Gothic Group 1 (1st Half of Frankenstein) Yun Jae Min, Rose Wu, Jasmine Xiong, Nancy Wu

Gothic Art

Gothic art - a style of Medieval art that developed

in Northern France out of Romanesque art and
lasted from the mid-12th century to as late as the
end of the 16th century in some areas, led by the
concurrent development of Gothic architecture.
Gothic art had religious roots, but secular
themes became more prevalent over time
Still, a large proportion of the art was religious
(commissions from the church/laity) - showing
stories of New/Old Testament
The Gothic style was extreme and intended to
invoke a strong emotional response, such as awe,
pity, compassion, and fear. It had a crude,
grotesque quality that contrasted with the
naturalistic and idealistic aspects of the Classical
style that preceded it.
The Miracle of the Child Falling From the
Balcony by Simone Martini shows an example of
the gloomy themes depicted in Gothic art.

Similarities in Gothic Art and Frankenstein

With the emergence of Gothic art, secular
themes became more prevalent in artwork than
it was in the past; however, there were still a
larger proportion of religious art than secular
art.
This is similar to the scientific and social
revolution that existed during Mary Shelleys time.
Science challenged religious authority and radical
ideas dominated politics. These radical ideas are
represented in Frankenstein.
Victor challenges God by creating a new
species (44) himself.
What had been the study and desire of wisest
men since the creation of the world was now within
my grasp (43) Victor believes that he has Gods
power
This was indeed a godlike science (94)
infusing life into an inanimate body (47)
The monster also represents revolutionary ideas
in its hostility towards authority (its creator)
You accuse me of murder; and yet you would
[...] destroy your own creature. (84)
I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the
fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no
misdeed. (84)
^The creature refers to Frankenstein as God, and
scolds him for failing to create a safe, nourishing
environment for the being he created with his own
hands
Grotesque features can be seen in both Gothic
Art and Frankenstein. Furthermore, both have
the ability to invoke strong emotions to its
audience.
Frankenstein creates a creature with monstrous
qualities. In fact, humans that see him shriek,
fle[e], and even attack him (90).
Now that I had finished, the beauty of the
dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust
filled my heart (47)
The creature, despite his appearance, is capable
of earning the audiences sympathy with his
inherent goodness. He admires the perfect forms
(96) of the cottagers he observes and learns from.
When people around him constantly shun him,
he questions himself, What was I? (103),
evoking the readers compassion.
"I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love
and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone?
You, my creator, abhor me; what hope can I gather
from your fellow-creatures, who owe me nothing?
(84)
This trait of kindness moved me sensibly.
(94)
The words induced me to turn towards myself
(102)
Was I then a monster, a blot upon the earth
from which all men fled, and whom all men
disowned? (102)

The Supernatural

- A recurring theme used in Gothic

literature, films, etc., often for dramatic
effect
- Gothic style saw the use of the
Supernatural to create dramatic, amazing
events which were usually unexplainable,
used for surprise

Ghosts, monsters, inanimate

objects coming to life, etc.

Frankensteins creature
possessed amazing strength
and intelligence, and a
terrifying appearance
- Female Gothic saw the technique of the
supernatural explained. Supernatural events
were not considered as something of magic
or enchantment, rather of things that do not
seem to overstep the boundaries of nature
-We must not hear no more of enchanted
forests and castles, giants, dragons, walls of
fire and other monstrous and prodigious
things; - yet still forests and castles remain,
and it is still within the province of fiction,
without overstepping the limits of nature, to
make use of them for the purpose of
creating surprise - 18th c. Monthly Review
- Supernatural events in Female Gothic
explore the limits of nature

All events have natural

explanations; not like magic
Events likely impossible in real
life, but are supported by
logic
This potential realism is
perhaps what made it more
scary and surprising
Relates to Mary Shelleys use
of lightning to bring life to the
creature, and the introduction
of galvanism during that time

Shelley was influenced by

discussions of the nature of
life, she states that her story is
exempt from the
disadvantages of a mere tale of
spectres or enchantment
(preface)
- The idea of the supernatural could not be
clearly defined

Due to its ambiguity, it became

an appealing term to be used to
support hoaxes that promoted
unexplained phenomena
- The supernatural was also closely linked
with Spiritualism
- The idea of the supernatural aided
spiritualists to believe in creatures like
ghosts, and other phenomena
- Involved communication with the dead

Relates to Shelleys fascination

with bringing the dead back to
life, as seen with the creation
of the creature out of deady
body parts; reanimation

Elements of Gothic Literature

Gothic Architecture and Setting

Gothic fiction - characterized by elements of fear,

horror, death, and gloom, as well as romantic
elements, such as extreme and even
overwrought emotions. A Gothic novel is designed
to be pleasurable terrifying - to thrill the reader
with fantastic and frightening events.

The Original Gothic Architecture:

Gothic initially referred to a style of architecture that
developed in response to architectural problems with
the Romanesque style in medieval Europe
The Gothic style was perfect for churches because
technical advances made it possible for taller structure
that could literally reach for the heavens
The bright windows and airy interior emphasized
light and height, and transferred churches into more
pleasant and majestic environments
When people saw the transformation of Gothic
architecture, building programs began across Europe.
Aside from churches and cathedrals, the Gothic style
was also applied on castles, forts, and monasteries
^ The castles often contained labyrinths of dark
corridors, cellars, and tunnelsevoking horror,
suspense, and gloom
Gothic Architecture and the Gothic Novel:
In the 1700s, the word gothic acquired a new
meaning: the new genre of novels
Novelist Horace Walpole novelThe Castle of
Oranto, was the first gothic novel.
It was set in a spooky castle filled with creaking
doors, dark corners, ghostly footsteps, and hidden
passageways
Authors loved the imagery of an old castle: once
full of life and vitality, but now only a place of
decayed grandeur
Since then, Gothic novels were often set in ruins of
old castles, and written to conjure up images of
mysterious, decaying old buildings where dark secrets
laid hidden for hundreds of years
Gothic Architecture, which was originally intended to
be bright and inspiring, took on a 2nd meaning:
frightening and mysterious places where strange events
take place
Influence of Gothic Architecture on setting
Gothic architecture inspired a general setting of
gloom and isolation (not restricted to a building)
Faraway or mysterious places in the natural
environment also became popular settings of gothic
novels
In addition to the physical setting, architecture can be
used as metaphors for the mind--Gothic settings
provide an psychological extension to the character
and behavior
Architecture in Frankenstein
Mary Shelleys Frankenstein mostly takes place in
isolated or mysterious natural environments--Gods
architecture: isolated home in Geneva, summit of
Montanvert, Ingolstadt, hut in Scotland, the Arctic
^ Not only do these settings establish the general
depressing atmosphere, they also contribute to our
understanding of the characters and plot
Setting-- reflecting inner emotions
Frankenstein passes his childhood in a secluded
home in Geneva, and as a result he is unwilling to
attach himself to too many people
It was my temper to avoid a crowd and to attach
myself fervently to a few (29)
Setting -- Foreshadowing
The University of Ingolstadt: he is so absorbed in
his studies he does not pay a single visit back to
Geneva, despite previously shown to be a caring son.
His intense obsession with his studies foreshadows a
calamitous turn of fate
Settings-- influence emotions
After Justines execution, Frankenstein ascends to
the summit of Montanvert by himself. This event
shows nature can produce healing effects when
unnatural occurrences are tormenting the mind-Frankenstein feels tranquility
My heart, which was before sorrowful, now swelled
with something like joy (83)
The presence of another would destroy the solitary
grandeur of the scene (82)
Settings-- represent a state of mind
Frankenstein shakes off his friend Clerval and
creates the 2nd monster on an isolated island in
Scotland. He is determined to shoulder the burdens of
his crime by himself
there were but three miserable huts (139)
Having parted from my friend, I determined to visit
some remote spot of Scotland and finish my work in
solitude (139)
The final chase happens in the Arctic, an
unexplored and isolated area where Frankenstein is
truly separated from the rest of humanity
I was left drifting on a scattered piece of ice (176)
symbol for his state

Frankenstein is infused with elements of Gothic

fiction.

1. A dark, ominous, mysterious, and suspenseful

atmosphere.
- ... the moon gazed on my midnight labour (44)
- ... in a solitary cell, at the top of the house
separated from all the other apartments by a gallery
and staircase (44)
- It was on a dreary night of November that I
beheld the accomplishment of my toils (47)
2. Extreme landscapes and weather, and
Romantic aspects of nature.
-novel begins and ends in the North Pole.
-Victor meets his monster at the glacier summit of
Montanvert.
-Victor seeks solace in nature - ... Alpine valleys,
sought in the magnificence, the eternity of such
scenes (78).
3. Death, decay, darkness and madness.
-Victors obsession with bringing the dead back to
life. His tireless efforts result in creation that brings
darkness and madness upon him.
- To examine the causes of life, we must first have
recourse to death (42) - Victor meddles with death
and revival.
- his eyes have generally an expression of
wildness, and even madness (20) - Waltons
description of Victor.
-The decay of Victors sanity and health and of his
life.
4. Passion driven, willful protagonist.
-Victor was ambitious and driven at a young age immersed himself in his studies tirelessly.
-Victors intense passion and obsession with
restoring life drives him to work feverishly at his
creation.
-The monsters strong will to be accepted by
others. His dedication to gaining knowledge and
insight of the world.
-The monsters emotion driven goal of inflicting
suffering upon his creator.
5. Horrifying events and threats
-Victor is horrified and appalled by his own sickly
creation.
-The monster confronts terrifying situations and
threats - humans are repulsed by him and are a
threat to his life.
-Victors life is filled with horrid events and threats
after he created the monster - the death of his loved
ones, the fear that he cannot control his creation.
-Victor is under constant fear of the monster
creating more pandemonium is his life. He feels the
threat of the monster at all times - cannot find
relief.
- I shall be with you on your wedding night - the
monsters final threat
6. High strung, intense emotions.
-Elizabeth: how shall I ever believe in human
goodness? (70) deep and voiceless grief (72)
eternal woes and tears (77)
-Victor-I was seized by remorse a hell of
intense tortures (76) the extremest agony
sullen despair...intolerable sensations (77-78)
7. Women in distress.
-Elizabeth is anguished by the death of William
and Justine.
-Faints upon seeing the corpse of William, and says
that she shall never see goodness or feel happiness
again.
-Elizabeth needs the comfort and assurance of
Victor to regain emotional sanity.
8. Perverse deeds leading to the downfall of a
character.
-Victors unnatural act of creating life as if he
possesses a higher power leads to the horrendous
fate of his family and his own ruination and death.
9. Supernatural elements.
-Victors deed of bringing about life using the
dead.
-The monsters existence - he is a supernatural
being.
-The monsters supernatural disposition endurance of extreme weathers, super-strength,
super-intelligence.

The eerie setting in gothic novels in derived from

gothic architecture. The natural settings in
Frankenstein help create the isolated and tragic
atmosphere that bothprovides the stage for unnatural
occurrences, and serves as a representation of the
transformations in Frankensteins mental state.

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