Frankenstein- Preface to Letter IV

Preface:

• Gothic theme already shown- 'cold and rainy' and the theme of ghost stories.
• Why does it say that the novel is Percy Shelley's?
• Sets the tone.

Letter I:

• Gothic theme of dreams/nightmares. 'day dreams became more fervent and vivid'.
• Creates a tense atmosphere- 'danger of death'. Foreshadowing of danger/peril?
• A possible use of the gothic theme of heaven and hell, as there is alot of heavenly imagery used. e.g. 'perpetual splendour'.
• What is Walton doing there? Reader starts to question his part in the novel? But the letters add a more personal touch, drawing them into the story.

Letter II:

• Walton is lonely, and he tells Margeret that he has no friends- reader feels sympathy for him (maybe showing similarites to the monster later on?)
• 'the lieutenant...is madly desirous of glory'. Ambition seems to be a strong theme in the letters.

Letter III:

• Another use of ambition in the Gothic Nature: 'What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man?'

Letter IV:

• Again, use of weather is a gothic theme. 'a  very thick fog'.
• Mystery surrounding the 'old man'. Who is he? What is he doing there?
• 'Oh unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also of the intoxicating draft?'. Walton notices similarities with Victor. Sharing the thirst for knowledge?