The Female’s Domestic The Female’s Domestic Roles in Roles in FrankensteinFrankenstein

by 李继亚 & 黎园园

Author’s BackgroundAuthor’s Background

Daughter of feminist Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin

Eloping with Shelley. Female roles in Frankenstein

Women’s Domestic RoleWomen’s Domestic Role

Caroline Pillar Loving motherElizabeth Subsidiary Comforter Tranquilizer Pet Mirror Sacrifice Tool Messenger

PillarPillar “But Caroline Beaufort possessed a

mind of an uncommon mould and her courage rose to support her adversity. she procured plain work...to earn a pittance scarcely sufficient to support life.”

“..Her father grew worse; her time was more entirely occupied in attending him...”

(P824P2)

Loving Mother Loving Mother

“She had, at first, yield to our entreaties…she heard that her favorite was recovering…no longer debar…enter the chamber …”

(P828P5)

SubsidiarySubsidiary

‘“We all,” said she, “depend upon you and if you are miserable, what must be our feelings?”’ (P889 P1L5)

“Her gentleness, and soft looks of compassion, made her a more fit companion for one blasted and miserable as I was.” (P908 P4L4)

ComforterComforter

“Her gentle voice would soothe me when transported by passion, and inspire me with human feelings when sunk in torpor. She wept with me, and for me.”( P908P6L1)

TranquilizerTranquilizer

‘“will pass swiftly…when we shall all be united, and neither hopes or fears arise to disturb our domestic calm.”’ (P888P5)

PetPet

“My mother say…the most beautiful child she had ever seen…gentle and affectionate disposition.”

“…determined my mother to consider Elizabeth as my future wife; a design which she never found reason to repent.” (P824, 2nd Para. from the bottom)

MirrorMirror

“I was more clam and philosophical than my companion; yet my temper was not so yielding....The world to me a secret…to her it was a vacancy….” (P825, para.2, L4)

Sacrifice Sacrifice

“…but Elizabeth endeavored to renew the spirit of cheerfulness in our little society.”

“…of rendering her uncle and cousins happy, had devolved upon her …entirely forgetful of herself.”

(P829, para.2, L4)

ToolTool

“…but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished…horror and disgust filled my heart.” (P836, para.2, L2)

“I slept indeed,…I thought I saw Elizabeth…I embraced her…kiss on her lips….” (P836, para.2, L11)

MessengerMessenger

“Your father’s health is now so vigorous…My uncle…Justine…”

William...he is very tall of his age….if you are not very ill, write yourself, and make your father and all of us happy….” (PP839-841, Letters)