Poor Things by Alasdair Gray is a postmodern reimaging of Frankenstein. The tale centers around Baxter Godwin, Archie McCandless, and Bella – this tale’s monster. The narrator is Archie McCandless – who is telling the audience about his life (however true that may be.) His portrayal of Bella in his narrative is a compelling one and brings up many questions of femininity and free will. Bella is a woman that has been sculpted by the men around her. She was pushed into committing suicide by her first husband, and then molded into being by Godwin.
Bella forms many of her ideas by following in the footsteps of Godwin – she chooses liberalism because of the way he ‘raised her’. He freely educated her on the ideas of socialism, medical issues, etc. She sees Godwin as a father figure though he made her and resurrected her so she could potentially become a wife for him. “I dreamed of a fascinating stranger – a woman I had not yet met so could only imagine – a friend who would need and admire me as much as I needed and admired her…I am not impatient. Only bad guardians and parents expect admiration from young brains. I am glad Bella takes me as much for granted as the floor on which she enjoys the music of the pianola,” (pg 38 – 41). Bella cannot see him and will not see him as anything other than her guardian. This devastates him, and eventually leads to his early death.
Bella moves on to Wedderburn and spends a substantial amount of time with him. Although she has promised herself to marry McCandless, she runs off with Wedderburn and goes on a tour of the world with him. She spends her time with him learning about the world around her, and finally learning about the disappointing truth about wealth inequality. Bella’s desire for Wedderburn quickly tires, and it is evident that she is more curious about learning from the individuals that they are travelling with than spending time with him. This really emphasizes how she demonstrates her free will – especially when she steals the money from him when he is gambling it away. Another expression of free will that she expresses is when she debates with Harry Astley about matters of the world. Since she has not been ‘properly’ raised and informed of her place in society she is free to push matters and say her opinion as bluntly as she would like. When asked about God she says, “All I know about god, is what I was told about my own God – by my guardian, Godwin Baxter. He said god is a handy name for all and everything: your top-hat and dreams, Mr. Astley.” (pg. 134)
Bella desires and feels things very strongly: it is evident in the way she writes, and experiences things. When we hear about her seeing the impoverished child she is determined to do something to save them – as it reminds them of the child of her own that she could not save. As much free will that Bella can exert this is one action that is restricted – which demonstrates that she does not have as much free will as she believes. Mr. Astley and Dr. Hooker prevent her from bringing the child and baby aboard the ship. Though Bella has more free will and freedom than many woman in that day and age this is a true glimpse of how she does not have as much freedom as she would like. Her return to Glasgow and eager study to become a doctor is her determination to reclaim more for herself.
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