frankenstein - romanticism

Frankenstein: A Model of English Romanticism The literary world embraced English romanticism when it began to emerge and was so taken by its elements that it is still a beloved experience for the reader of today. Romanticism “has crossed all social boundaries,” and it was during the seventeenth and eighteenth century, it found its way into almost every niche in the literary world (Lowy 76). From the beginning of its actuality, “romanticism has forged its way through many eras including the civil war” (Hall 44). Literature such as “the famous Gone With The Wind was a good example of romanticism in that era because it had many of the required qualities” but there were others that were even more clear as English Romanticism pieces (Hall 44). There are very few works that have a more accurate portrayal and proof of the importance of English romanticism than Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. While later versions of the stories depicted a central theme of a helpless monster caught in the fears of society the actual depiction of the original work was based more closely on the English romantic that was so popular at the time. The importance of emotions and feelings were paramount during the era of English romanticism. In addition autobiographical material was extremely popular. All of these qualities were present in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein including a third and vital underpinning of romanticism, the innocence and exaltation of the common man. An important element of romanticism is the use of flowing feelings. During this time period, men as well as women were full of raw emotions in literary works. They would freely vent their most anguished thoughts and worries. This was evident in several of the chapters in Shelley’s portrayal of the life of the monster and the people he encountered. One of the finest examples of romanticism is when the monster who we must remember is only learning emotions for the first time runs from the cottage after startling the occupants. 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 had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and revenge. (Shelley 746) This passage demonstrates feelings that were a common theme during the Romanticist era, the monster was in pain and cursing the day he was created. Anothe...

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Bibliography

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