The Gothic Novel Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Gothic Novel

The Gothic Novel Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Gothic Novel § Romantics loved the idea of being terrified § Eerie and supernatural tales popular § Goal: “to make the readers’ blood run cold” § Mary Shelley’s intention in her intro

A “little gothick Castel. ” § Horace Walpole’s castle § Rustic irregularity § Quirky battlements (fortifications for battle) § Overgrown landscaping § Gloriously imperfect § Left in ruins, make it more suitable for the gothic style

Illustration: Walpole’s Castle

Photo: Walpole’s Castle

Making Monsters § Walpole uses home to inspire ghost stories § The Castle of Otranto horror elements illustrate royal family collapse § Home & Writing inspired new genre § Gothic architecture reflected wild, unpredictable aspects of nature § Parallel to human aspirations & failures

Exploring Unseen Evils § Allowed people of age to express sense of helplessness § Revolutions abroad § Industrial revolution § Economic change § Share the age’s suffering, injustice & unseen evils Left: child labor Right: French Revolution

Birth of Frankenstein § Mary Shelley biography § Author’s introduction to the novel § Provide key points

Frankenstein § Plot: protagonist desires to discover the secret of life and ends up creating a monster § Setting: Geneva, Swiss Alps, Ingolstadt, England Scotland, Arctic § Point of view: Shifts between characters —Robert Walton, Frankenstein, monster

Frankenstein’s Journey

Swiss Alps& The Beauty of Nature

Frankenstein’s Characters § § § § Victor Frankenstein The monster Robert Walton Elizabeth Lavenza Henry Clerval Justine Moritz Alphonse Frankenstein William Frankenstein’s CREATURE

Themes, Motifs, Symbols Themes § Dangerous Knowledge § Influence of Nature § Identity of Man vs. Monster § Destructive force of secrecy § Complexity of Storytelling § Inability to control creation § Importance of Friendship Motifs § Passive Women § Abortion Symbols § Light & Fire