Selection of One Focus For Overview of Reception, Circulation, and/or Criticism

I chose to do my focus for overview of reception, circulation, or criticism on Frankenstein in the Gothic and Science Fiction Traditions. I chose this focus as a way of carrying on and closing out my own individual focus of study and interest in the course. Over the semester, I have often chose to look at the novel in terms of the Gothic and Science Fiction Traditions. In my oral presentation handout, I wanted to point my classmates to a strong use of the Gothic tradition in my section, quoting passages such as:  “I trembled, and my heart failed within me; when, on looking up, I saw, by the light of the moon, the demon at the casement. A ghastly grin wrinkled his lips as he gazed on me, where I sat in fulfilling the task which he had allotted to me. Yes, he had followed me in my travels; he had loitered in forests, hid himself in caves. . .” (Pg 255). Or “The remains of the half-finished creature, whom I had destroyed, lay scattered on the floor, and I almost felt as if I had mangled the living flesh of a human being.” (259). I thought it was interesting to point out that this use of Gothic concepts and horror likely terrified contemporary audiences, though today its effects are not as impactful due to our desensitization to horror and gore as a result of modern movie technology, violent video games, and the like. I also focused my final essay about the scholarly conversation on the Gothic in Frankenstein. This essay enhanced my knowledge on the boundaries of the Gothic, offering new perspectives on its definition. Below I have linked an article I studied in my research of that paper, as I found it especially unique and intriguing. As a fan of horror films and novels, the Gothic tradition has been one of my favorite styles to look for as an English major. I also am a Science Fiction and Science Fiction Horror fan, owing this to the first time I saw Alien (1979) as a kid. I appreciated Frankenstein’s pioneering ability to combine both the Gothic and Science Fiction. Below as four links to visuals and readings which showcase or discuss the Gothic and Science Fiction as a focus in Frankenstein.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/24247264?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=Gothic&searchText=in&searchText=frankenstein&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3DGothic%2Bin%2Bfrankenstein%26amp%3Bacc%3Don%26amp%3Bfc%3Doff%26amp%3Bgroup%3Dnone%26amp%3Bwc%3Don&refreqid=search%3A9b9d33eeffbdc80aea1afd969d5574b3&seq=6#metadata_info_tab_contents

Frankenstein and Science: a scientist works on and studies a skeleton in a laboratory.

Frankenstein and Gothic Elements: This gloomy setting and castle are common tropes in the Gothic tradition.

Frankenstein and Gothic Elements: Macabre is another common Gothic theme, as we see here as Victor robs the grave.