Elements Of A Gothic Novel example essay topic

The word gothic paints a very dark and gloomy picture when thought about. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein then, is the epitome of a gothic novel. Frankenstein is a chilling tale about a scientist's ambitious desire that turn into a nightmare. Everything in Frankenstein is gothic, the settings, characters, and language.

All of these pieces of the novel contribute to its gloomy atmosphere. Frankenstein has all the elements of a gothic novel. The settings in Frankenstein enhance the novels gloomy mood. The story itself is very chilling but Shelley cleverly depicts dark and haunting settings to accompany the story. When Victor is in his laboratory creating his creature, it is described as a "laboratory perceived in gloom" (50). This description of the lab shows how dark the environment and atmosphere is in this particular scene.

When Victor is creating his creature it is very disturbing when it is described that he is using human and animal to assemble his wretch. The gloomy laboratory makes this scene even more disturbing. Gothic settings are also represented when Victor is thinking about Williams death and he suddenly sees the creature when a "flash of lightning illuminated the sky" (50). The flash of lightning adds the element of surprise and enhances Victor's feelings of hate and anger towards his creature. The lightning also augments the tense atmosphere and feelings. It shows just how unstable the story and Victors feelings are.

The settings of Frankenstein add to the stories mood and add a sense of unpredictability to the plot. The supernatural events and characters in Frankenstein also add to the gothic "feel" of novel. The creation of the creature is the most supernatural element in the story. It is impossible to create a creature out of decayed flesh and electricity. Although it is impossible, it is thought provoking in the fact that Shelley thought of something to this degree of the imagination. The element of a creature with "yellow skin scarcely covering... shriveled complexion and straight black lips" (35) makes the story an example of gothic literature.

A scientist creating another living creature from scratch is the most supernatural element is the story. The creatures development is also uncanny. The creature learns to use his senses as well as to communicate. He learns pain when he "thrusts his hands into the live embers" (72). This example shows how the creature learns to function on his own by experience. He learns pain by feeling pain, hunger by experiencing hunger, and etc.

The creature also learns how to communicate. He "learned and applied words... and was able to pronounce them" (78). He wasn't taught how to speak or function. The creature learns by experience. The numerous murderous by the creature also shows its development mentally.

He has managed to develop emotions as well, which is why he killed. He didn't like feeling pain and hate by others. The creatures' creation and development is an example of the novels supernatural element. Aside from being a supernatural and eerie, the story of Frankenstein is gothic literature. All the elements of gothic literature are present in the story.

The supernatural, morbid settings, violent events, and radical change certainly all take place in the novel. These elements stimulate the mind as well as enhance the stories very dark and gloomy mood. Frankenstein is a great piece of gothic literature and reigns supreme as a tale of horror.