Frankenstein: Writer's Methods & Techniques (Edexcel GCSE English Literature): Revision Notes

Frankenstein: Writer's Methods & Techniques

Key Methods and Techniques used in Frankenstein

Multiple Perspectives

Mary Shelley uses multiple perspectives, telling the story through Walton, Victor, and the Creature. This technique helps to reveal different sides of the story, making the reader question who the real monster is and emphasising the complexity of truth.

Gothic Elements

The novel is rich in Gothic elements such as dark, foreboding settings, the supernatural, and a sense of horror. These elements create a mood of mystery and fear, highlighting the dangers of pushing beyond the natural boundaries of science.

Romanticism

Shelley incorporates Romantic ideals, particularly through the depiction of nature as sublime and powerful. Nature contrasts with the destructive ambitions of humans, reflecting the Romantic belief in the importance of respecting the natural world.

Allusions

Frankenstein is filled with allusions, especially to John Milton's Paradise Lost, where the Creature sees himself as both Adam and Satan. These references deepen the novel's themes of creation, responsibility, and the consequences of defying natural limits.

Symbolism

Shelley uses symbolism extensively, with light and fire representing knowledge and enlightenment but also danger. Victor's quest for knowledge is symbolised by light, which, while illuminating, can also blind and destroy.

Foreshadowing

Shelley foreshadows key events to build suspense and hint at the tragic consequences of Victor's actions. The early scenes with lightning, for example, hint at the disastrous results of his later experiments, creating a sense of inevitable doom.