Literary Elements in Frankenstein

Setting

The setting in Frankenstein is an essential element. Shelley creates a dark, foreboding atmosphere through her descriptions of the desolate landscapes and eerie weather conditions. The story takes place in the late 18th century, primarily in Switzerland and England. Shelley uses the setting to reflect the characters' moods and emotions, especially Victor Frankenstein's sense of isolation and despair.

"I feel my heart glow with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven, for nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose - a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye." (Victor Frankenstein, Chapter 4) - This quote shows how the setting of the natural world around Victor helps to calm his mind and inspire him to pursue his scientific ambitions.

One of the most memorable settings in Frankenstein is the creation scene. Victor Frankenstein's laboratory is described as a place of "unhallowed arts," where he brings his monster to life. The setting is dark and ominous, with the only light coming from flickering candles. This scene is crucial to the novel as it marks the turning point for Victor and his creation.

Another important setting is the Arctic landscape, where the novel's final confrontation takes place. Shelley uses the icy wasteland to convey the sense of isolation and hopelessness that both Victor and his creation feel. The cold and barren surroundings are symbolic of the characters' emotional state, highlighting their ultimate failure to connect with others and find a sense of purpose.

Tone & Mood

The mood and tone of Frankenstein are predominantly dark and melancholic. Shelley creates a gothic atmosphere that pervades the novel, with her descriptions of the eerie settings and horrific events that occur throughout the story. The tone is one of despair and isolation, as the characters struggle to come to terms with the consequences of their actions.

The mood of the novel is one of foreboding, with a sense of impending doom that hangs over the characters. Shelley uses the weather to create a mood of unease, with descriptions of storms and lightning adding to the sense of danger and chaos.
However, there are moments of hope and lightness in the novel, especially in the character of Elizabeth. Her gentle nature and love for Victor provide a contrast to the dark mood that dominates much of the story. Nevertheless, these moments of lightness are short-lived, and the overall tone of the novel remains one of tragedy and despair.

"Winter, spring, and summer passed away during my labours; but I did not watch the blossom or the expanding leaves - sights which before always yielded me supreme delight - so deeply was I engrossed in my occupation." (Victor Frankenstein, Chapter 4) - This quote shows the serious and obsessive tone and mood of Victor as he pursues his work, ignoring the beauty of nature around him.

Point of view

In Frankenstein, the point of view is a mixture of first-person and third-person perspectives. The novel begins with the letters from Robert Walton to his sister, which are written in a first-person narrative. This approach allows the reader to gain insight into Walton's thoughts and feelings, as well as his initial encounter with Victor Frankenstein.

The rest of the novel “Frankenstein” is told using Victor's first-person perspective, allowing the reader to understand his motivations and experiences in creating the monster. This perspective is critical to understanding the novel's themes of ambition and dangerous knowledge, as the reader is given a direct insight into Victor's mindset and the consequences of his actions.

"I also became a poet and for one year lived in a paradise of my own creation; I imagined that I also might obtain a niche in the temple where the names of Homer and Shakespeare are consecrated." (Victor Frankenstein, Chapter 2) - This quote shows the first-person point of view of Victor as he describes his own thoughts and experiences.

The monster's perspective is also shown through his own narrative, which is a first-person account of his experiences. This approach allows the reader to empathize with the creature, as he struggles to find his place in a world that rejects him. The monster's narrative also adds a layer of complexity to the novel's themes of isolation and revenge.

Overall, the use of multiple perspectives allows the reader to gain a nuanced understanding of the novel's characters and their motivations. By switching between different points of view, Shelley creates a sense of complexity that adds to the novel's enduring appeal.

Literary Techniques

Symbols

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a novel filled with symbolism that enhances the overall theme of the story. The use of symbols in Frankenstein serves as a way to represent complex ideas and emotions, and it adds a layer of depth and complexity to the characters and their actions. The following are some examples of symbols used in the novel:

1. The Creature: The creature that Victor Frankenstein creates can be seen as a symbol of the consequences of unchecked ambition and desire. The creature is a reflection of Victor's obsession with creating life, and his inability to understand the consequences of his actions. It is also a symbol of the danger of playing God, and how the pursuit of knowledge can lead to unintended consequences.
2. Light and Darkness: Throughout the novel, there is a recurring motif of light and darkness. Light is often used to represent knowledge, discovery, and the pursuit of truth, while darkness represents ignorance, fear, and uncertainty. For example, when Victor first brings the creature to life, he is surrounded by "a gleam of light" which symbolizes his moment of triumph. Conversely, when the creature is rejected by society, he is forced to live in darkness and isolation.
3. Fire: Fire is a powerful symbol in Frankenstein. It can represent both destruction and creation. For example, when the creature first comes to life, Victor describes the moment as a "miracle of rare device," and it is accompanied by a "flash of lightning" and "a spark of fire." However, fire can also represent destruction, such as when the creature burns down the DeLacey's cottage in a fit of rage.
4. Nature: Nature is an important symbol in Frankenstein, representing both the beauty and the danger of the natural world. Throughout the novel, Shelley emphasizes the sublime beauty of nature, using descriptions of mountains, lakes, and other natural features to create a sense of wonder and awe. However, nature can also be dangerous, as when Victor becomes lost in the Arctic wilderness and faces death from exposure.

Overall, the use of symbolism in Frankenstein helps to enrich the story and add layers of meaning to the characters and their actions. By using symbols to represent complex ideas and emotions, Shelley creates a world that is both mysterious and deeply thought-provoking. In Frankenstein, symbols serve as a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge and the desire for power can have unintended consequences, and that we must be mindful of the dangers that lurk in the shadows.

Imagery

In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley utilizes vivid imagery to evoke the emotional and sensory experiences of the characters and the setting. Shelley uses imagery to create a sense of the ominous and gothic in the novel.

One of the prominent images that Shelley uses is the imagery of light and dark. Light represents knowledge and discovery, while dark represents the unknown and mystery. The contrast between light and dark serves as a recurring motif in the novel. In chapter 3, Victor describes his fascination with the study of natural philosophy, saying "As I looked upon him, his countenance expressed the utmost extent of malice and treachery. I thought with a sensation of madness on my promise of creating another like to him, and trembling with passion, tore to pieces the thing on which I was engaged" (Shelley 35). The imagery of light and dark also appears in the description of the monster, as Victor sees him as a "catastrophe" and "a thing such as even Dante could not have conceived" (Shelley 57).

Another image that Shelley uses is the icy landscape. The icy landscape represents the isolation and barrenness of the setting. The ice also serves to symbolize the coldness of the characters' emotions, particularly Victor's lack of warmth towards his creation. In chapter 10, Victor describes the desolate landscape he encounters on his journey, saying "The descent is precipitous, but the path is cut into continual and short windings, which enable you to ease your step frequently...the surface was covered by a vast quilt of snow" (Shelley 93).

The imagery of the sublime is also used frequently in the novel. Shelley uses the sublime to evoke a sense of awe and wonder, as well as fear and dread. The sublime can be seen in the depiction of the monster, who is described as "taller than man or any other species of animal...his limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful...but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes...his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips" (Shelley 56). The sublime can also be seen in the descriptions of the natural landscape, such as in the quote "The whole village was roused; some fled, some attacked me, until, grievously bruised by stones and many other kinds of missile weapons, I escaped to the open country and fearfully took refuge in a low hovel, quite bare, and making a wretched appearance after the palaces I had beheld in the village" (Shelley 92).

To sum up, Shelley's use of imagery in Frankenstein plays a significant role in creating a vivid and haunting world for the reader to explore. Her use of light and dark, icy landscapes, and the sublime all contribute to a sense of fear and dread, as well as a sense of wonder and awe. By using these images, Shelley creates a sense of mystery and foreboding that permeates the entire novel.

Allusions

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a rich and complex novel that is full of allusions to other literary works, historical events, and cultural movements. Shelley's use of allusions is a key part of the novel's power, as it deepens the meaning of the text and situates it within a broader cultural context.

One of the most important allusions in the novel is the reference to Milton's Paradise Lost. The creature reads the epic poem and identifies with the character of Satan, who is also an outcast and rejected by his creator. The creature's identification with Satan is a powerful allusion that highlights the theme of the novel, which is the dangers of playing God and the consequences of rejecting what is created. This allusion also shows the creature's intelligence and sensitivity, as he is capable of understanding and appreciating great works of literature.

Another important allusion in the novel is the reference to the myth of Prometheus. Prometheus was a Greek god who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans, which enraged the gods and led to his punishment. This allusion is significant because it connects the novel to a much older mythological tradition that explores the consequences of ambition and the dangers of trying to play God. The allusion also highlights the theme of the novel, as Victor's ambition and desire to create life is similar to Prometheus' theft of fire.

Shelley also uses allusions to cultural and historical events to situate the novel within a broader context. For example, the novel's subtitle, "The Modern Prometheus," situates the novel within the cultural and intellectual ferment of the early nineteenth century, which saw rapid advances in science, technology, and industry. This allusion suggests that the novel is a warning against the dangers of unchecked progress and the hubris of those who seek to control nature.
Another allusion in Frankenstein is the reference to the French Revolution. The novel was written in the aftermath of the Revolution, which was a time of great upheaval and social change. Shelley's use of the Revolution as a backdrop for the novel highlights the theme of social injustice and the consequences of neglecting the needs of the marginalized and oppressed. The allusion also suggests that the novel is a critique of the social and political structures of the time, which were marked by inequality and injustice.

In conclusion, Mary Shelley's use of allusions in Frankenstein is a powerful and effective literary device that deepens the meaning of the novel and situates it within a broader cultural context. These allusions make the novel a complex and multi-layered work that continues to resonate with readers today.

Writing Style

Mary Shelley's writing style in Frankenstein is characterized by its use of vivid, descriptive language, its exploration of complex themes and ideas, and its emphasis on the emotional and psychological experiences of its characters.

One of the most striking aspects of Shelley's writing style in Frankenstein is her use of language to create vivid and memorable images. For example, she often uses elaborate metaphors and similes to describe the natural world, such as when she writes that "the moon gazed on my midnight labours, while, with unrelaxed and breathless eagerness, I pursued nature to her hiding-places" (Chapter 4). This use of figurative language helps to create a rich and immersive world for the reader, one that is full of sensory details and vivid descriptions.

Next, Shelley's writing style in Frankenstein is characterized by its focus on the emotional and psychological experiences of its characters. Rather than simply using her characters as vessels for plot and action, she delves deeply into their inner lives, exploring their fears, desires, and motivations in great detail. For example, when the creature first comes to life, he is overwhelmed by fear and confusion, and struggles to make sense of his surroundings. As he gradually learns more about the world and the people in it, he becomes increasingly aware of his own isolation and alienation, and begins to grapple with questions of identity and belonging. This emphasis on the emotional and psychological experiences of the characters helps to create a sense of depth and complexity that is central to Shelley's writing style in Frankenstein.

Additionally, Mary Shelley's writing style in Frankenstein is heavily influenced by the Gothic literary tradition. The Gothic genre is characterized by dark, mysterious, and supernatural elements that evoke feelings of horror, fear, and suspense. Shelley masterfully employs several Gothic elements in her novel to create an eerie and unsettling atmosphere.

One of the most prominent Gothic elements in Frankenstein is the setting. The novel takes place in bleak and desolate landscapes, such as the icy wastelands of the Arctic and the secluded mountains of Switzerland. These settings are often described in vivid detail, with Shelley using sensory language to create an ominous and foreboding mood. For example, when Victor Frankenstein is creating his monster, he describes the laboratory as "a solitary chamber, or rather cell, at the top of the house, and separated from all the other apartments by a gallery and staircase" (Chapter 4). This isolated and enclosed space emphasizes the unnaturalness of Victor's experiment and adds to the Gothic tone of the novel.

Another important Gothic element in Frankenstein is the use of supernatural and mysterious occurrences. The creation of the monster itself is a supernatural event, and throughout the novel, there are many other instances of the supernatural, such as the monster's ability to move undetected and his incredible strength. Additionally, Shelley uses mysterious events and coincidences to create a sense of unease and uncertainty. For example, the recurring dream that Victor has of his dead mother's corpse foreshadows the death and destruction that will follow his creation of the monster.

The Gothic genre also often includes themes of madness and obsession, and Frankenstein is no exception. Victor Frankenstein becomes increasingly obsessed with his creation, neglecting his health, relationships, and responsibilities in his pursuit of knowledge and power. The monster, too, is consumed by his own madness, seeking revenge on his creator and causing destruction wherever he goes.

Shelley's use of Gothic elements in Frankenstein also serves to highlight the novel's underlying themes of isolation, power, and mortality. The bleak and isolated settings emphasize the characters' loneliness and separation from society, while the supernatural occurrences and themes of obsession and madness underscore the dangers of unchecked power and the frailty of human existence.

In summary, Mary Shelley's writing style in Frankenstein is marked by its use of vivid, descriptive language, its exploration of complex themes and ideas, and its focus on the emotional and psychological experiences of its characters. Additionally, Mary Shelley's use of Gothic elements in Frankenstein adds to the novel's atmosphere of terror and suspense, while also contributing to its themes and messages.