Frankenstein. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley 1817. Gothicism

“A dark and dreary night” is a well-known setting meant to chill a spine. There are many components to aid in the construction of a horrific piece of literature. Isolation and rejection, Gothic elements in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, serve to make this novel one of the ghastliest of its genre.

Another important event that results in Victor's demise due to betrayal is when the monster kills William. Because Victor left the monster and gave him the chance to realize that humans are awful, resulting in his promise to enact revenge on humans. When the monster arrives in Geneva he finds William. Because William freaks out on the monster and becomes scared its results in the monster realizing his relation with his nemesis. When the monster discovers the William is related to Victor he says, “Frankenstein! You belong then to my enemy...I grasped his throat to silence him, and in a moment he lay dead at my feet” (126-127). After the monster kills William it is the finally push for Victor's hatred of the monster. Because the monster killed

Upon the death of his mother and his preparations to depart for Ingolstadt, we see a Victor who is ignorant to the changes he will undergo. We still see him only as a romantic, not yet as a mad scientist.

It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of things, or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupied me, still my inquires were directed to the metaphysical, or, in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world. (Shelley 28)

“There is something at work in my soul, which I do not understand.” This quote from Mary Shelley 's classic gothic novel Frankenstein is very representative of the functional importance of gothic literature to humanity. Gothic literature can be viewed as the dark side of the human soul, as good usually triumphs over evil in storytelling; gothic literature is the release of all the darkness of the human experience usually embodied in a character. When used to describe literature, the word gothic is defined as 'of or relating to a style of fiction characterized by the use of desolate or remote settings and macabre, mysterious, or violent incidents ' (Webster). In addition to these stylings, there are several elements such as the supernatural, heroes, villains, and emotions that are very common of the gothic genre (Marinaro). Frankenstein is often viewed as the archetype of gothic literature, for the novel is certainly the most well known and studied literary work of the gothic genre, and also possibly because of its usage of classic gothic themes. Oscar Wilde 's The Picture of Dorian Gray, however described as gothic literature, departs from many of the listed classic themes. The following will examine the origins of the gothic novel, it 's characteristics, and how the British novels Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray exemplify, by usage

The Romantic Movement occurred during the late 18th to the mid-19th century, which was close to the time Frankenstein was published (Romanticism). The Romantic Movement influenced Frankenstein, that was now expanding. Likewise, Frankenstein was "deeply influenced by the romantics, and.. can certainly identify a number of characteristics of romanticism in this novel". (Smith). Moreover, Frankenstein was not only influenced by the Romantic Movement, but impacted it also. For example, Frankenstein "questions the facile assumptions of romanticism", and redefines the movement by auditing "the romantic text", using her gothic novel (Smith). Like previously stated, Frankenstein differed from most Enlightenment literature, and became notable to the Romantic period. However, Frankenstein's strong resemblance to gothic literature, made it arguable that it would not be considered Romantic literature. Gothic literature was also contrary to Enlightenment literature, and strongly incorporated techniques of mystery and horror, which Frankenstein demonstrates (Gothic fiction). Additionally, "19th-century realism, a literary movement" effected Frankenstein " places and events" (Gilbert). Although, Frankenstein was different from the initial structure of Romanticism, it rather reshaped it, influencing other novels that ensued. For example, Dracula

Consequently, the gothic tone within “Frankenstein” is derived from Victor’s guilt and immorality. In the beginning, the fascination Victor has about death, and the decay of humans lead him to create a monster. However, the instant regret Victor has after the creation of his monster allows us to believe he was touching on something too intense for him that he himself could not grasp. Throughout the novel, Victor keeps his creation a secret from those he loves the most, especially when his experiment is to blame for the death of his two loved ones. Victor’s neglect in sharing his secret with Elizabeth reveals his lack of trust in her and proves his eagerness to discover something new in the scientific field was far more important than their relationship.

     The term Gothic refers to a genre that came about in the late eighteenth century. It can be a type of story, clothing, or music nowadays. In this paper it will refer to a style of literature. A very good example of this type of literature is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. There is a sense of foreboding throughout the whole novel, which is one of the basic necessities of the Gothic. This theme of the Gothic has different characteristics that all fit into the story of Victor Frankenstein and his monster and make this one of the first horror stories every told.

The Fulfillment of the Definition of Gothic Horror by Chapters 5 and 4 of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

“The Romantics turned from the formal, public verse of the eighteenth-century Augustans to a more private, spontaneous, lyric poetry… that expressed the Romantics’ belief that imagination, rather than mere reason, was the best response to the forces of change” (Anderson 603). In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, a movement in art and literature in revolt against the typical Neoclassicism of previous centuries came to be known as Romanticism (Morner and Rausch). One of the authors who came to be popular during this time period was Mary Shelley with her novel Frankenstein. Shelley, who experienced a few tragedies in her life, was born in 1797 in London, England and eloped at age seventeen with poet Percy Shelley. Understanding Mary Shelley’s unusual novel Frankenstein involves understanding the Romantic time period, Shelley’s personal background, and her use of isolation in the novel.

His first greeting was that of Frankenstein running in terror; only perceived as a monster. Since that first breath of air, he’s been nothing but alone. This treatment puts a great toll on the creature and turns him from innocent to horrid. The creature kills Victor’s five year old brother William, his best friend

First, characters show compassion for mankind in many chapters. Henry Clerval, who is Victor Frankenstein’s childhood friend, takes care of an ill

When Frankenstein’s Monster was first made around 6 a.m., he gave Victor a big scared. After giving him a big scared, the Monster left the study room and went to the courtyard. After a while of roaming around, he left the courtyard. The Monster soon wandered off. Victor falls ill after creating the Monster and his good friend Henry took care of him. After months passes Henry gave a letter to Victor that was from Elizabeth. Couple days later another letter came, but it was from Victor father Mr. Frankenstein this time. In the letter, Mr. Frankenstein said that William was murdered. Probably in the back of Victor mind, he might have thought that his creation killed William. After traveling back to Geneva to be with his sad family. Victor only thought about the Monster a few times.

Victor Frankenstein is a young boy with many aspirations. However, his parents are not truly involved in his life, nor are they interested in his studies. Victor makes his decisions based on

Eagleton’s idea by underscoring the concept that “Mary Shelley’s answer [in the novel Frankenstein] does not entail the restructuring of society, the elimination of the class system; it does entail a revolution of the human spirit and of the emotions which will issue in benevolent action towards one’s fellow human beings, and in so doing, creating a better society whilst alleviating present ills” (89). In this instance, Mary Shelley’s piece of gothic literature can be defined as alive and purposeful as it strives to promote action and change by the people. Developed through imagination and creativity, it carries political weight that contrasts the rational capitalism of the time and instead is aimed at change in support of the people. Literature of the past can be defined as imaginative, creative, and soul-stirring as can literature of the present.