Do you agree? The chapters when the creature and creator confront each other are very tense, and play an important part in creating power and energy in this novel. However, there are actually only two confrontations throughout the whole novel. As this novel has been very successful since it was first published, there must be other areas of the book that also create suspense and energy. The first time that the creator and creature see each other is when Frankenstein is going home to Geneva. Shelley uses a gothic technique to herald the creature’s arrival by describing the terrible storm that Frankenstein is caught in “pitchy darkness” “vivid flashes of lighting”.
Another time that the creature appears the weather is stormy, and so the bad weather creates anticipation and leads the reader to wonder what will happen. In this encounter, there is a strong contrast between when he sees the creature, for instance the “violence” of the world when the storm is happening and the “calm and heavenly scene” of the day before. Frankenstein first spots the creature “in the gloom” but only knows for sure when a flash of lighting illuminates it. He calls it “hideous” and a “filthy daemon”. These adjectives create an atmosphere of misery and melancholy, similarly, the adjectives “violence” and “darkness” used to describe the weather create a matching atmosphere.
The creature and the creator next meet when Frankenstein is travelling over the mountains. Similarly, to again herald the creatures appearance, the weather is “melancholy” with pouring rain, and this is a also contrast to the “sublime ecstasy” that Frankenstein had felt before. This is the first confrontation where the creature and Frankenstein actually converse, and it surprises the reader, because the creatures speech is calm and eloquent, despite Frankenstein’s description of him as “too horrible for human eyes”. In Frankenstein’s speeches, Shelley uses short sentences to show his dread at having come face to face with this “vile insect”.
He repeatedly threatens to “extinguish” the creature, and does not listen to anything he has to say. The creature’s sentences are longer and more elegant, making Frankenstein seem hasty and violent. In this confrontation, the reader ends up having some sympathy with the creature, and this helps with the drama because it is unexpected. The second confrontation occurs when Frankenstein is irresolute about creating a female for the creature. He describes how he is worried about creating a “race of devils”.
The creature appears at the casement window, and Frankenstein said his “heart failed” at the sight. The creature suddenly appearing is a shock, as there had been nothing to anticipate his arrival. This shock to the reader helps create energy, and keeps their interest. The creature is very threatening towards Frankenstein and this makes the atmosphere one of malice and evil.
His threat “I shall be with you on your wedding night” creates a lot of tension and anticipation, as the reader wonders what will happen when he finally weds Elizabeth. However, one of the main events of the book that also creates power, energy and tension is the creation of the creature. The line “It was on a dreary night of November” has become very famous, and is what most people think of when Frankenstein is mentioned. The description of Frankenstein’s mental state “anxiety that almost amounted to agony” creates a sense of uneasiness and fear, before he even puts life into the creature. Again, the weather, reminiscent of gothic novels, helps create fear, tension and misery. Frankenstein’s view of the creature as a “catastrophe” and his nightmares afterwards, make the reader feel his distress, and this creates excitement and anxiety.
At the end of chapter III, Frankenstein’s finds himself upon the shores of Ireland. Here, he is accused of “the death of a gentleman who was found murdered here last night”. He says that this answer “startled” him, but he felt his innocence could easily be proved. However, at the Frankenstein said “I must pause here; for it requires all my fortitude to recall the memory of the frightful events”. This creates tension for the reader. Whilst Frankenstein ends up in prison, his father gets him released and he proceeds to Paris.
He receives a letter from Elizabeth, and is reminded of the creature’s threat. Frankenstein’s wedding night is a very tense part of the book, because both Frankenstein and the readers are mindful of the creature’s threat. When Frankenstein goes to look for the creature, he hears a “shrill scream”. The readers instantly think about the creatures threat and this creates and atmosphere of foreboding.
Frankenstein’s sees Elizabeth dead, with the thumbprint round her neck, and describing this event claims he lost “all sensation”. This wedding night creates a lot of energy. Whilst the confrontations between Victor Frankenstein and the creature are of pivotal importance, the other sections also play a very important part. The novel has a lot of energy throughout, which could not have been achieved if only a few sections created the tension and energy.
