In this excerpt from “Frankenstein,” Victor has just given life to his creature and is now appalled at the sight of his work of two years. In this piece the most obvious theme can be seen is the appearance of Gothicism. All the words used to describe that night and that moment in particular are relating to the horror that he is experiencing. Even in the very opening sentences when Victor narrates “It was on a dreary night…with an anxiety that almost amounted to agony.” His suffering and disappointment is not only seen there but also in himself in the way that he cannot belief himself for having desired to create this thing.

That very thought is what leads to the next theme, the idea of there needing to be a parent to child relationship. Of course, in this novel the parent to child relationship is not one of the typical creation, rather it stems from literal creation. Regardless, the concept of unconditional love is usually something that is expressed and understood when considering a relationship and it is something that is non existent between these two. In fact, at this point Victor is in disgust with himself and with the monster, “How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavored to form?”

Also, another way of looking at this kind of relationship can be considering the idea that in normal births (from mother to infant) because of genetics (or the through the power of nurture) a child tends to inherit or exhibit behaviors or actions similar to those of their parents. In this excerpt alone the repetition of the words “convulse” and “agitate” are used to describe both Frankenstein and his creature. It leaves room for later discussion on the principles of nature versus nurture and in this case what the monster took from his creator, or rather learn.

Later on in this excerpt the romanticism can be seen when Victor tries to escape (both mentally and physically) not only from his work station but possibly also from the responsibility that comes with creation of a human being either through natural birth or scientific endeavors. He finds himself stuck having nightmares only to awake horrified with what he sees, “I saw Elizabeth… I embraced her; but as I imprinted the first kiss on her lips, they became livid with the hue of death; her features appeared to change, and I thought that I geld the corpse of my dead mother in my arms.” The love for both his mother and for Elizabeth can be seen her. However, this is not a typical love; it is far more disturbed than Victor lets on. He later goes on to say “a shroud enveloped her form, and I saw the grave-worms crawling in the folds on the flannel.” It is at this point that the Gothicism comes back into play.