Overview
This essay explains how Mary Shelley's Frankenstein reflects the ideas and style of Romanticism, focusing on the influence of Mary's personal life and her connections to major Romantic writers.
The Romantic Movement and Its Characteristics
- Romanticism began in late 1700s Western Europe and lasted through the mid-1800s.
- Romanticism values individual emotions, creativity, and the artist's role.
- The movement celebrates the beauty of nature and intense personal experience.
Mary Shelley's Background and Influences
- Mary Shelley was the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft (advocate for gender equality) and William Godwin (philosopher concerned with justice and social issues).
- At sixteen, Mary Shelley fell in love with Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.
- Through Percy and her family, Mary befriended influential Romantic writers, including Lord Byron.
Creation and Context of Frankenstein
- In 1816, Mary and Percy Shelley stayed with Byron in Switzerland and challenged each other to write ghost stories.
- Mary Shelley was inspired by a dream about an inventor who creates a monster, which became the basis for Frankenstein.
- The novel grew from this setting into a work displaying Romantic themes.
Romanticism in Frankenstein
- Ambitious, creative characters like Walton and Frankenstein reflect Romantic ideals of genius and the pursuit of greatness.
- The natural world is described with awe, providing dramatic settings and emotional impact.
- The Monster’s lack of social knowledge explores the Romantic idea that human nature is shaped by society and culture.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Romanticism — An artistic movement emphasizing emotion, creativity, nature, and individualism (late 1700s–mid-1800s).
- Mary Shelley — Author of Frankenstein, influenced by prominent Romantic thinkers and writers.
- Percy Bysshe Shelley — Major Romantic poet and Mary Shelley's husband.
- Lord Byron — Famous Romantic poet and friend to the Shelleys.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the influence of Romanticism on Frankenstein and identify examples in the novel.
- Read about Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin for context on Mary Shelley's background.