Literary Elements Of Frankenstein

"It was dark when I awoke; I felt cold also, and half-frightened as it were instinctively, finding myself so desolate" (Shelley 68) For the monster it is the constant rejection and its abandonment by Frankenstein at birth that leads it to loneliness and extreme anxiety. "In all probability, the creature was reaching out, as a small child does to their mother, but his ugly appearance only frightened Victor into running away" (Coulter) The main reason for its rejection is the monster’s outward appearance. The rejection by humans in general and specifically by its creator only increases the monsters feelings of loneliness, emotional abandonment, and, as a result, anger.

The gothic genre has many defining qualities and features, and as a gothic novel, Frankenstein (or the Modern Prometheus) exhibits some of these traits. However, due to the time period in which it was written by Mary Shelley there are also many features of Romanticism apparent in the novel, such as the emphasis on the beauty and restorative powers of nature in chapters 8 and 9. Therefore it is questionable which aspects of the Gothic genre are to be found within Frankenstein.

Different works of gothic literature share similar gothic elements such as ambiguity, death, and nightmares. Each element contributes a different tone to the stories that bring the reader into the work. Every story contains a different element that come together to bring out the same feelings.

then try to decide whether or not it is just a horror story, or if it

Shelley’s writing style is known as a frame story, or a story within a story. As few readers remember, Walton is the true narrator of the story. But as walton is telling the story victor told him it seems as if Frankenstein himself is narrating. The author uses eloquent language and rich visual writing for the reader to truly visualize the story while reading. Her metaphors and similes are all very precise and not overused in the book or haphazard.

“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

All of these pieces help to build upon one another to put together a story that has an eerie essence to it. Supernatural beings or monsters are very common elements in a gothic novel because they so easily add a terror aspect to a book, and it automatically creates a villain in the story, which helps to add to the already suspenseful mood. Some of the more prominent works in the gothic literature category include works such as Dracula, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Frankenstein. It is quite obvious these books all have the same creepy, almost menacing theme to them and it is because of those blunt and well thought out uses of the gothic literature characteristics.

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

Gothic literature focuses on the ruin, terror and chaos among what used to be an orderly society. It grew to be more popular in response to historical events of the 18th and 19th centuries (Origin). Gothic literature can be recognized very easily. Often times when reading Gothic literature, the characters tend to be people along with a type of paranormal phenomena such as ghosts, demons or other monsters. These creatures usually develop evil schemes against innocent victims when lashing out during an extreme emotional state of some sort. These characters are coupled with elements that are considered gothic (Experience). Some gothic elements in the novel Frankenstein include: supernatural manifestations, ideas regarding darkness and a passion-driven villain.

In Mary Shelley’s 19th-century novel Frankenstein, an ambitious scientist named Victor Frankenstein, wishes to create human life and, after various attempts, he is successful. Unfortunately, because Victor is blinded by his ambitions, he loathes his creation and rejects it. The creature escapes into the world and, over time, learns about the world and languages but in the process is rejected by mankind because of its hideousness. The creature then vows vengeance against humanity and its creator and goes on a violent rampage of revenge, killing Victor’s loved ones in its wrath. Although the concept of Frankenstein appears superficial and monotonous, the novel uses the story as a framework to delve deep into key themes from the Romantic period,

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

Frankenstein is typically classified as a gothic novel. It fits into the gothic tradition, purely because it has usual features of the gothic genre, such as: Fear, The supernatural, Terror, and Tragedy. It also features exploration of what is forbidden and the dark side of the human psyche; these were often discovered by gothic authors, as they were attracted in them. Frankenstein fits into this tradition well.

One of the most famous gothic novel is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley in 1818. The story of horror and mystery that contains a solid component of the supernatural to mix up fears and tensions and wishes that are appealing and at the same time risky as well as taboo. An atmosphere of doom and gloom represents the elements of gothic fiction such as darkness, forest, graveyard, rain, nunneries, gothic designs, etc. (McNulty, 2010)

There are many events within the novel that could be considered horrifying or terrifying. For example, the creation of the monster itself could be argued as horrifying. After creating the monster, Victor Frankenstein becomes ill. The execution of Justine could be considered terrifying as well. Justine is executed after being accused the death of william, Victor's brother. After the execution Victor and Elizabeth become very depressed. A final example of a horrifying event was when Victor was tried for the murder of his best friend Clerval and is found innocent. Aside from these three tragedies, there are many more grim events that make this novel very much like gothic

Literary authors strive to create meaningful stories that affect generations to come through the process of romanticizing gothic literature. Through Frankenstein, Mary Shelley romanticizes gothic elements to inform readers of breaking normalities set by society. The novel Frankenstein is about a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, whose drive for knowledge gets out of hand after he creates a dangerous monster. Through the character of Victor Frankenstein, his desire to explore the unknown is romanticized for the purpose of developing his character of an outcast. The action of love is romanticized to set a tone of positivity to his unhealthy love of learning. Lastly, the settings show the theme of isolation of society, which in itself is breaking social normalities. Mary Shelley uses Frankenstein to warn readers of the consequences of defying social normalities through the romanticized gothic elements of the character of Victor Frankenstein, the action of love, and the settings.