beauty in women characters Flashcards
portrayed as products of the gazes of male characters who seem them as pretty objects rather than human beings
value of beauty seen in descriptions and actions of female characters and results from patriarchal preferences regarding the physical appearance of women and how they must be beautiful, sweet and young if to be worthy of romantic admiration
caroline tells victor she has a “pretty possession” for him (elizabeth).
victor sees elizabeth as some kind of pet. “i looked upon elizabeth as mjne — mine to protect, love, cherish. all praises bestowed on her, i recieved as made to a possession of my own”
domestic gender roles also seen. eg. the ability to take care of family and perform household chores, consequently marginalizing womens needs
domestic gender roles shown through elizabeth: “her sympathy was ours;her smile, her soft voice, the sweet glance of her celestial eyes, were ever there to bless and animate us”
the ability of “domestic affections” is the ultimate role a woman needs to fulfil
elizabeth’s ability to fit beauty standards carrier more importance than anything. caroline recognizes she fits them and will make a respectable wife for victor
because of victorian gender ideals women characters don’t have chance for development
elizabeth, caroline and justine appreciated and respected for their looks and ideal feminine manners which is why their liked by their community
caroline represents the stereotypical patriarchal woman and is described as fair, soft and fathers benevolent and committed to her care
justine is like elizabeth another caroline figure who helps with household chores and takes care of william, the youngest frankentstejn
during her trial, elizabeth tried to save justine: “it may therefore be judged indecent in me to come forward on this occasion” (example of self sacrificial ideals beauty standards had)
all women characters are ideal beauties who are domesticated virtuous passive and devoted to others
they take on the burden society deems they must because they’re beautiful women