How Do the Writers Mary Shelley and Robert Louise Stevenson Present the Notion of the “Monster”, in Frankenstein and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?

How do the writers Mary Shelley and Robert Louise Stevenson present the notion of the “monster”, in Frankenstein and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?

The authors Mary Shelley and Robert Louise Stevenson have both written their novels “Frankenstein” and “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” using the gothic genre. Their novels show in similar and in different ways how monsters can act and behave. Both novels have differences but they are both similar when presenting their main characters; Frankenstein and Dr Jekyll.

Mary Shelley and Robert Louis Stevenson both use “gothic” literature to present their stories. Gothic genre is based on horror and the supernatural, the gothic genre centres itself on death and killings. At this time people had a fear of science and wanted to believe in God. People believed that God was the only person who could create life and no one else should try and do God’s job. Darwin at this time had just presented his ideas about evolution and so people were beginning to question whether God truly existed.

Chapter Five of “Frankenstein” is set on a rainy, autumn night. The chapter shows how Frankenstein brought his creation to life; it also shows Frankenstein’s horror towards the creature he had created. The chapter is in first person so you can understand the story from Frankenstein’s point of view. Frankenstein speaks of his hard work to create his monster “I had deprived myself of rest and health”. This shows how desperate Frankenstein was to create new life. Frankenstein talks about the monsters terrifying appearance with “hideous, black lips”.

Also in chapter 10 of “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” is also in first person which shows how the two novels are similar. This chapter is “Henry Jekyll’s full statement of the case” which means you can learn the true events of the novel. In the chapter Jekyll’s downfall is revealed from his own view in a letter to Utterson. Jekyll talks about being from a wealthy family and becoming a doctor it also shows he had desires...