An Analysis of Ecofeminism in Frankenstein (PDF)

Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 559 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Language, Art and Cultural Exchange (ICLACE 2021) An An...

Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 559 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Language, Art and Cultural Exchange (ICLACE 2021) An Analysis of Ecofeminism in Frankenstein Jiaming Cheng1,a 1 School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518000, China a [email protected] ABSTRACT Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus which was published in 1818 is the best-known work of Mary Shelley, the wife of Percy Shelley. Mary is one of the most significant female writers during the period of English Romanticism from the late of eighteenth century to the early nineteenth century. As an influential Gothic novel, Frankenstein aroused widespread attention around the whole world. It is still considered as the model of Gothic novel and the first true science fiction nowadays. Since this novel embodies a lot of ecofeminist values which appeal to the harmonious relationships between human beings and the nature, as well as men and women, in order to build a more sustainable society, this paper attempts to analyze Frankenstein from the perspective of ecofeminism. Keywords: Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Ecofeminism 1. INTRODUCTION creativity and responsibility in the sciences and beyond, and issues about the problem of modern science. Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus which was This paper applies the theory of ecofeminism to published in 1818, is regarded as the best-known work of analyze this novel. Ecofeminism was first proposed in English author Mary Shelley. It is considered as the first 1974 by Françoise d'Eaubonne, a French author and true science fiction, and a model Gothic novel until feminist. It aims at expounding the close connection nowadays. Mary Shelley, wife of Percy Shelley, is one of between feminist movement and ecology movement, the influential English Romantic poets. She is also a appealing for women to launch an ecological revolution famous female writer during the period of English for saving the world. It is widely acknowledged that Romanticism. The novel’s title “Frankenstein” is named Françoise d'Eaubonne coined the term “ecofeminism” in after the protagonist Frankenstein. He is a scientist who her book Féminisme ou la Mort which was published in showed great enthusiasm and interest to natural 1974. she clearly pointed out that it is men’s domination philosophy at a very young age. However, as grew up, he of nature and women that caused ecological crisis and was extremely addicted to knowledge and science, and gender inequality. She advocates combining the even desperate to create a new species like God. Finally, emancipation of women with environmental protection in he created a new living body who was regarded as a order to achieve both female and natural liberation. An horrible monster by him. Merely due to the monster’s equal and harmonious relationship between human and extremely ugly face, Frankenstein abandoned it nature, as well as men and women should be rebuilt ruthlessly. And the main plot is about how the monster through breaking the men-centered cultural tradition and conducted a revenge on Frankenstein. discourse mode. According to the main characteristics Frankenstein drew extensive attention in literature presented in different periods of ecofeminism’s filed as soon as its publication. A lot of critics at home or development process, it can be roughly divided into three abroad have already analyzed it from various stages. The first stage of nurturing is around from the perspectives. At home, there are critics dissect this novel early 1960s to the late 1970s. Rachel Carson’s Slient from perspectives of its female narrative perspective, Spring published in 1962, which aroused widespread intentions and attitudes of the author Mary Shelley, its ecological movements in America even in the whole theme and Gothic features, and its first person narrative western world. During this period, western feminist method. Also, scholars abroad have analyzed it from movement enjoyed its second rise. These two kinds of different angles, such as character studies, feminist movements motivate feminists to explore relationship literary theory, examining of relationship between between ecological crisis and discrimination against female. The second stage began around 1980s, during Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press SARL. This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license -http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. 611  Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 559 which theoretical construction and practice was mature the abyss of endless desire of seeking the secret of natural and developed. During the third stage in the middle of world, he described himself as “always having been 1990s, many ecofeminists classified and named a lot of imbued with a fervent longing to penetrate the secrets of different kinds of ecofeminism. Ecofeminism developed nature. In spite of the intense labour and wonderful from the first world to the third world. In addition, its discoveries of modern philosophers, I always came from influence also was extended to the filed of literary my studies discontented and unsatisfied.” [5, p35]. Since criticism, which inspired the birth of ecofeminism’s then he was madly trapped in the extreme state of literary works, such as “Finding Our Way: Rethinking exploring the mysteries of natural and completely Ecofeminism Politics” written by in Janet Biehl1991, and alienated the real world. During the period of creating his “Gaia and God: An Ecofeminist Theology of Earth own creature, he confessed that “it was a most beautiful Healing” by Rosemary Radford Ruether in 1992. season...but my eyes were insensible to the charms of nature.” [5, p55]. He thought arrogantly that he could We can see that a lot of critics have analyzed this defy and manipulate nature by commanding more novel from various perspectives. However, the knowledge of natural science. However, his final ending perspective of ecofeminism is relatively less analyzed. proves the absurdity of anthropocentrism. Living in the Therefore, this paper intends to explore some new complete fear of the devil’s revenge, as well as the insights into Frankenstein by applying the theory of attempt to fight against it made Frankenstein more ecofeminism. This paper consists of three main parts: physically and mentally alienated from nature, which introduction, analytical part, and conclusion. The caused more spiritual trauma to himself. introduction briefly describes existing literal review at home and abroad, as well as necessary background Frankenstein’s alienation of nature can be seen further information of applied theory “ecofeminism”. The by the contrast with Henry when facing the amazing analytical part can be further divided into three sections: natural scenery. During Frankenstein’s visit to Scotland the embodiment of men’s domination of nature and with his best friend Henry Clerval, Henry indulged women in Frankenstein, the monster’s revenge against of himself fully in the beauty of nature, “he was alive to this dualistic domination, and Mary’s forward-looking every new scene, joyful when he saw the beauties of the awareness of ecological diversity. The conclusion setting sun...” [5, p187]. Therefore, his mental state was restates Mary’s ecological awareness and ecofeminist extremely peaceful. On the contrary, because of the values reflected in this novel. irreparable sins that he violated natural laws to create a living body, Frankenstein could not enjoy and appreciate 2. THE EMBODIMENT OF MEN’S such a beautiful natural scenery even for a second, “I DOMINATION OF NATURE AND WOMEN passed through many beautiful and majestic scenes, but my eyes were fixed and unobserving. I could only think 2.1. Men’s domination of nature of the bourne of my travels and the work which was to occupy me whilst they endured.” [5, p187]. His alienation During the nineteenth century, science and of nature also can be viewed as nature’s punishment on technology had developed at an astonishing rate under the him, for he had no way to get any comfort from nature, support of scientific theories and technological during which his own physical and mental state further knowledge, relying on which humans made countless deteriorated, “The blood flowed freely in my veins, but a creations and inventions. On the one hand, science and weight of despair and remorse pressed on my heart which technology played a crucial role in satisfying human nothing could remove.” [5, p101]. This was the inevitable needs, improving people’s living standard and making punishment that he could not get rid of, because he significant contribution to the development of human absurdly desired to dominate nature and chose alienated society. However, on the other hand, human’s ambitions nature. and desires of dominating the world were being expanded at the same time. During the process of attempting to 2.1.2. Scientific manipulation conquer the world, nature had been sacrificed when human society was developing rapidly, thus a lot of Frankenstein, the protagonist of the novel, is a typical serious ecological disasters came along. representative who lost himself in the rapid development of science and technology, and attempted to be the master 2.1.1. Alienation from nature of the world by digging out the secret of creating new life. The novel describes that at his early age, he had already Frankenstein showed abnormal signs of indulging in been obsessed with exploring nature blindly. At the age the exploration of natural science at youth. After of 14, he witnessed that a big tree was destroyed instantly encountering several books which influenced him most, in a terrible night with thunder and lightning, which did the idea that natural science has the power to conquer, not warn him the merciless and unpredictable change, and create everything rooted in his mind deeply destructiveness of nature. On the contrary, this aroused at the first time. This was the first step for him to fall into greatly his desire to fully grasp the knowledge of natural 612  Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 559 science, “I remained, while the storm lasted, watching its to bear their own duties as “housewives” who were progress with curiosity and delight.” [5, p37]. Driven by family-centred, serving their family at the cost of the arrogant idea of becoming the “creator” of the world, sacrificing their pursuit of living their own lives. During he abused the power of science and technology to create this period, women were materialised to a large extend a “new” life, which called by Frankenstein as “devil”. and reduced to men’s accessories and victims. And the birth of the devil is the most obvious embodiment of his terrible and crazy desire of dominating the world. 2.2.1. Devaluation of family status of women The purpose of his exploration and creation of new species is evil. He attempted to become the creator of The three main female characters in the novel, mankind like the God, “A new species would bless me as Frankenstein’s mother Caroline Beaufort, his fiancee its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures Elizabeth Lavenza, and housemaid Justine Moritz, are all would owe their being to me.” [5, p54]. He tried to figure typical standard “angels” in the house at that time, who out the scientific principle of human body, and further are beautiful and docile. They devoted themselves fully eliminated the natural phenomenon of human death. to their families, showing unconditional consideration for Instead of aiming to make contribution to the enterprise men. In the society that patriarchy is paramount, men of human scientific research, he merely desired to gain represent power, strength, and rationality, while women endless reputation of being a great scientist who finds out are viewed as symbolization of beauty, subordination, the secret of human body and creates new life. and sensitiveness, sometimes even evil desire. Under men’s mental oppression, women lose their self- He abused nature and oppressed resources arbitrarily. consciousness of pursuing their own lives. They take it In this situation, nature was being the object of severe for granted gradually that they are born to live for men servitude of Frankenstein apparently. After the initial and family which was claimed by men. From the discovery of the mystery of human body, he began to narrative of these three female characters, we can see the intervene the rule of nature wildly and madly, even tried world for them is full of endless dedication and sacrifice to create a world without death, “What glory would attend without personal desire and pursuit. the discovery if I could banish disease from the human frame and render man invulnerable to any but a violent Caroline spent most her time taking care of her death...” [5, p36]. Finally, after several years of seriously ill father when her father was still alive. After experimentation, he created a devil mentioned above with marriage she also devoted herself to play the role of various organs of dead bodies. With the long-standing “angel in the house”, living her life centred on his evolution of nature, the birth of the new life is the result husband, children, and the whole family. When she died, of sexual reproduction between males and females. she asked Elizabeth to bear the duty of caring the whole Frankenstein’s behaviour obviously violated the family, “Elizabeth, my love, you must supply my place to reproductive laws of nature, which is a manifestation of my younger children.” [5, p40]. Thus, after her death, the extreme anthropocentrism in which human beings abuse role of “family angel” was handed over to Elizabeth. Like science and technology in order to dominate nature. Caroline, she was a perfect woman defined by men. She Unlike a normal person, the life he created is directly took the responsibility of taking care of Frankenstein’s presented as the state of an adult without experiencing the family, and it seems that the mission of her life was to continuous growth of fertilised ovum, infancy, and serve the whole family. Everyone liked her but no one childhood, which is another evidence of Frankenstein’s truly cared about her inner feelings. crazy violation of natural law. All of his vain attempts is This male-centred approach to judging female’s destined for his tragic ending. He believed that the life he material life and emotional state embodies in the three created must be centred on him, completely obey him, female characters in the novel, which also affects women and serve him. However, he, the master, did not consider in real life and makes them view the “angels in the house” the future of the creation at all. as standard female example. In fact, this is exactly the product of men’s oppression of women. The result of 2.2. Men’s domination of women living in the man-dominated society was that women acknowledged that they were inferior subconsciously, In the eighteenth century, women still lived in a and they were men’s accessories completely relying on patriarchal society under man’s domination. Living in the them. Frankenstein made use of this approach to social hierarchy in which men dominated discourse, construct male authority. The ultimate goal is to drive women were often alienated as silent others. Women’s women to the edge of social discourse until they self-awareness was being eroded and gradually lost completely lose their autonomy in real world. autonomy. Immediately following, an extraordinarily unbalanced social ecological structure emerged, in which men and women were extremely unequal. “Angel in the 2.2.2. Exploitation of women’s rights house” was regarded as the standard female image in that Firstly, women were deprived of voice in the novel, male-dominated society. Women were thought to be born which also reveals their real situation in daily life. 613  Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 559 Throughout the whole novel, the narrative of female 3. A REVENGE AGAINST MEN’S characters does not constitute similar proportion as male DOMINATION OF NATURE AND WOMEN characters. Except for the letters of Elizabeth, the description of female figures mostly comes from male’s The image of “devil” in the novel is a manifestation mouth. The author’s choice of the male-oriented narrative of human’s attempts to dominate both nature and women. perspective indeed mirrors the status quo of the The birth of it was the product of Frankenstein’s violation patriarchal society with male supremacy at that time. The of the reproductive law of nature and deprivation of death of Justine embodies the tragic fate of women who women’s reproductive right. It was created by was reduced to an insignificant silent “other” in the male- Frankenstein out of his evil desire, but it was abandoned dominated world. Due to the deprivation of voice, she immediately just because its ugly appearance. The could not justify her innocence in the court and became a monster begged Frankenstein piteously to create a female miserable scapegoat for the monster. She is merely one of partner for him, but Frankenstein broke his promise the countless innocent female victims in real world. With eventually and tore up the unfinished female’s life the deprivation of women’s discourse power, their status unmercifully. Therefore, the monster fell into deep is also degraded. Being similar to nature, they exist just despair and was revenged on Frankenstein by killing all as tools for men. his beloved ones successively. The monster’s revolt against Frankenstein can be interpreted as embodiments Secondly, it is the deprivation of women’s of revenge against men’s domination of nature and autonomous right. At that time, in western civilization, women. women with independent consciousness were as scary as monsters. They were regarded as born to be shackled in The monster had suffered extreme disgust and fear the family. The meaning of their whole life was to handle from its creator as soon as his birth. His ugly appearance all household chores and take care of the family without was unacceptable even to his master, who therefore any complaints. The life of Frankenstein’s mother abandoned him mercilessly. Wherever he went, he would Caroline was all centred on her family, no matter before inevitably cause great panic and deep disgust in human or after her marriage. Caroline even gave her adopted society, merely due to his ugly appearance. Staying in child Chile Elizabeth to her son Frankenstein as a “gift”. helpless and heartbreaking situation of being unable to Frankenstein regarded Elizabeth as his own possession, receive any acceptance and approval from his master, he “since till death she was to be mine only.” [5, p30]. could do nothing but to manage to make a living on his Elizabeth even more lost her awareness to live her own own. He was once desperate to be accepted by human one life. Since she promised to Caroline that she would take day through his kindness and perseverance. Therefore, he over the responsibility to take care of the whole family, hid himself as possible as he can so that he could cause she centered all her life on Frankenstein and other family less panic in human society. He also tried his best to have members. When Frankenstein was addicted to digging a command of human language in order to get higher out the knowledge of natural science even ignoring chance to be accepted by human. However, all devotion external world, she did not complain at all, even if she was proved to be vain. People still dislodged him heard nothing from Frankenstein for many years. She did ruthlessly as soon as seeing his face. After realizing this not dare to disturb him, “Do not let this letter disturb you; cruel fact, the lonely monster was completely despairing do not answer tomorrow, or the next day, or even until to human. Finally, he merely begged his master to create you come, if it will give you pain.” [5, p231]. She was so a female companion for him, which was all his hope to used to putting Frankenstein at the top priority that she survive. Therefore, after encountering Frankenstein ’s completely suppressed her own instinctive thoughts and breaking of their promise, he totally lost control of his emotions. Even when she suspected that Frankenstein mind and regarded his revenge on Frankenstein as the may be transfer his affections to another woman, she only purpose of his life. He killed all the people that begged him to tell her and she could be sacrificed. The Frankenstein cared about most, including his younger behaviours of Caroline and Elizabeth both reveal brother William, his best friend Clerval, the housemaid women’s materialisation at that time. It can be said that Justine, and the last one, his beloved fiancee Elizabeth on most women’s self-consciousness of mastering and living his wedding night. However, Frankenstein had no their own life did not exist at all. They always put men’s courage of telling even a tiny thing to anyone about the thoughts in the first place and had no awareness to fight existence of this monster that he created, and could do for their own life. It also reflects the social situation that nothing but bore the pain of losing those people one by women were reduced to men’s appendage even without one. He lived in the unbearable pain and panic all the time any awareness. since the birth of the devil, “I saw around me nothing but a dense and frightful darkness.” [5, p224]. The birth of the monster is a huge tragedy, no matter for the nature, the human society, or even for itself. Its own tragedy embodies the tragic situations of nature and women under the dualistic oppression. On the one hand, 614  Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 559 the monster symbolizes the nature oppressed by mankind 4.1. The affirmation of nature’s value under the anthropocentrism. Its birth is a result of Frankenstein’s evil attempt to dominate nature by virtue Frankenstein had fallen into the abyss of extreme of science and technology. It is a non-natural product of obsession with natural science at a very young age. He Frankenstein’s violation of natural laws and authority. Its was addicted to obtaining the secret of human body revolts also imply that if arrogant human beings have no through the exploration of natural science. During the control of their ambition and continue to exploit nature whole process, his body and spirit were being consumed unlimitedly, one day they will suffer nature’s revenge and since the crazy desire of creating a new species rooted in counterattack inevitably. For instance, human is wantonly his mind, he felt that “I appeared rather like one doomed exploiting limited natural resources in order to satisfy by slavery to toil in the mines, or any other unwholesome their own desire and development, regardless of the laws trade than an artist occupied by his favorite employment.” of nature. The final result is that nature often responds to [5, p57]. He payed all his attention to his experiment at human’s persecution with various forms of natural the cost of almost losing every contact with his social life disasters, such as the formation of acid rain, the melting and alienating from nature. However, the birth of his of glaciers, the continuous fall of sea level, and the more creation was indeed the beginning of his terrible abnormal global temperature. All of these serious nightmare. The tragic ending of Frankenstein resulted disasters are threatening human’s living environment from his anthropocentric behaviour reflects the author’s severely. On the other hand, the monster also symbolizes worries and warnings about the social situation at that women who are dominated by men in the patriarchal time. Mary has a forward-looking prediction that if society. As an artificial product, it is regarded as being in human blindly continues to exploit nature for further the lowest social status due to its ugly appearance. No development, the future for them will be the same as matter what it did, it could not be accepted by human Frankenstein’s tragedy. beings. Having no ability to understand human’s There are a lot of descriptions of beautiful and language, it had no living skills at all. But unlike silent magnificent natural scenery in the novel, which is Mary’s women, the monster did not allow itself to be ignored and affirmation of the positive value of nature. Her sacrificed. It actively studied human’s language, appreciation and praise of nature also embodies in the therefore it initially grasped the communicative tool to character Elizabeth, who sincerely loves and respects get closer to human’s world. It was no loner just a silent nature. Absorbing the positive power of nature, she is so otherness. When its kindness could not help it to gain any kind and owns peaceful mental state. Furthermore, Mary acceptance from human beings who expelled and hurt recalls the beauty of English pastoral life in which people him ruthlessly, it decided to be revenge on its master and nature live in harmony. She also implies her Frankenstein, rather than suffering all of these in silence. appealing that we human beings should realize the value In the end, Frankenstein realized that: “I am the assassin of nature, protect and cherish nature as possible as we of those most innocent victims; they died by my can. Only by co-existing with nature in harmony can we machination.” [5, p229]. live in a sustainable society. 4. THE EMBODIMENT OF MARY’S 4.2. The affirmation of women’s value AWARENESS OF ECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Mary deliberately depicts female characters through male characters’ mouth, and these “family angels” who In the nineteenth century, under the support of have similar unfortunate endings imply Mary’s criticism blooming development of scientific theories, science and of the patriarchal society at that time. The character technology had made unprecedented progress. However, “Safie” reveals Mary’s yearning for women’s autonomy many scientists were blindly and arrogantly confident in of their own life, rather than always being appendage of the power of technology and obsessed with the use of men. Compared with other female characters, Safie is scientific knowledge to dominate nature. The author more independent and courageous. She tried to get away Mary showcases a lot of forward-looking awareness of from his father’s control and struggled to come to ecofeminist values. Her novel reveals her criticism of the Germany to find her fiance, during which she overcame deformed social status quo which is full of dualism. She a lot of hardships and obstacles. Finally she had a reunion also thinks highly of the significant value of nature and with her finace after a long separation, but in the society women, and further calls for the harmonious coexistence at that time, it is still extremely difficult for her to change between human and nature, as well as men and women, her fate and live her own life after her father realizing the with the purpose of promoting the sustainable truth. But through shaping this character, Mary expresses development of the entire society. her affirmation of women’s value, and conveys the idea that women should have the awareness and courage to pursue their own life and right like men. 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