Frankenstein Book Review
The gothic novel Frankenstein (Mary Shelley, 1818) is about a Swiss man, Victor Frankenstein, who was obsessed with natural philosophy, so much that he one day created a monster from body parts he had collected. That monster soon killed Frankenstein’s two brothers and wife and swore revenge on Frankenstein for creating him because he was seen as a monster. In the end, when Frankenstein died, the monster hung above his body, saddened by his own wrongdoings and the death of his creator.
Gothic fiction usually contains horror, supernatural beings, death, and sometimes romance. This novel contains all of these, which can be seen from all the murders in the story and the horrors that the characters felt when they saw the supernatural being, the monster. It also contains Byronic romance. The main character is deeply obsessed with science and philosophy to the point of attempting to create life. Despite these traits, he was able to find love.
Frankenstein and the monster are both the main characters in the novel. Shelly’s description of Frankenstein is limited and usually presented as clues throughout the book. For example, it is mentioned that he is European which implies that he is white and has light-colored hair and eyes. His inner traits are that he is selfish, stubborn, intelligent, and diligent. Victor’s hesitation to confront the monster implies his conflicted emotions…
