Diction In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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In her novel, Frankenstein, Mary Shelly uses contrasting diction to distinguish the unique orphan girl from her destitute surroundings. “Penury” and “disconsolate” describe the area of the cottage of the poor, and the homes themselves are described as “poor cots” located in “the foldings of a vale.” The description of the broken down homes tucked away in the valley give the area a gloomy and almost despairing feeling. Shelley’s diction creates a pessimist view of the poor cottage area, making it difficult to imagine any pleasant thriving from the area. The peasant family is described with a similar tone. The husband and wife are “hard working” and “bent down,” but despite this they struggle to feed their many children only providing a “scanty