Mary Shelley wrote her gothic novella over two hundred years ago. And yet, it continues to captivate us today. The story has been adapted into films over the decades and modern books like Jeanette Winterson’s Frankissstein have been inspired by it. What is it about Frankenstein that fascinates us? We can’t speak for everybody, but here are 5 reasons why the gothic book is still our favourite.
1. The story of how it was written is intriguing.
It involves lots of brilliant writers to start. Mary Shelley, the daughter of famous women’s right activist, Mary Wollstonecraft, wrote Frankenstein when she was only 18. She was on holiday in Lake Geneva where the weather was miserable with rain storms and fog. But she wasn’t alone. For company she had the romantic poets Lord Byron and her husband Percy Shelley. With the weather being so dreary, they challenged each other to a writing competition. Whoever could write the best horror story was deemed the winner. A few days into the challenge, inspiration struck and Shelley thought of a scientist who was horrified by his own creation.
2. The monster is relatable.
Frankenstein’s monster, who has no name, is a complex character we can all empathise with. Almost as soon as he is created, Frankenstein abandons him. It’s no surprise that the monster feels incredibly lonely. He is ‘Othered’, treated like an outcast by all who meet him. Feelings of loneliness have been on the rise for some time now across the UK. Events like the pandemic made a lot of people feel isolated. It’s not so hard to imagine the monster’s longing for companionship. If we could, we would give him some much needed TLC.
3. Ethical questions around bioengineering and technoscience are more relevant than ever.
Without much (or any) thought of the consequences, Frankenstein creates a being out of human cadavers. He takes no responsibility over his creation, simply abandoning the monster when he doesn’t like the look of him. The consequences of his tampering with the natural world are disastrous not only for Frankenstein and his family, but also for the monster who suffers with his loneliness. With all the advances in AI today, Frankenstein is a cautionary tale. Is it right to create a being with consciousness? What are the repercussions?
4. Toxic masculinity in the novella is far too familiar.
Frankenstein is narrated by men who all seem to have giant ego complexes. In the age of Enlightenment, risky expeditions to far flung corners of the world like the Arctic and pushing scientific boundaries were seen as ‘masculine’ endeavours. The men who frame the story are all privileged. They don’t think of the violent consequences of their actions– only, their desire is to be great. We can this version of masculinity clearly when Victor Frankenstein gives a pep talk to the tired men who are helping him look for the monster in the Arctic. He tells them, ‘Be men, or be more than men. Be steady to your purposes and firm as a rock.’ Though privilege and toxic masculinity are being challenged today, we still have a long way to go.
5. It’s incredibly atmospheric.
Shelley builds a wonderfully gloomy gothic atmosphere. It’s dreary, cold and dark over the winter months during which the novella is set. ‘Rain pattered dismally against the panes,’ and the seas are ‘troubled’-- beautiful language to get lost in. Mary Shelley skilfully builds an atmosphere of suspense and mystery as we start to uncover Frankenstein’s horrific actions. A cosy read to enjoy over a cup of tea or two in the autumn and winter months ahead.
Frankenstein has captured the imagination of countless people over the decades and we have no doubt it will continue to do so. What is it about the novella that fascinates you?
You can get your copy of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein here. It’s deliciously paired with a doppelganger–a modern day inspiration by Jeanette Winterson. For more gothic news, subscribe to our newsletter.
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