Gothicism in frankenstein
A classic gothic novel emphasises fear and terror. It has the presence of the supernatural, the placements of events within a distant time and an unfamiliar and mysterious setting. Romantic writer Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein conforms to these conventional ‘classic’ Gothic traits as well as to the modern conceptions of what is considered as Gothic. Shelley’s Frankenstein is host to a range of significant gothic elements, evident through Victor’s creation of the gigantic creature, the dark setting of the novel, set in places of gloom and horror, and the disempowered portrayal of females, in which women are threatened by the tyranny of males and are often in distress. Omens, portents and visions are also evident in the novel, further enhancing the Gothicism found in the novel. Frankenstein is defined as a Gothic novel through the many Gothic aspects it features. The connections, and relevance it has to today’s modern society and the lessons that can be learned from it, is what classifies it as being classic.In her 1831 introduction, Shelley declares her desire to think of a story which would speak to the ‘mysterious fears of our nature and awaken thrilling horror ‘ one to ‘curdle the blood, and quick
‘Gothic fiction is concerned with the outsider’. In the case of Justine and Elizabeth, both women conform to the Gothic aspects of women being in distress. As the result of Justine being wrongly accused of the murder of William, her existence is threatened as she faces death if found guilty. Justine is eventually executed ultimately because of Victor’s selfishness. He created the creature, left it to do what it did and couldn’t come in Justine’s defence when she was on trial. The trial not only caused distress to Justine, but to Elizabeth also. Both women experienced emotional turmoil, with Elizabeth also pleading in tears to the judges. The act of creating the creature and Victor’s inability to realise the vulnerability of others around him from the creature’s attack also resulted in the violent death of Elizabeth on her wedding night. The act of creating the creature and the ideas behind it, is in itself Gothic. In the pursuit of creating life, Victor was ‘animated by an almost supernatural enthusiasm’ to observe the ‘corruption of the human body’ and examining the nature of death. He worked with objects that is viewed as revolting and spent days and nights in churchyards, charnel houses and vaults, collecting remains of dead bodies, in places of dark and ghostly atmosphere. Victor’s action is the result of the ‘working imagination’, an aspect of the Romantic period. He stretches the limits of conventions, and pursues a dream that seems to be too extraordinary to achieve, and when he does, he is miserable and guilty. In this aspect, it could be said that Shelley is also showing her Romantic conservatism.
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Approximate Word count = 2218
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
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