Literature of Horror, Sci Fi, and Fantasy

Riveting in innumerable ways, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein caused quite a stir some 200 years ago, and has carried on with such a longevity that it's influence on the Gothic genre lingers to today. Popularized now, much of the original suspense of the story of Frankenstein is lost as the viewer can anticipate the creation and revelation of his monster. As I read through Frankenstein myself, I sought to imagine myself as someone reading the novel, perhaps some 200 years ago, and threw out all preconceptions and anticipations I had towards what I thought I knew of Frankenstein . With this in mind, I found Mary Shelley's work to be otherworldly, melodramatically emotional, and with such a strong sense of suspense that I would imagine left it's first readers terrified. The very premise of the narration yields terror. We are immediately led to the cold, dead world of the arctic, but our hearts are warmed by the young heart of Walton, a boy seeking science, discovery, and ...

Monster of obscure origin Darkness and dark settings High contrast visuals Shadows Events taking place at night The moon having power over earthly affairs Dungeons/Castles "Multi-chambered environment" Castles and mansions on a mountain Bare trees Owls and ravens as an omen of death Haunted dolls Supernatural elements Prophecies Local legends Rain and thunderstorms Abandoned areas Fog References/allusions to death and death imagery Haunted houses and graveyards Gore Threatened by a monster Powerful man/Frail woman (Damsel in distress) Death of main characters