Topic > The conception of Frankenstein's monster in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

The moment in which Frankenstein attempts to conceive his creation is a fundamental allegory within the novel. This passage – the conception of Frankenstein's monster – in fact represents Victor's failed attempt to circumvent the role of women in society. Likewise, his fear of the power wielded by women is revealed through his dreams in which his beloved Elizabeth transforms into the corpse of his late mother. Victor's immediate abandonment of the monster - his offspring - which is a recurring theme throughout the book, outlines the harmful effects of an exclusively patriarchal society. Ultimately, through these scenes, Mary Shelley demonstrates that the elimination of women would only lead to a world of “hell,” showing the audience the problems that would plague a patriarchal society, as well as the hidden desires of patriarchal figures in society through subtle allegories . Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay First, the beginning of Frankenstein's Monster is a transparent effort to replace women. Although women in Victorian times were responsible for many domestic tasks such as caring and cooking, their most vital and seemingly irreplaceable role has always been that of childbirth. "On a sad night" in November, Victor accomplishes something incredible. It creates life, through a process in which a male inventor (Victor) creates a male creature (Frankenstein's monster), simultaneously omitting women's previously imperative role in childbirth. This undertaking is a clear attempt to strengthen the power of a patriarchal society, to the point of stripping away the role par excellence of women. However, we then see that after "the completion of his labors", he cannot describe his "emotions in the face of this catastrophe", and that the monster, whose "limbs" were chosen "in proportion" and made "beautiful" instead it is miserable and unnatural. Victor, “who pursued nature to her hiding places,” employs a process that eliminates any maternal influence, but it only culminates in the creation of a “wretch.” It is obvious to see the problems that would plague a male-dominated society. It is a society that would inevitably produce demented children, who are fundamentally incomplete due to their overly dominant masculine qualities. Let's move on to a psychoanalytic lens. By 1817 there was a stratified division between the sexes, and it was during the Victorian era that the roles of men and women became more clearly defined than in any other period. Men continued to go to work, whether in the factory, shop or office, while women's role gradually shifted towards supervising domestic tasks. Frankenstein's dream of his deceased mother lends itself to being viewed from a psychoanalytic perspective. Intertwined in this passage is the unconscious fear of female sexuality held by members of Victorian England. This is shown when Victor "thought" he was "seeing Elizabeth" but instead was holding "the corpse of my [Victor's] dead mother." Subconsciously, Victor's replacement of his beloved Elizabeth with his deceased mother shows that he only truly expresses love to his mother when she is dead, mirrored later in the book when Victor embraces Elizabeth ardently after her death on their wedding night. Victor fears women and the indomitable power they have. He keeps them at arm's length, careful not to unintentionally express his passion, even referring to Elizabeth - his wife - as 'dear cousin'. However, after the death of Victor's mother, and later Elizabeth, Victor frees himself from his fear of female sexuality and begins.