Mother Nurture: The Importance of Feminity in Frankenstein
Frankenstein examines the importance of feminie nurture by exhibiting the repercussions of dominating male ambition and lacking feminie nurture. In the gothic fiction novel, Frankenstien, by Mary Shelly, females possess vital feminine nurture and empathy. However, because Frankenstein has dominating masculinity, he lacks feminine qualities, preventing the monster’s nurturing upbringing. This lack of nurture leads the monster down a path of violence and vengeance, demonstrating to the reader the horrifying repercussions of overbearing masculinity. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley exhibits the monster’s violence due to Frankenstien’s lack of nurture and predominant male ambition as a way …show more content…
Through this, Shelley depicts the vital feminine nurture necessary for childhood development. Alphonse similarly nurtures Frankenstein, through which Shelley suggests a male’s “important functions in the feminine domestic sphere” (Smith). However, dispite the nurture that Victor recieves, his obsessive and scientific nature prevails over caring nurture from his mother. Another female character, Elizabeth, demonstrates empathy as she states to Frankenstein that “our marriage would render me eternally miserable unless it were the dictate of your own free choice” (Shelley 162). As Frankenstein becomes depressed, Elizabeth also feels depression, displaying empathy for Frankenstein. Elizabeth’s empathy leads to her aspirations for Frankenstein’s contentment. Thus, she grants him choice in love, even if it will cause her sorrow. This act exhibits the importance of empathy and nurture upon human joy. Similarily, nurture is seen within Female’s role in society. As Robert Walton writes to his sister, he claims she is “more fortunate than” him because he “may not see [his] native land...for many years” (Shelley 33). During this time …show more content…
When first meeting Frankenstein, the monster “muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks” (Shelley 61). This horrifies Frankenstein as he “escaped and rushed down the stairs” (Shelley 61). The monster assumes Frankenstein is his mother, therefore he reaches towards Frankenstien. However, Frankenstien, “rather than clasping his newborn child to his breast in a nurturing maternal gesture, he rushes out of the room”, indicating Frankenstein’s repressful spirit (Mellor). From his lack of femininity, Frankenstein leaves the creature in abandonment, demonstrating the isolation caused from lack of nurture. Because the monster is abandoned, he searches for nurture from others, finding a family to watch from afar. For many months, he learns about humanity by watching the De Laceys, hoping that one day he will become a part of their family and recieve nurture from them. Soon, the monster realizes he “requires kindness and sympathy” and attempts to converse with them in hopes to receive nurture (Shelley 118). Yet, as he speaks with the De Laceys, he gets “dashed to the ground” and “struck violently with a stick” (Shelley 121). This depicts violent tendencies dominating over feminine nurture. Thus, the nurture that the monster desperately needs is replaced with violence, indicating another example of societies’ failure to foster the
Frankenstein examines the importance of feminie nurture by exhibiting the repercussions of dominating male ambition and lacking feminie nurture. In the gothic fiction novel, Frankenstien, by Mary Shelly, females possess vital feminine nurture and empathy. However, because Frankenstein has dominating masculinity, he lacks feminine qualities, preventing the monster’s nurturing upbringing. This lack of nurture leads the monster down a path of violence and vengeance, demonstrating to the reader the horrifying repercussions of overbearing masculinity. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley exhibits the monster’s violence due to Frankenstien’s lack of nurture and predominant male ambition as a way …show more content…
Through this, Shelley depicts the vital feminine nurture necessary for childhood development. Alphonse similarly nurtures Frankenstein, through which Shelley suggests a male’s “important functions in the feminine domestic sphere” (Smith). However, dispite the nurture that Victor recieves, his obsessive and scientific nature prevails over caring nurture from his mother. Another female character, Elizabeth, demonstrates empathy as she states to Frankenstein that “our marriage would render me eternally miserable unless it were the dictate of your own free choice” (Shelley 162). As Frankenstein becomes depressed, Elizabeth also feels depression, displaying empathy for Frankenstein. Elizabeth’s empathy leads to her aspirations for Frankenstein’s contentment. Thus, she grants him choice in love, even if it will cause her sorrow. This act exhibits the importance of empathy and nurture upon human joy. Similarily, nurture is seen within Female’s role in society. As Robert Walton writes to his sister, he claims she is “more fortunate than” him because he “may not see [his] native land...for many years” (Shelley 33). During this time …show more content…
When first meeting Frankenstein, the monster “muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks” (Shelley 61). This horrifies Frankenstein as he “escaped and rushed down the stairs” (Shelley 61). The monster assumes Frankenstein is his mother, therefore he reaches towards Frankenstien. However, Frankenstien, “rather than clasping his newborn child to his breast in a nurturing maternal gesture, he rushes out of the room”, indicating Frankenstein’s repressful spirit (Mellor). From his lack of femininity, Frankenstein leaves the creature in abandonment, demonstrating the isolation caused from lack of nurture. Because the monster is abandoned, he searches for nurture from others, finding a family to watch from afar. For many months, he learns about humanity by watching the De Laceys, hoping that one day he will become a part of their family and recieve nurture from them. Soon, the monster realizes he “requires kindness and sympathy” and attempts to converse with them in hopes to receive nurture (Shelley 118). Yet, as he speaks with the De Laceys, he gets “dashed to the ground” and “struck violently with a stick” (Shelley 121). This depicts violent tendencies dominating over feminine nurture. Thus, the nurture that the monster desperately needs is replaced with violence, indicating another example of societies’ failure to foster the