Gothic Novel Frankenstein

Frankenstein: A Real Gothic Novel Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, sometimes called The Modern Prometheus, is a 19th century novel that has been associated with numerous genres. Shelley’s novel has an abundance of gothic elements, making the novel best categorized as a gothic novel. A gothic novel typically has horror, fear, death, gloom, and some romantic elements. In her novel, Shelley describes Dr. Frankenstein’s horrific creation and the catastrophic effects the monster brings. The main three characteristics of a gothic novel Shelley uses are horror, death, and fear.

Shelley includes descriptions of the monster, dark imagery, and an overall eerie setting, emphasizing the horror aspect in the novel. ”She was there, lifeless and inanimate, thrown across the bed, her head hanging down and her pale and distorted features half covered by her hair” (Shelley 192). In this scene, Victor leaves Elizabeth alone in the cabin to go after the monster, making a fatal mistake. The monster finds Elizabeth alone in the room, and murders her. Shelley takes this opportunity to add Victor’s point of view, including him imagining on how Elizabeth will appear after her death. This provides an overall

One of the most important deaths in the novel is when the monster kills William, Victor’s younger brother. At first the monster believes that William will have no negative bias towards the monster but quickly realizes William is afraid of him. The monster becomes angry, grabbing young William by his neck. “I grasped his throat to silence him, and in a moment he lay dead at my feet” (Shelley 137). William’s death serves as an awakening to Victor, who quickly realizes the monster is out of control. Victor becomes withdrawn from his family out of guilt, suffering greatly from his loss. The deaths Victor faces, ignite a fear inside of him, causing him to further fear his own