Frankenstein​: Postcolonial Criticism 

1. Major Characteristics of Postcolonialism Criticism ​(p.530-531 & 534)

● Involves analysis of works by authors from regions of the globe subject to ​European Colonization
● Could also be considered ​Imperialist Criticism
-​Imperialism​: the extension of rulership or authority [unwanted] by a politically/economically
powerful empire/nation and its culture over a weaker country/region and its culture
● The prefix ​-​post ​in ​postcolonialism ​signifies the period ​following ​the ​end​ of colonization/the
achievement of national independence by a former colony OR any point ​following​ colonial rule
● Showcase ​colonists attitudes​ held by the author/or literary characters & how their ​bias views
represent the opposing persons/cultures
● Written in ​English
● Covers geographic areas of: ​Africa and the Carribean​, ​“East”​ [the Middle East and Asia], and the
Indian subcontinent
2. Assumptions of Advocates about Literature and Culture ​(p.531-534)
*​Postcolonial Criticism can be seen as a cultural criticism & approach to literature that emerged in ​England
in the ​1950s​ and ​60s​.
● Raymond Williams in his book ​The Long Revolution
● Michel Foucault and ​power relationships
● Brathwaite and ​creolization
● Homi Bhabha and ​hybridity
3. Application in ​Frankenstein ​(p.550-565)
● Monstrousness​:
○ Frankenstein’s features are those found common in “​colonial depictions​ of Asian, Indian, and
African ‘savages’” (David A. Hedrich)
○ Frankenstein is composed of various ​body/animal parts​; he is ​NOT​ reanimation of a dead body. This
highlights “cross-racial/cross-species reproduction”
● The Autodidact​:
○ Despite being denied education by Victor, the monster is able to ​learn​ how to read and talk based on
the ​observations ​of the De Lacey family, this correlates to West Indians and American slaves being
denied knowledge​ in the 17th century
○ W.E.B. DuBois’s “​double consciousness​” refers to when African Americans had to view themselves
in the eyes of others.
● The Master and The Slave​:
○ Frankenstein’s ​denial of humanity​ is parallel to that of African slaves (justification for slavery)
○ Victor’s initial reaction is to ​abhor​ his creation, but then realizes that he ​MUST​ acknowledge
Frankenstein. This is similar to “masters” reflecting back on those they institutionalized into slavery.
● The Denial of Sexuality​:
○ The creature is viewed as a slave to Victor, and like a slave, the creature is ​denied control ​over his
sexual desires
○ “​Rape fantasies​” involving Justine and the death of Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s features are “white” and
she is seen as a perfect “Angel in the House” which contradicts with the dark imagery of the monster
and results in “rape fantasies''
● Revenge, Atrocity, and Insurrection​:
○ The monster​ detests ​Victor for creating him as a hideous and lonely being. He is driven mad and
ultimately ​kills V
​ ictor’s family. This correlates to the American Revolution and its justification for
violence​ in order to achieve ​liberty​ and ​independence​.
● “This Thing of Darkness”: Racial Discourse in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:
○ Frankenstein as a ​representation​ of the voiceless, those in poverty, those of minority groups, etc.
○ Shelley was writing/revising Frankenstein during the anti-slavery movement(s)/abolition (1807-1833);
her references are ​metaphorical​ in scope. The“rhetoric of control and submission” is prominent
throughout the novel to help relate the importance of ​abolishing slavery
 Work Cited
Shelley, Mary. ​Frankenstein​. Edited by Johanna M. Smith, Macmillan, 2000.

Smith, Johanna M. "​Postcolonial Criticism and Frankenstein​" with “​A Postcolonial Perspective​”.

3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin's, 2016.