Frankenstein, a man invery poor condition. Walton nursed him back to health as the stranger toldWalton his story. Victor Frankenstein was born in Geneva and at an early age showedpromise in the natural sciences. Victor was sent to a university when hegrew older, and thats where he stumbled on to the secret of creating life.With great brilliance Victor created an eight-foot monster and gave him lifethrough electricity.Once Victor had realized what he had done he panicked and left thecreature. When the creature wondered into the city everyone he metscreamed and ran away. Finally the creature found a place to live in acottage outside the city. Through observation of the family in the cottage themonster began to learn the ways of man. In doing so the monster longed forfriendship, but everyone he encountered was repulsed by him. Thisrepulsion caused the monster to become bitter and angry towards men. Themonsters anger caused him to murder William, Victors brother. Themonster makes a horrible demand on Victor, to create a companion to givethe monster love and friendship. Victor did not go through with the demand,and for punishment the monster kills Clerval, Victors friend and Elizabeth,Victors wife. Victor vows that he will chase the monster until themonsters death. Victor died in the frozen North, and the monster disappeares into theice field.As the before mentioned events show the Gothic novel was a lateeighteenth-century revival of the tale of terror. One of the earliest andbest-known Gothic novels was Horace Walpoles The Castle of Otranto , ascary story about a castle terrorized by a giant. Another contributor toGothicism is Clara Reeve who wrote The Old English Barron , which sheconsidered to be an improvement on Walpoles novel. Then cameFrankenstein. The first Gothic characteristic of Frankenstein is evident in itsgrotesque elements. To create life Victor had to use the bodies of deadhumans. At night Victor would secretly steal the bodi...
