How does Shelley go beyond the usual horror story elements to focus on characters and the differences between their behaviors, beliefs and...

In his essay, "Frankenstein:  In the
Context of the Romantic Era," George V. Griffith states that Mary Shelley's novel deals
with such Romantic topics as 

readability="11">

the primacy of feelings, the dangers of
intellect, dismay over the human capacity to corrupt our natural goodness, the agony of
the questing, solitary hero, and the awesome power of the
sublime

Dangers
of the intellect

Both Walton and Victor
Frankenstein are examples of ambition that defies the natural order.  Walton writes that
he will carry out his mission despite cost of human
life:

One
man's life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge
which I sought, for the dominion I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes
of our race.

And, Victor
Frankenstein feels much the same as he allows his brother, friend, and wife to be
sacrificed in his pursuit of science.  Truly, Victor corrupts what is natural and
innocent as his lack of nurturing for the creature transforms him into the monster that
he becomes.

The human capacity to corrupt
natural goodness

Human nature often corrupts
what is by nature innocent. For, the creature is totally without sin until he is
rejected.  Influenced by the writings of the English philosopher, John Locke, Shelley
depicts how important the creature's social conditioning is to his nature.  When he is
reviled and rejected by Victor and all others that he approaches, the creature vows
revenge upon humans and his killing begins, whereas before he is rejected, all he has
wanted is love.

The agony of the questing,
solitary hero

Possessing a life filled with
fear and agony, Frankenstein in Chapter 18 (Volume 3, Chapter 1) is unable to enjoy the
beauties of nature while he is with Clerval, who observes the scenery "with an eye of
feelig and delight."  Instead, Victor declares
himself,

“I am
a blasted tree; the bolt has entered my soul. . . .” (An image that recalls the giant
oak Victor watched destroyed by lightning when he was
15.)

The power
of the sublime

While Victor follows the
Rhine, however, he sees many lovely towns, hills, and ruined castles on cliffs
surrounded by black forests.  In this journey of natural beauty, with the majesty of the
Alps and the musical loveliness of the Rhine, Victor feels his soul somewhat restored. 
He declares that his "gush of sorrow" is but a "slight tribute to the unexampled worth
of Henry," soothing his
heart.