In Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, the author characterizes each woman incorporated into the story as willing, passive, and serving a utilitarian purpose. Important female characters such as Justine, Safie, and Elizabeth undoubtedly provide a path of action primarily for the male characters in the story. The events that occur and the trials and tribulations they go through in the story usually happen for the sole purpose of teaching a male character a lesson or triggering an emotion in the male. Each woman Shelley creates in Frankenstein serves a specific purpose. Although Mary Shelley illustrates her female characters as fragile and left to make minimal decisions independently, they still exhibit feminist characteristics such as responsibility and individualism. The limited roles of women in history may be a reflection of the societal theories of the time. Men in history such as Walton and Victor Frankenstein go in search of success, experience and knowledge. However, women are kept in the house and kept away from male domination where intellectual activity is abundant. Shelley's alienation of female characters describes the repercussions of a societal structure that cherishes men over women. The women of Frankenstein do not play any roles that directly influence the plot of the novel. The female characters are forced into submission, a trait that illustrates their complacency towards men. Victor treats Elizabeth like a possession rather than a human being and believes that any compliment she receives stems solely from her actions. Elizabeth begins to act submissive towards Victor and accepts that she has fewer rights. Victor begins to describe it as a possession and a middle of paper ......ters: Critical studies of major authors from the early 19th century to the present. Ed. Richard Bleiler. 2nd ed. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1999. 681-688. Scribner Writers on GVRL. Internet. March 2, 2014.Mellor, Anne K. "Shelley, Mary (1797-1851)." British Writers: Supplement 3. Ed.George Stade. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1996. 355-373. Scribner Writers on GVRL. Internet. March 2, 2014. Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein. New York: Bedrick/Blackie, 1988. Print. Turgeon, Carolyn. “Frankenstein.” World literature and its times: profiles of notable literary works and the historical events that influenced them. Joyce Moss and Lorraine Valestuk. Flight. 3: British and Irish literature and its times: Celtic migrations to the Reform Bill (early 1830s). Detroit: Gale Group, 2001. 145-153. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Internet. March 2. 2014.