Subliminal Context of Horror within Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

If there is one theme that the gothic novel Frankenstein expresses it is humanity. Throughout the text we are shown example after example of the little things that define humanity: curiosity, love, and mistakes.

In Mary Shelley's gothic novel Frankenstein, Shelley introduces a Creature who represents many symbols throughout the story. Such as the war between passion and responsibility, the effects of a corrupt society, and the Creature is a symbol of nature vs. nurture . through this Creature we see mainly the effects of society on an abandoned, innocent being and how it matures in the story fending for itself against society as a whole.

Mary Shelley utilizes figurative language in this excerpt to describe the surroundings of Frankenstein on his journey home and set the tone of gloomy, because of his brother’s death. Shelley uses personification to express the pattern of the raindrops as “violence quickly increasing” as if the raindrops were a person becoming very violent. This figurative language device develops the tone by tying into the violent actions of whoever murdered William, Frankenstein’s brother. Shelley uses the figurative language device of simile to compare the weather of nature such as, “vivid flashes of lightning dazzled my eyes, illuminating the lake, making it appear like a vast sheet of fire”. Shelley begins the sentence with a cheerful tone then takes a

What differentiates Mary Shelly’s novel, Frankenstein from the majority of horror novels are the very real and timeless themes it explores.  The overriding theme of the novel - scientific investigation without consideration of morality and responsibility is still an important topic in today’s world.  “Perhaps the reality of cloning and genetic engineering makes this theme more relevant today than when Frankenstein was first published”(Patterson). This theme, along with the more subtle themes of revenge, the inability to accept those who are different, and the inability to control one's destiny are all themes which separate Frankenstein from other novels in the genre.

As one of the first gothic novels Frankenstein explores the darker side of human nature, ambitions, and the human mind.

Frankenstein has become a symbol in contemporary society. Upon hearing the name, one might imagine a tall, muscular green man with short black hair, a flat head, and two bolts pierced on both sides of his neck. Although that is the Frankenstein present now, the modern Frankenstein is only an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s original creature. Shelley’s Frankenstein, 1818, is a gothic novel in which she tells the tale of a man creating life. This creation of Victor Frankenstein’s monster eventually hurt the people he held dear. Following the popularity of the book, James Whale directed Frankenstein, in 1931, which started the movement of Frankenstein’s contemporary image. While in comparison to the novel’s questionable identity of the monster,

Have you ever heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover?” If not one would answer, “Always read a book cover to cover before you make judgments.” Frankenstein is one such book. While Frankenstein is a book about a monster terrifying a city it is also about compassion, love and friendship. After reading the book you would discover Frankenstein, the monster, is a loving creature with feelings and wants to become a part of society.

We have all heard of the big scary monster of Frankenstein. It has been a story told through decades, each story a little different.

Most of us have read the novel Frankenstein. There are many themes that come along with one of the first gothic, romantic science fiction novels of the 17th century. Mary Shelly used her background life to create this horror book. She influenced future horror films for decades to come, Halloween costume ideas and quote upon quotes. Although this book carried the obvious Halloween-feel themes Shelly had a greater meaning for the book. Shelly believed in the need of human connections and the importance for a person’s actions and for a person’s relationship with others. This novel held dangerous knowledge and how knowledge can affect a community, sublime nature and the soothing affects it has when a person

In todays world, humans are constantly striving to find the “next big thing”, which is what we should work for, right? In Marry Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor attempts to achieve the next step in his scientific progression, which is creating life from the dead. Dr. Frankenstein eventually comes up with a “Zombie”, if you will, that can think and act for itself. Does he finally achieve his potential or kill himself in the process?

The main themes in 'Frankenstein' are the themes of Nature versus Nuture, in which we find out that the monster was not intentionally villainous and that it was the way

In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, villainy plays a large role within the novel and adds new meaning to it. The monster’s motives, the natures of his villainy, and how it enhances the story are all key to understanding his villainy. First, the monster had only one motive for his villainy in the novel. He was not born with evil intentions, but that night Frankenstein abandoned him, leaving him alone in an unfamiliar world. As he struggled to survive, humans after humans shunned and rejected him due to his hideous appearance, often violently.

The most frightening horror story can only be called such if it is believable. Nothing is so unnerving as lying awake at night with very real fears. No monster can harm you, unless the monster was genetically engineered by a mad scientist. The theme of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - scientific investigation without consideration of morality and responsibility - is a very relevant topic in today's world. This theme, along with the less obvious themes of revenge, prejudice against deviation from the norm, and fate all make Frankenstein one of the most unique and terrifying horror novels ever.

Note that most of the murders that took place in the story that the monster committed were incited because the monster was looking for someone who wouldn’t judge him by his cover. For example look at the murder of Victor’s brother William. The monster came to him because he believed that he wouldn’t judge him and William would consider him a friend because he was still at the age that you can be friends with anyone. “Frankenstein is a horrific novel which features a normally kind and gentle monster. In fact the only thing that Mary Shelley does right as far as scary stories goes is making the monster defiant. One of these acts of defiance was in chapter twenty when the monster says, “You are my creator, but I am your master—obey!”(The monster, Ch. 20) This to me is the only contributor to the element of horror in this novel. To me the otherwise gentle monster really takes away any elements of horror initially inspired before I read the book.

In Marry Shelly’s Frankenstein, perception plays a key part in the monsters’ icy demise. Not only is the story affected by how the villagers perceive the monster, but the readers’ perception, like in any literary work, plays the role of ultimate judge.