Evidence

I will be focusing on sex/ gender roles and how they relate to the progress of the story.

The first piece of evidence I chose is that the men and women are place in traditional roles. Both Caroline and Elizabeth were described with motherly feature more than once through out the story. During the creature’s story, Agatha is only seen taking care of the women’s work at the house, while Felix took care of the heavy work, like bringing in firewood. Also, Victor is given the opportunity to leave his family to go study, while Elizabeth is not allowed the chance.

My second piece of evidence is the male ego and selfishness in the story. Walton’s first letter starts by mocking his sister for being afraid of his adventures as he stated, “You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement if an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings” (5). While Victor is constructing the creature, he submits himself completely into his work and all but forgets about his family that awaits his return

The third piece of evidence is the need for women to complete the male happiness. Felix is sad until Safie comes to him in the creature’s story. Victor also expresses great happiness when he is finally married to Elizabeth. Even before they are married, he expresses that he loves and would not be able to live with anyone else. The creature also asks for a woman or companion so that he could live happily and not bother Victor any longer.

These three pieces of evidence show that Mary Shelley created her characters to fit the society that she lived in. But if one is to dig in deeper, these characterizations are the reason that Victor’s whole life is destroyed. Were it not for the ego of the men and the submissive behavior of the women, perhaps none of this would have happened. Although Victor only sees himself as the culprit, society in general and their “ideal” life of the family life contributed greatly. Yes, he created the creature, but if it were fine for the men to have motherly affection, perhaps Victor would not have left the creature on his own. Maybe if was not so selfish and superficial, he would have