Context, comparison and Frankenstein
1.
As you read the following passage, in the margins next to the text summarise four of the
author’s main points about women.
From: A Vindication of the Rights of Women
Mary Wollstonecraft
Chap. II. ‘The Prevailing Opinion of a Sexual Character Discussed’.
TO account for, and excuse the tyranny of man, many ingenious 1
arguments have been brought forward to prove, that the two sexes, in
the acquirement of virtue, ought to aim at attaining a very different
character: or, to speak explicitly, women are not allowed to have
sufficient strength of mind to acquire what really deserves the name of
virtue. Yet it should seem, allowing them to have souls, that there is
but one way appointed by Providence to lead mankind to either virtue
or happiness.
If then women are not a swarm of ephemeron triflers, why should 2
they be kept in ignorance under the specious name of innocence? Men
complain, and with reason, of the follies and caprices of our sex, when
they do not keenly satirize our headstrong passions and grovelling
vices. Behold, I should answer, the natural effect of ignorance! The
mind will ever be unstable that has only prejudices to rest on, and the
current will run with destructive fury when there are no barriers to
break its force. Women are told from their infancy, and taught by the
example of their mothers, that a little knowledge of human weakness,
justly termed cunning, softness of temper, outward obedience, and a
scrupulous attention to a puerile kind of propriety, will obtain for
them the protection of man; and should they be beautiful, every thing
else is needless, for, at least, twenty years of their lives…
How grossly do they insult us who thus advise us only to render 3
ourselves gentle, domestic brutes! For instance, the winning softness
so warmly, and frequently, recommended, that governs by obeying.
What childish expressions, and how insignificant is the being—can it
be an immortal one? who will condescend to govern by such sinister
methods!
…Children, I grant, should be innocent; but when the epithet is 4
applied to men, or women, it is but a civil term for weakness. For if it
be allowed that women were destined by Providence to acquire
human virtues, and by the exercise of their understanding, that
stability of character which is the firmest ground to rest our future
hopes upon, they must be permitted to turn to the fountain of light,
and not forced to shape their course by the twinkling of a mere
satellite.
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Context, comparison and Frankenstein
2.
Pick three quotations from the text you’ve just read and compare these ideas to what you
see of gender and the roles of men and women in Frankenstein.
Corresponding idea within Frankenstein Quotation from Wollstonecraft How these two things compare or contrast © www.teachit.co.uk 2011
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Context, comparison and Frankenstein
Read the following extract from ‘Paradise Lost’, a poem that re-tells the biblical story of Adam and
Eve, including the fall of Satan. In this section, Satan (who narrates) has snuck into the Garden of
Eden and is spying on Adam and Eve.
Oh Hell! What do mine eyes with grief behold?
Into our room of bliss thus high advanced
Creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps,
Not Spirits, yet to heavenly Spirits bright
Little inferior; whom my thoughts pursue
With wonder, and could love, so lively shines …
To you, whom I could pity thus forlorn,
Though I unpitied: League with you I seek,
And mutual amity, so strait, so close,
That I with you must dwell, or you with me
Henceforth; my dwelling haply may not please,
Like this fair Paradise, your sense; yet such
Accept your Maker's work; he gave it me,
Which I as freely give: Hell shall unfold,
To entertain you two, her widest gates,
And send forth all her kings; there will be room,
Not like these narrow limits, to receive
Your numerous offspring; if no better place,
Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge
On you who wrong me not for him who wronged.
The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill
Of bliss on bliss; while I to Hell am thrust,
Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,
Among our other torments not the least,
Still unfulfilled with pain of longing pines.
Yet let me not forget what I have gained
From their own mouths: All is not theirs, it seems;
One fatal tree there stands, of knowledge called,
Forbidden them to taste: Knowledge forbidden
Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord
Envy them that? Can it be sin to know?
Think about the monster’s expression of empathy for Satan. Go back and annotate the poem.
Where do you see ideas, events or words that remind you of the monster or the events of
Frankenstein?
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