Frankenstein

Frankenstein is a book written in the early 1800's by a young Mary Shelley, and is often credited as being the first in it's horror or goth (both are often used as interchangeable terms) genre. It is obvious that Frankenstein does possess some of the characteristics that are commonly associated with gothic literature, this is mainly apparent as it's subject matter revolves around a hideous and abhorrent creature whose creator assumes that the “monster” is an evil spawn bent on the destruction of those around him. 

In my opinion Frankenstein wouldn't be considered a gothic novel really but, I can definitely see how it would be credited with being the first, since all genres in any creative endeavor deviate and evolve from their source material, to the point where not many aspects are retained from the original.

The book is captured through a series of letters written by captain Robert Walton, who is on a dangerous mission headed for the North Pole.  The captain's ship becomes trapped in the frigid north within seas of ice where Walton encounters another “man on a mission,” this man being Victor Frankenstein.  The captain takes the cold riddled Victor on board to help him recuperate and this is where the story's plot unfolds as Frankenstein tells his “horrifying” tale.

Victor is possessed by a unyielding desire for mastery in the arts of alchemy, but after attending a university he is quickly informed that it's an honorable goal, but one that isn't realistic in his age of living.  He begins his studies of chemistry and natural philosophy and eventually after years of research makes breakthrough discoveries.  With the use of his knowledge he goes on a feverish pursuit to bring life to a being, but instead of re-animating a human, he creates a hulking mass (out of different pieces of dead human remains that he acquired) with multi-braced limbs and skin hardly stretched over it's features; he wanted to create something the world had not yet seen.  Upon giving the creature life Victor immediately regrets his actions, as his mind was clouded by his desires, and he retreats leaving the newly born creature to it's own devices.

Throughout the story Shelley has you sympathize with both characters, but mostly Victor's creation I feel, even though his looks may be perceived as demonic in nature Victor was actually the evil one.  Dr. Frankenstein through out the novel kept everything in secret knowing almost all of his actions were of selfish desires and in the end it came to “haunt” him, which is what he undeniably deserved.

When all is said and done, Frankenstein is a great novel and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, I'm looking forward to reading some more fiction in the genre.

-Dan

Oh and as a side-note, being a metal aficionado often times other art forms like illustration and books will remind me of songs that I like, Frankenstein reminded me of this... WARNING this is death metal so if you're not into that sort of thing, don't listen! :-D


The Black Dahlia Murder - A Selection Unnatural