Frankenstein Key Theme: Gender (AQA GCSE English Literature) : Revision Note

Gender timeline    

The theme of gender in key chapters of Frankenstein:

What are the elements of gender in Frankenstein?

• Elizabeth’s lack of education: Elizabeth is depicted as a passive character who patiently waits for Victor’s return and like other women of her era, she is denied the opportunity of a university education. Instead, she “busied herself with following the aerial creations of the poets”, which conveys the limited roles available to women.

• Margaret’s passiveness: Robert Walton writes his letters to his sister Margaret and while it is evident they have a close bond, Margaret’s voice is entirely absent from the narrative. Therefore she is depicted solely through her brother’s letters which illustrates her passive role as his silent recipient. 

• Justine’s powerlessness: Justine, the Frankenstein's housekeeper, suffers greatly when she is falsely accused of William’s murder, and is executed. Her confession is coerced. which reveals her vulnerability as a woman within a patriarchal system. Her acceptance of her fate also reveals her lack of agency. 

• The destruction of the creature’s companion: Victor’s decision to destroy the creature’s female companion reinforces the idea of male dominance. He fears that the creature’s companion may become too powerful and independent, which could also symbolise men’s underlying fears about powerful women in general.

The impact of gender on characters

Why does Shelley use the theme of gender in her novella?

1.  Setting and atmosphere 

• Creates an atmosphere of inequality and power imbalance which reflects the limited agency of the female characters

• Contrasts male intellectual ambition with female domesticity 

2. Plot driver 

• Influences narrative events as Victor’s desire to create life independently (without a woman) challenges traditional gender roles

3. Audience appeal 

• Reflects 19th-century societal norms and expectations where women were confined to passive and domestic roles

4. Narrative device   

• Highlights female marginalisation and inequality through the absence of female voices

Exam-style questions on the theme of gender

Try planning a response to the following essay questions as part of your revision of the theme of gender: 

• How does Shelley explore gender and identity in Frankenstein? (You could start with the power imbalance between Victor and Elizabeth, where Elizabeth’s identity is largely defined by her relationship with Victor.)

• How does Shelley use the character of Elizabeth to critique traditional gender expectations? (You could start with how Shelley presents Elizabeth as confined to the private, domestic sphere while Victor pursues ambition and knowledge in the public sphere.)