The Elements Of Gothic Fiction In Mary Shelleys Frankenstein

â€Å"Frankenstein†, written by author Mary Shelley is a classic example of literature written during the Victorian era. Simultaneously, it also constitutes a lot of elements of â€Å"Gothic Horror†. However, understanding the setting and genre of the book is crucial to enjoyment of the novel. Though, the main character of the novel - Victor Frankenstein - resides in Switzerland, the book takes place throughout many locations in the book. Some of which include, Ingolstadt, London, and Edinburgh. Moreover, the time period of the book is around 1817, as this was when it was written, and was influenced by the period’s movements such as â€Å"The Enlightenment†. Furthermore, the genre of the book is often described as â€Å"Gothic Horror†. This is due to the fact†¦show more content†¦Literature written within the Victorian period of 1837 to 1901 was largely influenced by these movements and often portrayed an opposition or alignment towards them. Dracula and Frankenstein can be great examples, both written during, or slightly after â€Å"The Enlightenment† and Victorian era, while being great examples of â€Å"Gothic Fiction†. As such, today’s discussion will summarize the way in which Victorian literature - specifically Dracu la and Frankenstein - were both influenced by movements during the â€Å"The Enlightenment†. Foremost, rationalism was overshadowed by empiricism during this time period. Rationalism - a philosophy which relied on reason and knowledge - was opposed by an emerging philosophy known as empiricism. Empiricism resonated with many individuals during â€Å"The Enlightenment† because it stated that, knowledge is acquired through observation and sensory of an individual - the basis on which science and therefore â€Å"The Enlightenment† was built on. Consequently, this theme is often visited throughout Dracula and Frankenstein. For instance, in Dracula, page 204 states â€Å"You do not let your eyes see, nor your ears hear...†. This passage, is one of the many in which Professor Van Helsing is trying to subtly explain the importance of ones own senses - or empiricism - to Dr.Seward who due to an emotional response is unwilling to believe his â€Å"eyes or ears†. Comparatively, preliminary opposition to empiricism is visible in Frankenstein, on page 35Show MoreRelatedMary Shelley and Flannery OConnor: Gothic Isolationists1724 Words   |  7 Pages Gothic fiction is a genre of literature that combines fiction, horror and Romanticism with a particular focus on the mysterious and supernatural aspects. Gothic fiction originated in England during the latter half of the 18th century. This distinctive genre of literature soon developed into a 19th century phenomenon. The success of this dominant genre in England is frequently attributed to Mary Shelley. 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