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When the reader is first introduced to Elizabeth, she is being adopted by the Frankenstein family, showing that, to some extent, this young girl was taken against her will. As the story progresses, however, the reader becomes aware that because of this adoption, Elizabeth is given a better life and a chance to succeed and to learn. Throughout the novel, Elizabeth is not mentioned as much as Victor is, since they are separated. As Elizabeth writes to Victor, “You are distant from me, and it is possible that you may dread and yet be pleased with this explanation” (Shelley 642). Victor seems to have forgotten about his sister and wife-to-be, but Elizabeth makes sure he is reminded of her by writing him a letter. This is an example of Elizabeth finding her womanly strength; though she is not a man and cannot travel alone in that time to see Victor, she “sends herself” through mail. In Elizabeth's letter, however, she is portrayed as lonely and desperate to modern day readers, as she writes “I dare not any longer postpone writing what, during your absence, I have often wished to express to you but have never had the courage to begin” (Shelley 642). A reader in the time when the book was published would probably have overlooked the lonely characteristics represented and seen the fine word choice used by the young lady. This exquisite literacy shows that
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In the first scene of Young Frankenstein when the viewer first sees Elizabeth, the lighting of the set is projected so that the viewer sees Elizabeth's features very quickly, while Frankenstein is in her shadow, a symbol that she is overpowering him with her beauty and sultriness. This, as readers can see, is a sharp contrast with the first time Elizabeth is mentioned in the novel, an adopted young child. During this scene in the movie, Dr. Frankenstein is leaving for Europe, and while Elizabeth seems distraught over his departure, she is more concerned that he does not mess up her lipstick, hair, nails, and taffeta dress, since at the time of Lipstick Feminism, hair, nails, clothing, and makeup were very important to women. By Elizabeth being so engrossed in keeping a good appearance and not even hug or kiss her husband goodbye, she demonstrates that she is more important than any man, even her lover. Also in this scene, her voice is noticeably louder than Frankenstein's as she proclaims her love for him, hinting that because he is so captivated by her beauty, she has the upper hand, a common trait sought to be depicted by many women in the 70's. Just like in the novel, Elizabeth takes a backseat during most of the plot but obviously misses her soon-to-be husband, just as the novel Elizabeth did.
In the first scene of Young Frankenstein when the viewer first sees Elizabeth, the lighting of the set is projected so that the viewer sees Elizabeth's features very quickly, while Frankenstein is in her shadow, a symbol that she is overpowering him with her beauty and sultriness. This, as readers can see, is a sharp contrast with the first time Elizabeth is mentioned in the novel, an adopted young child. During this scene in the movie, Dr. Frankenstein is leaving for Europe, and while Elizabeth seems distraught over his departure, she is more concerned that he does not mess up her lipstick, hair, nails, and taffeta dress, since at the time of Lipstick Feminism, hair, nails, clothing, and makeup were very important to women. By Elizabeth being so engrossed in keeping a good appearance and not even hug or kiss her husband goodbye, she demonstrates that she is more important than any man, even her lover. Also in this scene, her voice is noticeably louder than Frankenstein's as she proclaims her love for him, hinting that because he is so captivated by her beauty, she has the upper hand, a common trait sought to be depicted by many women in the 70's. Just like in the novel, Elizabeth takes a backseat during most of the plot but obviously misses her soon-to-be husband, just as the novel Elizabeth did.