Gothic Marxism: Frankenstein as a Lens for Capitalist Critique

A recent article explores the concept of 'Gothic Marxism,' which uses the horror genre, particularly Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, to critique capitalism. Published on eldiario.es, the piece traces this idea through the works of Jacques Derrida, Mark Fisher, Jon Greenaway, and David McNally. It argues that the predatory logic of the economic system makes terror a useful tool for explaining the world. Since its publication in 1818, Frankenstein's monster has been interpreted as a symbol of scientific arrogance, a warning against technological excess, an allegory of exclusion, and even a precursor to artificial intelligence. However, Gothic Marxism shifts the focus from what the monster is to why it exists—the conditions that lead to its creation. The article suggests that the most terrifying thing in literature is not werewolves or vampires, but the fear of losing one's home. This perspective reframes the monster as a product of capitalist alienation and dispossession.