Gender Flashcards
What is the poem ‘The Angel in the House’ about?
-In 1854, a poet named Coventry Patmore published a poem called ‘The Angel in the House’.
-The poem gained popularity in the late nineteenth century and the idea has come to be associated with the image of the ideal Victorian wife.
-The ‘Angel in the House’ is presented as being passive and selfless, but she is also charming, graceful and (especially) pure.
-This praised his wife Emily as the perfect wife and held her up as an example for all women.
‘Man must be pleased; but him to please is woman’s pleasure’-quotation from the poem.
-The image is one of meek submission: devoted to her husband and always acting in a manner which pleased him.
How is Elizabeth presented as ‘The Angel in the House?’
-Elizabeth fulfils her roles in the family home, whilst always remaining loyal and adoring of Victor, despite his actions.
-Although the poem was written after ‘Frankenstein’, it is still possible to see its ideas reflected in the novel.
How did Justine contradict gendered norms?
-Justine Moritz exhibits great moral courage during her trial.
-This is emphasised through the unfavourable comparisons Shelley makes with Victor’s lack of courage.
How does Safie contradict gendered norms?
-The character of Safie can be said to be the only really ‘active’ female character in the novel.
-This is demonstrated through her ability and willingness to travel alone and her strong opinions and ideas.
What is Safies upbringing?
When we are introduced to Safie’s story, we learn that her mother was a ‘Christian Arab’, who taught her daughter to ‘aspire to higher powers of intellect and an independence of spirit’ than she thought possible for ‘the female followers of Mahomet.’ (Volume Two: Chapter 6)
How is Safie strong?
-After her mother’s death, Safie retains these strong ideas, making the suggestion of returning to Constantinople in her father’s homeland seem sickening to her.
-She pursues her own course of actions in order to avoid the fate her father wishes for her, which she finds so disagreeable.
What role does Victor try to eliminate in creating offspring?
-Another important idea relating to gender is the manner in which Victor’s scientific pursuits seem to usurp the role of the female biological process in creating offspring.
-In visualising the success of his scientific experimentations, Victor implies that his pursuits will supersede those of parenthood.
-When imagining his accomplishment, he foresees himself as a father figure, however, it is notable that - in achieving this through scientific progress - this parenthood would have no need for the role of a mother.
-This suggests that Victor considers the possibility of becoming superior to the natural state of things, usurping the role of the female in the creation of life.
How does Shelley present the scientists?
-The scientists who Shelley introduces in the novel reflect the scientists of the nineteenth century and are all male.
-The language Shelley uses links to this, often presenting science as a forceful masculine attack.
‘I have described myself as always having been imbued with a fervent longing to penetrate the secrets of nature.’ (Chapter 2)
-The language Victor uses to describe his scientific ambitions is aggressive and masculine, suggesting a desire to overpower nature through his own discoveries.
-The verb ‘penetrate’ has sexual connotations, implying that Victor’s pursuits will be akin to a violation of nature.
‘A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs.’ (Chapter 4)
This quote shows insight into Victor’s state of mind, how he had built up his own ego thinking that he would be revered by the creature(s) he creates. It makes Victor seem like a human god.
