Final answer:
Victor Frankenstein's fainting at the sight of Elizabeth's body is significant as it showcases a traditionally feminine trait of vulnerability and emotion in a male character, illustrating the permeability of gender traits in Romantic and Victorian texts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significance of Victor Frankenstein fainting at the sight of Elizabeth's murdered body in the context of Romantic and Victorian texts is multifaceted. Since fainting was often portrayed as a feminine trait during those periods, Victor's reaction can be seen as a moment where he displays vulnerability and emotion, traits that are traditionally associated with femininity. Furthermore, it suggests that the barriers of gender traits, as defined by society during those times, are permeable.
Victor has been 'feminized' by the experience in a way that his emotional response overtakes his scientific and rational demeanor, which is typically regarded as masculine. This moment of fainting is a physical manifestation of his psychological unraveling; he is overwhelmed by grief and rendered powerless, which contrasts sharply with the traditional masculine ideal of stoicism and control.