Transcendentalism In Frankenstein

Transcendentalism is an offshoot of the 19th century literary movement known as Romanticism. Both of these movements were defined by the various authors that expressed the movements in their works. The movements revolve around the concepts of spirituality, the role of natural elements in people’s lives, and the power of people’s unique individuality. Mary Shelley, the Romantic author of Frankenstein, and Ralph Emerson, the Transcendentalist author of Nature, express the various attitudes of Romanticism and Transcendentalism in their works. Transcendentalism is based on Romanticism, sharing with it a focus on spiritual discovery, nature, and a person’s individuality. The discovery of spirituality plays a critical role in both Romanticism and
Mary Shelley showcases her Romantic belief of the significance of nature’s effect on creatures in Frankenstein. The creature that Victor created is an untamed, reckless monster; this causes many to believe that the creature is so uncontrollable that he is beyond redemption.Victor says that, “no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature. The starry sky, the sea, and every sight afforded by these wonderful regions, seems still to have the power of elevating his soul from earth” (21). Victor believes that nature has somewhat of a healing effect because it acts as a form of meditation for the human senses. Shelley astutely relays her Romantic views on the power of nature’s elements. Transcendentalism displays many of the same feelings towards nature as Romanticism. Ralph Emerson also believes in the healing powers of nature’s elements as he expresses in his essay, Nature. Emerson firmly believes that, “if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. The rays that come from those heavenly worlds, will separate between him and vulgar things” (493). Emerson possesses a strong faith in the power of nature’s components. Emerson believes that a person who is associated with “vulgar things” can improve himself by experiencing the therapeutic sights of nature. By experiencing nature on a solo basis, Emerson believes that a person can redeem himself.
Both Mary Shelley, a Romantic, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, a Transcendentalist, represent their respective movements by focusing on people’s quests for further spirituality to improve their lives. Also, both movement’s authors convey their views regarding nature’s stunning ability to enhance and even heal people’s lives. Lastly, both Romanticism and Transcendentalism are centered around people’s individuality by focusing on their unique traits and their acceptance of them. Transcendentalism’s views on spirituality, natural elements, and one’s individuality are based off of and shared with Romanticism as demonstrated by Mary Shelley and Ralph Waldo Emerson in their