There are many gothic conventions in ‘Dracula’, and this is what makes it an eerie delight for the viewers, as well as making it fit into the ‘gothic’ genre. The movie is cleverly adapted from the book, sharing the same title- that was scribed by Bram Stoker. Some very common gothic elements include the theme of isolation and security. Both of these things can be seen in ‘Dracula’ The theme of isolation is presented by the way Dracula’s castle is shown to the viewers- dark, isolated from any form any other form of civilization in the middle of a great landscape consisting of myriad and secret passageways and being a ruin in itself. The settings presented are also dark and eeire, and Dracula himself lives in solitude with no other companion.
Whilst the attraction of luxuriating in the dark side of the human condition is undeniably strong in Gothic texts it must also be acknowledged that Gothic texts provide considerable insights into humanity. Discuss the above with reference to one prose core text and one related text of your own choosing. Gothic texts encompass the ability to convey the fear that underpins the human psyche in many contexts, with particular relevance to societal concerns and anxieties. Although concerns vary throughout different time periods, those confronted within texts often consist of universal themes and ideas that can be translated through different generations. Brahm Stoker’s “Dracula” highlights concerns prevalent within the Victorian era, shown through characters, symbols and themes throughout the novel.
Washington Irving is identified with the gothic with his “Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, however the gothic mode can also be identified in his story, “Rip Van Winkle”. To begin, both will be compared with their use of the Gothic Mode. Edgar Allan Poe’s writing set the mold for most gothic literature to follow. From “The Raven” to “The Tell-Tale Heart” his writing sets the reader on edge and fills them with unease. “Its style tends to be ornate, unnatural” (Carter 134).
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Scott Ridley’s Blade Runner, although constructed in different contexts, are both instrumental in demonstrating the universal notion of the nature of humanity. Through the literary discourse of Frankenstein, Shelley is able to draw from the contextual influences of the Romantic Movement and Enlightenment, therefore exploring the valued notions of excessive knowledge and the role of creator in establishing glory. These universal notions have been appropriated and shaped in Blade Runner, to therefore present the way in which the contemporary capitalised society of America has led to a futuristic world characterised by the consequences of excessive knowledge and usurping the role of creator. Both Frankenstein
Halberstam observes that in Gothic novels, “the Gothic monster represents many answers to the question of who must be replaced from the community at large” (Halberstam 3). By having Victor go on a trip with Clerval prior to his wedding, Shelley suggests a homosexual relationship between Victor and Clerval. In addition, Clerval serves as Victor’s “only nurse” when he was ill. This further emphasizes the homosexual aspect in Frankenstein since Victor does not need a female, but instead he favors a devoted male caretaker who willingly risks his life for Victor. In this case, Clerval is less visible monster, which disrupts the definition of an ideal man who should be heterosexual.
The idea of doubling is a central theme in Mary Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein. This theme reveals itself in a variety of ways, predominantly with the parallels between Frankenstein and his creature, but it also is apparent from the dualities in other characters, the language and images used and in the structure and form of the novel itself. Victor Frankenstein and the physical creature are the most obvious example of doubling. One way in which Shelley shows how the two are a reflection of each other is through the therapeutic way nature affects their souls. Early on in the novel during his nervous breakdown Frankenstein he says that the ‘season contributed greatly to my convalescence.’ This soothing effect nature has on the mind is replicated when the creature, after having endured a hellish, bitterly cold winter alone, finds that ‘spring cheered even’ him, inducing feelings of ‘gentleness and pleasure’.
Death represents the normal course of nature. The rhyme is smooth. It shows that life is short and monotonous. He uses a lot of sound devices. This is one of the characteristics of the Petrarchan school.
Frankenstein, a classic in literature, was written by Mary Shelley. Its author incorporated several complex elements, making the novel a piece of literary art. One of these elements is the Enlightenment versus the Romantic views of science, knowledge, and progress, which make up an important part in her everyday life and her surroundings. This is exactly why she decided to incorporate such views in her novel, using the main character Victor Frankenstein and his creation. Victor Frankenstein is affected by such views, and reflects a swing back and forth from Romantic to Enlightenment.
Mary Shelley’s gothic novel ‘Frankenstein, and Ridley Scott’s noir film ‘Blade Runner’ explore similar issues in complete different settings. On the surface these texts seem vastly different because of the large gap in time setting but in hindsight the audience is able to recognize that despite the difference in context both texts present the same problems regarding changing values and ethics in society and the role of playing-God in the characters of Victor Frankenstein and Tyrell. One of the aspects that Mary Shelley’s novel ‘Frankenstein’ explores is the concept of hubris in the main character Victor Frankenstein; hubris can be defined as excessive pride, self-confidence and defiance towards God that ultimately leads to the demise of the individual. This is shown through
Since the time Francis Galton coined the term “Nature vs. Nurture” there has been theories and debates about each side. The debate is focused around the determining or causing factors of the differences in physical and behavioral traits within a human. Nature takes the role of the individual’s innate qualities while nurture bases itself upon personal experiences. Romantic literature is characterized by an emphasis on emotion, passion, and the natural world and gothic novels liked to play with the dark side of human nature and frailty. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein shows elements of both aforementioned and woefully shows humans in nature and human nature.