Whilst I agree that your horror fiction formula is
accurate for a wide range of horror novels, I definitely do not think this formula can
be applied to Frankenstein for a number of
reasons.
The biggest way that this formula does not fit
this classic Gothic novel is the way in which the creature is not actually a "Dionysian
force" of pure evil. If anything, depending on how you read the novel, it is society
that is shown to be evil and Frankenstein, as the creator of the creature, displays
several questionable tendencies through the way that he abandons his creature. In
particular, the novel seems to stress the evil and injustice of humanity more than the
creature. Note the way we are told about how Justine is condemned to
death:
And
when I received their cold answers, and heard the harsh unfeeling reasoning of these
men, my purposed avowal died away on my
lips.
It is humanity that is
shown to be evil, not the creature, who, from his own account, only sought human warmth
and companionship. However, at every turn, thanks to his appearance, he is shunned and
despised. It appears that although the creature does go on to commit terrible crimes, as
he himself said, he is only imitating the "kindness" of humanity that he has
experienced. Note how he reasons with Frankenstein:
"I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not
shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces, and triumph;
remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities
me?"
Let us remember this
before we quickly jump to label the creature a monster. If he is a monster, it is thanks
to how he has been treated by humanity and his creator. This is one central reason
therefore why this novel does not fit into the formula you have
given.
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