Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-4-1-imagery [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein.md) › Imagery # Imagery English Lit: AQA GCSE Frankenstein, topic 4.4.1 ## Imagery: Gothic The term 'imagery' has a vast number of meanings, and can incorporate various literary devices such as simile and metaphor. It is not limited to a visual response, authors also use auditory and tactile imagery. ### Imagery of genres ![Imagery of genres](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/960d6a57-011a-4dd5-90c3-f95b8a6da591/shutterstock_62040511.jpg) - Different genres have associated types of imagery, such as: - Gothic imagery, which creates a dreary, dark atmosphere. - Romantic imagery, which conjures up a sense of the Sublime. - In the novel, Shelley employs vivid and descriptive language in order to allow readers a greater understanding of her meaning. ### Chapter 5 ![Chapter 5](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/c8c476ec-2a2e-4ce2-8382-c0879b4a536a/shutterstock_160501187.jpg) - __“It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils."__ - __"It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.”__ ### Pathetic fallacy ![Pathetic fallacy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/10.1.1%20Potable%20water/rain-122691_640-min.jpg) - In this piece of Gothic imagery, Shelley uses aspects of the setting to create a dark, troubling mood which links to Victor’s own experiences. - This technique (of using setting and weather to link to characters’ emotions) can be described as ‘pathetic fallacy’. ### Light imagery ![Light imagery](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/299e932c-ab0a-4dc4-904a-11ddc6a29bf1/shutterstock_789718813.jpg) - Shelley adds to the natural darkness of a “dreary” winter’s evening with the focus on the waning light of Victor’s candle. - As light is often used to represent hope and goodness, the lack of light here encourages the reader to anticipate the awakening of the creation as something horrific and evil. ### Other imagery ![Other imagery](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/42329702-0cd1-4803-b86a-f8b5369915af/ghost-hallucination-spooky-fog-.jpg) - This is furthered by the description of the creation’s movements as “convulsive”, linking to the notion of sickness and a lack of control. ## Imagery: Romantic The term 'imagery' has a vast number of meanings, and can incorporate various literary devices such as simile and metaphor. It is not limited to a visual response, authors also use auditory and tactile imagery. ### Imagery and genre ![Imagery and genre](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/31fe1f3b-70ce-488d-88eb-ba709a489243/man-walking-fog.jpg) - Different genres have associated types of imagery, such as: - Gothic imagery, which creates a dreary, dark atmosphere. - Romantic imagery, which conjures up a sense of the Sublime. - In the novel, Shelley employs vivid and descriptive language in order to allow readers a greater understanding of her meaning. ### Volume Two: Chapter 1 ![Volume Two: Chapter 1](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/426399ec-acb7-4192-b28c-9ecb80404d8f/shutterstock_730260400.jpg) - __“Still, as I ascended higher, the valley assumed a more magnificent and astonishing character."__ - __"Ruined castles hanging on the precipices of piny mountains; the impetuous Arve, and cottages every here and there peeping forth from among the trees, formed a scene of singular beauty."__ - __"But it was augmented and rendered sublime by the mighty Alps, whose white and shining pyramids and domes towered above all, as belonging to another earth, the habitations of another race of beings.”__ ### Man's temporariness ![Man's temporariness](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/9db4e226-f456-4134-bc7c-75b9579d2d27/shutterstock_320550341.jpg) - Here, Shelley creates Romantic imagery in which the scenery of the Alps is presented as Sublime. - The focus is on Victor’s isolation and solitude. - The only aspects of human life he sees are either overshadowed by nature, like the “cottages” which barely “peep” through the forest. - Or in ruins, like the “castles” which seem to be precariously positioned on cliffs, as if they could fall away at any moment. ### Supremacy of nature ![Supremacy of nature](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/259e3e20-9fcd-41da-9057-5e425a581662/shutterstock_665664424.jpg) - Shelley shows Victor’s focus to be on the Alps, which (in contrast to the manmade aspects of the setting) are vast and “mighty”. - The language used emphasises this sense of the supremacy of nature, with “towered” suggesting the physical superiority of the mountains, and “white and shining” perhaps implying a heavenly or Godly power. ## Imagery: Decay The term 'imagery' has a vast number of meanings, and can incorporate various literary devices such as simile and metaphor. It is not limited to a visual response, authors also use auditory and tactile imagery. ### Chapter 8 ![Chapter 8](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/6a887280-55df-405d-a239-80348fc1af48/worm-earth-.jpg) - __“But I, the true murderer, felt the never-dying worm alive in my bosom, which allowed of no hope or consolation.”__ - In this image, Shelley presents the guilt Victor feels during Justine's trial as a physical creature eating away at Victor's insides. ### Moral decay ![Moral decay](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/29cca1a4-e862-4dec-b795-d8d802fb8910/rose-676760_1920.jpg) - The fact that she chooses to use a worm, a creature often associated with rotting and decomposition, could suggest that (by choosing not to speak up) Victor becomes morally decayed. ### Love ![Love](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/631331f4-8b91-428c-80c7-d962f66887a8/cemetery-morbid-death-die-.jpg) - Furthermore, the place in which Victor feels this creature is his "bosom", the site of his heart, an organ with connotations of love and care. - The image of the worm feasting here could suggest that it is Victor's capacity to feel love and affection which is being consumed. ## Test yourself on Imagery - What is NOT a type of imagery? - What creature does Shelley presents the guilt Victor feels during Justine's trial as? - What is the significance of the _'never-dying worm'_ being in Victor's _'bosom'_ and site of the heart? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/8cdf14b1-4ce2-4099-98dc-f9c7835917f9/section/e4c9fff0-96d2-448a-9682-4f8792d68f7f/session) - Previous topic: [4.3.2 Symbolism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-3-2-symbolism.md) - Next topic: [4.4.2 Doubling](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-4-2-doubling.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE Frankenstein contents ### 1 Plot Summaries - 1.1 Volume I - [1.1.1 Letters I-IV](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-1-1-letters-i-iv.md) - [1.1.2 Chapters 1-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-1-2-chapters-1-3.md) - [1.1.3 Chapters 4-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-1-3-chapters-4-6.md) - [1.1.4 Chapters 7-8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-1-4-chapters-7-8.md) - [1.1.5 End of Topic Test - Volume I](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-1-5-end-of-topic-test-volume-i.md) - 1.2 Volume II - [1.2.1 Chapters 1-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-2-1-chapters-1-3.md) - [1.2.2 Chapters 4-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-2-2-chapters-4-6.md) - [1.2.3 Chapters 7-9](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-2-3-chapters-7-9.md) - [1.2.4 End of Topic Test - Volume II](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-2-4-end-of-topic-test-volume-ii.md) - 1.3 Volume III - [1.3.1 Chapters 1-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-3-1-chapters-1-3.md) - [1.3.2 Chapters 4-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-3-2-chapters-4-6.md) - [1.3.3 Chapter 7 & Walton in Continuation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-3-3-chapter-7-and-walton-in-continuation.md) - [1.3.4 End of Topic Test - Volume III](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-3-4-end-of-topic-test-volume-iii.md) ### 2 Characters - 2.1 Victor Frankenstein - [2.1.1 Role](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-1-1-role.md) - [2.1.2 Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-1-2-quotations.md) - [2.1.3 End of Topic Test - Victor Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-1-3-end-of-topic-test-victor-frankenstein.md) - 2.2 The Monster - [2.2.1 Role](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-2-1-role.md) - [2.2.2 Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-2-2-quotations.md) - [2.2.3 End of Topic Test - The Monster](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-2-3-end-of-topic-test-the-monster.md) - [2.2.4 Grade 9 - The Monster Question & Extract](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-2-4-grade-9-the-monster-question-and-extract.md) - 2.3 Other Characters - [2.3.1 Robert Walton](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-1-robert-walton.md) - [2.3.2 Elizabeth Lavenza](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-2-elizabeth-lavenza.md) - [2.3.3 Alphonse Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-3-alphonse-frankenstein.md) - [2.3.4 Henry Clerval](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-4-henry-clerval.md) - [2.3.5 Justine Moritz](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-5-justine-moritz.md) - [2.3.6 The De Laceys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-6-the-de-laceys.md) - [2.3.7 End of Topic Test - Walton, Elizabeth & Alphonse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-7-end-of-topic-test-walton-elizabeth-and-alphonse.md) - [2.3.8 End of Topic Test - Henry, Justine & the De Laceys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-8-end-of-topic-test-henry-justine-and-the-de-laceys.md) ### 3 Key Themes - 3.1 Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge - [3.1.1 Presentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-1-1-presentation.md) - [3.1.2 Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-1-2-key-quotations.md) - 3.2 Prejudice - [3.2.1 Presentation & Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-2-1-presentation-and-key-quotations.md) - 3.3 Justice - [3.3.1 Presentation & Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-3-1-presentation-and-key-quotations.md) - [3.3.2 End of Topic Test - Ambition, Prejudice & Justice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-3-2-end-of-topic-test-ambition-prejudice-and-justice.md) - 3.4 Companionship & Family - [3.4.1 Presentation & Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-4-1-presentation-and-key-quotations.md) - 3.5 Revenge - [3.5.1 Presentation & Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-5-1-presentation-and-key-quotations.md) - 3.6 Monstrosity - [3.6.1 Presentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-6-1-presentation.md) - [3.6.2 Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-6-2-key-quotations.md) - 3.7 Gender - [3.7.1 Presentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-7-1-presentation.md) - [3.7.2 Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-7-2-key-quotations.md) - [3.7.3 Key Themes - Companionship, Revenge & More](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-7-3-key-themes-companionship-revenge-and-more.md) ### 4 Authorial Method - 4.1 Genre & Intertextuality - [4.1.1 Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-1-1-genre.md) - [4.1.2 Intertextuality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-1-2-intertextuality.md) - [4.1.3 End of Topic Test - Genre & Intertextuality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-1-3-end-of-topic-test-genre-and-intertextuality.md) - 4.2 Form & Structure - [4.2.1 Form](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-2-1-form.md) - [4.2.2 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-2-2-structure.md) - 4.3 Settings & Symbolism - [4.3.1 Settings](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-3-1-settings.md) - [4.3.2 Symbolism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-3-2-symbolism.md) - 4.4 Imagery & Doubling - [4.4.1 Imagery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-4-1-imagery.md) - [4.4.2 Doubling](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-4-2-doubling.md) - [4.4.3 End of Topic Test - Structure, Settings & More](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-4-3-end-of-topic-test-structure-settings-and-more.md) ### 5 Context - 5.1 Context - [5.1.1 Mary Shelley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/5-1-1-mary-shelley.md) - [5.1.2 Time of Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/5-1-2-time-of-writing.md) - [5.1.3 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/5-1-3-end-of-topic-test-context.md) ### 6 Recap: Main Quotes - 6.1 Characters Quotes - [6.1.1 Victor Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-1-victor-frankenstein.md) - [6.1.2 Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-2-quotations.md) - [6.1.3 Robert Walton](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-3-robert-walton.md) - [6.1.4 Elizabeth Lavenza](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-4-elizabeth-lavenza.md) - [6.1.5 Alphonse Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-5-alphonse-frankenstein.md) - [6.1.6 Henry Clerval](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-6-henry-clerval.md) - [6.1.7 Justine Moritz](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-7-justine-moritz.md) - [6.1.8 The De Laceys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-8-the-de-laceys.md) - 6.2 Text Structure - Quotes - [6.2.1 Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-1-ambition-and-pursuit-of-knowledge.md) - [6.2.2 Prejudice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-2-prejudice.md) - [6.2.3 Justice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-3-justice.md) - [6.2.4 Companionship & Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-4-companionship-and-family.md) - [6.2.5 Revenge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-5-revenge.md) - [6.2.6 Monstrosity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-6-monstrosity.md) - [6.2.7 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-7-gender.md)