and women, and allowing women to have control or power the destruction of Victor’s loved ones, Victor, and the creature could have been avoided. However, through upkeeping with traditional, societal norms that marginalize or objectify a female into act as a nurturer or an aid a society, the road to ultimate destruction is slowing being paved.