Representations of women
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
NB All quotes and page references are taken from the 1992 Penguin Books edition.
Women play a central role in Gothic fiction and are often victims of
extreme male domination and cruelty. Frankenstein presents some
of the associated issues of oppression, brutality and adversity
through its female characters.
Task one
Read the following quotations, and highlight and annotate each
with ideas about how Elizabeth is presented in the text.
‘… when, on the morrow, she presented Elizabeth to me as her promised
gift, I, with childish seriousness, interpreted her words literally and looked
upon Elizabeth as mine – mine to protect, love and cherish. All praises
bestowed on her I received as made to a possession of my own.’ (Volume 1
Chapter 1, p.35)
‘She [Elizabeth] indeed veiled her grief, and strove to act the comforter to
us all. She looked steadily on life, and assumed its duties with courage and
zeal. She devoted herself to those whom she had been taught to call her
uncle and cousins.’ (Volume 1 Chapter 3, p.43)
© www.teachit.co.uk 2015
23308
Page 1 of 4
Representations of women
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
‘My trifling occupations take up my time and amuse me, and I am rewarded
for any exertions by seeing none but happy, kind faces around me.’
(Elizabeth to Victor, Volume 1 Chapter 6, p.63)
‘We were soon joined by Elizabeth. Time had altered her since I last beheld
her; it had endowed her with loveliness surpassing the beauty of her
childish years. There was the same candour, the same vivacity, but it was
allied to an expression more full of sensibility and intellect.’ (Volume 1
Chapter 7, p.77)
‘She was there, lifeless and inanimate, thrown across the bed, her head
hanging down, and her pale and distorted features half covered by her hair.
Every where I turn I see the same figure – her bloodless arms and relaxed
form flung by the murderer on its bridal bier.’ (Volume 3 Chapter 6, p.189)
Does Elizabeth fulfil conventional expectations of women in Gothic literature? Write
down your answer using some of the quotations to help you.
© www.teachit.co.uk 2015
23308
Page 2 of 4
Representations of women
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Task two
To what extent does Frankenstein portray women in conventional roles? Complete the table with the traditional roles, and find
quotations and/or cite examples of events that support your ideas.
Traditional roles for women in Gothic literature: heroine, victim, sufferer, protector, passive, sexual prey and possession.
Female character
Traditional role(s)
Evidence
Elizabeth Lavenza
Frankenstein’s mother
© www.teachit.co.uk 2015
23308
Page 3 of 4
Representations of women
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Margaret Saville
Justine Moritz
Safie
Agatha de Lacey
© www.teachit.co.uk 2015
23308
Page 4 of 4