"Gothic...reflects humanity's quest to aspire to great things, but also to hide in shadowy spaces. It represents perpetual human ambition, and the constant threat of human failure"

"Gothic...reflects humanity's quest to aspire to great things, but also to hide in shadowy spaces. It represents perpetual human ambition, and the constant threat of human failure" The Gothic novel is characterised by horror, transgressive violence, supernatural effects and a taste for the mediaeval. Horace Walpole heralded the arrival of the gothic genre in 1764 with his archetypal novel: The Castle Of Otranto. The success of this catastrophic story led the way for an analogous torrent of gothic releases such as William Beckford's Vathek (1786) and Mathew Lewis' The Monk (1796). By 1818, Mary Shelley's perennial masterpiece; Frankenstein had been released, its arrival marked a new chapter in the gothic genre; by combining her knowledge of feminist authors such as Radcliffe and her reading of patriarchal tales such as those listed above, Shelly was able to actively critique previous gothic traditions while still managing to create a great myth. Like many of the stories before, Frankenstein reflects humanity's quest to aspire to great things. Shelley subtitled her novel; The Modern Prometheus, by doing this she is reinforcing her protagonist's great endeavours while infusing inevitable failure. The subtitle refers to the figure in Greek mythology who was responsible for a conflict between mankind and the gods. Prometheus stole fire from Zeus in order to help people

  • Word count: 3108
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

"Dracula"- sexual women

"Dracula"-sexual women Phyllis Roth believs dracular has remained so popular throughout the years as it involves a fantasy that is shared and understood by many, and this fantasy is strongly linked to the Oedipus complex. The fantasies of this novel change horror into pleasure. Dracula's hostility to female sexuality would have been appealing to both the victorians and 20th century reader and Carrol Fry compares the vimpiressess to the fallen women of 18th and 19th century novels. The division between the dark and the fair women and the fallen and idealised is clear. Roth states ; quote "Perhaps nowhere is the dichotomy of sensual and sexless women more dramatic than it is in Dracula and nowhere is the suddenly sexual woman more violently and self-righeously persecuted than in stoker's thriller". Vampirism and sexuality are closely related, and Freud observes "morbid dread always signifies repressed sexual wishes". Although the tone of morbid dread is evident throughout the novel, also is that of lustful anticipation; anticipation of killing dracular himself and anticipation of a sexual consummation. One instance of morbid dread mixed with sexual desire is when Harker meets Dracula's 3 vamire women; "All three had brilliant white teeth that shone like pearls against the ruby of their voluptuous lips. There was something about them that made me uneasy, some longing and at

  • Word count: 1615
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and in The Book of Genesis, Victor Frankenstein and the Christian God both create intelligent beings that are seemingly dependent upon their masters mentally and emotionally.

Dana Kornblum Cultural Studies November 1, 2002 In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and in The Book of Genesis, Victor Frankenstein and the Christian God both create intelligent beings that are seemingly dependent upon their masters mentally and emotionally. Victor and the Creature are obvious representations of God and Adam, and the events in the two accounts parallel and differ from each other in many ways. In both creation narratives, Shelley and Moses address the concern with the use of knowledge for evil purposes, the treatment of one's "son," and the Monster and Adam and Eve's contributions to the downfall of humankind. In the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve use the knowledge that they acquire in total disregard to their creator; through their curiosity, they defy God and His commandments. The couple had been warned about eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God told them, "you must not touch it, for when you eat of it, you will surely die." (Gen. 3:3b) Unlike Victor Frankenstein, God wished for His creation to prosper and bear fruit; He watched over them as His own children. In Chapter 2 of Genesis, Moses describes God bringing life into Adam's body as He lovingly, "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." The defiance that Adam and Eve committed against God angered Him greatly because of the trust that He had

  • Word count: 1379
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

The novel "Frankenstein" can be seen to have been inspired by events and experiences in Mary Shelley's own life. Discuss!

The novel "Frankenstein" can be seen to have been inspired by events and experiences in Mary Shelley's own life. Discuss! Mary Shelley's young age while writing the novel "Frankenstein" in 1816 seems not to be distinguished with serious life experience which could influence her world famous work. This first impression proves to be wrong when reading her biography. We find a lot of personal, literary and political-philosophical factors forming her mind. The life of the tender woman is marked by grief from the very beginning. It is not impossible that she has carried some feeling of guilt because only a few days after she has been born her mother dies. The arrival of the new daughter instead of bringing happiness to the family throws it into deep despair. It is possible to link this first tragic event in Mary Shelley's life with the thoughts of Frankenstein before his death: "I, not in deed, but in effect, was the real murderer."(p.90). Later after the discovery of the body of Henry Clerval, analysing Frankenstein's bitter conclusion, we could build our reflection into the same direction. Why not assume a subconscious guilt to have followed Mary Shelley all her life? She could think that her half-sister might not have committed suicide if their mother has been alive. The next tragedy - finding Henrietta (P.B. Shelley's wife) drowned - could also be associated. Psychologically

  • Word count: 1720
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

It is necessary only to substitute kisses for intercourse and semen for blood to be left with a novel as sexually explicit as any of the time" [1] Bram Stokers Dracula has held a fascination for both the public

"It is necessary only to substitute kisses for intercourse and semen for blood to be left with a novel as sexually explicit as any of the time" 1 Bram Stokers Dracula has held a fascination for both the public and literary professionals alike for over a century, in fact, since it was first published in 1897; it has never been out of print. No other Gothic character has been able to hold universal appeal in quite the same way, but why society should find this morose, rigid and monstrous creature so alluring is a mystery that has compelled many to attempt to solve. In the 1970s there were only a few articles on Dracula and a long, tedious biography of the author Bram Stoker. Consequently most peoples' perceptions of Dracula were wholly influenced by the Hammer Horror films in which Dracula was portrayed as a two dimensional, out and out evildoer. Not many people had seriously read the actual book or questioned its message. However, by the late Eighties and, more importantly, the Nineties, (which celebrated the centenary in 1997 of Stokers classic); there came a surge of interest in the actual sub-text of Dracula. Many respected writers and academics have uncovered fascinating themes within the book that appear to reflect the fin-de-siecle anxieties of the times especially the issues surrounding sex and sexuality. Dracula's conception in 1897 coincided with the peak of

  • Word count: 2643
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

Explore how Mary Shelley develops the gothic genre in chapter 4 and 5 of Frankenstein.

English Coursework - Frankenstein Prose Study Explore how Mary Shelley develops the gothic genre in chapter 4 and 5 of Frankenstein. Up until 1800, literature in general consisted of a spontaneous expression of idyllic images of love - ultimately categorised as "The Romantic Movement." From this sprouted Romanticism's antithesis - literary Gothicism. When it was first introduced in the late 18th century, Gothic literature featured accounts of terrifying experiences set in graveyards or ancient castles, and descriptive motifs such as flickering lamps and ghostly figures. These have now become images of stereotypical horror. As it developed, Gothic literature came to designate everything to do with the macabre, mysterious and supernatural in literature more generally. Now one of the most recognisable forms of literature, Gothicism gained its popularity due to the stark contrast from anything that preceded it, and the surrounding controversy that shocked and intrigued its audiences. New scientific discovery swept across 18th century civilization, and the need for knowledge had overcome society. To the less educated, Gothic literature, (with its strong themes of science,) was seen as a way to further understand and involve themselves within these interesting developments, while the experienced scientist would be curious of the science mentioned in Gothicism. Another major

  • Word count: 1408
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

Discuss the use and importance of symbolism in Bram Stokers Dracula.

Discuss the use and importance of symbolism in Bram Stoker's Dracula. Bram Stoker's Dracula1 is a story about the good against the evil and how five men try to fight the evil blood-drinking monster. 'Bram Stoker's Transylvanian count is one of those rare literary characters who has achieved first name basis recognition. He has achieved in fact, iconographic status' (www.lsu.edu/necrofile/drac10). This statement suggests that Dracula was an iconic figure in the nineteenth century. Dracula is written in the context of fear and anxiety; like horror stories it works on a symbolic level. The use of symbolism throughout the novel has added further interest and suspense to the story. Bram Stoker has used a range of symbolism throughout the text to draw reader's attention to different issues. I will focus on a few main symbols and discuss their use and importance in Bram Stoker's Dracula. The use of blood, garlic and the crucifix in the novel all symbolise different issues. In the first half of the story the way Jonathon describes his journey in his journal, on the way to count Dracula's castle, and the event that occur during his journey symbolise a fear factor. This is shown when Jonathon is leaving from the hotel and an old lady begs him not to go, she says 'It is the eve of St George's Day. Do you not know that tonight, when the clock strikes midnight, all the evil

  • Word count: 1651
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

Fade in - Creative script writing.

FADE IN: . EXT. COUNRYSIDE. DAY The weather is dull. There is a small village of large detached houses in the middle of nowhere. There are fields for miles with sheep and cows grazing. A house sits proudly in its grounds. There is a lonely swing, moving in the wind. The woods around the house, whistle and sway. 2. INT. KITCHEN. DAY The kitchen is large with a country feel about it. All the wooden beams are in view. There is an auger at the back with large surfaces at each side of it. There is also a cooker at the far end with a pan boiling on one of the front rings. There is a wooden table in the middle of the room set for two. The clock on the wall is at 12:15pm. Amy is in her early 30's wearing a long pleated dress. Her long blonde hair is tied back in low ponytail. Amy places a glass of juice and a cup of tea on the table. AMY (Shouting) Shelly.......Dinner Amy drains the pan from the stove and serves the food on to the plates, she then takes the chops out of the auger and puts them on the plates. Amy puts the plates on the table and walks to the door. AMY (Shouting) Shelly Amy sits down to her dinner. The clock is now at 12:35pm. Amy places her knife and fork on the table, looking puzzled she gets up from her chair. 3. INT. BEDROOM. DAY The room is spacious, with plenty of clutter around. There are posters of male pop stars on the wall. On the

  • Word count: 2119
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

Find 3 passages in which Shelly explores the importance of the female.

Poppy Freeman "Find 3 passages in which Shelly explores the importance of the female." In this novel, the human female is often portrayed as passive and compliant. Frankenstein does not appear to be attracted to women and even when he marries Elizabeth he shows little of the passionate interest that he displays towards his science experiments. Although all of the females' roles are small it may be argued that the novel explores Frankenstein's fear of sexuality through his attempt to create a World that excludes women. It has been suggested that, through the novel, Shelly is trying to show that, if men continue to exclude women society will be less successful. Thus, despite writing about meek, subservient women Shelly is actually exploring radical, distinctly feminist ideas. Interestingly the only two females who are bestowed with independent behaviour are Safie and the unfinished female creature. When pages 29 and 30 are examined in detail the reader realises that from a young age Frankenstein was obsessed by Elizabeth's delicate beauty describing her as having been 'a child fairer than pictured cherub-creature who seemed to shed radiance from her looks, and whose form was lighter than the chamois of the hills.' This description reveals Frankenstein's view of Elizabeth as a perfect, angel-like being. Frankenstein enjoys the fact that she is delicate looking and

  • Word count: 1372
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

What image of Cephallonia and its inhabitants do you gain from chapters three and seven of "Captain Corelli's Mandolin"? Discuss with particular reference to humour.

What image of Cephallonia and its inhabitants do you gain from chapters three and seven? Discuss with particular reference to humour. Both chapters are narrated by an omniscient third person, the benefit of this is that as a reader I am able to pick up on dramatic irony and the difference between character's thoughts and their actual dialogue, this all contributes to the humour created, mostly through the convention of comparison and reduction of status. The main purpose of these two chapters is to introduce Cephallonian characters to the reader and develop the relationships between them. Velisarios is described in chapter three 'garbed as a pantomime Turk in pantaloons and curlicued slippers,' he is first referred to with little dignity in a comic costume, which in itself creates humour, but the description of Velisarios' clothes juxtaposed with his status 'the strongest man who had ever lived' takes the humour onto a further level. Much of the comedy created is with reference to the individual status of the characters described. This humour is continued with Pelagia's response to hearing Velisarios is 'in the square' when she drops her duties and with that reduces her prestige as 'she put up the broom with which she had been sweeping the yard and hurried out to join the gaggle of the inquisitive and impressionable that had gathered near the well'. Although it is humorous

  • Word count: 951
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay