Referring to Chapter 5 in "Frankenstein", explain how Mary Shelley makes her narrative effective and why it has facinated and shocked audiences.
Look at language used
Setting and atmosphere
description of character
What we learn about Frankenstein's Monster
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First of all, the language is beautiful. She uses amazing adjective and active verbs that literally makes the story jump off the page. Her imagery and description truly help the reader "see" the picture as he reads--a movie behind the eyelids. For example: "...the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open..." Can't you see it? With that description, you also get a very clear picture and feeling of the rainy, cold, gloomy night in which all of this takes place. It's like every gothic vampire or horror story...thunder, lightning, rain, and monster! The setting and atmosphere are perfect for some creation of a hideous being, and then for the fear the creator feels. Does it shock you then, to understand that Frankenstein suddenly realizes the error of his life's work? He knows too late that he has made a mistake in creating this creature...a non-human which will never be completely accepted into society.
We learn in this chapter that the creature is innocent despite his hideous appearance. He "grins" at his 'father' and puts his hand out to detain his creator. We get the feeling that the creature is an 8-foot tall baby who is looking for guidance and love from his parent.
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