In her 1831 introduction to the novel, Shelley explained how she wanted to ‘curdle the blood and quicken the beatings of the heart’. Do you think she achieves her aim?

In addition to using the elements to foreshadow events, Shelley also uses various literary devices. One of the most significant of these devices is symbolism Shelley manages to foreshadow events with such things as the moon. The moon is considered in literary terms to represent the female form because of its monthly cycles just like a woman has. Often there is a full moon the novel then refers to a female character and more importantly to Victors beloved Elizabeth. When Elizabeth dies, not only does the weather change but also the moon is stated as beginning to descend this indicates a possible fall of a woman character. The moon is often described as pale and yellow alluding to sickness and characters demise in some way whether it is a moral demise or an actual death. The moon is also present before the monster appears, also the moon represents darkness as does Frankensteins monster. Further symbols used by Shelley are that of the Monster he represents Victors self hate in many ways. Firstly, his ugliness stands to represent Victors inner demons and secondly, his self-hatred for his filthy workshop of creation. Other literary devices such as alliteration are used throughout the novel in order to highlight certain things such as Murderous mark and fiendish finger in chapter 23 it is used in order to highlight the horror Victor is experiencing at the hands of the monster and it echoes throughout the paragraph keeping it vivid in the audiences mind. Onomatopoeia also adds great atmosphere and emotion to the novel as it adds great fear or drama to the scene. In chapter ten, Victor describes his surroundings and the cracking noise reverberating along the mountains. This particular use of onomatopoeia makes the reader sit on edge as the area is in solemn silence and the cracking of the thunder serves to scare and bring imaginations of a whip cracking. Personification is also a significant literary tool used by Shelley as she uses it constantly throughout the novel, which assists in evoking emotion from the audience and assists in creating life in moments that otherwise may be dull for the reader. For example in chapter 10 the surrounding area Victor is in is described by Shelley as being in a solemn silence without the personification it might be difficult for the reader to attach any meaning to just silent the use of personification in Frankenstein is successful in making the scenes more vivid and relatable to the audience. This adds to the dramatic effect and provokes an emotional reaction within the reader whether this may be fright or fear. Further on in chapter 10 Victor is surrounded by sombre trees this again adds great drama and life to the surroundings and impresses upon the reader how isolated the area is. Shelley uses personification magnificently to evoke emotions and to convey characters moods and feelings one example of this but when he entered misery and despair, alone, welcomed him (chp 1) automatically the worst possible emotions a human being could feel come to the mind and add to the effect and make it more vivid for the audience. The extensive similes used add a striking effect to the novel Shelley compares different aspects in order to illustrate the point she wishes to make. One example of this like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success in this sentence, Shelley likens his motivation to that of a hurricane fast, persistent and all encompassing. A further example of excellent use of similes is like a lichen on a rock in chapter 13 proves important as she is comparing the ability to seize knowledge to the grasp of a lichen on a rock. In addition to similes, metaphors are present throughout such as, life and death appeared to me ideal bounds.