Maryssa Smith
Professor Nancy Cassano
English 1302
March 11, 2015 Frankenstein: Man or Monster
When reading “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, one is inevitably placed in a position of judgement. The two main characters, Victor Frankenstein and the Monster seem to be in direct opposition at first glance. But the further you read the more blurred the lines of character separation become, until ultimately, the roles are reversed and you find yourself drawn in by the vulnerability and humanitarian of the Monster and you are convinced that Frankenstein himself is the real monster. The novel finds its niche in the gothic genre because of it 's foreboding ominous overtones, but the roots of romanticism are very much a part of the novel because of the way the Monster romanticizes his existence. It is almost touching the way he watches and observes a family and yearns to know that love and companionship; yet he is unable to imitate that family structure. …show more content…
This was only one of many such medical manifestations of his psychological response to what he had created. He became so mortified and overcome that he fell ill and his childhood friend, Henry Clerval, was instrumental in nursing him back to health. He suffered many nightmares surely because of the Monster and thus created a bit of a rage in him. He kept seeing Elizabeth, pale with death, which seems to foreshadow her surely unfortunate demise. Foreshadowing is a very important tool in this novel. It makes the novel seem suspenseful and lends to the trauma and tragedy that will come. The author 's use of words such as fate, omen and fatality prior to any death or tragedy lead the reader to expect foul play before it is evident. Foreshadowing also leads us to a sense of hopelessness, that Victor is doomed before it
Professor Nancy Cassano
English 1302
March 11, 2015 Frankenstein: Man or Monster
When reading “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, one is inevitably placed in a position of judgement. The two main characters, Victor Frankenstein and the Monster seem to be in direct opposition at first glance. But the further you read the more blurred the lines of character separation become, until ultimately, the roles are reversed and you find yourself drawn in by the vulnerability and humanitarian of the Monster and you are convinced that Frankenstein himself is the real monster. The novel finds its niche in the gothic genre because of it 's foreboding ominous overtones, but the roots of romanticism are very much a part of the novel because of the way the Monster romanticizes his existence. It is almost touching the way he watches and observes a family and yearns to know that love and companionship; yet he is unable to imitate that family structure. …show more content…
This was only one of many such medical manifestations of his psychological response to what he had created. He became so mortified and overcome that he fell ill and his childhood friend, Henry Clerval, was instrumental in nursing him back to health. He suffered many nightmares surely because of the Monster and thus created a bit of a rage in him. He kept seeing Elizabeth, pale with death, which seems to foreshadow her surely unfortunate demise. Foreshadowing is a very important tool in this novel. It makes the novel seem suspenseful and lends to the trauma and tragedy that will come. The author 's use of words such as fate, omen and fatality prior to any death or tragedy lead the reader to expect foul play before it is evident. Foreshadowing also leads us to a sense of hopelessness, that Victor is doomed before it