1. Setting and Atmosphere:
* Remote and Gloomy Locations: The novel takes place in a variety of isolated and desolate locations, including the Arctic, the Swiss Alps, and abandoned laboratories. These settings contribute to a sense of loneliness, despair, and the unknown.
* Dark and Stormy Weather: The novel features frequent storms, thunder, lightning, and fog, which heighten the sense of dread and foreshadow impending danger. The weather mirrors the characters' emotional states and the novel's overall mood.
* Ancient Ruins and Castles: The novel features the remnants of ancient civilizations, which add to the sense of mystery and history, and hint at the destructive power of ambition and knowledge.
* Nighttime Setting: Much of the action takes place at night, amplifying the sense of fear, uncertainty, and supernatural occurrences.
2. Supernatural and the Macabre:
* Creation of a Monster: The central theme of the novel is the creation of a monstrous being through unnatural means, blurring the lines between science and the supernatural.
* Gothic Horror: The novel explores themes of death, decay, and the grotesque, with vivid descriptions of the monster's appearance and the process of its creation.
* The Supernatural Element: While not explicitly supernatural, the monster's creation and its abilities, especially its resilience and its power over nature, evoke a sense of the uncanny and the monstrous.
3. Psychological Themes:
* Isolation and Loneliness: The monster's isolation and rejection by society, as well as Victor Frankenstein's self-imposed seclusion, are central to the novel's gothic themes.
* Guilt and Madness: The characters' descent into guilt, despair, and madness is a prominent gothic element, highlighting the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of knowledge beyond human limits.
* The Shadow Self: The monster can be seen as a representation of Victor's dark side and his repressed fears.
4. Gothic Tropes:
* Doppelgängers: The monster, as a reflection of its creator, can be seen as a doppelgänger, further emphasizing the themes of duality and the darker aspects of human nature.
* The Gothic Hero: Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but flawed scientist, embodies the typical gothic hero – driven by ambition and haunted by the consequences of his actions.
In conclusion, "Frankenstein" masterfully utilizes gothic elements to create a chilling and atmospheric setting that amplifies the novel's themes of isolation, guilt, and the dangers of unchecked ambition. Through its dark and evocative language, its exploration of the supernatural, and its focus on psychological themes, the novel remains a powerful and enduring example of gothic literature.