A Hideous, revolting, disfigured creature lurks in the shadows of the forest. What is it? Could it be a monster? To answer this question we must first ask the question: What makes a monster a monster? This controversial topic is explored in the gothic novels Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray written in the nineteenth century. During the nineteenth century fear, horror, death, and gloom, as well as romantic elements, such as nature and individuality influenced writer’s style. As shown in both Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray gothic elements influence the novels by using imagery of death and destruction. In the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, the portrayals of a monster differ
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Shelley exemplifies two different ways a being can become monstrous. The first and most obvious portrayal of a monster in Frankenstein is the Creation itself. Victor did not create the Creature with the intention of it being evil, but rather the exact opposite. When the Creation is rejected by the family in the woods he “declared everlasting war against the species. If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear” (Shelley 17 5). Shelley declares it was not only his grotesque looks that inspired fear, but it was his rejection by humanity that transformed him into the murderous monster. The Creation was created with a hideous image, but Shelley argues that it was not only his complexion that made him a monster. The events that preceded were the cause for its corruption. It was the “horrified rejection of him by [his] ideal family when he finally plucked up courage to approach them that inflamed his anger”(Britton 7). Shelley uses this imagery of the perfect family to paint a picture in the Creations head of what life is and should be like and once he realizes he is incapable of inspiring love he turns to a life of
Shelley exemplifies two different ways a being can become monstrous. The first and most obvious portrayal of a monster in Frankenstein is the Creation itself. Victor did not create the Creature with the intention of it being evil, but rather the exact opposite. When the Creation is rejected by the family in the woods he “declared everlasting war against the species. If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear” (Shelley 17 5). Shelley declares it was not only his grotesque looks that inspired fear, but it was his rejection by humanity that transformed him into the murderous monster. The Creation was created with a hideous image, but Shelley argues that it was not only his complexion that made him a monster. The events that preceded were the cause for its corruption. It was the “horrified rejection of him by [his] ideal family when he finally plucked up courage to approach them that inflamed his anger”(Britton 7). Shelley uses this imagery of the perfect family to paint a picture in the Creations head of what life is and should be like and once he realizes he is incapable of inspiring love he turns to a life of