10 January 2020

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a perfect example of gothic genre.  From the mysterious locations, the dungeons, the lack of detail with the creation of the monster, and the story focusing on death, this piece of literature is a classic example of gothic genre.  I think that death and decay is prominent in the story and stands out as a prime example of gothic nature.  Frankenstein is told through letters and story telling.  A ship's captain, Robert Walton, recounts the story of Victor Frankenstein to his sister.  Death is surrounded by mystery and this book uses death to keep the reader in suspense.  While at university, Victor becomes consumed with the secret of life, and therefore beating death.  From using decaying body parts to create the monster, to the death of Victor's brother William, the story is dark and gothic.  The monster somehow convinces Victor to create a partner for him, but upon creation Victor realizes the horror he is creating and immediately destroys the new creation.  Once again death is the center of the story as the monster swears revenge on Victor's wedding night since he can not have the female creation. When Victor is married he tries to protect his bride but the monster kills her. Revenge and death become the pinnacle for the ending where Victor hunts the monster but is unsuccessful only to die on Robert Walton's ship.  The ending too revolves around death as the monster is found weeping over Victor's body and he disappears with the reader assuming that he has walked into a cold abyss towards his own death.