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.
For example, when Dr Frankenstein is in rage and fear, only the magnificence of the Alps can provide solace and when the monster makes his appearance, only the eternal strength of the natural world can relieve his fearsomeness. This focus on nature as at once wondrous, restorative, and fearsome is a direct reaction against Age of Enlightenment principles, whereas the Age of Enlightenment and the Industrial revolution celebrate modernization, urbanization, and the march of civilized progress above all other things, the Romantics seek a return to and a respect for the natural world.

The majestic natural world took over by the Romantics as a source of absolute emotional experience for the individual, offering characters the possibility of spiritual renewal. For example, Victor heads to the mountains to lift his spirits after the deaths of William and Justine, as he feels responsible of their deaths, also the monster feels his heart lighten as spring arrives, after the feeling of abandonment and loneliness during the cold winter. The influence of nature on mood and emotions is obvious throughout the novel. However, the thing is different for Victor as he thinks that the natural power of world to console him when he realizes that the monster will haunt him at the end no matter where he goes. ''By the end, as Victor chases the monster obsessively, nature, in the form of the Arctic desert, functions simply as the symbolic backdrop for his primal struggle against the monster.''

Another theme that is discussed in Frankenstein, is the individual versus society, as the Age of Enlightenment positions and celebrates civilization, the Romantics see the individual as the great and worthy thing in society.
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
appearance.