Abstract: Frankenstein is the masterpiece of the famous female writer Mary Shelley. It is one of the representatives of Gothic novels and the first real science fiction. The detailed studies on the novel have not ceased since it was first published in 1818. Most of the studies focus on the ecological theme, the narrative skill, and the literature comparison. Even though a few scholars have noticed the Gothic elements in Frankenstein, they pay most attention to the contradiction between the monster and Frankenstein, rather than the female Gothic elements and the hidden female figure. This thesis aims to analyze the female Gothic elements featuring in Frankenstein. Through briefly introducing the author Mary Shelley and the novel, further studying the definition and development of female Gothic tradition, and dissecting the characters, plot and writing tactics of the novel, the thesis intends to find out the female character hidden in the novel, and therefore proves that Frankenstein is a female Gothic novel reflecting the difficult situations of females and expressing the wishes of the females at that time.

Key words: Frankenstein; Mary Shelley; Female Gothic; Gender Metaphor

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

  1.1 The Brief Introduction to Mary Shelley

  1.2 The Brief Introduction to Frankenstein

  1.3 Literature Review

2. Female Tradition and Female Gothic Tradition.4

2.1 Definition and Development of Gothic Tradition

2.2 Definition and Development of Female Gothic Tradition

3. The Female Gothic Elements in Frankenstein.5

3.1 Characters: The Hidden Heroines behind Three Male Narrators

3.1.1 Robert Walton vs. Mary Shelley

3.1.2 Victor Frankenstein vs. Mary Shelley

3.1.3 The Monster vs. Mary Shelley and Other Females

  3.2 Plot: The Lot and Resistance of Females

3.2.1 The Lot of the Monster

3.2.2 The Growth and the Resistance of the Monster

  3.3 Writing Tactics: The Horror Inside

3.3.1 Environmental Description

3.3.2 Scene Settings

4. Conclusion .13

Bibliography.14

Acknowledgements15