Connor Huneycutt
Ms. Christensen
English 12B
1 May 2018
Frankenstein
In the 1818 novel Frankenstein, author Mary Shelley consistently demonstrates standard romantic themes, only to undercut them with gothic elements, writing, and themes. This is mostly seen in the beginning volumes of the novel where romantic elements are consistently introduced. As the novel continues, romantic elements are replaced with more gothic elements and writing. Characters are introduced with romantic themes, only to eventually fall into traditional gothic patterns. Typically romantic settings are replaced with gothic elements of decay, and a romantic plotline slowly transforms to a gothic plot. This overall writing technique of falling into gothic styles works …show more content…
In the beginning of the novel, Victor is shown to be a passionate young man. He chases his desires with great intensity, as shown in his studies and when creating the monster. Following strong desires are a very romantic notion, used commonly in romantic literature. As the novel continues, however, Victor quickly abandons his passions. He isolates himself physically and mentally, and falls into a rapidly decreasing mental state. Both of these are a staple of gothic literature. This can even be seen in the very first character of the novel, Robert Walton. Robert Walton follows the same trend as Victor and several other characters. He is introduced with a strong feelings of motivation toward a goal he wishes to accomplish, but over the course of the novel he forfeits this goal and isolates himself from his crew. Characters are not the only place where Shelly undercuts romantic …show more content…
Unlike other scenes, which gradually deteriorate into gothic nature, the manor is the first setting that is both fully romantic and gothic. This is an interesting turn, as at this point in the story where Victor hits his lowest point. From this point on Victor is obsessed with the creature, and refuses to change his actions or attitude, even if it brings direct harm to himself or his loved ones. This writing strategy proves to be very effective for Shelley. Frankenstein is a horror novel, but more importantly, a gothic novel. A prominent theme of gothic novels is decay, or loss of former glory. By having traditional storytelling elements, especially prominent elements at the time, then slowly undercutting them for gothic elements in a gothic horror novel helps create an atmosphere of decay and fall from grace. Writing like this is why Frankenstein is created one of the best horror novels of all
Ms. Christensen
English 12B
1 May 2018
Frankenstein
In the 1818 novel Frankenstein, author Mary Shelley consistently demonstrates standard romantic themes, only to undercut them with gothic elements, writing, and themes. This is mostly seen in the beginning volumes of the novel where romantic elements are consistently introduced. As the novel continues, romantic elements are replaced with more gothic elements and writing. Characters are introduced with romantic themes, only to eventually fall into traditional gothic patterns. Typically romantic settings are replaced with gothic elements of decay, and a romantic plotline slowly transforms to a gothic plot. This overall writing technique of falling into gothic styles works …show more content…
In the beginning of the novel, Victor is shown to be a passionate young man. He chases his desires with great intensity, as shown in his studies and when creating the monster. Following strong desires are a very romantic notion, used commonly in romantic literature. As the novel continues, however, Victor quickly abandons his passions. He isolates himself physically and mentally, and falls into a rapidly decreasing mental state. Both of these are a staple of gothic literature. This can even be seen in the very first character of the novel, Robert Walton. Robert Walton follows the same trend as Victor and several other characters. He is introduced with a strong feelings of motivation toward a goal he wishes to accomplish, but over the course of the novel he forfeits this goal and isolates himself from his crew. Characters are not the only place where Shelly undercuts romantic …show more content…
Unlike other scenes, which gradually deteriorate into gothic nature, the manor is the first setting that is both fully romantic and gothic. This is an interesting turn, as at this point in the story where Victor hits his lowest point. From this point on Victor is obsessed with the creature, and refuses to change his actions or attitude, even if it brings direct harm to himself or his loved ones. This writing strategy proves to be very effective for Shelley. Frankenstein is a horror novel, but more importantly, a gothic novel. A prominent theme of gothic novels is decay, or loss of former glory. By having traditional storytelling elements, especially prominent elements at the time, then slowly undercutting them for gothic elements in a gothic horror novel helps create an atmosphere of decay and fall from grace. Writing like this is why Frankenstein is created one of the best horror novels of all