The idea of the “other” is one that has intrigued man since the dawn of time; whether it be the opposite sex, a different culture, or simply a neighbor across the street, the contrast between what is “us” and what is different poses questions about existence, identity, and the structure of everyday life. Orientalism is a concept that relies entirely on the idea of the “other”, aimed toward Middle Eastern, South Asian, and East
Asian people in particular, and it is through the use of this concept that Mary Shelley's Frankenstein portrays its antagonists (“What is Orientalism?”). This paper will analyze the idea of the “other” and the integration of
Orientalism within Frankenstein, particularly in regards to characters such as Frankenstein's …show more content…
People of Middle Eastern or Asian descent are often described as having “brown” or “yellow” skin, as if these particular shades are variations of a default. Shelley's use of color within her novel further exemplifies this colorism: Elizabeth is described as having hair of “the brightest living gold” and “cloudless” blue eyes–features that reflect an implied purity–whereas the monster's black hair and “watery” eyes contrast
Elizabeth's as dark, undesirable traits (Shelley 20). By defining the monster's coloring as “other”, Frankenstein is able to consider the monster as part of its own race, separate from Frankenstein and all other human beings simply by virtue of appearance, and is therefore making a generalization of an entire race. This, to him, justifies his disgust with his creation and allows him to relay any responsibility he has as its creator.
The first ten chapters of Frankenstein are told through the perspective of the creator. This establishes a bias against the monster as the reader can only judge as
Frankenstein himself has judged. This can be interpreted as an analogy for the concept of Orientalism. British society created an image of Middle Eastern, East …show more content…
Although Safie is objectified and muted, she is eager to pursue a marriage with Felix and this particular lifestyle in order to remain in a country that allows more freedom to women than her own: “..to Safie, who sickened at the prospect of again returning to Asia and being immured within the walls of a harem...The prospect of marrying a Christian and remaining in a country where women were allowed to take a rank in society was enchanting”
(Shelley 109). Through Safie's eagerness to give in to her own objectification, and her implied willingness
56
University of Hawai‘i at Hilo HOHONU 2016 Vol. 14 to subject to cultural stereotypes in order to encourage
Felix's infatuation with her, the complex concept of
Orientalism is exemplified.
Through the use of the formed and deformed body, color, and aspects of culture, Mary Shelley's
Frankenstein is an allegory on the dangers of “othering” and objectification. The use of both dynamic and static characters as examples of this danger provides a wellrounded view of various aspects of Orientalism, and allows readers to question things for themselves. It is through this lens that we must ask ourselves: who is the
real
Asian people in particular, and it is through the use of this concept that Mary Shelley's Frankenstein portrays its antagonists (“What is Orientalism?”). This paper will analyze the idea of the “other” and the integration of
Orientalism within Frankenstein, particularly in regards to characters such as Frankenstein's …show more content…
People of Middle Eastern or Asian descent are often described as having “brown” or “yellow” skin, as if these particular shades are variations of a default. Shelley's use of color within her novel further exemplifies this colorism: Elizabeth is described as having hair of “the brightest living gold” and “cloudless” blue eyes–features that reflect an implied purity–whereas the monster's black hair and “watery” eyes contrast
Elizabeth's as dark, undesirable traits (Shelley 20). By defining the monster's coloring as “other”, Frankenstein is able to consider the monster as part of its own race, separate from Frankenstein and all other human beings simply by virtue of appearance, and is therefore making a generalization of an entire race. This, to him, justifies his disgust with his creation and allows him to relay any responsibility he has as its creator.
The first ten chapters of Frankenstein are told through the perspective of the creator. This establishes a bias against the monster as the reader can only judge as
Frankenstein himself has judged. This can be interpreted as an analogy for the concept of Orientalism. British society created an image of Middle Eastern, East …show more content…
Although Safie is objectified and muted, she is eager to pursue a marriage with Felix and this particular lifestyle in order to remain in a country that allows more freedom to women than her own: “..to Safie, who sickened at the prospect of again returning to Asia and being immured within the walls of a harem...The prospect of marrying a Christian and remaining in a country where women were allowed to take a rank in society was enchanting”
(Shelley 109). Through Safie's eagerness to give in to her own objectification, and her implied willingness
56
University of Hawai‘i at Hilo HOHONU 2016 Vol. 14 to subject to cultural stereotypes in order to encourage
Felix's infatuation with her, the complex concept of
Orientalism is exemplified.
Through the use of the formed and deformed body, color, and aspects of culture, Mary Shelley's
Frankenstein is an allegory on the dangers of “othering” and objectification. The use of both dynamic and static characters as examples of this danger provides a wellrounded view of various aspects of Orientalism, and allows readers to question things for themselves. It is through this lens that we must ask ourselves: who is the
real