English 12
Anna Stoudemayer
26 June 2021
Inst. Simpson
Gothic Essay
The gothic fiction genre emerged in the 18th century and peaked in the 19th century. It is dark, mysterious, and often has supernatural elements- providing the reader with a sense of dear, suspense, and unease. Gothic fiction exposes the darker aspects of human nature and develops themes like death, madness, the supernatural, and the unknown. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein stands to be a significant work in the gothic fiction genre which was published in 1818, and embodies many of the characteristics associated with gothic fiction. The novel tells of Victor Fransketeind, a scientist who creates a creature through experiments. Shelley expounds on themes of isolation, the consequences
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David Punter' 'The Literature of Terror' ' highlights how those elements contribute to the mood and enhance the themes of gothic fiction. In Frankenstein, an example of Victor Frankenstein's laboratory is where he made the Creature. It is described as a dimly lit space filled with scientific equipment and decaying body parts. It was a palace where the boundaries of life and death were blurred, and there was a sense of unease and anticipation. It reflects the unnatural and forbidden nature of Frankensteins' actions. However, the landscapes constitute the gothic atmosphere. The isolated and icy expenses of the Arctic is a backdrop for Victor and Creature. There is a vastness and a harshness that mirror the isolation and despair that is experienced by both of them. Those settings are part of the character's internal struggles and add depth to the themes of isolation. Those settings create suspense, unease, and dread. They contradict the overall mood of the novel and heighten the reader's anticipation and fear. Also, the setting along with the themes of isolation and fear in Frabsketin. Vixens is in isolated pursuits of knowledge and he slowly descends into madness. He is obsessed and it reflects the consequences of his unchecked behavior. The dark and eerie settings contribute to the experiences of the characters and are shared by creating suspense and unease. They relate the characters' inter struggles and they add depth to their