Gender Themes in Frankenstein

The Perfect Victorian Wife

The "Angel in the House" concept comes from Coventry Patmore's 1854 poem that basically told women exactly how to be the "perfect" wife. Think complete devotion to your husband, zero personal ambitions, and always putting his happiness first - pretty restrictive stuff!

The poem's key message was brutally simple: "Man must be pleased; but him to please / Is woman's pleasure". Victorian society lapped this up, expecting women to be passive, selfless, pure, and charming at all times.

Shelley uses this concept cleverly in Frankenstein, showing how her female characters either fit this mould or rebel against it. Elizabeth perfectly embodies the Angel ideal - she's loyal, devoted, and always puts Victor first, even when he treats her terribly. Meanwhile, Justine shows moral courage that actually makes Victor look weak by comparison.

Quick Tip: Remember that Frankenstein was written before the poem, but the ideas were already floating around Victorian society - Shelley was ahead of her time in critiquing these restrictive gender roles!

Elizabeth's Self-Sacrifice vs Safie's Independence

Elizabeth's love letter to Victor shows just how deeply the Angel in the House mentality affected women. She literally says she'd rather be miserable forever than marry him unless he's completely happy about it - talk about putting someone else's needs first!

Her quote reveals everything: "our marriage would render me eternally miserable unless it were the dictate of your own free choice". This self-sacrificing attitude was exactly what Victorian society expected from women.

Safie completely smashes these expectations though. Shelley uses powerful action verbs like "quitted" and "departed" to show Safie taking control of her life. She doesn't ask permission - she just packs her jewels and money and leaves for Germany, making her own decisions.

The contrast is striking: whilst Elizabeth waits passively for Victor's approval, Safie actively pursues her own happiness. Shelley deliberately uses words like "resolved" and "determination" to emphasise Safie's agency and independence.

Key Point: Safie is the only truly active female character in the entire novel - she represents what women could be if they rejected restrictive social expectations.

Science as Male Domination

Here's where things get really interesting - Victor's scientific ambitions actually eliminate the need for women entirely. His language is aggressively masculine, especially when he talks about wanting to "penetrate the secrets of nature" (definitely some dodgy sexual undertones there!).

Victor fantasises about becoming a father through science alone, completely usurping the female role in creating life. His quote about deserving more gratitude than any real father shows his massive ego and desire to control the natural order.

This reflects 19th-century science being dominated by men who saw nature as something to conquer rather than understand. Shelley presents science as a "forceful masculine attack" that tries to overpower the natural world.

Safie's backstory provides the perfect contrast - her mother taught her to value intellectual independence over submissive obedience. This education makes the thought of returning to her father's restrictive homeland absolutely repulsive to her, so she chooses her own path instead.

Think About It: Shelley suggests that Victor's attempt to replace natural reproduction with scientific creation is both arrogant and ultimately destructive - a warning about unchecked male ambition.