Week 1: The Gothic

Week 1: The Gothic

In the first week of my class, everyone had to read Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft. In the lecture we talked about Gothic elements what exactly makes something “gothic” what are the themes that are present in Frankenstein that are gothic?

To start out, the novel takes place in a mysterious castle, filled with rooms that have been unexplored, old, or hidden rooms soon found by the characters. This also includes long stair spirals to lots of unnatural spider webs. Followed by a prophecy, in this case an old discarded journal with instructions on how to bring the dead back to life. With some cases of strange sleep walking or visions. Leading up to Frankenstein being born! A supernatural undead being that can’t be explained.

He is produced in a unnatural way like electrocution. Other themes of gothic include the damsel, an attractive young girl with innocence and a sense of needing protection. Who is pure, and obviously too naïve. In the lighting for the movie, how they play with a shadows, how they scare the viewers. These are all elements that make Frankenstein a gothic classic. Including the witty, main character with who challenges the idea that revival of dead things isn’t possible, with his foolish sidekick. These are all elements of gothic and characterization.