Preview

Romanticism In Frankenstein Research Paper

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
585 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Romanticism In Frankenstein Research Paper
Romanticism was an aesthetic movement that originated in Germany in the eighteenth century. The Romantic Movement was a reaction against the age of Enlightenment and its rational thinking. Romanticism's most important features are: celebration of nature and the struggle of the individual against society; these features play vital roles in Mary Shelley's 1818 masterpiece, Frankenstein, which is a classic romantic novel, combine to create one of the most important novels in the English literature.

The theme that plays a greater role in the Romantic Movement is the power of nature, and this theme serves a vital purpose in Frankenstein. The mystery of nature is admonished in the novel, especially in the moments of crisis. …show more content…
In contrast to the Enlightenment perspective, for the Romantics, civilization is not the greatest human good, moreover, they see it as a corrupting and abusive system that deprive individuals of their individuality and humanity. For example, when Dr. Frankenstein leaves his Alpine home to join the University, his manic pursuits begin; he is corrupted by his ambition that also saturates these large university towns. This change in Victor's character pursuits the reader that knowledge and progress leads only to dehumanization and the destruction of the individual. Moreover, the corruption of society is also relevant in the townspeople's reactions to Frankenstein's monster. However, it becomes clear that the monster is naturally brilliant minded and has a strong capacity for feelings, including his desire to love and be loved back; however he is refused because of his appearance.

In conclusion, nature and the individual versus society are the main themes that discuss Romanticism in Frankenstein. In every home and every town that supposed to be enlightened and civilized, we find people to be judged by their appearance, and that civilized people are not guided by reason or rationality and are incapable of looking beyond
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Theme Of Individualism In Frankenstein
    • 1555 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Theme Of Individualism In Frankenstein

    The monster continually calls out for sensibility from the romantic. The monster has a desire for companionship, and implores of his creator to make him a being of his own species. The monster also desires to be accepted by mankind. The final way the monster displays sensibility is through his desire to learn. He displays his capabilities of learning at the beginning of his creation, and continues to grow throughout the novel. Victor Frankenstein shows the individualistic, mystic, and love of nature side of romanticism. He displays individualism through his desire to be his own creator. He also rejects the help from others, and strives on selfish ambition. Victor shows the mysticism, through gaining power of being his own god. Finally, he shows a love for nature, through taking the time to breathe and admire the beautiful countryside around him. Romanticism is concluded in the comparison of the two characters, and how similar their situations are. Victor Frankenstein and the monster both have a strong desire for love from others around them. They also show great passion for sympathy from others, which they do not necessarily receive. Their situations are unrealistic, and portray the case of non-neoclassicism. Both Frankenstein and the monster experience deep sorrow throughout the entire novel. This experience is heightened when the monster is denied a companion and Victor loses all of his loved ones. In the end, both Victor and the creature share their desire for friendship, which neither fully obtain, due to the circumstances of the rejection and bitterness. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, displays the aspects of Romanticism through Frankenstein and his creature; they display sensibility, individualism, love of nature, non-neoclassicism, and…

    • 1555 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparing Romanticism In The Devil And Tom Walker
    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Comparing Romanticism In The Devil And Tom Walker

    What is Romanticism? Romanticism was a movement in the 19th century in where art, literature, and music experienced a growth in not only popularity, but also creativity, in the form of intuition, inspiration, imagination, individuality, and idealism. There are many characteristics of Romanticism that can be recognized within many aspects of literature. The few characteristics that are widely common in literature will be shown here.…

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Similarities Between Frankenstein And Blade Runner
    • 1508 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Similarities Between Frankenstein And Blade Runner

    Primarily, in the world of Frankenstein nature is untouched physically and there is no awareness of the consequences the Enlightenment could have on nature itself. The age of science had not taken shape and no environmental problems were threatening. Therefore in Frankenstein, Shelley’s Romanticist ideas influence the definition of what makes us human. From the monster’s interaction with nature in the metaphor “the pleasant sunshine…restored me to…tranquillity”, we see that humanity originates from close contact with nature…

    • 1508 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Mary Shelley Frankenstein: Ugly Society Essay Example
    • 856 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Mary Shelley Frankenstein: Ugly Society Essay Example

    Frankenstein is full of horrible elements about human society. Mary Shelley shows many of the sides of human beings that are not necessarily positive attributes. She really gives a kind of critique on mankind’s judgement of others. In this novel, a major theme is that in society people judge people by their looks and this judgment may cause negativity, this can be seen through the characters, Victor and the creature, when they judge other characters or are judged themselves.…

    • 856 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Comparing Frankenstein 'And The Creature'
    • 1421 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Comparing Frankenstein 'And The Creature'

    The Romantic era took place throughout the 19th century and held the belief that men demonstrate innate goodness, but civilization later corrupts them. Even in today’s society, many political figures, authors, celebrities, and athletes reinforce the Romantic idea of the natural goodness of man and the corruption of man by civilization as they initially exhibit pure values that succumb to the temptations civilization provides. Literature also reflects the belief of the innate goodness of man and the corruption of man by society. For example, Mary Shelley, entails these Romantic beliefs in her novel Frankenstein, in which both Victor Frankenstein and the Creature are born innately good but society later corrupts them. Victor’s,…

    • 1421 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Frankenstein/ Blade Runner Essay Example
    • 991 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Frankenstein/ Blade Runner Essay Example

    Nature is a powerful idea explored in Frankenstein. The idea of sublime nature was embraced during Romantic period of the late 18th Century. It allowed an unrestrained emotional experience for the individual. In ‘Frankenstein’, descriptions of nature seem to appear repeatedly during emotional or significant moments in Victor’s life. Nature allows an outlet for Victor, it acts as…

    • 991 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Blade Runner And Frankenstein Comparison
    • 1568 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Blade Runner And Frankenstein Comparison

    The benevolent nature of humans is pointed out through the Romantic imagery of Frankenstein’s parents as they are described as feeling a “necessity, a passion” to act as a “guardian angel to the afflicted.” However, Victor’s obsession to knowledge and science resulted in a collapse of morals and he rejects his creation simply from its appearance, “Unable to endure…I rushed out of the room…I sought to avoid the wretch” which shows us how society has defined human based on appearance. However, the monster himself does display intrinsic human qualities, which is demonstrated by the use of anaphora as he empathises, “when they were unhappy, I felt depressed; when they rejoiced, I sympathized in their joys”. And such honest and pure attributes are what allows him to be accepted by the blind old man, “I am blind and cannot judge of your countenance, but there is something in your words which persuade me you are sincere”. The blindness of the old man symbolises a literal blindness to superficiality which shows us that traditionally humans were defined by their understanding nature. However, Safie, Agatha and Felix, whom represent the future generation, do judge the monster by his appearance and treat him as exactly that, demonstrated through the rhetorical question and their reactions, “Who can describe their horror and consternation on beholding me? Agatha fainted, Safie, rushed out of the cottage…Felix…tore me from his father”. And it is through this collapse of morals of mankind over time which has led to a superficial definition of what it means to be…

    • 1568 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Allusions In Frankenstein
    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Allusions In Frankenstein

    12. Romanticism- An artistic and intellectual movement originating in Europe in the late 18th century and characterized by a heightened interest in nature, emphasis on the individual's expression of emotion and imagination, departure from the attitudes and forms of classicism, and rebellion against established social rules and conventions…

    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Second letter Frankenstein
    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Second letter Frankenstein

    Frankenstein is a prime example of a text influenced by its early romantic predecessors, representing the Romantic Movement through Walton’s letters of personal sentiments. This is especially prevalent within the second letter in which Walton discloses his inner desires to his sister where the desire for companionship and eagerness to explore the great unknown is expressed. “I greatly need a friend who would have sense enough not to despise me as romantic and affection enough for me to endeavour to regulate my mind.” The isolation depicted in Walton’s lack of friendship and his realisation of his feelings embodies the powerful emphasis on emotions associated with the Romantic Movement. It is through the untrammelled repeated mentions of Walton’s desires that the raw emotions associated with the Romantic Movement are expressed. As such, the sheer force of feelings can be felt through Walton’s lack of companionship.…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romanticism in Frankenstein
    • 994 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Romanticism in Frankenstein

    One of the key features found in Romantic literature is the Romantic hero, also called the Byronic hero after Lord Byron, pursuing a Romantic quest. Victor Frankenstein¡¯s life story, which is at the heart of Frankenstein, is a Romantic quest toward self-destruction, and Frankenstein represents the Byronic hero almost exactly. The Byronic hero is not as virtuous as conventional heroes but, instead, has many dark qualities. He is an extremist considering his pride, intellectual ability, passions, hypersensitivity, and self-destructiveness. Frankenstein is such a person with genius, arrogance, and passion for the study of natural philosophy and knowledge of the world. These are the reasons that drive him to the obsession with discovery of the secret of life. As the novel progresses, Frankenstein becomes increasingly self-centered, moody, irresponsible for his creation of the monster, and self-destructive, ultimately leading to his complete isolation which is yet another characteristic of the Byronic hero.…

    • 994 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Frankenstein Romanticism Essay
    • 480 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Frankenstein Romanticism Essay

    Romanticism was a movement happened between 1800 to 1850 in Europe. It was a revolt for neoclassicism. It was referred to a period dominated By William Wordsworth and other poets like Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and John Keats. Romanticism is well known for it concepts such as freedom, individuality, beauty, emotions, occult, liberalism and also for it love and respect to nature. Many of the concepts of the Romanticism movement can be seen in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.…

    • 480 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Frankenstein Romanticism
    • 687 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Frankenstein Romanticism

    Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is romantic is many ways. Although the characteristics of romanticism million don't stick out in this piece, if you dig deep enough the basis of the story revolves around romanticism traits. Importance of Imagination is evident while reading this piece. The scientist came up with his experiment and put his “heart and soul, in one pursuit.” into it because he was determined to follow his imagination, not anyone else's. However his imagination goes too far and throws off the course of nature which plays into another characteristic. The awe of nature plays a huge role in this story. The scientist was fascinated with the human frame, “one of the phenomena which had peculiarly attracted my attention was the structure…

    • 687 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Is Frankenstein a critique or admiration of Romantic Ideology?
    • 1451 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Is Frankenstein a critique or admiration of Romantic Ideology?

    Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is both a critique and an admiration of Romantic beliefs and ideologies. Examples of Romantic Ideologies are present throughout most of the novel, along with both the truthfulness and admiration in such ideals, and the detrimental effects that these ideals impose on society. Mary Shelley uses the story of Frankenstein as a warning of such Romantic Ideals by demonstrating the negative outcomes that have been caused by these ideals. She uses the Romantic idea of an Idyllic childhood, which is represented through the character of Victor Frankenstein and transforms this idea into a warning by making Victor grow into the man who ultimately causes the death of his loved ones. She also uses the Romantic idea of the desire to elevate human beings into living Gods, and the strong belief in fatalism, in which Victor possesses, and incorporates these desires/beliefs into the causes of the detriment caused by Victor's actions. However she uses the idea of the 'noble savage' represented by the character of Frankenstein's creature in admiration and in a sense or truthfulness. Frankenstein is both an admiration and critique of Romantic Ideology in that it both agrees and disagrees with certain Romantic ideals.…

    • 1451 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romanticism In Frankenstein
    • 550 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Romanticism In Frankenstein

    Literary works of this time period were often written with an over encompassing theme of nature, stressing that each individual must develop a personal understanding of the universe. Throughout poems and novels alike, this theme ran rampant, dominating entire plot lines and dictating the messages conceived from them. In this aspect, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is no different from many of the other works of her time period, as it embodies all of the core values of Romanticism.…

    • 550 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Frankenstein gothic elements
    • 1499 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Frankenstein gothic elements

    Frankenstein incorporates the main themes necessary in creating a great gothic novel. “I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me.” (Shelly, 133) This quote embodies the pain, the obsession, and the isolation that the monster feels throughout out the novel. In gothic novels the main theme that is played out is pain and the quote summarizes the pain the monster felt when he was ran out of a village and when he confronted the Delacy’s. This quote also represents one of the romantic themes in the novel that all the monster wants is to be loved. An example of a gothic novel with a theme similar to Frankenstein is Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. “He often endures the insults and accusations of the people of Paris. As a result he feels sad, isolated and,…

    • 1499 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics