How Does Mary Shelley Use Romantic Elements In Frankenstein
Carolyn Stephen
Michelle Fenicle
British Literature Period 3
22 March 2013
Frankenstein: The epitome of Gothic and Romantic Novels Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein during the Romantic Era. Characteristics like a passion for human emotion and the advocacy of free thought are part of Romantic literature. However, Shelley’s writing was more of a toned down version of Romanticism. The novel itself describes a dark and grotesque story, using gothic themes throughout the story. Using gothic and romantic themes throughout the novel Shelley creates an iconic example that is the epitome of the gothic and romantic ideals stressed throughout the nineteenth century. Nature is one element in Frankenstein that uses both the gothic and romantic themes. …show more content…
Victor Frankenstein is influenced by nature in many instances in the book. Such instances is:
When [Victor] was about fifteen years old… [he] witnessed a most violent and terrible thunderstorm… [Victor] remained, watching… a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak… [it was] reduced to thin ribands of wood. [He] never beheld anything so utterly destroyed” (Shelley 32).
The burning of the oak not only triggers Victor’s obsession of science, but shows how strong nature is.
After Victor learns of his brother’s death, he is struck with grief. When journeying towards Geneva, Victor is in a “painful state of mind” until he starts to “[contemplate] to the lake: the waters were placid; all around was calm… By degrees the calm and heavenly scene restored [Victor]…” (Shelley 61). Victor leans towards nature to uplift his mood, the “sublime and magnificent scenes elevated [him] from all littleness of feeling; and although they did not remove [his] grief, they subdued and tranquillized it” (Shelley 81).The gothic themes show how powerful nature is, able to destroy anything. Nature is not only scene as a great force of destruction but also as a comforter. Romanticism emphasizes how nature can heal a person’s emotions. Mary Shelley is able to use nature as a key competent in combining the gothic and romantic themes …show more content…
together. Shelley uses vivid descriptions to describe certain scenes and to bring out true emotions from the characters.
One occurring scene that continues in the book is death. Each death is described in detail in Frankenstein, along with the emotions that a character feels. When the monster threatens to see Victor on his wedding night, Victor is prepared to fight the monster. Though, it is not Victor the monster is after, it is Elizabeth. Victor finds Elizabeth “lifeless and inanimate, thrown across the bed, her head hanging down, and her pale and distorted features half cover her hair… her bloodless arms and relaxed form flung by the murderer on its bridal bier.” (Shelley 166). Victor is overcome with emotion as he sees Elizabeth distorted body how could [he] behold this and live? Alas! Life is obstinate and clings closest where it is most hated. For a moment only did [he] [lost] recollection; [he] fell senseless on the ground” (Shelley 166). The gory details of Elizabeth’s death allows any reader to understand the intensity of Victor feelings. Shelley is able to use death to describe the grotesque nature of the story but allowing to show the romantic side of intense human
emotion. Frankenstein is a story that intrigues many people. The novel in itself has a grotesque setting and tells a tale about a monster. Though on a closer look, one can see that the book is an emotional journey of Victor Frankenstein. Victor emotions and life are described in detail along with all the gory events that surround him. Mary Shelley is able to create (what most people would think) a simple horror story into a tale of emotion, loss, and consequences. Frankenstein is the ideal novel that combine gothic and romantic themes perfectly to create an amazing story.
Work Cited
Lowe, Sean. "Frankenstein: A Mix of the Gothic and the Romantic." Frankenstein: A Mix of the Gothic and the Romantic. N.p., 10 Oct. 2005. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. http://loweperson.tripod.com/literaryanalysis/frankenstein.htm
Smith, Nicole. "Elements of Romanticism in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley." Article Myriad. N.p., 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. http://www.articlemyriad.com/elements-romanticism-frankenstein/ .
Michelle Fenicle
British Literature Period 3
22 March 2013
Frankenstein: The epitome of Gothic and Romantic Novels Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein during the Romantic Era. Characteristics like a passion for human emotion and the advocacy of free thought are part of Romantic literature. However, Shelley’s writing was more of a toned down version of Romanticism. The novel itself describes a dark and grotesque story, using gothic themes throughout the story. Using gothic and romantic themes throughout the novel Shelley creates an iconic example that is the epitome of the gothic and romantic ideals stressed throughout the nineteenth century. Nature is one element in Frankenstein that uses both the gothic and romantic themes. …show more content…
Victor Frankenstein is influenced by nature in many instances in the book. Such instances is:
When [Victor] was about fifteen years old… [he] witnessed a most violent and terrible thunderstorm… [Victor] remained, watching… a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak… [it was] reduced to thin ribands of wood. [He] never beheld anything so utterly destroyed” (Shelley 32).
The burning of the oak not only triggers Victor’s obsession of science, but shows how strong nature is.
After Victor learns of his brother’s death, he is struck with grief. When journeying towards Geneva, Victor is in a “painful state of mind” until he starts to “[contemplate] to the lake: the waters were placid; all around was calm… By degrees the calm and heavenly scene restored [Victor]…” (Shelley 61). Victor leans towards nature to uplift his mood, the “sublime and magnificent scenes elevated [him] from all littleness of feeling; and although they did not remove [his] grief, they subdued and tranquillized it” (Shelley 81).The gothic themes show how powerful nature is, able to destroy anything. Nature is not only scene as a great force of destruction but also as a comforter. Romanticism emphasizes how nature can heal a person’s emotions. Mary Shelley is able to use nature as a key competent in combining the gothic and romantic themes …show more content…
together. Shelley uses vivid descriptions to describe certain scenes and to bring out true emotions from the characters.
One occurring scene that continues in the book is death. Each death is described in detail in Frankenstein, along with the emotions that a character feels. When the monster threatens to see Victor on his wedding night, Victor is prepared to fight the monster. Though, it is not Victor the monster is after, it is Elizabeth. Victor finds Elizabeth “lifeless and inanimate, thrown across the bed, her head hanging down, and her pale and distorted features half cover her hair… her bloodless arms and relaxed form flung by the murderer on its bridal bier.” (Shelley 166). Victor is overcome with emotion as he sees Elizabeth distorted body how could [he] behold this and live? Alas! Life is obstinate and clings closest where it is most hated. For a moment only did [he] [lost] recollection; [he] fell senseless on the ground” (Shelley 166). The gory details of Elizabeth’s death allows any reader to understand the intensity of Victor feelings. Shelley is able to use death to describe the grotesque nature of the story but allowing to show the romantic side of intense human
emotion. Frankenstein is a story that intrigues many people. The novel in itself has a grotesque setting and tells a tale about a monster. Though on a closer look, one can see that the book is an emotional journey of Victor Frankenstein. Victor emotions and life are described in detail along with all the gory events that surround him. Mary Shelley is able to create (what most people would think) a simple horror story into a tale of emotion, loss, and consequences. Frankenstein is the ideal novel that combine gothic and romantic themes perfectly to create an amazing story.
Work Cited
Lowe, Sean. "Frankenstein: A Mix of the Gothic and the Romantic." Frankenstein: A Mix of the Gothic and the Romantic. N.p., 10 Oct. 2005. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. http://loweperson.tripod.com/literaryanalysis/frankenstein.htm
Smith, Nicole. "Elements of Romanticism in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley." Article Myriad. N.p., 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. http://www.articlemyriad.com/elements-romanticism-frankenstein/ .