ipl-logo

Frankenstein Research Paper

884 Words4 Pages

Title: Frankenstein: A Gothic Masterpiece

Introduction:

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, published in 1818, is a Gothic novel that has been widely recognized for its unique genre-defining elements. It marks the beginning of modern science fiction, psychological thrillers, and horror literature. The novel remains a timeless classic, as its themes continue to resonate with audiences centuries after its original publication. In this paper, we will explore the characteristics of Gothic literature and analyze how Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein fits the Gothic criteria.

Gothic Literature:

The term “Gothic” in literature was first used to describe medieval architecture, characterized by its grandeur and use of intricate stone carvings. Later, it came …show more content…

For example, Victor Frankenstein's ability to animate a creature made of dead body parts is supernatural within the novel. Additionally, the creature's supernatural abilities, such as his inhuman strength, learning capability, and ability to speak, create a sense of dread and horror. The novel also explores themes of monstrosity, which is a prevalent concept in the Gothic genre. The creature, initially believed to be a monster due to its physical appearance, becomes a sympathetic character due to the treatment he receives from society.

Another crucial aspect of the Gothic novel is the exploration of the human psyche. Frankenstein, the protagonist, is driven by ambitious pursuits and a lust for knowledge, characterized by his attempt to create a living being out of dead body parts. However, his ambition is ultimately his downfall, leading to tragedy. The novel explores themes of morality, isolation, and grief, which are central to the Gothic genre.

Furthermore, the novel utilizes Gothic conventions of horror, terror, and the supernatural to create an atmosphere of unease, in which the reader is kept in suspense. The narrative explores themes such as power, mastery, ambition, monstrosity, social alienation, mortality, and the horror of the unknowable, generating a profound emotional effect in the reader.

Significance of Frankenstein as a Gothic

Show More
Related

Frankenstein Rough Draft Essay

1483 Words | 6 Pages

Frankenstein Rough Draft In the novel Frankenstein, our main characters Victor Frankenstein and the creature have grown to become really close friends. As the novel goes on you can see the creature and Victor grow a strong relationship with each other and how similar the creature is to Victor. Victor Frankenstein is a scientist who makes this evil creation which is the creature. This creature develops throughout the novel by adapting to the natural world and sharing the same traits as Victor.

Read More

Examples Of Motives In Frankenstein

516 Words | 3 Pages

Frankenstein as a book was filled with the feelings of lost motives and finding how abandonment and loneliness can come back harder and make the life that connected them could corrupt everyone who is connected to them. Frankenstein's monster is a great example of how his motives had changed and made the characters in the book make there life change and contort to become something from the fear of responsibility to facing the consequences of abandoning. The monster had shown that the all he wanted was to feel as if he wasn't lonely and that had stayed and changed his character from learning to hatred and his wished had stayed the same. The monster had made his creator his imagine of success with love and looks and was shown with the feeling

Read More

Examples Of Loss Of Innocence In Frankenstein

722 Words | 3 Pages

Generally, when people think of a monster, the first thing that comes to mind is a hideous, gruesome, inhuman creature - not a seemingly innocent person. In Frankenstein, a gothic graphic novel written by Gris Grimly, the narrator - Victor Frankenstein - faces conflict that makes his innocence questionable. This graphic novel proves that a monster does not necessarily equate to a hideous, unwanted creature. Some people suspect that the creature is a monster due to its violent behavior and cruel actions. The truth, contrastingly, is that the true monster of this novel is Victor, not the creature, because he chose to create the creature yet neglected it and failed to apologize or acknowledge his wrongdoing.

Read More

Annotated Bibliography On Frankenstein

1439 Words | 6 Pages

“Frankenstein and the Tradition of Realism” Shelly, Mary Frankenstein. Ed. J. Paul Hunter. New York: Norton Critical Edition, 2012. 311-16.

Read More

Examples Of Loss Of Innocence In Frankenstein

1266 Words | 6 Pages

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a thematically engrossing novel that follows the treacherous narrative of protagonist Victor Frankenstein as he submits himself entirely to passion and the fervent desire to acquire natural knowledge and the resulting consequences that follow. The outcome of his ardent frenzy of discovery is a monstrous creation that he instantly regrets creating upon first sight. Throughout the Frankenstein novel, Victor and the monster engage in an everlasting mutual war that sets them at ends with each other through their personal pinings for the things that set them apart. It can be proven that throughout the novel the two protagonists come off as both intriguingly similar upon in-depth analysis and strikingly different on

Read More

Frankenstein Sympathy Essay

548 Words | 3 Pages

Andre Aloian Mr. August AP English 12 Give Frankenstein Symphathy… Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein introduces us to the character of Victor Frankenstein, a complex and morally ambiguous figure. While his actions throughout the story can be seen as evil or immoral, a closer examination of the full presentation of his character evokes a sympathetic response from readers. Through Victor's internal struggles, his pursuit of knowledge, and his remorse for his creation, Shelley skillfully invites readers to empathize with the character despite his questionable choices. The full presentation of Victor Frankenstein's character in Frankenstein engenders sympathy from readers through his internal conflicts, his relentless pursuit of knowledge, and his remorse for the consequences of his actions.

Read More

Innovative Literary Techniques In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

796 Words | 4 Pages

Written during the ninteenth century, the gothic Frankensteinnovel by Marry Shelly, tells the story of a young educated student Victor Frankenstein, who creates a grotesque but fantastic creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment, which leads to different tragic events. Shelly writes about the creation of the creature and how he is first introduce to his livelihood and this world. In this novel Shelly uses different types of literary techniques to convey the expression of the creature as a baby just learning about life and the world, and by employing innovative literary techniques such as imagery, setting, theme, and characterization, she creates a feeling of sympathy on the readers. This feeling is created through Shelly establishment of pity on the readers by reavealing the creature’s loathsome creation, habitat, or even existence.

Read More

Victor Is The Real Monster In Frankenstein

596 Words | 3 Pages

When people hear the word “monster”, most people imagine a massive, horrid, and grotesque figure that haunts people. While pondering what a monster is, mankind thinks of the outward appearance. Seldom do people think of man’s internal qualities as being barbaric or gruesome. Authors allow readers to create their own images of these terrifying beings. Frankenstein is a thought-provoking novel that empowers readers to have their own opinions about who the actual monster is and what it looks like.

Read More

Frankenstein Research Paper

2146 Words | 9 Pages

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has been one of the most widely read and interpreted novels in modern times. The novel is a cautionary tale of the consequences of playing God and explores the true nature of humanity. One of the most fascinating aspects of the novel is the character of the creature, a patchwork of human parts brought to life by Victor Frankenstein. The creature has been the subject of much debate and discussion over the years. Some readers see him as a monster, while others see him as a tragic figure, misunderstood and mistreated by society.

Read More

Supernatural Elements In The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow

1029 Words | 5 Pages

Gothic Literature is a genre that was popular between 18th to 19th centuries in North Germany. It is always being associated with Dark Romanticism which the emphasize was more on nature, terror and death, horror and many more. It involves dark and gloomy setting and also unexplainable things that are beyond human senses and reason such as ghosts and monsters. The main characters, on the other hand, are always ineffectual which they do not give much effect on the story plot. This can be seen through Washington Irving’s “Rip van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” which can be considered as American gothic work in terms of its description of setting, the involvement of supernatural element in the story and also the characteristics of the main character.

Read More

Why Does Mary Shelley Use Of Personification In Frankenstein

656 Words | 3 Pages

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a gothic novel that tells the story of scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and his obsession with creating human life. This leads him to creating a gruesome monster made of body-parts stolen from grave yards, whom upon discovering his hideousness, the monster seeks revenge against his creator, causing Victor to regret the creation of his monster for the rest of his life. Shelley uses the literary elements of personification, imagery, and similes to give a vivid sense and visualization of Victor Frankenstein’s thoughts and feelings as well as to allow us to delve deeper into the monster’s actions and emotions. Throughout the novel, Shelley uses personification of various forces and objects to reflect the effect in Victor’s actions.

Read More

Frankenstein The Romantic Hero Analysis

841 Words | 4 Pages

“The Monsterous Hero” Frankenstein by Mary Shelley shattered the mold of typical horror novels written during the Romantic period and revolutionized the next generation of horror writers. Shelley’s unique use of Romantic elements such as supernatural components, dualism, spontaneous creation, individual thought, and innocence illuminate important aspects that help determine the romantic hero. Specifically, a romantic hero is identified as one that opposes established standards, faces rejection by society, and is the center of his own existence. Although Victor and Walton both have some characteristics of a romantic hero, the monster is the ideal romantic hero.

Read More

Empathy In Frankenstein

929 Words | 4 Pages

The gothic fiction novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley centralizes on humanity and the qualifications that make someone human. The content of the novel Frankenstein depicts a monster displaying human traits that his creator Victor does not possess: empathy, a need for companionship, and a will to learn and fit in. Throughout the novel Shelley emphasizes empathy as a critical humanistic trait. The monster displays his ability to empathize with people even though they are strangers. On the other hand Victor, fails to show empathy throughout the novel even when it relates to his own family and friends.

Read More

Frankenstein Critical Analysis Essay

883 Words | 4 Pages

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Critical Analysis About the author Naomi Hetherington is a member of the University of Sheffield, the department of lifelong learning. She is an early researcher in sexuality, religious culture, the 19th-century literature, and gender. She holds a BA in Theology and religious studies, an MA and a Ph.D. in Victorian Literature. She currently teaches four-year pathway literature degree at Sheffield University for students who have already attained foundation degrees. Among the books, she has written the critique of Frankenstein.

Read More

Gothic Elements In The Picture Of Dorian Gray

1087 Words | 5 Pages

In the early 18th century a new genre of fiction prose, named "Gothic Novel" was introduced. The term ”Gothic” used to refer to the German tribe of the Goths. The Gothic novel spread over the 19th century and had the popular theme of haunted places such as castles, crypts, gloomy monasteries; supernatural elements having the role to intensify the atmosphere. The characteristic motifs of the gothic genre were the strange places, the supernatural, magic objects, monsters, demons, science used for bad purposes. And many of them appear also in "The Picture of Dorian Gray".

Read More

More about Frankenstein Research Paper

Related Topics

Open Document