Mary Shelley’s 1831 Frankenstein is all about the unnatural seduction of the grotesque and the meaning of natural life, which are distinctive qualities of gothic literature. In classic gothic fashion, Victor Frankenstein is pulled into a dark “fate” as his obsession with abandoned sciences grows. The reader is also pulled into the moral complexity of Shelley’s universe because the monster’s character actually starts off as a more compelling and sympathizable character than Victor. Where in Victor’s childhood he was given everything to live a happy life, Frankenstein’s monster was given absolutely nothing. Typically, people root for the underdog who has to earn their place in the world, and that’s how I initially felt about the monster. This also ties into Shelley’s exploration of nature v. nurture. With Victor’s father-like role towards the monster, Victor’s lack of responsibility shows clear consequences. Throughout the narration, Victor blames fate and destiny for his own self-destruction, but eventually blames himself for the monster he’s created. It can be argued that Shelley is implying experiencing life has a greater influence on personality than genetics. This makes Victor’s character even more unlikeable because he becomes the cause and victim of his own horrific creation. As he explores the moral complexity of achieving godliness, the reader explores the moral complexity of trying to sympathize with an irresponsible scientist and his neglected experiment.
Another theme I found interesting, though, was beauty and society’s view of it. At first Shelley appears to equate beauty with goodness, such as in the case of Elizabeth whom is a character we are constantly reminded is angelic and attractive. This is also true for other characters and when we initially meet Frankenstein’s creation, he’s marked hideous and considered a monster. The theme becomes less black and white when we realize the monster had good intentions at the start of his life. Only through being told by others that he is hideous does he truly become a monster. This makes me consider that Shelley may be implying outer beauty does influence inner beauty due to society’s superficiality. This could be considered a gothic theme if we were then to say Shelley considers all of society to be part of this realm of darkness.