Gothic Elements In Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has several literary devices- such as structure, imagery, and many intricate details. She perfectly places words and puts them in such a way that the passage has a dual tone. Shelley begins with establishing the monster’s nature as being peaceful, because he wanted to reason with Victor. Him wanting to reason shows the importance of his decision to meet with Victor and shows that even though he has been through a great deal, he is still respectable to others. The audience gets to see the creature’s humble nature and makes the audience feel sympathetic towards him. This creates a peaceful tone to the passage. The monster wants to be loved by “any being and if they showed benevolence to me, I would return them hundred an hundred fold” (Shelley 148). The creature’s begging makes it sound like Victor will answer his plea. Using a broad term like “being”, demonstrates the monster’s need to be loved, putting him in a position with the audience again feeling empathetic towards him. Eventually, Victor’s compassion begins to fluctuate. The desperation the creature has looks like the desperation a human might have. This only gives the readers another reason to relate to him which leads to the other tone, impossible. Victor’s unreasonableness heightens this shared discontent as not only has the build up of the creature’s wistful nature made him an utmost identifiable character, but our views are adjusted in such as way that Frankenstein is seen

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.

He is born on a dark stormy night. It is very eary out. Readers get the image of a storm going on outside as Victor resembles a mad scientist and zaps an inhumane monster into life, a classic image to most of us. The scenery that displays gothic elements is introduced when it says, “It was on a dreary night of November, that I beheld the accomplishments of my toils” (Shelley 34). Nature is a big element in gothic literature and Shelley uses it to set the tone. She write another line describing it, “... drenched by the rain which poured from a black and comfortless sky” (Shelley

     The very first characteristic of a Gothic novel is its sinister setting. The opening sentence in Frankenstein sets the mood

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

Grant Miller Mrs. Schroder English IV Honors 9 December 2016 What Qualifications Make Frankenstein Gothic Literature? Frankenstein, a novel written by Mary Shelley, and published in 1818, is a prime example of the gothic literature that arose in England in the mid to late eighteenth century. This piece of literature takes place all over Europe as well as the arctic circle. It explores our deepest fears about life, death, the unknown, and the taboo.

Mary Shelley creates a sense of gloom, mystery, and suspense, in her novel Frankenstein. The book generates these perceptions though the setting and the terrible events that go on throughout the book. Gothic novels came from the English genre of fiction popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Gothics are defined by the mysterious and horrific atmosphere, similar to that of Mary Shelley’s writing. Frankenstein is a gothic novel because of the combined elements of extreme and sinister landscapes, horrifying events, supernatural elements, and a passionate, wilful villain.

Even though it is mysterious and cannot be fathomed, just like Romanticism, the mystery in Gothic Literature is horrific, while in Romanticism it is beautiful. Gothic fiction relates to prudishness (especially in the Victorian era) as it focuses on taboo subjects, such as: sex, vice, and murder. Therefore, it is, to great extent, going beyond peoples emotional limitations. To add to that, the typical feature of Gothic Literature would be expressing nature in the threat of monsters, ghosts, or in other words, supernatural forces conflicting with humanity. On the whole, a great representation of these gothic and romantic influences would be the novel Frankenstein (or The Modern Prometheus) by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, which was published in 1818 and written during the Romantic Period.

Gothic literature will often take place in landscapes like abandoned houses or castles, rugged terrain, or other places most people would not normally go. This style of landscape adds to the dark and gloomy suspense of the novel. In Frankenstein, Robert Walton finds Victor sick in the Arctic trying to track down the Creature. The use of the Arctic takes readers out of familiar places and adds mystery to the novel since most people do not know what the Arctic really looks like or why Victor is there. The Arctic has very foreboding, deadly, and cold characteristics; which makes it a perfect setting for a piece of gothic literature.

A story of mystery, tragedy, and terror, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein continues to captivate millions. She writes the tale of mankind’s obsession of the unknown, pulling readers to Frankenstein’s many lessons. Mary Shelley affects literature with her seemingly paradoxical use of both Romanticism and Gothicism. Shelley takes elements of romanticism, such as heavy use of emotions, innocence, and characters achievements, while also using gothic aspects like death, violence, and dark weather. Weaving the two genres together, Mary Shelley creates a timeless science fiction novel containing characteristics of serenity with a sense of eeriness.

Gothic Literature is, by far, one of the most influential genres in history, depicting very haunting and mysterious stories. Some of pop culture’s favorite films, books, and songs feature many gothic elements, as well as holidays and other cultural practices. One of the most iconic of these gothic literature was written by a woman named Mary Shelley, a novel with the title of Frankenstein. But what exactly makes Frankenstein gothic literature, and why is it such a great representation of this movement? Well, Frankenstein is a gothic novel because it discusses the supernatural, has a gloomy setting, and there is use of body snatching.

The novel of "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley has been a prominent horror symbol in our culture for many decades. Victor's creation of the monster has characteristics that are not easily viewed by the public. Clearly, this topic plagues the whole novel, as the creature lies at the focal point of the activity. Eight feet tall furthermore, revolting appalling, the beast is discriminated by society. Victor's giant outcomes not just from his bizarre appearance yet in addition from the unnatural way of his creation, which includes the undercover activity of a blend of stolen body parts and peculiar chemicals. However, his heart comes from a good place since he

Gothic Literature is a style of literature popularized during the late 18th century and the early 19th century with the publication of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. This style usually portrays fantastic tales dealing with the horror, despair, the grotesque and other “dark” subjects. Characteristics of gothic literature includes the presence of victims and their victimizers who usually hold immense powers along with their evil purpose. The setting of this kind of literature generally takes place within impenetrable walls, whether physical or mental. This setting creates a sense of hopeless isolation within the victim. The summarization of the characters and situation creates an atmosphere pervaded by a sense of mystery, darkness, oppressiveness, fear, and doom.

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.