Thompson #2

Although Frankenstein By Mary Shelley is not our 21st century idea of a gothic novel with vampires, werewolves and wizards alike. The gothic themes that run throughout really put it in perspective as the true first gothic/scary novel written in the modern era. During the entire course of the book one telltale sign that it was written in a gothic style were the locations used: creepy castles, lightning storms, blinding rain, boats alone at sea, and spooky labs all gave it the feeling of eeriness and spook. In one instance, in the begging of the boo, the ship that victor is on is stuck at sea, " surrounded by ice, which closed in the ship at all sides, scarcely leaving her the sea room in which she floated. Our situation was somewhat dangerous, especially as we were classed round by a thick fog"(7). From the first 10 pages of this novel Shelley comes in strong developing her tone and writing style and really presenting this book in the way she intended it to be written. In the second portion, up to page 120, Mary Shelley develops her point even further by introducing this animalistic creation as a sort of misunderstood evil that really just wants a place to fit in. Although one might think this theme doesn't fit in with the overall gothic theme is presents the characters as dimensional and the story as more real. For example, in one portion, after he escapes the lab, he is watching a village and seems entranced by whats going in with the villagers, "As yet I looked upon crime as a distant evil; benevolence and generosity were ever-present before me, inciting in me a desire to become an actor in a busy scene where so many admirable qualities were called forth and displayed"(90). This creature is almost hypnotized by these people. But these people who, if given the chance, would kill him are completely unaware of his existence. This way of being arched without seeing is a big part of gothic literature, the idea that some creature is always watching.