Look at the significance of chapter 5 to the novel as a whole.

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Look at the significance of chapter 5 to the novel as a whole. Focus on the relevance and effect of the writer’s use of language to describe setting, character and what is shown about social and historical influences.

       Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelly in 1816 and has become perhaps one of the most famous novels in the gothic, horror genre. Shelley was brought up in the 19th century where there were a lot of medical and scientific breakthroughs. These have influenced the novel because during the 19th century people had just discovered new information about the body and that electrical impulses were send via the body to the brain. This has influenced events in the novel because Frankenstein used electrical pulses to bring the monster he creates become alive.

       One of the social and historical backgrounds of Mary Shelly’s life is religion and the power of God compared to man. In them days people were very religious and the thought of having the same power as God was astonishing. This influenced the novel because the whole story is about being able to create life thorough electrical impulse, Victor (the main character) being God.

      The novel has much to do with death as it does with life as many of the characters die in the story. This is relevant with Shelly because during her life time she experienced death in several ways. Firstly, Shelly’s mother died when she was young and she was sent to live with her family in Scotland. Secondly, after Shelly fell in love she had a child but unfortunately died at birth. This links into the novel as many people close to Frankenstein die.

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      Chapter 5 is a turning point in the novel as two crucial events occur; one of them is when the monster is bought to life for the first time. This is an important event because for the first time the reader is made aware of what has been created. This is highlighted in the novel when Shelly writes “I saw the dull eye of the creature open.” This is important because the story from this point on is based on the monster and how it has been created. The way that the monster has been created ...

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