A Romantic Novel
Can be seen in the following elements:
Walton is a romantic man, strong imagination, desire for exploration, prone to fantasies, desire for new knowledge; he begins to ‘love (Victor) as a brother…‘
The novel explores the tragic ruin of two heroes – Victor and the monster – both symbols of loneliness who are destroyed by their own talents and needs.
Sublime power of nature – a theme very important in the novel which could arouse deep emotions in the readers.
Individual liberty as argued by the philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment.
A Gothic Novel
Can be seen in the following elements: (see particularly chapter 5 for examples.)
- Storm
- Night
- The moon
- Blood and gore
- Foreboding
- Wilderness
- Death
- Horror
- Emotional extremes
- Uncanny events
- Satanic imagery
- Themes of pursuit and revenge