Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - Essay Example

The plot of the story plays a significant role in presenting the gothic aspect of the novel. Frankenstein succeeds in his aim when he creates a human, but when sees the outcome of his experiment, he is utterly disappointed. When the live human comes out of the machine his monster like appearance makes Victor to abhor his creation. “When I thought of him, I gnashed my teeth, my eyes became inflamed, and I ardently wished to extinguish that life which I had so thoughtlessly made.” (Shelly 100).

The monster disappears and then reappears in Geneva killing Victor's brother, William Frankenstein and that sets off a series of killings, leading to a tragic end for all characters. Victor creates a female or romantic companion for the Monster, so they can live together. However, he kills that female companion, fearing about the repercussions of that creation. Monster as a form of revenge cut shorts Victor’s romance by killing his lover and bride, Victoria on the wedding night. Thus, the romance of both Victor and Monster faces violent and tragic ends, due to the actions of each other.

The existence of supernatural being in the form of Monster and its destructive powers which results in the tragic end to the romantic affairs of both the Monster and Victor, brings forth the elements of gothic romance. The other gothic convention utilized in the novel is the gloomy manner in which the nature is depicted. The descriptions of natural settings throughout the novel follow the genre of Gothic Romance. When Victor decides to bring an end to the ruin caused by the monster created by him, he follows the monster in the icy regions of the Arctic.

In course of his chase, the nature is described by him and the monster in a way which terrifies the human mind.  The monster’s inscriptions in the bark of the trees reveal the extreme nature prevalent in the region, he is heading for. “Follow me; I seek the everlasting ices of the north, where you feel the misery of cold and frost, to which I am impassive.” (Shelley 244). Nature is presented in its darkest aspects, as it brings hardships to human beings and terrorizes their mind. Nature made it more difficult for Victor to pursue the monster.

The structure of the novel also adheres to the form of Gothic Romance. The story in the novel is presented through letters and journal entries, which was a common aspect in various Gothic romances.    The work Frankenstein is a Gothic romance which incorporates some elements of science fiction as well. The creation of a human being by Victor in the novel resembles the workings of a science fiction. Shelley is influenced by the political turmoil that prevailed during her time and her experience of this unrest is reflected in the character of Victor and plot of the novel.

A scientific experiment causes a serious of horrific events in the novel. “Frankenstein's brilliance created a new organism-his abandonment, however, created a monster.” (Shackleford). The monster that is brought to life by a scientist evokes fear and lends Gothic effect to the novel. Victor, who creates the monster, is tormented by his own creation. “Frankenstein’s monster stands for technology that runs out of control out of control, that destroys its human creature.” (Potts & Murphie 99).

Science fictions depict scientific