Gothic Features in Frankenstein

Start with Gothic writing

Begin with the mind map called Gothic that compares Gothic writing with realism. It considers the purpose of Gothic writing and how an epistolary form can give a story an element of realism. Use its branches to make a short outline of the ideas before moving to examples from Frankenstein.

A second map called Gothic gathers descriptions including a restless specter and a ghostly apparition. Comparing the two maps can help you move from a general point about Gothic writing to the language used in the story.

Follow the quotations and characters

Quotes of Gothic Features in Frankenstein brings together quotations about the sky, ice and thunder. Look at the images in the map and consider how each might support a point about Gothic features.

The maps on Victor as a Gothic protagonist offer another route. They highlight an absolute goal, a fascination with the past, links to the supernatural and a tragic flaw. One also connects Victor's reading of scholars with his desire to know the secrets of heaven and earth. Compare these ideas with the quotations you have noted.

Explore dreams and the sublime

Dreams/obscurity collects passages about forebodings and dreamlike experiences. Ghosts raises questions about the past, revenge and whether Frankenstein's monster is good or bad.

The map on sublime nature connects Victor's responses to nature with feelings of guilt, shame and regret. The Sublime (Chapter 7) adds passages about mountains, a lake and unhappiness. Together, these maps offer different details to consider when studying Gothic features.

Connect your study

This topic is part of the Frankenstein unit in Literature. There are no quizzes in this topic, so you can turn a map branch into your own question and use another map to look for supporting quotations. Choose a map and follow a branch that interests you.