Mary Shelley’s Use of Literary Elements in Creating Classics
Why it is a Classic Mary Shelley was one of the most famous and greatest writers of the early 1800s. She wrote many great novels and short stories that could be considered classics, such as Frankenstein and “The Invisible Girl”. A classic is not just any average novel or short story; to be a classic it must have good use of literary elements, along with a new and different idea for a plot. Mary Shelley uses literary elements in a special way that makes her a classic writer. There are many great pieces of classic writing by Mary Shelley.
Frankenstein, one of her best works, is a classic, because she uses suspense, psychological aspects, and tone to create a masterpiece. One of the many things that sets Frankenstein and Mary Shelley apart from others; is her excellent ability to create a mood. In Frankenstein she creates a mysterious and suspenseful mood that really captures the reader’s attention. In the novel Victor says “It was already one in the morning; 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;”(Ch. ,pg 41) this quote from the novel creates a scary and intense mood. Not only does Mary Shelley show her ability to create a mood in Frankenstein, but also in the short story “The Invisible Girl”. The excellent ability of Mary Shelley to create a mood, in a story or novel is one of the many things that make Frankenstein a classic novel. Mary Shelley also uses suspense and foreshadowing in her writings to keep the reader involved. The monster in Frankenstein tells Victor “I shall be with you on your wedding-night. ”(Ch. 20); this is a great example of foreshadowing.
When the monster tells Victor this, it becomes obvious that something bad is going to happen and it keeps the reader guessing what it will be, while sending a shiver of terror through their body. Mary Shelley uses the element of suspense a lot in the novel Frankenstein; the reader will always be wandering who will be the monsters next victim and how Victor will react. The use of foreshadowing and suspense in Frankenstein are two things that make it a classic. Frankenstein is also a very unique story and has some psychological aspects to it.
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The plot of the novel seems to be ahead of its time, it could be called one of the first science fiction novels. Mary Shelley’s idea of someone creating life was very unique for the 1800’s time period. Plots that involved science fiction did not seem to be as popular until technology became more modern; but this is one of the things that make Frankenstein a classic, it was ahead of its time. Frankenstein is also a psychological novel in some ways. It can show the reader that there can be a monster in anyone, although it does not have to be a physical monster.
Although Victor is not physically a monster, he becomes a monster mentally; he becomes insane and enraged by the monster that killed his friends and family. The psychological aspects and how unique Frankenstein is, are reasons why it is a classic. There are many elements about Frankenstein that make it one of the best classic novels of all time. Mary Shelley was a master of using literary elements to create a classic. Not just anyone can write a classic novel; it must be something different and skillfully written.
She did a wonderful job of creating suspense using foreshadowing throughout the novel. Also one of the biggest things that make this novel a classic is how unique and ahead of its time it was during the 1800s. Frankenstein will be one of the best classic novels for many years to come. ? Works Cited Merriman, C. D. "Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. " - Biography and Works. Search Texts, Read Online. Discuss. Jalic Inc. , 2006. Web. 8 May 2012. . Mould, Chris, and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Frankenstein. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1997. Print.
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