What genre does Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" primarily belong to?

Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" is primarily classified as Gothic fiction because it incorporates many key elements typical of the Gothic genre. These elements include a dark and brooding atmosphere, themes of isolation and madness, the exploration of human fears, and an emphasis on the supernatural and the monstrous. The narrative is set against eerie and foreboding landscapes, such as desolate mountains and dreary laboratories, enhancing the sense of horror and the uncanny.

Gothic fiction often delves into psychological conflict and the darker aspects of the human condition, which are central to the experiences of both Victor Frankenstein and his creature. The text grapples with questions of creation, responsibility, and the consequences of transgression, all of which align well with Gothic themes.

While aspects of Romantic fiction are present, particularly in their focus on emotion and nature, and there are also early elements of science fiction—due to the novel's engagement with the consequences of scientific experimentation—its essential characteristics and themes align more closely with the Gothic tradition. Therefore, Gothic fiction is the most accurate classification for "Frankenstein."