Frankenstein Blog

In my opinion, the novel Frankenstein is a novel in which epitomizes the theme of the horror genre as a whole. I personally enjoyed this read because it was a take on one of those “classic tales” that everyone reads. It was fun analyzing the subtle humor and gloomy aspects of horror. Based off the story, it particularly uses gothic elements and formulas.
Throughout the story, Frankenstein uses an aspect of the gothic formula, in which Shelly uses emotions and familiar scenarios to make readers relate to the narrative. For example, when M. Krempe mocks Victor studying unusual philosophers “Have you, he said, really spent your time in studying such nonsense? (page 65, Shelly).” At this moment of the story, readers may relate themselves towards retaliating or resenting the critic. But the novel showed Victor’s process of thinking, and how he was barely affected by his professor. A lot more examples occur like being afraid of darkness and fear of death. It demonstrates this when the creature appears in the succumbed shadows, and Victor’s constant anxiety that he will die during his wedding days.
Another notable aspect of the gothic is how the force of evil is taking a major part of the story. After Victor’s creation of the monster, the monster haunts Victor. The creature acts as an active role towards Victor’s thoughts and actions. For instance, how the monster blackmails Victor into making another creature to be his mate: “I am alone, and miserable; man will not associate with me; butone as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species,
and have the same defects. This being you must create (page 145, Shelly).” The monster blames Victor for his insanity and murders of civilians. Even after Victor refuses to make another creature, the Monster becomes a constant anxiety for Victor because he starts murdering ones closest to him such as Henry and Elizabeth.
Overall, Shelly did an amazing job at writing the story of Frankenstein. I definitely got vibes of the dark and gloominess of the setting. And especially the themes of the supernatural and horror. Emotions were highly exaggerated, and I believe it was key for writing this legendary fiction.