This document summarizes how Frankenstein incorporates elements of both Gothic fiction and scientific fiction. It notes that Gothic fiction typically features an innocent heroine suffering at the hands of a cruel villain, using ghosts and supernatural occurrences. Frankenstein includes these elements through the monster acting as the villain disrupting the protagonist's happiness. It also describes the scientific experiment of creating life from gathered body parts as supernatural. Additionally, the document states that Frankenstein can be considered an early example of science fiction by being grounded in science but predicting technological developments and providing social commentary on the nature of science.
1. Topic : Frankenstein is Gothic Scientific
Fiction
Name : Solanki Sardarsinh
Roll No : 26 Semester : 2 Year : 2013-14
Paper 5 : The Romantic Literature
Submitted to:
Smt. S.B.Gardi
Department of English
M.K. Bhavnagar University
2. Gothic Fiction
The Word “Gothic” originally referred to the Goths, Gothic
novel carries a typical story focused on the sufferings
imposed on an innocent heroine by a cruel and lustful villain
and made large quantities use of ghosts, mysterious
disappearances and other sensational and supernatural
occurrences.
The principle aim of any gothic novel is to evoke terror by
exploiting mystery and variety of horrors.
3. Gothic Fiction in Frankenstein
All elements of the gothic novel in Frankenstein.
Monster has been presented as the villain of the protagonist's
happiness. It is the most striking elements of any gothic novel
which is completely applied in this novel.
By the use of little known technology
Victor gathers the bodily parts of his
experiments he creates monster .
4. The entire plot structure is dominated by the activities of the
monster together with unbelievable supernaturally real
miracles.
The description about how the monster traveled in different
place together with its destructive qualities it automatically
created a horrific situation together with terror.
5. Scientific Fiction in Frankenstein
“Frankenstein's chemistry is to quote
James Rieger, switched –on magic, souped-
up alchemy the electrification of Agrippa
and Paracelcus…..He wants the
forbidden…He is a criminal magician who
employs up –to date tools.”
7. Some Claim the novel to be the first legitimate example of
the genre we now call science fiction, a genre that:
Is grounded in valid scientific research.
Predicts what might be possible in the future given new scientific
discoveries.
Offers a humanistic critique of either specific technological
inventions or the very nature of scientific thinking.
8. Jane Donawerth (1997) contends that Frankenstein is feminist
science fiction because it introduced 3 themes that can be repeatedly
observed in science fiction, as written by women:
Locating a female voice in a
male world.
Creating an identity for
women as alien.
The exclusion of women
from science.
