How effective is the opening of Frankenstein in establishing the text as Gothic?
The Gothic genre was described by Nancy Kilpatrick as 'an obsession with all things dark and grim...a view of life that incorporates the world of night with the world of day.' The Gothic movement is attributed to the novel 'The Castle of Otranto,' which was subtitled 'a Gothic story.' The genre is important as it aimed to bring a pleasing sort of terror to readers at a time where fiction was largely frowned upon, which brought around a new age of novels and writing.
Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' is widely regarded as one of the best works of Gothic fiction. The novel was first created when Shelley was 18, as a result of a horror writing competition she, her husband and her friend had in Switzerland. 'Frankenstein' was written in response to the Industrial Revolution, which saw technology replacing the jobs of many people. A debate was also happening at the time of the novel which questioned life and whether (or how) it could be created. 'Frankenstein' played into this, as Shelley said that her aim was to 'quicken the beatings of the heart' by using fears of the time to create terror. Though 'Frankenstein' fits the Science Fiction genre, it is firmly rooted in the Gothic.
'Frankenstein' uses a Chinese box structure in the beginning of the novel. Victor's story is being told to Walton, who is then conveying the story back to his sister through a variety of letters. This is effective, as both Walton and Victor are the main protagonists of the story, and so this method allows us to see different viewpoints of the tale. Shelley's use of this structure helps to establish the Gothic genre by giving a chance to introduce the topography whilst creating a sense of doom through Victor's words of warning.
Topography plays a huge part in establishing the novel as Gothic. In the letters, an isolated wasteland which is 'encompassed' in snow is described. This is effective in establishing the text as Gothic as isolation is a key part in the feeling of terror. The reader feels the character's sense of entrapment and therefore anticipates the danger that will surely come from the surroundings. Shelley also uses the idea of unstoppable nature to emphasise the traits that will lead to the character's downfall. The setting is described as a place 'never before imprinted by the foot of man.' This creates a sense of dread, as there must be a reason, a danger, why nobody has dared to go to this land before. Walton's attitude towards this place creates a sense of foreboding, as he seems excited about being in a new place that he can tame, but Shelley simultaneously creates an image of a place that does not welcome discovery. This is very effective in establishing the text as Gothic, as it opens the novel with a setting that is unforgiving, daunting and a danger to the characters. With the context of this novel, people at the time it was written feared 'the other'- places they did not know. By having the story take place in a land that had not been discovered yet, Shelley plays into these fears and is able to create an even greater sense of dread. This continues into the first chapter, which was set in Italy. The fear of 'the other' and of strictly Catholic countries at the time was strong. Shelley uses this to create terror in her audience as they do not know the customs or how civilised the people of these foreign and not-so-often-travelled-to places are. This is another classic feature of Gothic novels, and so works effectively to establish 'Frankenstein' as a work of that genre.
Shelley also uses the idea of women to establish 'Frankenstein' as Gothic in the opening. Women in Gothic Literature usually fit into categories, but Shelley challenges this. Caroline, Frankenstein's mother, in a way, fits into the 'doting mother' category, especially in the way she thought of Victor as her 'idol.' However, with Elizabeth, Caroline becomes less caring and more of a selfish, objectifying character. She refers to Elizabeth as a 'pretty present' for Victor, which places Elizabeth's worth entirely on her looks- a feature often seen in Gothic Literature. As for Elizabeth's character, she is presented as being passive, a 'plaything' for Victor, and the use of many possessive pronouns emphasises this. This again establishes the text as Gothic, as it fits the idea that women are objects to be owned by men - an attitude that existed in the time that 'Frankenstein' was written. Caroline and Elizabeth are largely presented as being victims, what with their similar, tragic pasts and in the way that they were both saved by men. This stereotype fits the Gothic idea of the innocent victim, though Caroline could be argued as something else, and so the opening of 'Frankenstein' is undeniably Gothic in its presentation of women.
Not only the women are used to present 'Frankenstein' as a work of Gothic Literature- the protagonists also fit the stereotypes. Both Victor and Walton have the same obsession with fame. This establishes the double, as Frankenstein asks Walton 'do you share my madness' when they initially meet. This foreshadows Walton's future should he continue on his quest for glory, as Victor had the same ambitions and now it had driven him insane. Victor's tragic past proves that he is shadowed in doom and gloom, which again shows that he is a Gothic protagonist. Death follows Victor's character from an early age, and so this creates a sense that something tragic will eventually happen to him, foreshadowing his downfall. Victor tells Walton that his 'fate is nearly fulfilled,' which shows the character's fate is to eventually end in a terrible way, therefore establishing the text as Gothic as it emphasises not only Victor's melodramatic nature (shared by many Gothic protagonists) but also his inability to avoid what will come to him in the end.
Overall, the opening of Shelley's 'Frankenstein' is very effective in establishing the text as Gothic. The use of topography, characterization and context all combine to create the sense of terror and anticipation that is seen in many Gothic novels. Shelley effectively plays on fears of her time to give the reader the thrilling feeling of terror that she aimed to do so.
