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Literature in the romantic period
Literature in the romantic period
Essay on romantic age in literature
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While all texts originate from the imagination of their composer, they explore and address human issues present in their respective contexts. This is the case with Mary Shelley’s Gothic novel Frankenstein (1818) which draws upon the human concern of Romantic egotism in the romantic era whereas Ridley Scott’s film Blade Runner (1992) has been heavily influenced by technological advancement during the 1980s. Despite there being over 150 years between their compositions both these texts explore penetration of nature and societies obsessed with the Machiavellian pursuit of science and technology. Due to each composers various problematic human concerns within their time, they build each other’s codas of the moral implications of the attainment …show more content…
of knowledge and ultimately portray this within their respective text. The enduring human concerns presented in both the texts of Frankenstein and Blade Runner is the consequences stemming from unrestrained scientific progress.
In Frankenstein, Shelley’s portrayal of Victor’s pursuit for the so-called “essence of life” is reflective of influential Romantic notions present during the early 19th century, especially in regards to the concept of reconstructing reality through human imagination and scientific prowess. She further alludes to the recent discoveries of Galvanism which posited the belief that bodies could be “reanimated” forming the central complication of the narrative. An example of this is Victor’s lamentation of his exploits to Captain Walton during the novel’s inception. He asserts to Walton that “I hope that the gratification of your wishes will not be a serpent to sting as mine has been”, the dramatic irony present foreshadows his eventual downfall while exemplifying the ensuing grief and ramifications he suffers. Furthermore the mention of a “serpent” is an allusion to Milton’s Paradise Lost, highlighting the destitute of Victor creating his own “devil” as a result of his pursuit for scientific achievement. Blade Runner further enforces this thematic concern while supplementing Shelley’s warning, despite being composed during a different context. The …show more content…
opening panoramic shot that establishes Blade Runner’s backdrop highlights the abhorrent weather and artificial atmosphere present throughout Deckard’s surrounding environment because of scientific advancement. This is symbolic of the policies of Reaganomics specifically on its libertarian approach to big businesses and corporations that is reflected in the high rise complexes seen in the shot. It is also encapsulates elements of cold war paranoia especially in terms of thermonuclear war and ensuing climatic disturbance present in the opening scene. The mise-en-scene present during the establishing shot captures scenes of violence and pyramidal structures, evoking a sense of chaos and a deeply elitist hierarchal society borne from technological leaps and the subsequent corporatisation of daily life as a result. Frankenstein’s foray into the restorative power of nature gives great insight into the experience of people, particularly Romantics, during Shelley’s time.
The texts exploration of this theme is no doubt a result of Shelley’s strong romantic influences surrounded by noted Romantics such as her husband Percy Shelley, she would often trek into the countryside and immerge herself within nature. Victor displays similar behaviour in the novel when he retreats to nature following his creation of the monster and uses descriptive and connotative language in his words “It was a divine spring and the season contributed greatly to my convalescence”, thereby elucidating nature’s healing ability. However, it is not simply Victor who appreciates nature’s ability to rejuvenate, epistolary form of the narrative provides the reader with three separate views that of victory the Monster and Walton and it is clear each character shares similar sentiments towards nature. For example, the monster personifies nature by stating “I gradually saw plainly the clear stream that supplied me with drink and the trees that shaded me with their foliage”. Here nature is presented as a caring entity, which is reflective of how Romantics perceived it. Similarly, before undertaking his expedition, Walton uses pleasurable imagery to describe how “a gold northern breeze… fills me with delight”. These favourable perceptions of nature illustrate Shelley’s fondness towards nature and allow readers to understand part
of the human experience at the time as it was influenced by nature. Conversely, Blade Runner’s portrayal of nature is driven more by the director’s opinion for the possible loss of nature and illustrates societies fear for its future. The policies of President Reagan had resulted in an Industrial boom but had also contributed to environmental disasters most notable the greenhouse effect. The Green Movement raised questions regarding the potential long-term effects of deforestation and pollution. Scott, a supporter of this movement, mirrors humanity’s concern by attempting to warn society of its possible future by highlighting nature’s demise. In the film, nature is virtually non-existent which is in stark contrast to “Frankenstein” in which nature pervades the entire book, restoring and reinvigorating the characters. At the onset of the film, the music is artificially synthesised and lacks a natural rhythm, contributing to the unnatural feel of the city. In fact, one of the few appearances of nature is in the unicorn dream, rendering it mythical and unattainable. While Shelley emphasises nature’s monumental importance by excessively describing it, Scott conceals its very existence in an attempt to illustrate is potential destruction. These portrayals of nature allow viewers to deduce the human concerns for nature during the time of the authors. In conclusion, both “Frankenstein” and “Blade Runner” offer insights into the human experiences and concerns through their exploration of the themes of the importance of nature and the perils of science and technology. By considering the reasons behind the inclusion of these themes, responders can become aware of the values and concerns during the time of the composer and its effect on society.
In frankenstein by Mary Shelley a morally ambiguous character is the creature. The creature is an ambiguous because he shows a human sympathetic side when he tells Victor his tale. However, when he is neglected by human kind because of his appearance, he causes suffering to other people in order to get revenge on Victor. He has also done violent things, and he's a murderer. The moral ambiguity of the creature contributes to the major theme of the novel of how people will judge you by appearance before getting to know your persona, and how that contributes to making you feel lonely and miserable.
Many similarities can be found between Mary Shelley's 1816 novel, Frankenstein and the 1982 movie Bladerunner . The number of similarities between these two works, created more than two hundred years apart, is staggering. A cursory look at both works reveals these similarities:
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein explores the downfall of certain human characteristics, set to the backdrop of creation, destruction, and preservation. The subtitle denoted by Shelly herself supports this idea, by relating the fact that the title can be viewed as either Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus. One scholar, Marilyn Butler, also maintains this by noting, "It can be a late version of the Faust Myth"(302). Shelly uses the story of the main character, Victor Frankenstein, to produce the concept of a dooming human characteristic of which Frankenstein states, "I have . . . been blasted in these hopes"(Shelley, 152). The reader finds, as a result of his thirst for knowledge and infatuation with science, Victor creates a living being by whom he has "suffered great and unparalleled misfortunes"(Shelley, 17). Eventually, Victor realizes this self-destructive trait, but he is not able to save himself stating, "I have lost everything, and cannot begin life anew"(Shelley, 16). Although everything in his life that is dear has been lost, Victor is able to convince one in his same position--Robert Walton--to not "lead [his crew] unwillingly to danger"(Shelley, 151). While addressing the concept of characteristic and self-discovery, it is possible to realize that the monster also possesses the characteristics held by both Victor and Walton; except in his learning, the monster is driven to continue to cause destruction. Most important about the thirst for knowledge is that, as a form of human characteristic or downfall, it leads to large, critical pieces of self-discovery. In obtaining these critical pieces, Frankenstein finds satisfaction in j...
Frankenstein and Blade Runner The characterisation of characters in texts are a reflection of the composer's societal values and zeitgest of their time. The comparison of Mary Shelley’s 1818 gothic novel Frankenstein and Ridley Scott’s 1992 science fiction film Blade Runner accentuates the mutable societal values and human identity. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley challenges aspects of the Enlightenment era seeking knowledge, scientism and rationalism. Ridley Scott explores in Blade Runner the effects of corporatism and industrialisation.
“I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.”
We are shown that this ‘monster’ is a ‘creature’ and more of a human than we think. It is in the complex structure of the novel that Mary Shelley creates sympathy. We shift from Robert Walton to Victor Frankenstein to the monster and finally back to Walton. With each shift of perspective, the reader gains new information about both the facts of the story and the reliability of the narrator. Each perspective adds pieces of information that only they knows: Walton explains the circumstances of Victor’s last days, Victor explains his creation of the monster, the monster explains his turn to evil.
Shelley 94). Victor’s various thoughts of rage and hatred that had at first deprive him of utterance, but he recovers only to overwhelm the creature with words expressive of furious detestation and contempt, as he recalled creature’s misdoings to his loved ones. However, Victor pauses to “conceive,” to “feel,” and to “reason” with monster (M. Shelley 94). As Victor follows his creation, he notices the “air [to be full] of exultation” and “the rain” beginning “to descend,” showcasing Victor’s consent to change his view. (M. Shelley 98). Chapter 10 is exemplary of the Romantic Period where story becomes an allegory for real emotions and struggles. Victor’s
Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, illustrates the Romantic idea of the sublime naturalworld as an emotional experience for the characters of the novel. Within the text, Shelleyutilizes an allusion to the John Milton’s biblical story, Paradise Lost, to make a parallel betweenthe characters. Within the passage, the monster compares himself, as well as his creator, Victor,to the characters Adam and Satan. He comes to realize that he is more similar to Satan;ultimately, leading him to his reign of terror and the revenge he wishes to impose on Victor. Themonster realizes that he is similar to Adam in Paradise Lost in that they both do not want to bealone. The monster also realizes that there is good in the world that is deeply contrasted with
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a nineteenth century literary work that delves into the world of science and the plausible outcomes of morally insensitive technological research. Although the novel brings to the forefront several issues about knowledge and sublime nature, the novel mostly explores the psychological and physical journey of two complex characters. While each character exhibits several interesting traits that range from passive and contemplative to rash and impulsive, their most attractive quality is their monstrosity. Their monstrosities, however, differ in the way each of the character’s act and respond to their environment. Throughout Frankenstein, one assumes that Frankenstein’s creation is the true monster. While the creation’s actions are indeed monstrous, one must also realize that his creator, Victor Frankenstein is also a villain. His inconsiderate and selfish acts as well as his passion for science result in the death of his friend and family members and ultimately in his own demise.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, explores the monstrous and destructive affects of obsession, guilt, fate, and man’s attempt to control nature. Victor Frankenstein, the novel’s protagonist and antihero, attempts to transcend the barriers of scientific knowledge and application in creating a life. His determination in bringing to life a dead body consequently renders him ill, both mentally and physically. His endeavors alone consume all his time and effort until he becomes fixated on his success. The reason for his success is perhaps to be considered the greatest scientist ever known, but in his obsessive toil, he loses sight of the ethical motivation of science. His production would ultimately grieve him throughout his life, and the consequences of his undertaking would prove disastrous and deadly. Frankenstein illustrates the creation of a monster both literally and figuratively, and sheds light on the dangers of man’s desire to play God.
The novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley is a work of fiction that breaks the ethics of science. Ethics is defined as rules of conduct or moral principles which are ignored in the story. The story is about a person named Victor Frankenstein who creates an artificial being. Victor abandons the being out of fear and the being is left to discover the outside world on his own and be rejected by people making the monster go on a violent rampage. Victor’s decision would affect him later on by the monster killing his loved ones causing Victor to suffer. Then Victor chooses to seek revenge on the monster and this choice will bring him to his death. In novel Frankenstein one might say that the main character, Victor, breaks the ethics of science when he plays God by creating his own being.
With the advancement of technology and science, we are now able to genetically modify animals. Mary Shelley found a way to make science an epitome, and confirms what could happen if science is taken too far. In conclusion, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is considered to be a historical novel, based on scientific advancements. In this novel Shelley depicts her own definition of human nature, by showing the creature and the ways that humans react to him. The novel also showed the differences between morality and science.
Nature is a key element in romanticism as the early romantics stressed the divine beauty they saw in nature. Mary Shelley uses the elements of nature to further the emotions of her characters and create a safe place for them to think. She also goes into the aspects of science and nature, "[Scientists] penetrate into the recesses of nature and show how she works in her hiding-places” (Shelley 33). In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley creates a novel based around science overreaching to boundaries. Many scientific experiments of the early 1800s make an excellent base in history for Frankenstein. Trials such as biomedical trials that began during along with the continuing studies into human anatomy and the natural world. Weather is an important element of nature which is commonly used to reflect and supplement human emotions. After William’s death, whilst Victor is returning to Geneva to talk to his father “the heavens were clouded, and [soon] the rain was coming slowly in large drops” (Shelley 62). Therefore, the storm reflects Victor’s mournful attitude and as the storm p...
The setting of “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” takes place on a boat which experiences and sees many different forms of nature such as the drought, extreme heat, and the rain that follows. There was “water, water, every where, / Nor any drop to drink” for the mariner and the members on board following the shooting of the Albatross (Coleridge 121-122). In Frankenstein, Shelley portrays many scenes of nature as Victor travels around Europe following and avoiding the monster. Following the first murder of Justine committed by the monster, Victor travels back home and sees the “Dear mountains! [his] own beautiful lake! how do you welcome your wanderer? Your summits are clear; the sky and lake are blue and placid. Is this to prognosticate peace, or to mock at my unhappiness” (Frankenstein Chapters 7-9 Text 5). Overall, the nature emphasis in both writings dictate the significance of the tie between nature and english writing as well as portray the sensory interaction of weather and
Walter Scott’s critique in the 1818, Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine Review of Frankenstein, is that Frankenstein is a novel of romantic fiction depicting a peculiar nature that narrates the real laws of nature and family values. This review explains that Mary Shelley manages the style of composition, and gives her characters an indirect importance to the reader as the laws of nature takes course in the novel. In addition, Walter Scott appreciates the numerous theme...