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Marxism In Frankenstein Essay

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Frankenstein through different critical lenses by Mansour AlSubaie

Frankenstein by Mary Shelly can be read by two different readers, thus it can be viewed differently. For example one can analyze the plot for a feminist lens and another can analyze it in a Marxist theory. Feminists can say that Elizabeth is not able to do anything to save herself without the help of a man. She meets her tragic death while waiting, like the typical princess in a tower, for the Prince (Victor) to save her. Also Justine was executed for a murder she didn’t commit. In the other hand a Marxist Critic may analyze the rich, elite Victor Frankenstein as the Capitalist Bourgeoisie who take advantage of the labor of the Proletarians, and his Creature as the working …show more content…

Like the workshop where Victor Frankenstein spends most of his time building his Creature. It’s analogous a Marxist view of a factory, where most production takes place under the command of the bourgeoisie society. The Creature is Victor’s creation, where Victor represents the bourgeoisie, and describes Victor’s lab rather as a workshop, in which most production and creations take place. Also the Creature is usually referred to not as Victor’s creation, but rather as his possession. As Victor obsesses to create something that is ethically restricted to only those with high scientific education, he wants to increase his number of possessions, which reflects the typical bourgeois cravings during a Marxist time. Finally, throughout the book, the Creature is not referred to as a creation but rather a product, Victor’s property, thus reflecting the Marxist attitude towards it. It also well establishes the materialistic culture during the time, and Victor’s common interest for property, like the monster.
In conclusion viewing literature from two or more different lenses proves that it changes crucial elements and meaning of the story. As mentioned previously Feminists link Frankenstein to several gender inequality issues, like Elizabeth being dependent to Victor. Marxist, however, link it to the everlasting conflicts between the Bourgeoisie and the Working Class – Victor ‘owning’ the Creature. Others

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