Elizabeth Lavenza in Frankenstein

Elizabeth Lavenza, a pivotal character in Mary Shelley’s *Frankenstein*, embodies the thematic interplay of femininity, passivity, and the consequences of a male-dominated society. As Victor Frankenstein’s adoptive sister and later his wife, Elizabeth’s role and narrative trajectory provide critical insight into the gender dynamics of the early 19th century and add a layer of complexity to the novel’s broader critique of unchecked ambition and ethical responsibility.

Elizabeth is introduced to readers as an ideal of womanly virtue and innocence.

Victor describes her as a “creature,” adorned with traits that symbolize purity and moral goodness. This portrayal is consistent with the period’s idealized views of women, which often confined them to roles of subservience and domesticity. Elizabeth’s character is crafted to be a contrast to Victor’s overreaching ambition. While he ventures into the dark corners of scientific exploration, Elizabeth remains a beacon of emotional warmth and familial commitment, symbolizing the domestic sphere that Victor increasingly neglects.

Despite her significance in Victor’s life, Elizabeth’s agency is limited. She is largely defined by her relationships with the men around her—first with Victor and then with other male characters who see her as a figure to be protected rather than as an independent agent. This dynamic is reflective of Shelley’s critique of the roles women were expected to play during her time. Elizabeth’s passive role underscores the novel's exploration of the consequences of living in a world shaped by male desires and follies. Her ultimate fate—to be murdered on her wedding night by Victor’s creation—is a grim comment on the collateral damage that women often suffer due to male actions and ambitions.

Shelley’s use of Elizabeth also serves to question the cost of human endeavors, particularly those of Victor. Elizabeth’s death is not just a personal tragedy for Victor but also a pivotal point that highlights the profound isolation and destruction that his hubris has wrought. It forces readers to confront the emotional and relational ruins that lie in the wake of obsessive pursuits of knowledge and power. Elizabeth, as a victim, amplifies the novel’s tragic elements and serves as a catalyst for Victor’s ultimate downfall.

Moreover, Elizabeth’s character challenges the reader to consider the implications of objectification and disposability in human relationships. Her portrayal reflects the broader societal attitudes toward women as possessions that can be exchanged and valued based on their utility to men. In many ways, she parallels the creature, as both are fashioned by others’ desires and discarded when inconvenient. This parallel draws a subtle line under the theme of creation and destruction that defines the novel.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Lavenza’s character in *Frankenstein* offers a poignant critique of the gender norms of Shelley’s time and provides a narrative vehicle for exploring themes of human vulnerability, societal expectation, and the moral consequences of scientific and personal ambition. Her life and tragic end reflect the destructive impact of a society governed by a pursuit of knowledge and power without ethical grounding or respect for the intrinsic worth of individuals, particularly women. Through Elizabeth, Shelley not only enriches the novel’s emotional depth but also sharpens its critical commentary on the social dynamics of her era.

Did you like this example?

253

13