In my literary analysis essay, I intend to argue that both Frankenstein and The Mysteries of Udolpho use fear as a mechanism for analyzing human mentality and the darker aspects of human character. Consequently, I claim that the authors use Gothic conventions such as setting, tone, and imagery to build up a feeling of apprehension and anxiety and that this contributes to a more profound understanding of the characters' impulses and desires throughout the novels. Ultimately, I argue that both texts propose a powerful critique of the essence of fear and its function in shaping human demeanor. Firstly, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Mystifications of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe are two Gothic novels that probe the theme of fear. Both novels …show more content…
Victor Frankenstein is inspired by the fear of death and the urge to produce life, while the creature he brings to life is impelled by the fear of rejection and the craving for blessing and acceptance. The novel also utilizes language and imagery to produce a feeling of dread in the story generally and for the reader. For example, the descriptions of the creature's appearance and conduct are constantly horrible and disturbing, and the novel's Gothic setting adds to the general sensation of tension. Likewise, The Mystifications of Udolpho features characters who are visited by their fears and heartstrings. Emily St. Aubert is encouraged by the solicitude of losing her liberty and the desire for love and fellowship, while Montoni is driven by the fear of losing his authority and the desire for riches. The novel also uses setting and tone to produce a feeling of dubitation. Therefore, the descriptions of the castle and its surroundings are frequently creepy and foreboding, and the novel's use of metaphysical rudiments adds to the overall air of fear and …show more content…
Through the character of Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein, Shelley analyzes the fear of death and the craving for power and dominion. Victor's fetish with creating life is driven by his fear of death and his wish to overpower it. The creature he brings to life is also inspired by fear, especially the fear of nonacceptance and the craving for approval. Shelley uses Gothic features such as the shady and dark settings, the hideous imagery of the creature, and the spooky tone to create a feeling of dread and anticipation in the reader. This nervousness causes the reader to face the darker facets of human nature, such as the appetite for authority and control and concern regarding rejection. Similarly, in The Mysteries of Udolpho, Radcliffe examines the fear of losing one's liberation and the yearning for love and comradeship. The character of Emily St. Aubert is inspired by the worry of relinquishing her independence and the longing for adoration and