Frankenstein Research Paper

Gothic novels tend to explore the mysterious and unexplained supernatural phenomena and ghosts. Frankenstein falls under the gothic genre because of the books general themes and context, Shelley describes reanimating a dead body. Throughout the book Shelley builds suspense for the readers, which is a distinctive feature for the gothic genre. Frankenstein combines ominous scenery, mysterious characters, and the monster itself that creates the feeling of impending doom on everyone.

When looking at Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray, it is clear that Frankenstein is a novel that can be placed into both the gothic and horror genre, although it is a gothic novel secondary to it being a horror novel; The picture of Dorian Gray isn’t so clear in this regard. On a first reading, one may assume the story to be gothic literature and only gothic literature because of the sheer amount of gothic characteristics and elements that the text presents that include, but are not limited to; byronic heroism, a dark and gloomy setting, screams or exclaims in different parts of a building or area, and death. Whilst some of these characteristics exist in both the horror and gothic genre, some of them exist prominently in the gothic, such as byronic heroism. That is not to say that byronic heroism is not found at all in the horror genre, but it is not a repeating and prominent element like it is in the gothic.

The amount of scary books, dark video games and horror movies in the horror genre is unparalleled by any other single genre. People who take part in this genre enjoy the heart-pounding thrill of being scared or the long drawn out tension that causes them to sit on the edge of their seat. Historically many of the early examples of the horror or gothic genre like Dracula by Bram Stoker, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, and The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe all share similar characteristics. These writings stand out and made people like them, they are grotesque, mysterious, and desolate. Gothic Novels contain similar themes and elements that qualify them to be called Gothic. Dark settings and low lighting are present in Gothic novels just like when a scene is set in the night during a storm or in a half-ruined castle. Gothic novels use dramatic setting and extreme landscapes to intensify the sensation of horror or suspense (Hennessey). Often the story is set in dark corridors with secret underground passages with an evil hero driven to madness, by magic or supernatural events. Usually a gothic novel has villians and heros and heroines who need to be rescued. Many times a scary novels focuses on death or challenging the laws that govern life and death, like in Mary shelley’s novel Frankenstein.(Bowen). Although Frankenstein does not meet all of the criteria of the Gothic style of writing, the novel does fulfill enough of the

But one must understand that an appropriate setting should accompany the plot. The gothic novel cannot be merely dismissed as a precursor to the trend of horror fiction. It would not be ludicrous to think of a spectre haunting a modern house, approaching its victim in the modern cinematic version. The film makers would provide blood curdling visual effects and spine chilling sensation to the audience. The gothic novels are more than that. They should not be termed as shoddy literature. They sustain a person’s tension and heighten his sense of anticipation. There is always a prevailing aura of gloom and impending confrontation with the nemesis. While most modern horror fiction and films would make use of a miasma of blood (blood ridden hair, tongue, eyes), hollow cavities, entrails, distorted faces and so on, the gothic novels strikingly make themselves psychologically

Another character that creates fear for the reader and thereby creates a gothic atmosphere is Frankenstein’s monster. Its outer appearance is described by Walton as “… horrible […] that I shut my eyes involuntarily” (Shelley 221). Hence, the horror to the gothic element is added thorough the appearance of the monster.

This is shown through the treatment of a certain character within the book. When deciding whether Shelley's 'Frankenstein' can be considered a Gothic novel we have to take into account each aspect of a 'typical Gothic novel' and compare it with Shelley's work. In a Gothic novel the setting in which the story has been told usually consists of a grand castle, (or similar) which may be isolated or at least very mysterious.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a prime example of a gothic literature novel. This story contains supernatural creatures,suspense, decaying setting, et cetera. The book Frankenstein is composed of the main character, addressed as the protagonist, Victor Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein was a brilliant student, who studied at the University of Ingolstadt. During his time studying science he created his own creature, who could breath and learn just like a human, but the monster was a horrific view. Victor’s fear of the appearance and of the potential dangers of this creature caused him to run away and leave the creature behind. The creature experiences many journeys as he feels abandoned and takes matters into his own hands. The monster learns

Levine’s main argument is that although Frankenstein is a gothic novel, it is not a typical gothic novel with many realistic ideas. It aims to generate terror in the reader like other gothic novels but does not involve the supernatural. The events that Mary Shelley writes out in Frankenstein are not far from ordinary and the commonplace. Levine’s more interesting argument is that Mary Shelley’s use of the Gothic tradition allows her to dip in the imaginative and subjective inner truths that a realistic novel would not allow. For example how the characters reflect or double each other. Also most of the characters represent aspects of Victor Frankenstein

In the first paragraph of Chapter 5, there a plenty of elements of the gothic genre; especially in the dark setting that the author has set to introduce the chapter. Frankenstein describes the evening as a ‘dreary night of November’. This delusion sets a shadowy and mysterious scene for the start of chapter. In addition, Victor Frankenstein explains that he is mentally suffering with anxiety due to the lifeless creature that lay beside him. This is gothic because Frankenstein is in a depraved emotional state.

A gothic novel is an English genre of fiction that was popular in the early 18th and 19th centuries that combines horror, mystery, and death in a seemingly meaningful setting. Frankenstein took place in continental Europe, specifically Switzerland and Germany, with other parts taking place in Arctic regions. The location/setting is just one characteristic that makes this a gothic novel. Gothic novels consist of various elements such as; castle settings, atmospheres of mystery and suspense, ancient prophecies, omens, portents, visions, supernatural or inexplicable events, and numerous other elements. However, each gothic book varies because

On the other extreme of Romanticism, Frankenstein can also be considered a gothic novel,"tales of macabre, fantastic . . . usually set in graveyards, ruins, and wild picturesque

Frankenstein is a tragedy; science fiction book but some people also say that it’s a gothic fiction. It’s a tragedy because off all the death and heartache that the book has, its science fiction because of the science behind the fact of bringing the creature alive. Some say the the story is gothic fiction because of how dark the book is saying the ‘dark and stormy night’ and ‘horrid monster’. I personally really liked the book, for some it might be a little too dark but I thought that just made the story good. I would recommend anyone who likes to read to read this book at least once in their

Gothic novels rose to popularity because for the English the late 18th and 19th centuries were a time of great discovery and exploration in the fields of science, religion, and industry. The people both revered and questioned the existence of god and the novels produced in this time allowed the people to explore these ideas.

The most famous element of Gothic fiction is the supernatural. When thinking about the Gothic genre, many are familiar with the occult-driven storylines of Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ and Shelley’s

Gothic novels surround the idea of the supernatural, misery, distress, gloom, and horror among other vessels. Within events, settings, and storylines gothic moods and tones are portrayed using different elements such as those. Mary Shelley uses these keys things in Frankenstein to give the reader this image that is gothic. The setting for example is mostly set in a gloomy place or moment, such as the cold Arctic, which is dangerous, dark and not natural for human living. “ we were nearly surrounded by ice, which closed in the ship on all sides, scarcely leaving her the sea-room in which she floated. Our situation was somewhat dangerous, especially as we were compassed round by a very thick fog.” (M Shelley P19) The start of the book is set here and Mary Shelley sets a dangerous atmosphere for Victors’ story to be told.