TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU AGREE THAT FRANKENSTEIN IS TYPICALLY GOTHIC NOT ONLY IN ITS VIOLENCE AND THE RADICAL CHALLENGES TO SOCIAL ORDER IT PRESENTS, BUT ALSO IN IT BEING AN EXTREMELY MORAL TALE?
Mary Shelley’s 1931 edition of her gothic novel Frankenstein is often regarded as a transgressive text within Gothic fiction, however many traditionally Gothic elements and themes are retained throughout the text. This includes the incorporation of violence, radical challenges to social order or transgression and the overarching theme of morality, accompanied by a concluding ‘moral teaching’ or lesson. This moral teaching can be interpreted as reflecting Shelley’s own experiences and life in a post French Revolution society, the scientific endeavours taking place around the time of Frankenstein’s construction, such as the practice of Galvanism or even applied to modern instances of moral transgression such as designer babies. With themes of violence and transgression serving as a foundation, the moral nature of Frankenstein as a tale is emphasised further.
Violence appears frequently throughout Frankenstein and is predominately perpetuated by the Creature by way of murder. The creature’s acts of violence are often performed as enactments of revenge upon Frankenstein, for instance the murder of William, Henry Clervall and Elizabeth, however there are instances, such as when the creature burns the house of the DeLacey family, that the creature is simply taking revenge upon mankind. In defence of the violent acts he committed, the creature often blames Frankenstein or emphasises that, “no father had watched my infant days, no mother had blessed me with smiles and caresses,” implying his belief that his moral ignorance was the result of neglect or lack of nurture from Frankenstein as opposed to his nature. As a result of this, the creature makes connections between himself and the character of Satan in Milton’s Paradise Lost after finding and reading the text, stating...