Despite an overall intention to demonstrate how the role of women in Frankenstein is diminished and minimized, Shelley cannot ignore the fact that gender inequality underlines female impact in society. The story of Victor Frankenstein is based on multiple attempts to challenge women by creating new creatures and recognizing male ambitions over women’s sacrifices and losses. At the same time, Victor calls to learn from his mistakes “how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow” (Shelley page). These words prove that male characters are not as strong and confident in their actions and thoughts as they try to be. The advancement of the male-based plot is impossible without women, even if they are passive and submissive. Every woman in Victor’s life brings and takes away significant elements, which cannot be ignored in understanding the irony of hidden misogyny and controversy.
In general, Shelley’s story is full of crucial lessons and examples of how men and women co-exist in the world and share their obligations and responsibilities. As a powerful and intelligent man, Victor takes pleasure in challenging his ingenuity and creating another creature the way a woman gives birth to a child. However, his mistakes remain evident, and the character agrees that his actions bring negative results. His failure is related not only to the knowledge gap or limited experience but to the inability to weigh all physiological and social aspects that are rooted in male-female relationships. Gender balance should be respected, and Frankenstein shows how ineffective and dangerous male dominance is.
Work Cited
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Add the necessary information about the source.