Mary Wollstonecraft, a feminist in the 1700s also known as the “mother of feminism”, fought passionately to normalize education for women, as well as advocating for women 's rights. Therefore, it is no wonder that her daughter Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, related the main character’s downfall with the lack of a constant stabilizing feminine influence in the character’s life. The book Frankenstein follows Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who works unceasingly with the goal of making a being of his own creation. He succeeds in creating this monster, but the creation of this being leads to unexpected and grim consequences for Victor, and those close to him. The lack of a strong and stabilizing female presence in Victor Frankenstein’s
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Victor became engrossed in natural philosophy at an extremely young age. Due to this obsession he often isolated himself to further his studies, and Victor feels as if he “might have become sullen in [his] study, rough through the ardour of [his] nature, but [Elizabeth] was there to subdue [him] to a semblance of her own gentleness” (45). If not for Elizabeth, Victor may have completely disconnected himself from the outside world. Elizabeth serves as a reminder that human interaction can be a pleasant, and worthwhile experience, and that interaction in itself is a necessity. Without Elizabeth at his side as a child, Victor would have chosen to live in complete isolation, but Elizabeth became someone Victor easily shared his life with, opposed to facing it alone. Soon Victor leaves for Ingolstadt to attend college. In departing for college, Victor is leaving his family, including Elizabeth, and he begins to feel increasingly lonely. Instead of seeking out other companionship, Victor devotes himself to his studies until “[his] cheek had grown pale with study, and [his] person became emaciated with confinement” (58). Similar to his childhood, when Victor finds himself to be alone, he tends to …show more content…
It is logical that Mary Shelley would draw a connection between feminine presence and a character 's downfall, as she is the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, a feminist and advocate for women’s rights. Mary Wollstonecraft believed that women deserve an education, and worked restlessly her entire life to try to make her dream a reality. Therefore, it is no wonder that Victor’s loss and lack of strong feminine influence leads to his eventual
Victor became engrossed in natural philosophy at an extremely young age. Due to this obsession he often isolated himself to further his studies, and Victor feels as if he “might have become sullen in [his] study, rough through the ardour of [his] nature, but [Elizabeth] was there to subdue [him] to a semblance of her own gentleness” (45). If not for Elizabeth, Victor may have completely disconnected himself from the outside world. Elizabeth serves as a reminder that human interaction can be a pleasant, and worthwhile experience, and that interaction in itself is a necessity. Without Elizabeth at his side as a child, Victor would have chosen to live in complete isolation, but Elizabeth became someone Victor easily shared his life with, opposed to facing it alone. Soon Victor leaves for Ingolstadt to attend college. In departing for college, Victor is leaving his family, including Elizabeth, and he begins to feel increasingly lonely. Instead of seeking out other companionship, Victor devotes himself to his studies until “[his] cheek had grown pale with study, and [his] person became emaciated with confinement” (58). Similar to his childhood, when Victor finds himself to be alone, he tends to …show more content…
It is logical that Mary Shelley would draw a connection between feminine presence and a character 's downfall, as she is the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, a feminist and advocate for women’s rights. Mary Wollstonecraft believed that women deserve an education, and worked restlessly her entire life to try to make her dream a reality. Therefore, it is no wonder that Victor’s loss and lack of strong feminine influence leads to his eventual