Human Gender Roles as Represented in Two Versions
of Frankenstein
Human gender roles, especially those of women, have changed dramatically over the centuries as
human society and civilization have progressed. One can see this through a comparison of the
character Elizabeth in Mary Shelly's novel, Frankenstein, written in 1818, and the cinemagraphic
version of the same story filmed in 1931.
In the original novel, women were seen less as equal to men but more as objects for men to adore
and care for. As Victor Frankensteins future wife, Elizabeth is viewed by him as "a favourite
animal" or pet. And thus she is. Conditioned by the patriarchal society of the day, Elizabeth
becomes little more than a lovely thing for the men to adore. The only point in the novel in which
she escapes this condition is when she testifies on behalf of Justine as a character witness, and then
the men take this woman's statement to further incriminate Justine.
In the 1931 cinemagraphic version, Elizabeth is much more empowered over her life, but is still
viewed as a precious object to be adored and protected by men. When she worries about the
condition of "Henry" Frankenstein, she sends a man, Victor, to check on him. However, when
she decides that she would like to see him herself, she cannot be denied. This is as it is with the
rest of the movie; when Elizabeth wants something bad enough, she gets it (but only through the
help of men). She is further shown as an object by the way she is treated by the surrounding
males. She is only spoken to directly when a man needs information or is praising her as being "a
most beautiful bride" or "a lovely lady".
Through this comparison, we see that there has been a change between 1818 and 1931 in the
amount of personal freedom a woman has. However, through the treatment of women as precious
objects to be protected and adored by men, this perhaps is not enough change to satisfy Mrs. Shelly's parents.
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