#elizabethlavenza

[books-and-ivy]

“She shone like the sun, that woman, who still bore the colors of mourning. Despite everything, hope still blazed in her eyes. And for a moment, Luriana felt the flames begin to catch in her soul.

If Elizabeth could withstand such loss and stand firm on the other side, what storms could she brave in turn?”

Elizabeth is the brain-child of the lovely @translucent-ego and you should go give her some love! This piece is inspired by an AU we created a few months ago. I’m experimenting with a more ‘painterly’ style for this piece so let me know what you think!

[chocolatehellspawn]

Here’s a drawing of Elizabeth Lavenza from Frankenstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . #elizabethlavenza #frankstien #maryshelleysfrankenstein #spooksandkooksfrankenstien #spooksandkooks #victorfrankenstein https://www.instagram.com/p/CREX3lbBG51/?utm_medium=tumblr

[indiasreviews]

Is Frankenstein frankly pretty sexist?

Reading time: 2 mins

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Frankenstein? Is it the monster? The mad scientist? The desire for knowledge? Or is it the clear misogyny throughout the novel?

Like all works of literature, Frankenstein is a product of its time. The nineteenth century was one of immense gender inequality and it is no surprise that Shelley’s novel offers very few rights for the women within it. The two main female protagonists in the novel are perfect examples of the ideals of femininity that existed at the time. For example, Caroline is presented as a woman who is seen as incapable of looking after herself, and because of this, requires the protection of a man… *rolls eyes*. Her character acts as a reflection of the position of women within a patriarchal society such as the nineteenth century.

The dependency that women were expected to have on men is shown when Victor states that his father ‘strove to shelter’ his mother. Victor goes on to describe his mother, Caroline, as a ‘fair exotic’, as though she is this fragile and vulnerable flower that relies on the male gardeners care and attention for survival. Oh please.

        Not only does this show the almost sub-human status of women during the nineteenth century as she has been compared to an inanimate object, but also explores the archaic values of the time.

Mellor argues that in Frankenstein, ‘women are relegated to the private or domestic sphere’ and the word ‘relegated’ is a very relevant term here. Like your favourite sports team, women’s positions in society is one that is inferior and lower than their male counterparts. The best example of a domesticated woman is Victor’s love interest, Elizabeth Lavenza, who writes in a letter that ‘the blue lake and snow-clad mountains – they never change’. Shelley uses the monotonous scene in Elizabeth’s proximity as a way of criticising the tedious and repetitive lifestyle that women were subjected and expected to lead. The prejudice against women is further shown via Victor referring to Elizabeth as his ‘pretty present’.

So why does Victor expect his fiancé to appear under the Christmas tree?

                                  Well, it has a lot to do with the old-fashioned view that women were seen as the property of their husbands. And like all great misogynists, Victor views her as an object that belongs to him. However, his possession over Elizabeth doesn’t end here. He notes that he ‘looked upon Elizabeth as mine – mine to protect, love and cherish’. Alexander asserts that in Shelley’s time, the ‘ideal woman is a subjugated woman’, one that is submissive and conforms to the outdated stereotypes. Blah blah blah.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but almost all of the women in Frankenstein die.

Why is that you ask? It might be because their deaths happen to contribute to the storyline, or it might be because Frankenstein is inherently sexist. If we agree that Frankenstein is a reflection of the society it is set in, then it is unsurprising that none of the female characters survive. In other words, this isn’t a coincidence….

Caroline = dies.

Justine = executed.

The creature’s female companion = ripped apart and destroyed by Victor.

Elizabeth = murdered.

So, what does this say about femininity?

More specifically, what does it say about English femininity?

As the only women who survive Shelley’s brutal killing spree are Safie and Agatha. It is important to note that neither of them are English – Safie is Turkish and Agatha is German.

By showing the other female character’s passivity, Shelley simultaneously critiques stereotypes imposed on women within the English society that she herself was subjected to.

[gon13-batty]

“How shall I ever again believe in human goodness?” . . . . #book #bookstagram #newbook #kierstenwhite #maryshelley #frankenstein #thedarkdescentofelizabethfrankenstein #elizabethlavenza #bookworm #reading #books #maryshelleysfrankenstein #epicreads #storytime https://www.instagram.com/p/BoKpIaygxWv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19odjblz0vfao

[amandaleibay]

#FrauMueller from #Frankenstein by #VictorGialanella (I just need to attach my #fabricswatches) #Medium: @copicmarker, #watercolor, and @prisma_color #coloredpencil #softcore and #verithin #Paper: #Pentalic #NatureSketch #ElizabethLavenza #rendering #copicmarkers #prismacolor #art #fashiondesign #fashion #croquis #velvet #silk #MaryShelley #otd #oc #1800s

[earthharvestcafe]

Writing and energy stall. So a #smoothie full of red and orange energy on a snowy day. Though the #maca powder sucked out some of the colour. #vegan #vegansmoothie #macasmoothie #nanowrimo2015 #elizabethlavenza #elizabethlavenzafrankenstein #elizabethlavenzablog #amwriting #amwritingsteampunk #frankenstein (at earth harvest cafe)

[fragilefree]

Closing night with my loves. Going to miss this show so much. #frankenstein #elizabeth #elizabethlavenza #leadinglady #weeping #lovethem

[chocolatehellspawn]

Elizabeth Lavenza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . #frakenstein #marryshelley #marryshelleyfrankenstein #frankenstienfanart #elizabethlavenza #elizabethlavenzafrankenstein #drawing #art https://www.instagram.com/p/B5LWXX0htZf/?igshid=os6wj1mnar9d

[amandaleibay]

#WIP: #FrauMueller from the #rewritten version of #Frankenstein by #VictorGialanella #APlayinTwoActs #twoactplay #FrauM #ViktorFrankenstein #ElizabethLavenza #MaryShelley #19thcentury ##fashion #fashiondesign #croquis #prismacolor #coloredpencil #rendering #copicmarkers #verithin #stabilo #romanticera #1800s #wedding #gown #pentalic

[fragilefree]

Last chance to see #frankenstein is today at 2! #cast #elizabeth #elizabethlavenza #leadinglady #richmond #RCT #richmondcommunitytheater #actress

[earthharvestcafe]

Double espresso, vegan muffin and an attempt to be authorly during a lull. Anybody else working on a novel for November? My attempt, based on Frankenstein, can be found at https://elizabethlavenzablog.wordpress.com #nanowrimo #novembernovel #novembernovelet #amwriting #nanowrimo2015 #fairtradeespresso #veganmuffin #frankenstein #elizabethlavenza (at earth harvest cafe)

[fragilefree]

#squadgoals with my loves from #frankenstein! #RCT #richmond #richmondcommunitytheater #elizabeth #elizabethlavenza #halloween #cast #team #communitytheater

[fragilefree]

Curtain call. 6 more shows after today. #frankenstein #communitytheater #richmondcommunitytheater #RCT #richmond #elizabeth #elizabethlavenza #leadinglady #weddingdress #wedding #cast #curtaincall

[fragilefree]

#blessed to have these amazing friends in my life who support me and have been coming out to see #frankenstein in the first weekend. I even had a friend who came down from Central and another who drove from Flint to see me. I love these people. ❤️ #friends #loyalty #support #leadinglady #elizabethlavenza #elizabeth #RCT #richmond #richmondcommunitytheater #communitytheater #curls #weddingdress

[fragilefree]

Finally got my act one costume figured out. Lashes courtesy of Fright Night by @ardell_lashes . The only lashes I use. 💕🙌🏽#leadinglady #leadingladyproblems #richmondcommunitytheater #RCT #richmond #michigan #frankenstein #elizabeth #elizabethlavenza #actress #brunette

[fragilefree]

Come see what I've been working on! Starting Friday!! #frankenstein #elizabethlavenza #elizabeth #richmond #RCT #richmondcommunitytheater #communitytheater #leadinglady #michigan