The Art of Gothic Literature: An Analysis of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Abstract
This article examines Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as an example of Gothic literature. The author analyzes the novel's themes, characters, and literary devices to explore how Shelley uses Gothic elements to create a complex and emotionally resonant work. The article also delves into the historical and cultural context in which the novel was written, highlighting the influence of Romanticism and Enlightenment philosophy. Ultimately, the article argues that Frankenstein is a masterpiece of Gothic literature that continues to captivate readers and inspire new interpretations. In "The Art of Gothic Literature: An Analysis of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein," the author examines Shelley's famous novel and its contribution to the Gothic literary tradition. The article explores the novel's themes, including the dangers of scientific progress, the limits of human knowledge, and the consequences of playing god. The author also analyzes the novel's structure, characterization, and use of symbolism, highlighting the ways in which Shelley draws upon Gothic conventions while also subverting them. Ultimately, the article argues that Frankenstein remains a powerful and influential work of Gothic literature that continues to captivate readers more than two centuries after its publication. This article analyzes Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein" through the lens of gothic literature. The author explores how Shelley incorporates various gothic elements such as supernatural occurrences, grotesque imagery, and emotional intensity to create a dark and unsettling atmosphere. The article also delves into the themes of the novel, including the dangers of playing god and the isolation and alienation experienced by the creature. Through a close reading of the text, the author highlights the literary techniques that Shelley employs to convey these themes and to create a timeless work of gothic literature. Ultimately, the article argues that "Frankenstein" remains a relevant and powerful example of the gothic genre due to its ability to evoke fear, explore complex themes, and showcase the artistry of its author.
References
Bloom, H. (2008). Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Infobase Publishing.
Bolton, M. S. (2014). Monstrous Machinery: Defining Posthuman Gothic. Aeternum: The Journal of Contemporary Gothic Studies, 1(1), 1-15.
Craighead, A., & Thomson, J. (2016). Monsters of the Machine. Monsters of the Machine.
Ginn, S. (2003). Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Science, science fiction, or autobiography. In Proceedings of the 20th International Literature and Psychology Conference (pp. 1-8). Retrieved from http://www.clas.ufl.edu/ipsa/2003/ginn.html
Hindle, M. (1993). Introduction. Dracula. Stoker, Bram: Dracula. Penguin Classics.
Hunter, J. P. (1996). Mary Shelley, Frankenstein.
Hustis, H. (2003). Responsible creativity and the" modernity" of Mary Shelley's Prometheus. SEL Studies in English Literature 1500-1900, 43(4), 845-858. https://doi.org/10.1353/sel.2003.0040
Linkin, H. K. (1993). Anne K. Mellor's" Romanticism & Gender"(Book Review). Studies in Romanticism, 32(3), 464. https://doi.org/10.2307/25601025
Mellor, A. K. (1988). A feminist critique of science. Frankenstein: Mary Shelley. Ed. Fred.
Miles, R. (2007). Eighteenth-century gothic. In The Routledge Companion to Gothic (pp. 24-32). Routledge.
Moers, E. (1976). Literary women. Doubleday.
Shelley, M. (1818). Frankenstein. London: Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, and Jones. Romantic Circles Electronic Editions, 16, 2015.
Smith, A. (Ed.). (2014). Victorian Gothic: An Edinburgh Companion. Edinburgh University Press.
Wright, A. (2007). Gothic fiction: A reader's guide to essential criticism. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-03991-0
Wright, A. (2007). Scottish Gothic. In The Routledge Companion to Gothic (pp. 87-96). Routledge.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright for this article is retained by the author(s), with first publication rights granted to the journal.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
