Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, The Elephant Man, David Lynch, Feminist Criticism of the Social Sciences, Marcia Westcott, feminism, gender equality, prejudice
The widespread silencing of women's voices in the past, often placing them on the periphery of their narratives, provides a context for the analysis of gender representation in cultural narratives. This paper examines the representation and treatment of women in Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' (Volume III) and the film 'The Elephant Man,' drawing on Marcia Westkott's 'Feminist Criticism of the Social Sciences,' to offer some different angles on the aspects of how women are portrayed and valued in various contexts. This essay argues that, taken as a group, these works represent a deep and systematic distortion of the value of women and demand a feminist reevaluation to deal with deeply held gender biases. In support of this, Westkott points out how the traditional social sciences have continued to reinforce such biases by ignoring the experiences and perspectives of women, advocating for a reevaluation of how women's roles have been created and perpetuated in society (Westkott 60). This essay intends to shed light on these issues, supporting a balanced representation and consideration of women in all types of discourse.
[...] This male-dominated narrative framing eliminates the depth and autonomy of female characters, narrowly positioning them as accessories to the stories of men, thereby endorsing patriarchal values and eradicating the independence and narrative room accorded to women. Conclusion Through Westkott's feminist lens, the representation and treatment of women in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and The Elephant Man" are illuminated as a profound and widespread process of women's devaluation within these narratives. Characters such as Elizabeth, Justine, and the nursemaid are left in a passive position, with bitter destinies, and no agency, and this discloses the patriarchal prejudice which has been silencing the voices and experiences of earlier women. [...]
[...] Feminist criticism of "Frankenstein" and "The Elephant Man" Westkott's book "Feminist Criticism of the Social Sciences" offers an important critical paradigm that enables readers to see gender bias hidden in traditional stories, providing essential knowledge for studying women's representations in historical and literary contexts. Westcott maintains that most traditional narratives in literature or historical records tend to suppress women's voices and experiences, so the reality presented is dominantly male-oriented. She argues that "the patriarchal perspective predominant in social sciences has authorized narrow female roles within social narratives, often relegating women to the peripheries of historical and fictional realms" (Westkott 67). [...]
[...] However, it extends to contemporary ramifications, manifesting unresolved social problems, such as gender inequality, sexism, and the underrepresentation of women in positions of control (Westcott 62). Even though the stories are set in different times and places, they are a reflection of the continued fight against gender discrimination and a call to the current society to recognize and deal with such entrenched inequalities. This synthesis emphasizes the significance of these literary and film reflections, showing that the problems they address have yet to be solved in contemporary society. [...]
[...] Within her family, Agatha symbolizes the nurturing and submissive woman, traditionally the main role allocated to women. The monster observes Agatha's interactions with her family: "She played for him many of her sweet melodies which won his fleeting admiration" (Shelley 117). This portrayal only emphasizes that she is rather an emotional console and that she has no activities in the wide range of the social or intellectual field. Agatha's interactions with her family and the subtle nuances of her dependency and lack of voice in her narrative serve to illustrate further the limited roles women are allowed. [...]
[...] Westcott, Marcia. "Feminist criticism of the social sciences." Feminist research methods. Routledge 58-68. [...]
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