Romanticism and Science in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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Frankenstein was written during the 1800’s which is considered the period of Romanticism. During this period, there was an increased focus on ideas in the area of natural history and scientific studies. Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, provides its readers with a scientific discovery using nature creating an ongoing feud between creator, Victor Frankenstein, and his monster. In growing up, Victor began studies in natural philosophy. In opposition to the beliefs of many scientists, Victor’s theory is “to examine the causes of life, we must first have recourse to death” (Shelley 36). Frankenstein‘s monster is a creature with both differences and similarities with that of other human beings. In this published work, it is clear that “Shelley’s …show more content…

Not wanting to look at his creation, Victor begins isolating himself from his creation; therefore, “the monster is clearly determined to visit the same injustice to which he has been condemned upon Victor and all those he loves” (Bloom 49). Victor Frankenstein is unable to end the monsters revengeful acts; therefore, things are getting out of control including the monsters upward growing feeling of abandonment, isolation, and loneliness. By linking William, Victor’s younger brother, as belonging to Frankenstein, he threatens to kill him in revenge. The monster made threat to his brother “Frankenstein! you belong then to my enemy--to him towards whom I have sworn eternal revenge; you shall be my first victim” (Shelley 100). This making it apparent that his revenge was growing, and though the first, this would not be the last victim; therefore, its terrifying acts are destroying his creators’ life as well as the lives of those around him. Especially the people he loves and those that love …show more content…

Soon, Frankenstein began working diligently to recreate the life he’d given to the monster in his first experiment. This will now be his second creation, to which he would be seen as the creator, again challenging nature’s law of creation through the use of science for a second time. Suddenly, Frankenstein began thinking that if he actually creates a female for the creature, she may not agree to leave and they could possibly “breed a monstrous race together” (Caldwell 3). Frankenstein destroyed his partially completed work, and the monster began a rampage of horrific acts of destruction in retaliation against his creator. By taking blame and revenge on himself, not the monster, “as time passed away [Frankenstein] became more calm; misery had her dwelling in my heart, but I no longer talked in the same incoherent manner of my own crimes; sufficient for me was the consciousness of them. By the utmost self-violence I curbed the imperious voice of wretchedness, which sometimes desired to declare itself to the whole world, and my manners were calmer and more composed than they had ever been since my journey to the sea of ice” (Shelley

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