Othering Frankenstein Essay
The concept of ‘other’, and the act of ‘othering’ is a powerful idea used in many literary texts to in order to construct meaning. The use of othering is apparent in the novel, Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley and published in 1818. Embracing both the Romantic and Enlightenment context of its time, Frankenstein is a masterfully crafted novel which seamlessly explores a variety of themes and ideas. In the text Shelley uses the process of othering to explore the ideas of somatic alterity, class, and gender as aspects of othering. Shelley’s exploration of these ideas allows for various readings of the text, including post-colonialist, Marxist, and feminist critiques. These ideas and readings are also seen within the text Othello by William Shakespeare.
The creation of the ‘other’ can be seen throughout human history as a way of distinguishing groups based on arbitrary criteria. It is used by societies in order to an “us” and “them”. Edward Said describes the term othering as referring to “the act of emphasizing the perceived weakness of marginalized groups as a way of stressing the alleged strengths of those of power.” The use of othering allows the hegemony to maintain favourably unequal relationships with marginalized groups, in which the other is left powerless and open to exploitation. Othering is constructed in Frankenstein through the somatic alterity of the Creature, which is similarly seen in characterisation of Othello. By engaging in a post-colonial reading of the texts, it can be read that both characters represent the prevalent opinion in white superiority during their respective contexts. The Creature is described as an eight foot tall monster, with “yellow skin”, and the resulting dichotomy between him and the other primarily Caucasian characters leads unavoidably to his rejection and othering. Anne K. Mellor states that the creature is, “by his very bodily nature a degenerate being, both racially and evolutionarily inferior
The creation of the ‘other’ can be seen throughout human history as a way of distinguishing groups based on arbitrary criteria. It is used by societies in order to an “us” and “them”. Edward Said describes the term othering as referring to “the act of emphasizing the perceived weakness of marginalized groups as a way of stressing the alleged strengths of those of power.” The use of othering allows the hegemony to maintain favourably unequal relationships with marginalized groups, in which the other is left powerless and open to exploitation. Othering is constructed in Frankenstein through the somatic alterity of the Creature, which is similarly seen in characterisation of Othello. By engaging in a post-colonial reading of the texts, it can be read that both characters represent the prevalent opinion in white superiority during their respective contexts. The Creature is described as an eight foot tall monster, with “yellow skin”, and the resulting dichotomy between him and the other primarily Caucasian characters leads unavoidably to his rejection and othering. Anne K. Mellor states that the creature is, “by his very bodily nature a degenerate being, both racially and evolutionarily inferior