Gothic Exploration and Moral Ambiguity in Frankenstein

" The breakdown of boundaries and exploration of what is forbidden is demonstrated by Frankenstein's ambition to create life. This also shows us how Robert Walton's isolation is self imposed and shows us how ambition represses you. The breakdown of boundaries and exploration of what is forbidden is revealed by Frankenstein's aspiration to create life. "Life and death appeared to be my ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. " This is customary in gothic literature and is showing the characteristics of Victor Frankenstein.

Mary uses a gruesome description of the character in order to create a gothic image. '... so hideous as that wretch... ' and '... now that I finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart'. These quotes indicate that the monster was so ugly that even its own creator couldn't bear to look at it, in actual fact the monster's creator was ashamed by what he had created.

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It also shows that Victor had spent so much time and effort in trying to create life and now that he had, he was devastated.

"He approached; his countenance bespoke anguish, combined with disdain and malignity, while its unearthly ugliness rendered it almost too horrible for human eyes. " This line results in the reader having an atmosphere of fear and horror and therefore making the reader venerable. The struggle involving Frankenstein and the Monster raises many questions. It is not clearly stated the Monster is evil however he is perceived and believed to be the evil one by his gruesome and grotesque description.

This would result in Frankenstein being good.

Although the first image attempts the reader to feel these views its only after you have completed and understood the book that you realize the good is actually the Monster and the evil is Frankenstein. Mary Shelley uses emotive language to try and provoke reaction from the reader or viewer. "I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces and triumph; remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities me?

" Mary Shelley is appealing to the sympathy and compassion of the reader to create a sense of integrity about the Monster. The Monster also uses this quote to try and convince Frankenstein to create a female version of the Monster. Mary Shelley also uses adjectives and adverbs to intensify the character's feelings. "... in the last moments of my existence I feel that burning hatred and ardent desire of revenge I once expressed, but I feel justified in desiring the death of my adversary. "

This is one of Frankenstein's last words in which he expresses why he wanted to kill the Monster and chase after it, which was to save the human race as a whole and to do the correct thing. This line also shows how deep and unbearable Frankenstein's feelings were towards the Monster. In gothic genre if a character can't express themselves they will be explained and showed in a dream. Frankenstein can't express his feelings in chapter five. They are expressed in the dream he has. Frankenstein's dream symbolizes the contrast between the life he has created and his feelings about it.

'... but as I imprinted my first kiss on her lips, they became livid with hue death... ' By Frankenstein dream we realize that he has instead of changing death to life, changed life to death. What is meant by this is that although he has created a monster to life, he knows realizes what a catastrophe it really is and wants to neglect his creation. This dream produces an image of death which consequently shocks and exposes the reader. Gothic genre usually relates its main plot towards life and death.

There are an overwhelming amount of deaths in 'Frankenstein' which starts with the murder of William (Frankenstein's younger brother) and leads to the murders of Justine (the Frankenstein's servant but is treated as part of the family), Clerval (Victor's friend), Elizabeth (Victor's wife/ adopted sister) and the death of Frankenstein's mother and father. The words Mary Shelley use shows life and death. "... I wandered like an evil spirit. " These are Frankenstein's feelings after he hears about the death of William and Justine. This shows us that he knows what he has created is responsible for their death.

Gothicism was a segment of the Romantic Movement in the late eighteenth century. Frankenstein maybe principally Gothic, but it has considerable links with the Romantic Movement. "These sublime and magnificent scenes afforded me the greatest consolation that I was capable of receiving. They elevated me from all littleness of feeling, and although they did not remove my grief, they subdued and tranquilized it. " This quote signifies the way in which Frankenstein was able to seek refuge in nature, the sublime surroundings of the Alps and the healing power it had on him.