Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a literary classic that has influenced many horror, gothic and romance stories today. Her book follows a young scientist who creates a terrifying and grotesque monster that eventually breaks out and torments him for the rest of his life. It's influences on the horror genre are great, but it's also a gothic at it's core.
Victor Frankenstein and The Monster are both constantly asking themselves throughout the course of the novel whether they're good or bad people. Victor takes on the role of the protagonist, but at times act like the villain, not warning people about the monstrosity he's created, fearing no one would believe him and that his reputation would be ruined. Because of this, Justine is convicted of murdering Victor's younger brother, William.
The Monster also has doubts. Once he escapes from Victor's grasp, he runs off into the woods, unable to speak. He hides near a home he finds with a family, hoping to understand who he is and how to fit in. This outcast who's unsure if he's good or bad is a huge element of gothic literature. When everyone looks at him as a monster, he believes it, when in reality many people think that Victor is the true monster of the story. Another aspect of gothic literature in the novel is the tragic love between Victor and Elizabeth that we all know will not end well. The story is was a turning point for horror, romance and gothic stories and how they were told.
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