Mary Shelley's Feminist Consciousness In Frankenstein

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818)is always popular in the west. However, it was mainly considered as gothic and science fiction, until the 1970s when critics'noticing feminist consciousness in the novel. This thesis continues to study the feminist consciousness in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The purpose is to contribute further to the process of critical revision and hopes to forward a better understanding of Mary Shelley's literary strengths and intellectual concerns.This thesis analyzes Mary Shelley's feminist thoughts in Frankenstein in three major aspects—her affirmation of women's values, her severe accusation of the patriarchy society and her ecofeminist consciousness. Mary Shelley's heroines cast off the stereotyped image of"angel"or"monster"and are instead bestowed with an indomitable will. They produce powerful influence on men. In addition, Mary Shelley obviously affirms the outlook of women and doubts the real meaning of male outlook of life and value in the tragedy of Frankenstein. She severely condemns the patriarchal society for neglecting women's education, for depriving them of their right of birth and security in birth. More importantly, she also expresses some ecofeminist thoughts, which help to provide certain implications for the solution to present ecological crises as well as to problems in sexual, racial and religious relations.However, influenced by the social and philosophical views of that time, Mary Shelley also had limitations in her female consciousness, which are revealed in the fact that her female characters are confined to family life without receiving education or learning some skills to support herself. Although Mary Shelley herself married for love with her own will and remained single after her husband Percy Bessy Shelley died because of her love for him, her female characters'marriage is somewhat traditional and courtship.In all, seen from a historical angle, Mary Shelley can be regarded as an early feminist. Her writings have exerted a positive influence on the development of feminism and helped to awaken women's individual consciousness.