Looking particularly at chapter 5 of the novel 'Frankenstein' explore how Mary Shelley creates feelings of horror and foreboding in the reader.

The characterization of the creature creates a scene of horror by Shelley describing the “Lifeless thing” in detail. “I saw the dull eye of the creature open…” This implies that the ‘creature’ is not human because it has yellow eyes; this makes the audience question what in fact it is. Also Frankenstein calls the “Lifeless thing” as his “catastrophe” rather than a human. He does not name his creation. This makes the reader aware of the fact that he isn’t proud of ‘it’ and that something bad is going to follow the previous events.

Shelley uses the typical convention of gothic horror of her time ‘The Nightmare’. Frankenstein was disturbed by “the wildest dreams” when he was Elizabeth in the “bloom health” he went to embrace her and her lips became “livid of the hue of death”. The use of the word “livid” implies anger. This makes the reader understand how Elizabeth would feel about what Frankenstein is doing. She disapproves. Shelley’s language used continues to create a gothic feel “grave-worms”, “shroud”, “crawling”, “cold”, “dew” and “teeth chatter” are words that add to the horrific and graphic imagery of this chilling scene.

Shelley creates a scene of foreboding through chapter 5, by the way in which she has Frankenstein run away from the ‘monster’ he has created. He says “miserable monster whom I created.” This tells the reader that Frankenstein regrets what he has created. It also shows lack of responsibility when he runs away leaving the ‘monster’. Later on in this scene when the ‘monster’ chases after Frankenstein, we as the reader automatically think that something bas is to happen. We are made aware of Frankenstein’s fear and regret, when he says “I hurried on with irregular steps, not daring to look back”.

Light and dark has been used to great effect during the novel, particularly in chapter 5. Light and dark are used to create a feeling that something isn’t right. Shelley has written about the “white steeple” which I would associate with peace, but this is contrasting with what is happening in this chapter. She has also written about the “black comfortless sky”. This again tells the reader that the emergence of science was threatening religion- the weather is ‘restless’ and dark, so maybe God doesn’t agree with what Frankenstein is doing.

Shelley cleverly alludes to other writer’s throughout time who have touched on horror. Firstly Shelley refers to Dante. She does this so the readers would think of Dante’s ‘Inferno, Humanities Journey to Hell’. This would make the reader aware of the fact that Frankenstein had created an evil thing a “Demoniacal Corpse”.  She also refers to Coleridge’s ‘Ancient Mariner, a poem of a guilt ridden sailor’. Its seems to imply a ‘lonely’ life for Victor and a life full of ‘fear and dread’ and that he will spend the rest of his life with his ‘frightful friend’ following him (actually his guilt).  

Mary Shelley ends this chapter in a different way than the read would expect. The reader would expect the ‘monster’ to find Frankenstein and kill him. Instead Frankenstein falls ill. The chapter ends with Frankenstein talking to Henry Clerval and thinking that Clerval is going to talk about the ‘creature’. “An object whom I dared not even think”. This shows the reader that Frankenstein is still very anxious about what he has created. But will he take responsibility for his actions?

Mark Shelley creates a scene of horror and foreboding in the reader by using different effects, such as allusions and light and dark. This creates a feeling of foreboding and an image of the true horror in the reader’s mind. The issues of the time are reflected in her gothic novel and of course as the story continue these feelings of foreboding increase.