2. What is Romanticism? Romanticism has very little to do with things popularly thought of as "romantic," although love may occasionally be the subject of literature. It is an international artistic and philosophical movement that redefined the fundamental ways in which people in Western cultures thought about themselves, their world, the role of spirit, soul, instinct, emotion, rebellion against established social rules and the scientific approach to most human dilemmas.
3. Autobiographical influence on the text This is about the authors connection to the story "Victor Frankenstein's creation is symbolic of Mary Shelley's life” Shelley's mother died when she was very young; the mother can be linked to the creator, Victor. Victor turned his back on his creation and forced the monster out into the world; a world much like the one that young Shelley faced {full of confusion and a place where it was hard to be accepted into society} Shelley "was thrust into the world, when her mother died; the difference is that she was an actual child while the monster was a mental and emotional child”
4. Raw Emotions Raw Emotions in Frankenstein is an important way of conveying Romanticism. It usually surrounds Victor Frankenstein’s interaction with human life. EXAMPLES: 1)When he becomes fascinated by the “secrets of life”. 2)When he develops the desire to attain the godlike power of creating new life. 3)When he cuts himself off from the world and eventually commits himself entirely to an animalistic obsession.
5. Context affecting emotion Shelley mirrors the idea of Romanticism by linking nature (e.g. Weather) and man. “Storms come to complement feelings of wrath and terror; the sun breaks through during the peaceful interludes” “When the sun had recovered its warmth, and the earth again began to look green, . . . I felt emotions of gentleness and pleasure . . . and I even raised my humid eyes with thankfulness towards the blessed sun which bestowed such joy upon me” At the start when they are being trapped by ice and surrounded by fog. Brings things to life on a rainy night in November.
6. Dramatic/ Tragic Events When Frankenstein brings the monster to life… eight feet tall and enormously strong – a disturbing, gruesome and abnormal creature. The nightmare that Frankenstein has of Elizabeth turning into his mother’s corpse, he awakes to find the monster in his room looking at him with a grotesque smile.
