The Monk Vs. Frankenstein

Mary Shelley made her reputation of being one of the best Romantic authors on the basis of just one book. The notoriety that came with being the daughter of two famous authors helped, as did her age at the time of conceiving the book, but Frankenstein was the only one of her stories to achieve any fame. The level of fame it achieved, however, was astounding. In fact, even though it was originally published in 1818, Alasdair Gray still saw fit to use Frankenstein as his primary inspiration for Poor Things in 1992. The Gothic Romantic nature of both of these books is well known, but the monstrosity contained within them is an interesting topic to examine.

Victor started to distance himself from his colleagues, friends and family while he became more engaged in his research. He is so deeply involved with his research that he turns his home into a laboratory. The more Victor works on his research, the more selfish he becomes. He even confesses that “a new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me” (pg 48). His own words prove that there was no logical reason for Victor to create his monster besides the glory of creating life.

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

Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ or ‘The Modern Prometheus’ is a known as a Gothic text. Although Frankenstein is indeed a gothic text, it does not include every element of Gothic text. However it is impossible to read the book without realising that there are a lot of Gothic techniques within. A major part of Gothic literature is mystery, and this is present from the very beginning of the book. We experience mystery firstly in the letters on pp. 15-31. The reader at this stage does not know who is writing the letters (He is soon revealed as Robert Walton) and who the Mrs Saville he is writing to is. This is the first mystery; the

To add on from the concrete dissimilarities of both author’s interpretations. Both pieces also have conflicting moral and this can be derived from the fact that the pieces were written in different time periods and two totally different authors. It is evident that both authors drew

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

In Bowen’s article, he discusses the different gothic motifs that make up gothic literature such as power and restraint, clashing time periods, strange places, terror versus horror, and a world of doubt. “Edward Scissorhands” has always been considered a strange film while We Have Always Lived in a Castle has always been considered a gothic novel. According to Bowen’s list of gothic motifs, “Edward Scissorhands” would be considered more gothic than the novel We Have Always Lived in the Castle because it fits more of the gothic conventions.

Being key figures of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein and his monster are in a special relationship with each other. This tie goes far beyond Frankenstein only being the creator of the monster he brings alive. There are numerous similarities and differences of both characters that may or may not lead to the conclusion that Frankenstein has created his own double. One argument for this interpretation, surely, is the genre of Shelley’s novel. As the author’s writings are categorized in the Gothic genre, the doppelganger is one of the common motifs. Therefore, this paper points out striking analogies and discrepancies between Frankenstein and the being he creates, as well as weighing up whether the two characters could be deduced

in a well written essay, compare/contrast the way the author of our class novel and the author of the article, poem, OR short story use imagery and tone to reveal their attitudes toward their life experience. You may only choose ONE piece of literature to compare/contrast your novel.

In the Gothic novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley integrates the rhetorical devices figurative language, imagery, and tone to impart the concept that the desire to acquire knowledge and emulate God will ultimately result in chaos and havoc that exceeds the boundaries of human restraint.

The monster believed that Victor would accept him, but after he realized that not only did Victor not want to assume his position in the monster’s life, but society also rejected him, it became a transitory thought, and instead became replaced with his bloodthirst towards Victor and his loved ones, which he knew would hurt way worse than just killing him; making him lonely like himself. Both Victor and the monster partook in horrid acts, in which held horrendous actions; the main one being Victor creating the monster in the first place which in result caused the both of them heartbreak, loneliness, and pain. If Victor wouldn’t have created the monster, then his life would not be filled with so much grief and emptiness; Victor is the true monster, although they are both the primal protagonists as much as they are the antagonists because of the display of the emotions they both portray as lamenting humans/monsters, and the power they give to nature in order to destroy one another. Victor used nature to his advantage, although it was wrong; Victor used nature to create and destroy the monster; he used the

Compare two characters—one from each work—who are similar in temperament or who seem to be in analogous situations. Discuss characterizations/archetypes, and focus on their impact toward the novels’ overall meanings.

Whether it be in the shape of looming shadows cast by some unseen foe or a pair of cold entwining hands around some unsuspecting neck, our dread, anxieties and greatest fears manifest themselves upon the pages of every gothic novel. Gothic novels play on the heart stings of their readership, inflaming feelings of unease that are already present. Matthew Lewis took advantage of his readers’ unsettled state by appealing to the fears which pervaded throughout Europe during the Eighteenth century. The Monk plays on the fears of people stirred by the French revolution and it fans the flames of distrust towards the Christian church brought on by the Enlightenment and Christianity’s revival. Matthew Lewis’ The Monk can be characterized as “the most

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.

One of the most important aspects of any Gothic novel is setting. Mary Shelly's Frankenstein is an innovative and disturbing work that weaves a tale of passion, misery, dread, and remorse. Some would argue that Frankenstein is a classic Gothic novel. By a classically Gothic novel it is meant that the story employs a traditionally scary theme. This could include such things as dark and dreary castles set in isolated surroundings replete with dungeons. Supernatural beings such as ghosts and living dead may be included in the twisted, thrilling, unveiling tale. The novel does contain many Gothic characteristics in a sense that it does explore