The Role Of Romanticism In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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“Romanticism, is an artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward the end of the 18th century and in most areas was at its peak in the approximate period from 1800 to 1850” (Wikipedia). In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, she exercises this movement by painting artistic and literary illustrations of how Victor, as well as the Monster lives through seasonal and surrounding areas. Shelley shows the complex emotional state found in Victor and the Monster. Depression and guilt has caused victor to feel a sense of seclusion from the death of his brother, William, and the conviction and execution of Justine, whom he saw has a sister. Due to the depression, he experiences, Victor travels to seclusion on the mountain although, “… [he] could hardly see the dark mountains” (page 82) showing his desperation of seeking the isolation. This is an effort to restore his previous happiness before the deaths of his two loved ones at the hands of his creation, the Monster. Shelly …show more content…

From beginning with a harsh winter and abandonment of the monster and shifting to a much lighter season of spring. Shelley represents the change in heart the monster makes. During winter many plants are suffocated by the darkness and heaviness of the weather which causes much foliage to die and wait for anew, which comes during spring. Spring allows for the vegetation to experience regrowth. The monster, although has never been able to experience love, he was still able to notice the need of a family and put them before himself, for example, “I remember the first time that I did this, the young woman, when she opened the door in the morning, appeared greatly astonished on seeing a great pile of wood on the outside.”(Chapter 12, page 130). Shelley uses this as a form of symbolism with nature which causes an emphasis on the monsters new perspective and shows rebirth in mind and

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