Frankenstein: Living and Loving
The Roles of Romanticism in Shelley's Novel
Romanticism has taken up the battle front and forged ahead in the timeline of humanity, but there are very few works that embody the full impact of romanticism; one of those works is the novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley.
There are more apparent themes in Frankenstein such as the depiction of a lost monster reigning fear into the hearts of civilians, but there is an underlying theme of romanticism running through it's pages. During the era of "English Romanticism" feelings were very prominent in literature as was the addition of autobiographical information in writing and the innocence and adulation of the common man; note that all of these elements were present in Frankenstein.
Raw Emotion
An important tool in conveying romanticism was the venting of raw emotions. This aspect was quite visible in more than one chapter of Shelly's novel. It usually surrounded the monster's interaction with human life. The monster is the epitome of romanticism; he is born into the world a fully-grown man who must learn emotions thusly.
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 has yet taken possession of me;
my feelings were those of rage and revenge (Shelley 91-92).
This was the monster's first reaction when he first flees the cottage where he is seeking refuge, as he frightened the inhabitants, there feelings were those common to the Romantic Era. It is very classic, a monster in turmoil cursing the day he was born.
Autobiographical Information
Autobiographical information is another prominent characteristic n the world of English Romanticism; it is the connection of the author to the story. Though not obvious in Shelley's story, this is present. One could speculate as to how a story of a monster's creation/trials/tribulations could relate to a female English aristocrat, but if you take a second glance, it becomes clear that "Victor Frankenstein's creation is symbolic of Mary Shelley's life" (Caprio 1).
Shelley's mother died when she was very young; the mother can be likened to the creator and the creator can be compared to Victor. Victor turned his back on his creation and deserted him forcing the monster out into the world; a world much like the one that young Shelley faced. Shelley "was thrust into the world, when her mother died; the difference is that she was an actual child while the monster was a mental and emotional child" (Hamburg 1).
Admiration
Admiration was a common theme during these times; the monster's story is a suberb example of this. He illustrates the admiration that was held for simple men during this time. As the tale progresses we find the creature feeling his way out by hiding and observing people, this is how he begins to understand humanity. His speech is developed through observation and hard work to emulate others.
The reality of the monster's difficulties is a reality that has bonded him with readers through time. His trials and tribulations are touching, which is why he is found in the hearts of many people. He was a common creature like the men whose hearts he touches. In addition to this the creature worked himself to the bone trying to become acceptable but was denied because the world refused to look past his disfigured visage just as society refuses to look past commonness.
Though Frankenstein is not common romanticism, it is heavily influenced by the genre. If you look past the surface of the story you find that Shelley's work is one of great merit in romanticism. Not only does it have autobiographical qualities mirroring Shelley's life, but it also employs key symbolisms that were common to the genre.
Works Cited
Caprio, Terri. “Overview of Feminist Critism.”
Hamburg, Cynthia. “Biography: Mary Wollstonecraft
Shelley.” 1999.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Ed. J. Paul Hunter. New York:
W.W. Norton & Company Inc, 1996.
