From what I’ve read so far, the scene that particularly sticks
out to me the most would be the scene of which Victor successfully animates the
monster to life. He gets melodramatic, explaining how he was now disgusted by
what he’s done, and how terrified he is of the monster.
“How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how
delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavored to
form? His limbs were in proportion, and I selected his features as beautiful.
Beautiful!-Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and
arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a
pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with
his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same color as the dun white sockets
in which they were set, his shriveled complexion and straight black lips.”
Chapter V, page 75. Victor explains in great detail about his emotions at that
present time, something very common in gothic literature. He also heavily romanticizes
the way the monster looks, describing how “Beautiful” the creature is. Another
common trait in gothic literature is romanticism. He also uses peculiar
vocabulary to describe the monster’s features, very dark and dull
adjectives.
Following this, he runs out the room and tries to sleep numerous
times, but begins to have terrible dreams of Elizabeth and his mother. Holding
his mother in his arms as she slowly rotted away, causing him to wake in a cold
sweat. This could be perceived as an omen of Elizabeth’s possible fate, as he was initially embracing Elizabeth before she changed into his
mother (who has already since passed by this point of the book.) After this he
gets a surprise visit by his old friend, Henry Clerval, whom witnesses Victor’s
mental breakdown as he (Victor) tries to explain what he has done.
“I trembled excessively; I could not endure to think of, and far
less to allude to, the occurrences of the preceding night… I then reflected,
and the thought made me shiver, that the creature whom I had left in my
apartment might still be there, alive, and walking about. I dreaded to behold
this monster; but I feared still more that Henry should see him… My hand was
already on the lock of the door before I recollected myself. I then paused; and
a cold shivering came over me. I threw the door forcibly open, as children are
accustomed to do when they expect a specter to stand waiting for them on the
other side… I stepped fearfully in… my bedroom was also freed from its hideous
guest… when I became assured that my enemy had indeed fled, I clapped my hands
for joy… I was unable to contain myself. It was not joy only that possessed me;
I felt my flesh tingle with excess of sensitiveness, my pulse beat rapidly. I
was unable to remain for a single instant in the same place; I jumped over the
chairs, clapped my hands, and laughed aloud. Clerval at first attributed my
unusual spirits to joy on his arrival… but… he saw a wildness in my eyes… my
loud, unrestrained, heartless laughter, frightened and astonished him… I
imagined that the monster seized me; I struggled furiously, and fell down in a
fit… he anticipated with such joy, so strangely turned to bitterness. But I was
not the witness of his grief, for I was lifeless, and I did not recover my
sense for a long, long time.” - Chapter V, page 78.
This is an even greater example of high emotions being played
out to the reader. The intense, erratic and lengthy description of all the
emotions/feelings/thoughts going through Victor’s mind as his fear of the
creature increases. Almost every action he makes is followed by an emotional
adjective, to emphasize the emotions Victor is experiencing. Something gothic
literature most commonly does to further the suspense and fear in the story and
the reader.
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