Abstract
Since ancient times, images of monsters have appeared in many works and served as embodiments of human fears and sources of ecophobia. Monstrosity evoked contempt, hatred, and ultimately ecophobia, which Estok describes as irrational fear, contempt, or lack of mindfulness toward the natural environment. This paper explores the character of the monster as an embodiment of ecophobia in three Gothic novels: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818), Herman Melville’s Moby Dick (1851), and Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897), by interpreting monstrosity in socio-cultural contexts. The following questions will be addressed: How is monstrosity represented? How do monsters exhibit ecophobia? What role does the monster play in creating ecophobia? This paper concludes that monstrosity reflects nineteenth-century preoccupations such as human corruption and scientific excess. It also concludes that viewing monstrosity from an ecocritical perspective highlights the need for harmony in humans' relationship with nature, suggesting that humans should develop a naturalistic understanding and embrace and preserve all aspects of the natural world. Tracing the interconnections between monstrosity and ecophobia epitomizes the writers' distinct concerns about inappropriate human behaviors in both the real and fictional worlds.
Recommended Citation
Hassouneh, Enas and Al-Khalili, Raja
(2025)
"Monstrosity and Ecophobia in Frankenstein, Moby Dick, and Dracula,"
Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series: Vol. 42:
Iss.
2, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/jjoas-h/vol42/iss2/2