Frankenstein Feminist Quotes

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"Great fatigue she appeared the most fragile creature in the world. While I admired her understanding and fancy I loved to tend on her as I should on a favourite animal; and I never saw so much grace both of person and mind united to so little pretension."

This quote reflects the traditional gender roles and perceptions of women during the early 19th century. Elizabeth is admired for her grace and understanding, qualities that are traditionally feminine. However, the comparison to a "favourite animal" suggests a certain level of objectification and infantilization, indicative of the prevailing patriarchal attitudes of the time.

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"Every one adored Elizabeth. If the servants had any request to make it was always through her intercession... she busied herself in following the aërial creations of the poets."

This quote highlights the influential yet indirect role women often played in households and society. Elizabeth's role as an intermediary for requests signifies her nurturing and diplomatic nature, roles often relegated to women. The emphasis on her engagement with poetry also reflects the limited scope of acceptable intellectual pursuits for women at the time.

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"I need not describe the feelings of those whose dearest ties are rent by that most irreparable evil the void that presents itself to the soul and the despair that is exhibited on the countenance."

The mother's death symbolizes the fragility of life and the central role of maternal figures in 19th-century family life. Her absence creates a void, emphasizing the critical role women played as emotional anchors in their families, even though they were often relegated to the background in broader societal narratives.

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"I attended the lectures and cultivated the acquaintance of the men of science of the university."

This quote underscores the gender dynamics in scientific pursuits during Shelley's time. The reference to "men of science" highlights the exclusion of women from scientific education and professional circles, reinforcing the gendered divide in intellectual endeavors.

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"Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds which I should first break through and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and source."

Victor’s ambition to create life challenges traditional gender roles, as the act of creation and giving life has typically been associated with femininity and motherhood. His quest to usurp this role can be seen as a critique of the male-dominated scientific community's attempts to control and dominate natural processes traditionally associated with women. The pursuit of such power reflects a patriarchal desire to surpass the limits of nature, including those boundaries traditionally governed by women.