Analyzing "Frankenstein" - Formalist Perspective.
The formalist method of literary criticism is primarily focused on the text itself, rather than external topics such as history and background, the author's biographical information, or the social contexts which surround a piece of work. In the formalist perspective, we ask ourselves, why did the author choose to write his or her work in this specific style? Why did he or she choose to include certain literary elements? "What matters most to the formalist critic is how the work comes to mean what it does--how its resources of language are deployed by the writer to convey meaning" (DiYanni 2076). A reader can employ the formalist method to decipher many meanings in Mary Shelley's classic text Frankenstein. Shelley uses setting, foreshadowing, point of view, and characterization so that the reader can gain a sense of suspense and anticipation, which are all essential to the book's distinctive gothic mood and tone.
A fundamental factor of the formalist outlook is the setting of the text. Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" has a very dark, gloomy setting that reflects the hideousness of the monster and society's reaction to him, as well as our own. A very important factor of the setting is the weather: "Our situation was somewhat dangerous, especially as we were compassed round by a very thick fog."-- (page 8). The description gives the reader a feeling of interaction with the characters in the novel and with the environment also. The narrative generates a sense of suspense that entrances the reader. The text itself relies on the setting because the reader needs to feel the emotions arising from the novel and that's why Mary Shelley integrated this into the story using the creature's monstrosity and nature as an element of anticipation. As a result, these components are crucial to the book's triumph.
In chapter ten, we see how Victor reacts to his surroundings. While at Chamounix Valley, he feels consolation at the nature that surrounds him. At the same time, he notes
A fundamental factor of the formalist outlook is the setting of the text. Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" has a very dark, gloomy setting that reflects the hideousness of the monster and society's reaction to him, as well as our own. A very important factor of the setting is the weather: "Our situation was somewhat dangerous, especially as we were compassed round by a very thick fog."-- (page 8). The description gives the reader a feeling of interaction with the characters in the novel and with the environment also. The narrative generates a sense of suspense that entrances the reader. The text itself relies on the setting because the reader needs to feel the emotions arising from the novel and that's why Mary Shelley integrated this into the story using the creature's monstrosity and nature as an element of anticipation. As a result, these components are crucial to the book's triumph.
In chapter ten, we see how Victor reacts to his surroundings. While at Chamounix Valley, he feels consolation at the nature that surrounds him. At the same time, he notes