Frankenstein Introduction

Mary Shelley

The actual storyline of 'Frankenstein' came from a dream. Mary Shelley was talking with three other writers and they decided they would have a competition to see who could write the best horror story. After thinking for weeks about what her possible storyline could be, Shelley dreamed about a scientist who created life and was horrified by what he created. The dream was partially influenced by the death of Shelley's own child. Then "Frankenstein" was written.

Plot

Victor frankenstein is obsessed with science. while he is at university, he discovers the secret of bringing life to inanimate bodies.

Frankenstein uses his new-found discovery to create a 'man' about eight feet tall using bones and other materials he finds in 'the dissecting-room and the slaughter-house.'

After bringing his creation to life, Frankenstein finds it hideous and is repulsed by it. He runs away, hoping to forget what has happened. This abandonment leaves the monster confused, angry and afraid.

Frankenstein falls ill and is nursed back to health by his friend Henry. He decides to return home and finds out that his brother has been murdered. Frankenstein sees the monster in the woods where his brother was killed, and becomes sure that the monster is the murderer.

Consumed by grief and guilt, Frankenstein retreats into the mountains where he encounters the monster. The monster explains how he has become educated and self-aware by living near a family of humans. The monster relates how, after being treated with hostility by the family, he has sworn vengeance against all humanity and especially his creator.

The monster demands that Frankenstein create a female companion like himself, promising to vanish and never return if his demand is fulfilled. At first Frankenstein agrees, but while he is creating a mate for the monster he becomes horrified when he thinks about the consequences of this action. He tears the half-finished creation apart and infuriates the monster. Chaos ensues.

The most famous film adaptation of the story is 1931's 'Frankenstein', which starred Boris Karloff and inspired a whole range of films including 'Bride of Frankenstein', 'Son of Frankenstein' and 'The ghost of Frankenstein'.

Links to the Gothic Genre

There are certain aspects of the novel which link directly to the elements of gothic literature. These include:

• A protagonist who is isolated either voluntarily or involuntarily. Many people may identify Victor Frankenstein as the protagonist; however, the monster may also be perceived as a protagonist because he is an innocent and good person who is driven into isolation because of society's harshness.

• An atmosphere of mystery and suspense. Shelley presents a series of events which unfold unexpectedly, leaving the reader stunned. She puts the reader in Frankenstein's shoes as he anxiously wonders what new calamity will arise because of the monster.

• Dark and gloomy settings. For example, The monster is brought to life on a 'dreary night of November' with the rain falling 'dismally against the panes'. This description indicates that something bad is about to happen, and we immediately see that Frankenstein is repulsed by his creation which he thought would be physically attractive.

Frankenstein

Although it is clear from the novel that Frankenstein is the name of the man who created the monster, many people refer to the monster itself as 'Frankenstein'.

This may be due to the fact that the creature is not given a name in the novel, being instead identified by words like 'fiend', 'monster', and 'wretch'.

The novel has been adapted a number of times for film and theatre.

1931

since Boris Karloff's portrayal, Frankenstein's monster has almost always been shown as a tall, gruesome figure, often with a square-shaped head and bolts to serve as electrical connectors on his neck. He walks with an awkward, stiff gait (although in the novel he is much faster and more flexible than a normal human being).