Role Of Female Characters In Frankenstein

Looking closely at the female characters in Frankenstein, the relationship between females and their submissive roles shows how they are disposable, and serve a function for the male characters in the novel. A few female characters such as Justine, Margret, Elizabeth, Safie, and Agatha are all being used for the purpose of male characters. They are nothing more but just a source of actions for the male characters in the novel. The things that usually happen to the female characters in the novel is really just for the purpose of only teaching a male character a lesson and also being an emotional source for the male characters. The most important female character in the novel would have to be Victor’s beloved Elizabeth, as she is his biggest …show more content…
After being thrown back and forth between her own family and Elizabeth’s family she finally ends up with the Frankenstein’s who accept her as their very own. But, here she if framed for the murder of William Frankenstein, where she confesses to the murder of William Frankenstein even though she is not guilty of the murder. Justine accepts being wrongfully accused of murder, remaining peaceful and acceptable of the outcome to come. Justine justifies herself saying, “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” (Shelly, 55). Justine shows weakness by doing so, but by the act of being framed and by accepting it, proves the character to be very submissive. Just like how Asma says, “As evidence of innocence and God’s Favor, while others suggested that such lack of injury be taken as satanic protection” (Asma 119). No matter what witches did to show innocence it really didn’t matter because they were submissive. They were prosecuted either way and killed, just like how in Justine’s case there was no point of fighting for her own innocence. “But, I have no power of explaining it; and when I have expressed my utter ignorance, I am only left to conjecture concerning the probabilities by which it might have been placed in my pocket.” (Shelly 55). Justine being a submissive female, …show more content…
A female character whose really only purpose is to teach a lesson to a male character. Safie arrives to the cottages to live with Agatha and her family, where she was endeavoring to learn the English language. The Creature says, “My days were spent in close attention, that I might more speedily master the language; and I may boast that I improved more rapidly than the Arabian” (Shelley 82). Safie’s lessons become the Creature’s lessons too, because of this female character the Creature a male character has his first academic education. “While I improved in speech, I learned the science of letters; and this opened before me a wide field for wonder and delight” (Shelley 82). Safie’s learning the English language doesn’t really matter at all, as long as the lessons that are being taught to Safie are actually really influencing the Creature and helping him learn rather than helping Safie learn the language herself. Safie is behind the means of the Creatures needs for education in society, and this makes Safie to be another female character whose actions are only a source for male characters and shows that she is not very important to the novel