Gothic Tropes -Frankenstein - English Lit AS

Setting is a staple for gothic literature particulary obscure locations and miserable weather. Often poor weather foreshadows future,potentially fearful events; this is evident in Frankenstein with the presence of lightening. The sublime refers to the grandeur of nature and how it can be both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Victor's relationship with nature is often positive since it's said to provide him with comfort and yet he defys it when creating the creature, potentially because he no longer fears it.

“I looked upon the sea, it was to be my grave” ,"a few shattered pines scattered around" ,"pouring in torrents", "the mighty alps", "roarings", " power might as omnipotence- i ceased to fear"  and "appaling landscape".

Setting and Landscape are evident in 'The mysteries of Udolpho', ' Dracula' and 'Wuthering Heights'.

Shelley could have used this feature to indicate the nature of scientific advancements such as Galvansim (on both humans and animals).

The Supernatural can refer to anything that is unhuman but can be defined as anything that cannot be explained scientifically or otherwise. It is featured heavily in the Gothic genre from Ghosts in 'The Monk' and vampires in numerous gothic novels. In many ways, Shelley's creation is 'supernatural' as it acts as a inhuman manner and can only be explained by Victor who often in denial about his existence entirley.

"I am malicious because I am miserable", "supernatural force" , "gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by pain",  "contortions too horrible for human eyes", "gigantic in stature, yet uncouth and distorted in its proportions" and "the miserable monster".

Whilst the inclusion of a supernatural villian-hero is typically gothic Shelley very much intended her creature to be supernatural since she envisioned him in her dream as a " hideous phantasm of a man" and was famously intended to be used in a ghost story contest between herself, Percy and Lord Byron. The creature is often interpreted as symbolic of the revolution that was sweeping through europe at this time - potentially showing Shelley believed that our differences should be embraced as opposed to ignored by society, suggesting the supernatural is good. Could also be representative of the enlightenment conflict with religion and the idea of there not being a deity or higher power.

Innocence is a prominent theme in much of litearature but particularly in the gothic genre there is a 'damsel in distress' or a weak female character which personfies this trope. Mina is symbollic of this in Dracula and Catherine in Wuthering Heights.

If we follow the stereotype of Innocence, Elizabeth may be the most obvious embodiment of this however, this can also be seen in Justine before she is hanged and William before he is strangeled. The creature himself is essentially a child and is therefore innocent despite Victor's degrading description of him - therefore Frankenstein is a tale of loss of innocence rather than presence of it.  Futhermore, it could be said that Victor lost his innocence to Scientific pursuit.

"my soul glowed with love and humanity", "The innocent and helpless creature", "insensible to the charms of nature", "misfortune...tainted my mind", "celestial stamp" and "lesson of patience, of charity, and self-control".

Shelley might've wanted to explore the loss of innocence as a refelction on her own infidelity - or Percy's rather. Given her experience with children she may have wanted to explore childlike innocence and how that fades, and as a pioneering feminist innocence that is typical of females.

Isolation can be seen in a number of ways throughout but most prodominently through the creature who is isolated by society without choice or also in Victor who purposley isolated himself in the pursuit of science. Isolation in many cases can cause people to love their sense of what is morally right and wrong and therefore become evil.

"no money,no friends, no kind of property", "I am malicous because I am miserable", " Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?",  "I bitterly feel the want of a friend", "even you turned from me in disgust?" and "an unfortunate and deserted creature".

Shelley could use isolation in exploration of the isolation she once felt before Percy and as a child without a mother. The families controversial views could've left them as outcasts for a long while before they were widley accepted. Alternativley, this could be linked to how Shelley lost her child.

Madness or Insanity refers to not being in a stable state of mind. This has been continually used throughout the early gothic genre into twentieth century gothic. Examples include, The Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and obviously Frankenstein.

"unusual spirits", "wildness in my eyes", "my disturbed imagination", "ravings of a madman", "enthusiastic madness" and "how very ill you appear".

Shortly after the creation of the creature Victor hullucinates that his mother lies dead in his arms when just seconds before it was his darling Elizabeth, before this we can assume that victor is insane and this only confirms it.

Shelley's portrayl of the 'mad scientist' could be indicative of what she thought of scientists of this era who were carrying out experiments that were rumoured to be morally irreprehensible. She could be assuming that the only reason anyone would want to carry out such immoral experiments is because of insanity.

Revenge in Frankenstein is a vicious circle between the creature and his creator- The creature curses his creator and demands he make another but Victor does not and so the creature seeks revenge over and over; to justify this he will "ravish" his from his "happiness forever".

Other gothic novels that explore revenge include: The House of Ortranto, Dracula and of course Frankenstein.

"revenge burst all bounds of moderation", ""Cursed, cursed creator!", "feelings were those of rage and revenge", "but revenge remains-revenge", "temporary fullfillment... revenge" and "I am satisfied".

Could again link to the unrest in France and the proletariat seeking revenge and justice from the ruling class.