Characteristics Of The Romantic Era In Frankenstein By Mary Shelly
In the period of romanticism, many characteristics were involved but the crucial were emotion, sense, and sensuality, as well as nature and natural. Celebrities considered at that time were artists and authors in the public eye, to the effect why theoretical dramas and texts were written at that era are recognized till this date. A great novel written at that period was Frankenstein by Mary Shelly that exhibits greater amorous aspects of erotic literature. Once the era of Enlightenment was complete the romantic period begun in the 1700s to early and mid-1800s. The major characteristics of the romantic era placed affirm focus on emotions, upheld individuality, and defined language and consisted of a profound connection affiliated with nature. In the period arising, art and literature were impelled and developing. Sentiments played a huge part in this era because it involved the essence and celestial. Therefore, reality has given the imagination a secondary view of Romantic Literature. Preference at the time was individuality and heroism rather than non-fiction certainty. Due to the emanate imagination and powerful emotions as well as the environmental impact Frankenstein is considered romantic literature. As a result of emotions, Frankenstein is an example of Romantic Literature. The worth of emotions is demonstrated over the physical sickness of Victor Frankenstein because of the extreme collapse he went through after his family members and Henry Clerval passed away.
As stated, “The human frame could no longer support the agonizing suffering that I endured, and I was carried out of the room in strong convulsions”, He couldn’t bear the excruciating suffering any longer. His mind was crowded with numerous emotions and resentment that his body was not physically or mentally supporting him any longer. In addition, as a result of the factors, Victor had to experience he could not manage everything occurring in his life. His over raging emotions had taken up his physical and mental health. That demonstrates the importance of emotions to people and how large they can be. In this quote, Mary Shelley exhibited Victor’s impassioned state and his strong connection with his family. Furthermore, this explains the importance of emotions is a Romantic Literature because it comforts the reader and helps them to make connections while reading, it also puts the reader in the characters shoes to understand the pain and suffering the individual is experiencing. Another illustration of emotions is how the monster enables his emotions to overthrow his compassionate nature and slaughter innocent lives. 'Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? I know not; despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and revenge. I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery.', it appears the monster is confused with his emotions and because of the isolation he feels more distressed. The feeling of not being accepted into the society the monster gives up belief to be loved again. Therefore, he follows through to eliminate what once gave him the reason to live. His frustration drives him to believe demolishing the DeLaceys cottage will bring his loneliness to rest however doesn’t.
To his letdown, he amends his lonesomeness into outrage. That overpowers him to search for anything and everything his inventor Victor Frankenstein treasures and ultimately destroy it.
The monster has had enough and has let his emotions out of hand that he ceases to understand the emotions of the people around him and starts to become senseless. Also, another approach Mary Shelley applies to the focus of emotion to generate a greater Romantic Literature. Victor Frankenstein and the monster let their emotions get the best of them that proceeds to overtake their mental and physical state that leads to feebleness and brutal vengeance. In addition, this validates that Frankenstein by Mary Shelly is a novel that is a model of Romantic Literature because of the extreme emotions displayed across the book.
Secondly, the devotedness towards nature depicted across the novel is another addition of a Romantic Characteristic. Due to the scary appearance of the monster, he was shunned down by everyone, but nature is what made him feel at home and it became the only thing he was in love with. “The pleasant sunshine, and the pure air of day, restored me to some degree of tranquillity; and when I considered what had passed at the cottage, I could not help believing that I had been too hasty in my conclusions”. In this quote, the monster comes to a realization with his actions and pacifies himself by welcoming Mother Nature. Subsequently, the rejection of the cottagers really disturbs the monster, but the elegance of nature relaxes him down, to which he comes to a sense that he should have not burnt the cottage. This shows the great importance of nature in the novel because nature supported him to not let his lonesomeness overtake him completely. The monster started to cope with the hatred he had for the cottagers by strolling the nature alone that gave him peace at heart. Since time, nature has been an indication of accepting and affection as in the book it is portrayed as the home of the monster because of the rejection caused by the civilians. The love Frankenstein had for nature aided to him when he was weakened, it helped him realize the natural delicacy of the world. “Even broken in spirit as he is, no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature. The starry sky, the seam and every sight afforded by these wonderful regions seem still to have the power of elevating his soul from earth.'(Shelley 26), this proclamation is composed by Walton in many letters he wrote to his sister. Even after the assassination of Victor’s family members he still discovered hope in Mother Nature. He still attempted to use nature to assist him to restore his strength and defeat his ailment. Even through all the pain, the monster inflicted upon Victor by taking each and every person he cared for, he still held a sense of belonging in nature.
This opposes victors’ interests as he has a deep love for science and technology. Nature is used as an aspect of relaxation for these characters. The use of nature as a calm aspect is strange for this literature, as this book includes numerous murders and constantly focuses on the themes of revenge and rage. These contradictions demonstrate the love for nature in this book. As it emphasizes the soothing impact nature can have on a human being. Thus, proving that nature is an aspect of love which is a trait of Romantic character, as shown in the novel Frankenstein.
The final Romantic characteristic which Shelly uses in Frankenstein to reflect the romantic era is imagination. An example of imagination in this novel is the use of an eight-foot-tall monster, which is a very innovative and imaginative component in the book. “The labours of men of genius, however erroneously directed, scarcely ever fail in ultimately turning to the solid advantage of mankind.” In this quote, Frankenstein is talking about new technological developments in science. His affection for science is exemplified throughout the book. His interest in knowledge is what drives him to create a living monster out of dead body parts. The fact that he is able to create a living being proves he is a genius as he is able to invent life. He creates a living monster who is able to read emotions and has the capability and curiosity to learn new things. The monster represents the movement and advances of science during the Romantic Era. Imagination is used as a medium to portray the use of characters in this novel. Shelly describes the monster as having a dreadful appearance and she refers to him as a “monster” throughout the book. However, she displays his character as someone who is curious to learn and wants to be loved. This is contradictory, but it is an example of how Mary Shelley uses the supernatural to add more importance and curiosity in her novel. Similar to this, Walton is another creative character to include in such a story. He is unprejudiced as he takes into consideration the thoughts and opinions of others. This is shown as he listens to the stories of both parties. Although he pities both of them, he helps one grasp the unbiased story and helps the reader understand that the monster is not that bad at heart. The Romantic Movement was an era where art and creativity were interconnected, the monster and Walton fit this role perfectly.
The Romantic Characteristics used in the book Frankenstein show strong emotion. This is shown by making the characters have a soothing awe for nature and the use of imagination in a creative aspect. Many individuals disagree that this book is not a romantic novel. They believe this is because a monster is a characteristic of a gothic novel, although this can likewise fall under imagination and creativity. Counting the numerous uses of Romantic Characteristics throughout the book, one can claim that Frankenstein is a Romantic Literature. These characteristics make the text much more interesting. This book is also a valuable source as it allows modern readers to get an impression about the morals of the Romantic Era. In conclusion, Frankenstein is a great reflection of the Romantic Movement. Through the use of emotion, imagination and other aspects of romantic literature, Shelly captivates her readers by creating a new world.
