Thesis: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein sits steadfast and unmovable on it’s pedestal of classic literature, largely from the legacy of the author herself, and the impact the work continues to have even in to modern day.
Collings, David. The Monster and the Maternal Thing: Mary Shelley's Critique of Ideology. Frankenstein. 2nd ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2000. 280-95. Print.
In his criticism, Collings suggests possible symbolic meanings of the monster, by means of Lacan’s symbolic and imaginary orders. Collings applies many sexual connotations to the tale of the modern Prometheus, including the implication of the monster as an outlet for Victor Frankenstein’s “oedipal yearnings”, sexual depravity, and interest in the feminine sexuality. Collings also addresses the possibility of a link between Frankenstein’s monster and women, in that they have learned language in the same way, but then almost immediately retracts his statements by stating that the model woman and the monster are “ultimately quite different”.
Collings essay appears to be …show more content…
She addresses the contradicting public and private lives of Shelley, that of the private familial role and the desire for public recognition. Smith goes on to acknowledge the domestic roles of the women in Frankenstein in the section “Cooped Up”, and brings the observation of consistent similarities in the qualities of the women within the Frankenstein family. Caroline, Elizabeth, and Justine all share maternal and nurturing tendencies, and share a similar experience on how they came to be accepted into the family; rescued from a lesser life, indebted to their savior, and then eventually passing their debt down to the next ladder rung of servitude. In the next section, “Sad Trash,” Smith discusses the scientific aspects of the novel, focusing on the alchemist that fascinated a young Victor
Collings, David. The Monster and the Maternal Thing: Mary Shelley's Critique of Ideology. Frankenstein. 2nd ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2000. 280-95. Print.
In his criticism, Collings suggests possible symbolic meanings of the monster, by means of Lacan’s symbolic and imaginary orders. Collings applies many sexual connotations to the tale of the modern Prometheus, including the implication of the monster as an outlet for Victor Frankenstein’s “oedipal yearnings”, sexual depravity, and interest in the feminine sexuality. Collings also addresses the possibility of a link between Frankenstein’s monster and women, in that they have learned language in the same way, but then almost immediately retracts his statements by stating that the model woman and the monster are “ultimately quite different”.
Collings essay appears to be …show more content…
She addresses the contradicting public and private lives of Shelley, that of the private familial role and the desire for public recognition. Smith goes on to acknowledge the domestic roles of the women in Frankenstein in the section “Cooped Up”, and brings the observation of consistent similarities in the qualities of the women within the Frankenstein family. Caroline, Elizabeth, and Justine all share maternal and nurturing tendencies, and share a similar experience on how they came to be accepted into the family; rescued from a lesser life, indebted to their savior, and then eventually passing their debt down to the next ladder rung of servitude. In the next section, “Sad Trash,” Smith discusses the scientific aspects of the novel, focusing on the alchemist that fascinated a young Victor