In what way is Frankenstein typical of the gothic genre

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William Biggs

Friday, 04 March 2005

In what way is Frankenstein typical of the gothic genre?

Generically, Frankenstein can be considered gothic in numerous ways, to understand and interpret theses effectively and in depth we must first outline the usual features and aspects of the gothic genre.

The gothic genre is somewhat expected to contain vivid features of life and death, religion; or the lack/ defiance of it and the struggle of good versus evil. To be portrayed in a novel such as Frankenstein the author must have an existing aspiration to feature the gothic genre in the novel as gothic is a particular field of literature this is clearly acknowledged by Shelley as she clearly described her intentions to ‘awaken thrilling horror (Frankenstein 1831: intro)

Throughout Frankenstein Mary Shelley, the author often disguises the vivid gothic aspects of the novel, in and amongst regularly applied features found in a novel that would be considered a standard or general fiction read.

“The gothic genre exposes and explores desires, anxieties and fears that both society and individual, in there striving to maintain stability attempt to suppress: it is interested in the exploration of what is forbidden, is the dissolution of certainties, categories: above all, it is associated with transgression: not only do the texts themselves, in crossing the boundaries of the ‘real’ transgress, but transgression is a central focus of the gothic plot: all barriers are broken down, all forbidden areas penetrated.” Glennis Byrou 1999.

The main way in which Shelley expresses the gothic genre throughout the novel is through the characters. Many of the characters can be fairly judged to, in numerous ways appear gothic, this, as previously mentioned is regularly subtle or disguised somehow in a way that would have been considered more acceptable and common at the time of publication. The character that, above all appears the most gothic is Victor, the main character; Shelley portrays Victor as gothic throughout the novel; Victor is given strong emotions and his desire to achieve the creation; ‘life’ is one that can be seen as gothic, especially when combined with the persistence and strife with which Victor conducts he wishes to achieve this.

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One way in which the gothic genre is portrayed is in the scenery and description of it for example is Victor’s laboratory, located in an abandoned desolate church, and described with language typical of a gothic novel  This can be clearly seen as gothic, the laboratory is clearly a focus for Shelley to give an insight into the  it exposes aspects of religion and desolation, Victor is committing a ‘terrible’ act that is both illegal and immoral in a most sacred building, where this act could be described as controversial and  gothic.

Victor’s personality is ...

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