Week 1: Frankenstein and the Gothic

In Mary Shelly's novel, "Frankenstein", there are many gothic aspects. Dark settings play a major role in setting the mood throughout the entire story. Even words like, dreary, black, and dark, add to the mood and sets up the scene as well as foreshadows that what is to come is darkness and evil. The use of lighting also tells us that darkness is all around. The idea of a single candle that is about to be burnt out shows that there is no real light to look at for life and hope. Mary Shelly especially uses the moon as a great example of a light that possess evil. By comparing the monsters yellow skin and the moon's yellowish hue, Shelly alludes to the moon as representing a thing of death and evil. This sets up a connection that readers make between the moon and the monster. Setting plays a big part in giving away the gothic theme of the novel. In the beginning of the story, the setting takes place in the North Pole; a secluded, isolated place that sets up a mysterious mood. The use of extreme weather and landscapes shows us horrible things are happening and will continue to happen. Other gothic aspects of the novel include decay, madness, and supernatural powers.