Presentation and function of horror Essay Example for Free

Presentation and function of horror EssayI busied myself to think of a business relationship a story to rival those which had excited us to this task. One which would speak to the mysterious fears of our nature and fire up thrilling horror one to make the reader dread to look round, to curdle the blood, and quicken the beatings of the heart. If I did not accomplish these things, my ghost story would be unworthy of its name. In the Authors introduction to the standard legends variate (1831), Mary Shelley conveys her aim of the novel, Frankenstein. Mary Shelley proclaims her novel my ghost story p.8. The proposal of a ghost story relates to supernatural literature, which creates horror with paranormal and occult themes, but Frankenstein in fact has no ghosts. There be no bumps in the night and only the minimum amount of blood with emphasis on sex act rather than showing in a story of scientific developments beyond our mold. To evoke horror Shelleys novel complies with lit erature of the gothic genre with its tale of macabre in wild picturesque landscapes but without the ghouls and spirits. Shelley has the exponent to horrify us without much(prenominal) paranormal torments but through psychological torments. It is Mary Shelleys method and conquest of creating horror in the novel that this essay aims to discuss.Shelleys era saw rise to momentous discoveries and advances in learning that compositiony feargond may lead to disaster. The scientific work of Sir Isaac Newton (1642 1727) coupled with the ideals of philosopher John Locke (1632 1704) saw change magnitude ambition and power in the 17th Century. Parallels fanny be easily drawn between such ambitious scientists and philosophers, and Mary Shelleys fictional character of achiever Frankenstein. Clearly a large influence to the fable of creation the novel endures is aided by the development of electricity. Shelley usages these advances in technology to make her novel progress more realisti c and therefore horrifying.She has replaced the heavenly fire of the Prometheus myth with the spark of newly discovered electricity. Although overlook in the novel, Kenneth Branaghs 1994, film Mary Shelleys Frankenstein draws parallels with Luigi Galvani (1737 -1798), by featuring his work of discovering a frogs legs could twitch in an electric field. The use of electricity plus the amniotic fluid, which Victor uses in his creation, mixes the idea of science with the mythical origins surrounding the bring forth of human life. As Mr Waldman presents and influences the work of Victor Frankenstein, the likes of Newton and Galvini coupled with discussions between Mary Shelley, husband Percy and maestro Byron at Lake Geneva in 1816 have indeed influenced Shelleys role in creating the horror surrounding Frankenstein.When considering horror, we mustiness consider what actually evokes the horror. Shelleys use of language when Victor is developing his workshop of filthy creation p.52 is disturbing, although not much graphic content is written, it is more what is not said and left out that is outrageous. The theme of see is central to this idea of horror. When considering the horrendous incidents of September the 11th 2001 in American, and the horrific images of planes hitting tower blocks, are response is stomach churning but the real horror is the lack of control, nobody knows when and how the attacks are going to happen and this is similar in Frankenstein. Victor is scared of the monster as he has no control over him and this permeates through to the reader. There is surely an eye opening benefit of being horrified in some aspects. We can test our courage and survival and prepare for the future and in this case we are providing with the dangerous premonitions of playing god.Due to Mary Shelleys experiences of death and pregnancy the novel seems to suggest her own psychological torments about creation, and the horror of birth and development. Shelley lost mos t of her children, only one survived. Shelley may be exploitation her novel as a way of voicing her disgust and unhappiness at how childbirth can appear. I kept my workshop of filthy creation p.52, may be referring to the womb, the disgust and pain a mother can feel at such unhappiness. The creation seems to depict mothers worst fears, being competent to accept and have endless love for a child and not reject in the horrific manner that Victor does.The description of the monster is very much similar to that of a newborn baby. erst again the 1994 film adaptation of the novel depicts the monsters first steps similarly to that of a newborn Deer, struggle to find his feet, clutching on to his creator for dear life. As the novel reaches horrific climax in Chapter Five, Victor is awoke from a dream to find one hand was stretched out p.56, as his creation asks for help, like a child would to a mother. The way in which this interaction takes place is horrific in that a monster-like wol f standing beside his bed awakens Victor, but the manner in which Victor rejects his monster is equally horrific. The creation has no motive for death yet and he is surely asking for help and is abandoned less than a few hours after birth. The novel could be read as a version of what occurs when a man plays god and upsets nature. Trying to create a child without woman is not natural and the horrific incidents which espouse act as a warning not to mess with the origins of human life.