Gothic literature explores the natural human sensation of helplessness in the face of the unknown. By comparing Frankenstein with at least one other Gothic text, discuss this view of Gothic literature.’
In the novels ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘The Woman in Black’ helplessness in the face of the unknown is displayed in multiple ways, one being the use of a naive narrator. There are also other characters who display obliviousness to certain events around them. Such as Victor believing that the monster will not strike at him and that Arthur believing Jennet Humfrye won’t seek revenge.
Captain Walton can be seen as a naive narrator because despite Victor Frankenstein’s warnings that he is: “exposing [himself] to the same dangers which has rendered me what I am”, Walton continues towards his dreams of discovering the North Pole. Even though Frankenstein is trying to dissuade him because he knows the problems caused by overreaching, he continues on anyway oblivious to what may happen.
Walton displays more naivety when he says “I dedicated myself to this great enterprise” which indicates that he cares little about the consequences and dangers of what is to come but wanders into the unknown solely to “obtain a niche in the temple where the names of Homer and Shakespeare are consecrated”. It appears he is intent on personal gain and dismisses the dangers as he is so focused on getting what he wants. This is similiar to ‘The Woman in Black’ because Arthur Kipps says Mrs Drablow’s case gave him “so much responsibility in the firm”; it would seem that Kipps is willfully ignorant to the various dark hints about the case because he sees it as an opportunity for his personal gain. He says “I might feel justified in asking for an increase in salary”. Kipps is oblivious to the dangers present as he too is focused on his own ambitions.
The naivety of Walton is shown when he travels to the North Pole without knowing what he may find and ends up stranded. He says, “We were nearly surrounded by ice”. Here we see that wandering into unknown territory has left him helpless and isolated. Similarly, Victor can be seen as helpless in the face of the unknown; before he reanimates the monster he says “this discovery soon gave place to delight and rapture”. The reader understands that before the monster was brought to life Victor saw the experiment as an important scientific discovery but once the monster awakened he says “how can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe”. Immediately realising that what he has done was a mistake and is helpless to prevent it.
Victor fails to realise that the unknown sciences he experiments with could lead to tragedy as he wishes to become a scientific pioneer which links with the events happening at the time of the novels as there were many new inventions being created. Also, many of the inventors of this time went on to become renowned for their discoveries, explaining Victor’s lust for his success. Also, Galvanism was discovered 30 years previously which focused on electricity, the main element for Victor’s experiment. These discoveries link with Shelley’s romantic views; she sees science as a negative subject which can both help and hinder. Suzanna Storment describes Shelley’s thoughts on science; stating that she recognises it was “a powerful entity, but also recognizes the dangers if uncontrolled.”; We see that although science can be used to advance many aspects of life, some of its consequences can be unknown to us and can create chaos and leave us helpless, which is exactly what happens in the novel. Suzanna Storment describes Victor in the novel as having “all the control and the knowledge in the beginning, but is left powerless in the end.” Which displays that his confidence in himself and his overreaching has made him naïve because he was so convinced the experiment would be a success that he did not factor in the possible consequences of failure, such as being unable to maintain control over his
