Frank + NLMG Flashcards
How are women generally portrayed in Frankenstein?
Women in Frankenstein are idealised, passive, and often symbolic. Characters like Elizabeth, Justine, and Caroline serve to highlight the emotional journeys of male characters, lacking autonomy and often meeting tragic ends.
What is the narrative function of Elizabeth Lavenza in Frankenstein?
Elizabeth represents purity and domestic virtue, but is ultimately treated as Victor’s possession. Her death is symbolic and furthers Victor’s emotional downfall, showing how women are used to advance male narratives.
How does the execution of Justine Moritz reflect themes of gender and justice in Frankenstein?
Justine’s wrongful execution illustrates how women are victims of a patriarchal, unjust society. She is punished despite her innocence, showing the fragility of female existence under social and legal systems.
How are female characters portrayed in Never Let Me Go compared to Frankenstein?
Female characters in NLMG are more complex and psychologically developed than in Frankenstein. While still limited by societal control, they show emotional depth, internal conflict, and quiet forms of resistance.
What does Kathy H.’s narration reveal about her character in Never Let Me Go?
Kathy shows quiet resilience and emotional strength. Her reflective narration reveals depth, but also how clones are conditioned to accept their fate without protest. Her passivity is more a survival strategy than weakness.
What does Ruth represent in Never Let Me Go?
Ruth represents emotional complexity—capable of manipulation, vulnerability, and remorse. Her arc highlights female rivalry, the need for connection, and the desire for redemption within an oppressive system.
How do Miss Lucy and Miss Emily contrast in their roles as guardians in Never Let Me Go?
Miss Lucy tries to tell the truth and challenge the system, while Miss Emily defends secrecy as a protective measure. Both reflect ethical dilemmas, but Miss Lucy shows resistance while Emily represents compromise.
What is a key difference in how the two novels portray women’s agency?
In Frankenstein, women have almost no agency and are primarily symbolic. In NLMG, women like Kathy and Ruth have limited but real agency, with more psychological realism and moral nuance.
What do both novels suggest about society’s treatment of women?
Both novels show women constrained by systems—whether patriarchal or institutional. Shelley critiques emotional and social marginalisation, while Ishiguro explores how women internalise and navigate systemic oppression.
