Romantic writers are concerned with nature, human feelings, dreams, compassion, rebellion against society, and freedom of individuals. All of these characteristics are expressed in the novel Frankenstein.
Romanticism, a literary movement that emerged in the late 18th century, emphasized the importance of emotion, nature, and individualism, reacting against the rationalism of the Enlightenment. The Romantic writers sought to explore the depths of human experience, often highlighting the sublime and the transcendent aspects of nature. Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” embodies these principles through its vivid portrayal of human emotion, the power of nature, and the struggles of the individual against societal norms.
The monster which is created by Victor, whom is representing God in this novel, is a Romantic hero, because he has been rejected by society. The monster is chased away wherever he goes due to his hideous appearance and large size. Shelley attempts to have the readers sympathize with the monster because he is so misunderstood, and he can never become part of the mainstream society.
The characterization of the monster as a Romantic hero aligns with the Romantic ideal of the noble outcast or the Byronic hero, a figure who defies societal conventions and suffers for it. The monster’s isolation and suffering evoke the reader’s sympathy, highlighting the Romantic theme of the individual’s struggle against an uncomprehending and often hostile society. This portrayal can be linked to Rousseau’s concept of the “noble savage,” which suggests that humans are inherently good but corrupted by society. The monster’s inherent kindness, evident in his initial interactions with the De Lacey family, contrasts sharply with the cruelty he faces from humans, reinforcing Shelley’s critique of societal prejudice and superficial judgments.
The elements of nature Shelley expresses have a powerful impact on Victor. Shelley shows how nature has the power to refresh Victor’s mind and soul, and put humanity back into him before he goes completely insane. When Victor seeks solitude in the mountains of Switzerland, Shelley shows how nature regenerates his mind after encountering the horrific site of his creation. She also shows how nature has the power to change man when Victor uses lightning to give dead human flesh life.
Nature in “Frankenstein” serves as a restorative force, embodying the Romantic belief in nature’s ability to heal and inspire. Victor’s retreats to the natural world, particularly the sublime landscapes of the Swiss Alps, offer him solace and clarity. This connection to nature reflects the Romantic idea of the sublime, as articulated by Edmund Burke, where nature’s vastness and beauty provoke both awe and terror, leading to a deeper understanding of one’s place in the universe. The use of lightning to animate the creature also ties into the Promethean myth, where Prometheus defies the gods to bring fire (knowledge and life) to humanity, illustrating the Romantic fascination with the intersection of nature, science, and creation.
Victors dream was to create life, the perfect man. Victor took perfect parts of deceased humans and put them together to create the perfect being. He was later faced with horror and fear from his creation because of his hideous appearance. Victor’s dream of creating life was a success, but creating the perfect man was a failure.
Victor’s pursuit of creating life underscores the Romantic tension between ambition and hubris. His dream of transcending human limitations and playing God results in unforeseen consequences, aligning with the Faustian bargain, where the quest for knowledge and power leads to downfall. Victor’s failure to create a perfect being, instead giving life to a monstrous form, illustrates the Romantic skepticism of Enlightenment ideals, which prioritized reason and progress without considering the ethical and emotional dimensions of human existence. This theme can be further explored through the lens of existentialist philosophy, particularly the ideas of Jean-Paul Sartre, who posited that existence precedes essence, meaning individuals must create their own meaning in an indifferent or even hostile universe.
The monster rebels against the society that has rejected him by committing vicious acts upon Victors loved ones. Due to the harsh rejection from his creator, followed by the rejection of society, the monster resorted to violence as the only revenge. The monster murders everyone Victor loved.
The monster’s rebellion against society and his creator reflects the Romantic valorization of individual defiance against oppressive forces. His turn to violence, however, also critiques this ideal, suggesting the destructive potential of unbridled emotion and the consequences of social alienation. This theme resonates with the work of Romantic poets like Lord Byron, whose protagonists often embody the struggle between personal desire and societal constraints. The monster’s actions can also be analyzed through the psychological theories of Sigmund Freud, particularly the concepts of the id, ego, and superego. The monster’s violent impulses (id) emerge unchecked due to the lack of social integration (superego), leading to a tragic conflict with Victor (ego).
The power and freedom of the individual was also a major Romantic characteristic. Victor shows that he has great power when he surpasses his professors, and they learn they can no longer teach him anything, and when he goes on his own to create life. Victor also proves himself to be powerful because of all the challenges he faces. Victor loses everyone he is close to, and he still finds the strength to find the monster he created. Victor shows the extent of his power when he puts himself on the same level as God. God is the only one to create a new species, and Victor creating the monster, which is putting himself as a creator and a god.
Victor’s assertion of individual power and freedom aligns with the Romantic celebration of personal autonomy and intellectual achievement. His transcendence of academic limitations and his solitary pursuit of creation underscore the Romantic ideal of the genius who breaks free from conventional boundaries. However, this power also brings immense responsibility and suffering, as seen in Victor’s eventual isolation and relentless pursuit of the monster. This duality of power and suffering can be related to Nietzsche’s concept of the Übermensch, an individual who transcends ordinary human experience but also bears the weight of existential burdens. Victor’s self-identification with God further illustrates the Romantic fascination with the divine and the human aspiration to reach beyond mortal limits, a theme explored by Romantic poets like Percy Bysshe Shelley in “Prometheus Unbound.”
The elements of Romanticism were present throughout the novel as well as gothic characteristics. The violent acts done by the monster were examples of Gothic literature, and the examples of nature, dreams, rebellion, and freedom of the individual were Romantic characteristics found throughout the novel.
“Frankenstein” is a quintessential example of the fusion of Romantic and Gothic elements. The novel’s Gothic aspects, such as the monster’s horrific deeds and the dark, foreboding settings, create a sense of fear and suspense that amplifies the Romantic themes of emotional intensity and individual struggle. The Gothic genre’s focus on the supernatural and the grotesque serves to highlight the Romantic exploration of the sublime and the unknown. This interplay can be analyzed through the framework of the uncanny, as proposed by Freud, where familiar elements become frightening, reflecting deeper anxieties and fears. Shelley’s integration of these literary traditions enriches the narrative, making “Frankenstein” a complex and multi-layered text that continues to resonate with readers.
In conclusion, Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” masterfully weaves together the core tenets of Romanticism and Gothic literature to explore profound themes of nature, emotion, individualism, and societal rebellion. Through the characters of Victor and the monster, Shelley delves into the complexities of human ambition, the consequences of isolation, and the moral dilemmas inherent in the pursuit of knowledge. The novel’s enduring relevance lies in its ability to challenge readers to reflect on the ethical implications of scientific advancement and the importance of empathy and understanding in a world often driven by fear and prejudice.