Mary Shelley Frankenstein Extract Essay

In the extract of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley describes the look and actions of Frankenstein’s monster as well as Frankenstein’s reactions toward his monster. Shelley uses language and an ominous setting to create a fearsome creature.
When Mary Shelley contrasts the monster’s beautiful features to its grotesque ones, her language creates an appalling creature. She states, “…these luxuriances only formed more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost the same color as the dun-white sockets, his shriveled complexion and straight black lips.” Shelley’s syntax reveals the extremity of disgust Frankenstein feels by crafting an abstract image. In addition, Shelley exhibits that the ‘luxuriances’ of having lustrous black hair and white …show more content…
Shelley writes, “It was a dreary night of November…rain pattered dismally against the panes and my candle was nearly burnt out.” Readers can infer that Shelley creates this ominous setting to show that the day is gloomy and dark, and a perfect time for a monster to be born. Readers can also ponder on the fact that Shelley’s setting is in November, a dreary time where people know that winter is fully upon us and the sky is usually dark. As well as that, Shelley writes about the rain. Rain is a symbol that can represent life, as it helps plants grow. However, rain can also be a potential danger and cause floods which can result in the death of many. With this in mind, it is intriguing that Shelley writes about the rain as the monster is born and is capable of killing many. The narrator also writes about how his candle is almost burnt out. Readers can infer that the candle is also representing the feeling of the narrator, who has worked so hard for his monster. The narrator is tired and ‘burnt out’, and his candle reflects his mood. Shelley uses this in the setting to reveal that it is dark and Frankenstein can barely see his creature, yet he can still see that it is horrendous. Readers can also infer that the narrator was even more afraid of the monster because a ‘half extinguished’ light would cause the room to have shadows, making his monster look bigger and therefore more