This document provides context and definitions for key terms in Mary Shelley's Gothic novel Frankenstein. It defines imagery as the use of description to evoke experience for the reader. Diction is described as the correct choice of words to make a work interesting and affect the reader. Mary Shelley is introduced as the author of Frankenstein and daughter of philosophers William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft. Gothic literature is characterized by mystery and supernatural horror set in medieval settings like castles.

1. Felipe Parada Silva
Christian Häfelin Maturana
IºA

2. Important Questions

What is Imagery?
What is Diction?
Who was Mary Shelly?
What is Gothic Literature?

3. Important Definitions

 Imagery: “It is used in a literary text, occurs when an
author uses an object that is not really there, in order to
create a comparison between one that is, usually evoking a
more meaningful visual experience for the reader. It is
useful as it allows an author to add depth and
understanding to his work”.

4. Important Concepts

 Diction: “Style of speaking or writing as dependent upon
choice of words”.
 In other words, it is the correct choice of words, to
make an interesting literary work and to affect the
reader as you want.

5. Mary Shelly

 Mary Shelley (30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851)
was an English novelist, short story writer,
dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer,
best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein: or,
The Modern Prometheus (1818). She also edited and
promoted the works of her husband, the Romantic
poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. Her
father was the political philosopher William
Godwin, and her mother was the philosopher and
feminist Mary Wollstonecraft.

6. Gothic Literature

 “A genre of fiction characterized by mystery and
supernatural horror, often set in a dark castle or other
medieval setting”
 Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; or, the Modern
Prometheus (1818) has come to define Gothic fiction
in the Romantic period.

7. Chapter XIX

Victor and Henry journey through England and Scotland,
but Victor grows impatient to begin his work and free
himself of his bond to the monster. Victor has an
acquaintance in a Scottish town, with whom he urges Henry
to stay while he goes alone on a tour of Scotland. Henry
consents reluctantly, and Victor departs for a remote,
desolate island in the Orkneys to complete his project.
Quickly setting up a laboratory in a small shack, Victor
devotes many hours to working on his new creature. He
often has trouble continuing his work, however, knowing
how unsatisfying, even grotesque, the product of his labor
will be.

8. Chapter XIX

 Importance: In this chapter Victor and his friend
Clever research necessary information for the
creation of a women version of the monster. Without
it, Victor couldn’t complete his promise.

9. Imagery on Chapter XIX

 Imagery:
 “But I am a blasted tree: the bolt has entered my soul: and I
felt then that I should survive to exhibit what I shall soon
cease to be(…)”
 “To the waves as they roared and dashed at my feet”.
 “… to collect materials necessary for my new creation and
this was to me like the torture of single drops of water
continually falling on the head”.

10. Diction on Chapter XIX

 Diction:
 “The majestic oaks, the quantity of game and the herds of
stately deer were all novelties to us”.
 “The colleges are ancient and pinturesque; the streets are
almost magnificent; and the lovely Isis which flows beside it
through meadows of exquisite verdure is spread forth into a
placid expanse of waters(…)”.
 “And I fear the effects of the deamon’s disappointment”.

11. Chapter XX

 When he was in his lab, Victor looks up to see the
monster grinning at him through the window. Overcome
by the monster’s hideousness and the possibility of a
second creature like him, he destroys his work in
progress. The following night, Victor receives a letter
from Henry, who, tired of Scotland, suggests that they
continue their travels. Late that evening, he rows out onto
the ocean and throws the remains into the water, allowing
himself to rest in the boat for a while. When he wakes, he
finds that the winds will not permit him to return to
shore. Soon the winds change, however, and he reaches
shore near a town. When he lands, a group of
townspeople greet him rudely, telling him that he is
under suspicion for a murder discovered the previous
night.

12. Chapter XX

 Importance: He break his promise with the monster,
which consisted in creating a female version of the
deamon. Without breaking it, maybe the monster
would stop bothering Victor. He destroyed the hope
of the deamon for being happy.

13. Imagery on Chapter XX

 Imagery:
 “Had created a fiend whose unparalleled barbarity had
desolated my heart and filled it forever with the bitterest
remose”.
 “I walked about the isle like a restless spectre separated from
all it loved and miserable in the separation”.
 “This sudden certanity of life rushed like a flood of warm joy
to my heart, and tears gushed from my eyes”.

14. Diction Chapter XX

 Diction:
o “Devil Cease; and do not poison the air with these sounds of
malice”.
o “Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved
yourself unworthy of my condescension”.
o “The wretch saw me destroy the creature on whose future
existence he depended for happiness”.

15. Chapter XXI

After confronting Victor, the townspeople take him to Mr.
Kirwin, the town magistrate. Victor hears witnesses testify
against him, claiming that they found the body of a man
along the beach the previous night and that, just before
finding the body, they saw a boat in the water that
resembled Victor’s. Mr. Kirwin decides to bring Victor to
look at the body to see what effect it has on him, for his
surprise he sees Cleveral. Becuase of the shock Victor
remains ill for two months, and he stays in prision. One day
his father come to visit him and he tellls him that his family
and friends are fine. With out having circumstantial
evidence, the court, declares Victor innocent of Henry’s
murder.

16. Chapter XXI

 Importance: In this chapter the monster takes
revenge of Victor, killing his friend Cleveral. It’s the
consequence of destroying the companion of the
deamon.

17. Imagery on Chapter XXI

 Imagery:
 “…the presence of the magistrate and witnesses, passed like
a dream from my memory when I saw the lifeless form of
Henry Cleveral”.
 “The lines of her face were hard and rude, like that of
persons accustomed to see without sympathizing in sights of
misery”.
 “… and the voice struck me as one that I had heard during
my sufferings”.

18. Diction on Chapter XXI

 Diction:
 “… my limbs trembled, and a mist came over my eyes, wich
obliged me to lean on a chair for support”.
 “… observed me with a keen eye”.
 “I was overcome by gloom and misery and often reflected I
had better seek death than desire to remain in a world which
to me was replete with wretchedness”.

19. Conclusion

 Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein is one of the most
popular books in the world, written in 1818, it’s the
inspiration for contemporary authors. It’s easy to
understand and it’s just wonderful how the author
catches our attention and how, by using the correct
words, she can affect you as she want.