How Mary Shelley adds a sense of horror to chapter 5
Thesis statement
Mary Shelley adds a sense of
horror to chapter 5 by making the environment chilling, describe Frankenstein
in a grotesque manner, by the way his emotions and thoughts are when the
monster is brought to life and adding suspense when the monster was alive and
looking for Dr. Frankenstein
Adding atmosphere in a story
is an important part in making a thrilling novel. The right atmosphere adds
drama, flair or perhaps even suspense to a plot. In Mary Shelley’s epic
masterpiece- Frankenstein, there are a few points in the plot where she adds a
sense horror to the start of Chapter 5 where Dr. Frankenstein brings the
monster to life.
Firstly, Mary Shelley adds a
sense of dread in into the environment where the story takes place. “ It was a
dreary night in November” This gives the reader the impression that it was a
bone chilling night in winter, as November falls during the winter month. Also,
when the reader sees the statement: “ The rain pattered dismally on the panes,
and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half extinguish
light. This gives a strong impression that it was a dull, gloomy and depressing
time when Dr. Frankenstein brought the creature back to life. With all these
elements combined, the environment itself was an omen of what was to come.
Next, the features of the
monster also provoke horror in the plot. As stated in the text, “his watery
eyes that seemed also the same color as the dun white sockets in which the were
set, his shriveled complexion and straight black lips “ All of these features
provoke repulsion, disgust or even fear in the reader, to witness such a
creature that was about to come to life in mere seconds. Plus, the language
that he used to describe the monster such as: watery, black etc. defines the
creatures hideousness brilliantly.
Not only that, the way that
Dr. Frankenstein described the creature when it awakens evokes horror into this
section of the text. When he said: “ The beauty of the dream vanished and
breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” The reader will be shocked by
his reaction as it shows that even it’s creator finds horror in looking at the
creature and this adds more fear and disgust towards the creature, because if
even it’s master fears and loathes it, wouldn’t the rest of the world feel the
same too?
Not only that, the final
aspect that stimulates horror in chapter 5, was that Shelley used suspense in
the plot. When the monster appeared in Dr. Frankenstein’s bedroom he bolted out
and said the following statement: “Walking u and down with the greatest
agitation, listening attentively, catching and fearing each sound.” This
section of the text makes the reader feel fearful. ‘Will the monster find out
where he is?” “What’s going to happen next?” The thought of being alone with a
monster on the loose strikes fear into people’s heart, and makes the chapter a
real page-turner.
Finally, the reference of
Dante towards the monster sums up the monster’s hideous personality and
features. As Dante was a writer who wrote about Hell, the statement “even Dante
couldn’t conceive” it gives a lasting impression that the monster was even more
malicious and evil than the horrors of hell could give, that the writer Dante
who wrote about the horrid things about Hell, could not imagine the wickedness
and monstrosity of the monster Dr. Frankenstein had created.
All these elements of horror
combined together told the story of that fateful night, the start of Dr.
Frankenstein’s misery and pain that was to come. All these elements combined
provoked and dared readers to read on about Dr. Frankenstein’s destined fate .
Bibliography
Mary
Shelley. "Chapter V." Frankenstein. New York: Barnes and
Noble Classics. 51-52. Print.
Peer
Assesement
Afifah
said…..
"I think this is
a really good essay as it shows exactly how Shelley portrays a sense of horror
in the beginning of Chapter 5. Maybe to make it more interesting, you can maybe
talk about how she mentioned that the monster "became a thing such as even
Dante could not have conceived" and maybe go a little bit more into Dante
and why she choose to include him in the chapter?"
Fadhli said
The sequence of the
story is well structured
Good use of
Vocabulary words.
Used Standard English
Points are
straightforward
It was clear and easy
to understand
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