Saturday, January 14, 2017

Week One: Beginning with Frankenstein

Week One: Beginning with Frankenstein

One of the most important components of Gothic on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, is the element of the supernatural. Frankenstein’s creation, is one element that the author choses to represent the Gothic genre. The presence of the dark aspects of life and the fact that Frankenstein himself was created during nighttime reinforces the Goth genre as well.

After the creation of Frankenstein, Victor has a dream that foreshadows Elizabeth’s death. The element of dream is also a common component of Gothic novels, which serves to clarify the monster’s murder of Elizabeth. The dream that becomes reality, is a consequence of the rejection society had of his creation.

Another main characteristic of Goth present in Shelley’s writing is the constant threatening that the main character goes through. Danger is everywhere, the monster is an agent of rage, an instrument of revenge. He resents his creator for rejecting him at birth and abandoning him to the cruelty of the human race. He blames Victor for leaving him lonely and isolated when he was actually born with a loving heart.

Family drama is also an element present in gothic literature, the threat of destroying a family’s happiness or its union. Due to Victor’s reject of creating a mate for the monster, the creature realizes that he will never be accepted into a family. That is the reason why he swears his vengeance to Victor and his loved ones, killing not only Victor’s young brother and his best friend, but also the love of his life, Elizabeth.

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