Write a comparison/contrast essay on the texts Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Tess of the D`Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

THE WOMAN QUESTION

FRANKENSTEIN AND TESS OF THE D 'URBERVILLES

2006

The nineteenth century witnessed a rising tide of change in America Industrialism

exploration , and equality became the guiding forces of an era besieged by cultural shifts . For

women , modern feminism was born , bringing with it the promise of exciting new opportunities

previously only dreamed of : voting , careers , independence , and even equality among the sexes

As political activists worked to make these opportunities a reality increasing numbers of

authors used their written talents to stir the hearts

and minds of women across the globe

Two such , Thomas Hardy and Mary Shelley , utilized two very different tales (Tess of the

D 'Urbervilles and Frankenstein , respectively ) to send a remarkably similar message about the

oppressive force which their society imposed upon women

Both novels place females in weak and passive roles . In the case of Frankenstein , young women such as Justine (who is executed ) serve as examples of weak and helpless females being tragically placed in the role of victim . Likewise , many of the female characters in Tess of the d 'Urbervilles appear of weak and passive character . Tess ' friends become suicidal and alcoholic when they realize that Angel - a man who has never shown them the least interest - will never love them . Mrs Durbeyfield , on the other hand , is constantly presented as a superstitious and evasive woman . Rather than hard work , she stakes her family 's fortunes on good luck (the family name ) and the love life of her daughter . When Tess ' marriage to Angel (which would secure a good name and a good fortune ) seems in danger , Mrs . Durbeyfield advises her daughter to keep the truth from Angel - a move which will prove most costly . The weakness of the main maternal figure in Tess of the d 'Urbervilles echoes the passivity and weakness found in the main maternal figure of Frankenstein , Elizabeth 's mother . One of the few s the reader is provided of the woman is how she and Victor 's father met : the latter came as a protecting spirit to the poor girl who committed herself to his care (34

Even the primary female characters in both Tess of the d 'Urbervilles and Frankenstein

reveal moments of weakness . Tess , throughout her entire relationship with Angel , worries that

she is unworthy of his love . At one point , after Angel has learned the truth about Alec , Tess

even cries , I will obey you , like your wretched slave , even if it is to lie down and die (474

Tess does not enter her marriage as an equal , but as an angel ' placed on a pedestal on which

she - or any woman - could never stay seated . When Tess loses that perfect ' love , she indulges

in a final and fatal moment of weakness by succumbing to Alec 's seduction - a man who is a

self-proclaimed damned bad fellow (165 . Similarly , Victor 's fiancy Elizabeth in Frankenstein

serves the simultaneous and stereotypical role of faithful companion and unattainable ideal

throughout the story . She...