Frankenstein And Romanticism Essay Research Paper Mary

Frankenstein And Romanticism Essay, Research Paper

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, written in the early seventeenth century, is the product of a monumental literary movement known as Romanticism. Through emphasis upon the dark, demonic and corrupt within the human mind, and upon other identifiable characteristics, this era of writing’s individuality and style is confirmed. Throughout the novel, these attributes and mannerisms are clearly identified as Romantic. Frankenstein may be characterized as a Romantic work due to its specific traits. Victor Frankenstein’s quest for knowledge is discovered during the beginnings of his education. As Victor begins reading elementary philosophy at the age of thirteen, he finds himself, “imbued with a fervent longing to penetrate the secrets of nature” (Shelley 25). This excitement and desire to explore natural philosophy to its end, leads to Victor to depart for the university of Ingolstadt soon after his seventeenth birthday. Within just two years he, “had become as well acquainted with the theory and practice of natural philosophy as depended on the lessons of any of the professors,” and thought of quitting his education (Shelley 36). Instead of this, Victor decided to more intensely study the concepts of life, and soon stumbled upon the secret of life itself. As Victor begins to construct a living being and apply his discovery in order to give it animation and life, he becomes absorbed in his work. At this point, he has “isolated himself from society to fulfill his great expectations,” (Nockinson 2389) and depriving himself of nutrition and companionship, he states that he “seemed to have lost all soul or sensation but for this one pursuit” (Shelley 38). Victor’s search for knowledge concludes as he finishes his creation one dreary night in November. The creature brought to life by Victor is quickly abandoned by its creator, and forced to discover its identity and knowledge without assistance. The monster’s quest for knowledge begins the instant he is brought into the world, and speaking of this point in his life, the monster states: “I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch; I knew, and could distinguish, nothing; but feeling pain invade me on all sides, I sat down and wept” (Shelley 87). Here, the monster is as innocent and naive as a newborn baby, and without a parental figure to guide and take care of it, is limited to an experiential learning process. During the monster’s quest for knowledge, he encounters the hostility that all humans seemed to show towards him, and at this point, the monster begins to learn about his difference from society. Finding a hovel connected to a cottage in which he could inhabit without human interference, the monster views a family’s everyday life for an extended period of time. The experiences that he endures here are the cornerstone and essence of his education. During this time in his life, the family he is watching, the De Lacey’s, begins to teach a foreign visitor how to speak the English language. This, combined with the discovery of several books, allows the monster an opportunity to learn how to read and talk, and desiring knowledge, he “bent every faculty towards that purpose” (Shelley 103). With the monster’s newfound knowledge, came understanding, as he stated that “the words induced me to turn towards myself” (Shelley 104). “What was I” (Shelley 105). The monster’s hate towards his irresponsible creator begins to form immediately following his education. Besides Victor’s rejection of him, the event which determines his quest for vengeance against Victor is a final, failed attempt to fit into society. During this incident, the monster decides to confront a blind resident of the De Lacey cottage at a time when he is isolated. Getting his chance, he befriends the man who can not judge him with sight, only to have the other residents return to curse and beat him out. After this incident he says, “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” (Shelley 121). The feelings of rejection that the monster encounters transform into feelings of “rage and revenge” (Shelley 121). With papers discovered in his jacket, he deciphers the location of Victor’s residence and decides to seek out his “unfeeling, heartless creator” (Shelley 124). Thinking of Victor he expresses, “The nearer I approached your habitation, the more deeply did I feel the spirit of revenge enkindled in my heart” (Shelley 125). In the end, with his quest for vengeance complete, the monster “explains that he only wanted to love his creator but that his adoration turned to murderous hate in his creator’s rejection of him” (Nockinson 2389). One of the most utilized characteristics of the Romantic movement is the concept of the noble savage. By definition, it is “the idea that primitive human beings are naturally good and whatever evil they develop is the product of the corrupting action of civilization and society” (Harmon 333). It is human society that warps the innocent and care-free monster in Frankenstein to become vile and hateful. The Romantic concept of the noble savage is utilized as Victor’s monster changes from an innocent creature to a corrupted demon through society. Upon stepping into the world, and viewing humans, the monster says “the gentle manners and beauty” of the creatures “greatly endeared them to me” (Shelley 97). The monster sees the ma