Group+7


 * Romantic Elements of Frankenstein**

1. “ I remembered the effect that the view of the tremendous and ever moving glacier had produced upon my mind when I first saw it. It had then filled me with sublime ecstasy, that gave wings to the soul, and allowed it to soar from the obscure world to light and joy. The sight of the awful and majestic in nature had indeed always the effect of solemnising my mind and causing me to forget the passing cares of life” (100). Romanticism stressed the beauty and goodness of nature as well as the healing through it. In this passage, Frankenstein is being healed from his depression that the monster that he created caused.
 * Nature**

2. “The stars shone at intervals, as the clouds passed from over them; the dark pines rose before me, and every here and there a broken tree lay on the ground: it was a wonderful solemnity and stirred strange thoughts within me” (Shelley, 151). Throughout the entire novel, Victor Frankenstein experiences extreme inner turmoil. Despite this pain, he always takes time out, no matter where he is, to appreciate the wonders of nature. During the course of this novel there are countless occasions where Victor will be traveling from place to place, and Shelley describes beautiful picturesque scenes. This demonstrates the nature aspect of romantic literature. The appreciation that Victor has for nature, and the solemn and calming effect that it has on Victor really represents romantic ideals.

3. “it is a scene terrifically desolate. In a thousand spots the traces of the winter avalance may be perceived, where trees lie broken and strewed on the ground, some entirely destroyed, others bent, leaning upon the jutting rocks of the mountain or transversely upon other trees. The path, as you ascend higher, is intersected by ravines of snow, down which stones continually roll from above… vasts mists were rising from the rivers which ran through it and curling in thick wreaths around the opposite mountains…” This excerpt from the book demonstrates the Romanticism that Shelley uses in her novel because of the elements of nature that she both uses and describes. In this passage, she describes the grisly winter and the treacherous conditions of it. She creates a picture of the nature and uses imagery around it to identify the goodness throughout nature. She gives the nature human elements in order to stress the beauty of nature.

1. “I was seized by remorse and the sense of guilt, which hurried me away to a hell of intense tortures, such as no language can describe… I shunned the face of man; all sound and joy or complacency was torture to me; solitude was my only consolation – deep, dark, deathlike solitude” (93). This passage shows the gothic elements of Romanticism. The protagonist, Frankenstein, is having dark thoughts due to the horror that he has experienced within the plot. 2. “ I became acquainted with the science of anatomy: but this was not sufficient; I must also observe the natural decay of the human body. Now I was led to examine the cause and progress of decay… I saw how the fine form of man was degraded and wasted, I beheld the corruption of death succeed to the blooming cheek of life; I saw how the worm inherited the wonders of the eye and brain” (53). This excerpt also shows the gothic elements of Romanticism. Here, Frankenstein is acquiring some dark knowledge as he scoured around dead bodies. In this way, Frankenstein becomes somewhat satanic and defying the rules of creation.
 * Gothic**

3. “I entered the room where the corpse lay, and was led up to the coffin. How can I describe my sensations of beholding it? I feel yet parched with horror, nor can I reflect on that terrible moment without shuddering and agony. The examination, the presence of the magistrate and witnesses, passed like a dream from my memory, when I saw the lifeless form of Henry Clerval stretched before me” (Shelly 181). This quote demonstrates the horror and grotesque aspect of romantic literature. Throughout the novel there are many times when horrific scenes are described, such as this one. The thought of being accused for your own friend’s murder, and then seeing his lifeless corpse right in front of you is a sensation that is quite indescribable.

4. “He approached; his countenance bespoke bitter anguish, combined with disdain and malignity, while its unearthly ugliness rendered it almost too horrible for human eyes” (86). This short passage illustrates a picture of the monster’s ghastly figure. This is important because it demonstrates the elements of the gothic. The monster’s face is a grotesque image that is detailed completely. The novel exemplifies its romanticism because it gives characteristics of a horrible and mysterious figure. 1. “Safie related, that her mother was a Christian Arab, seized and made a slave by the Turks…The young girl spoke in high and enthusiastic terms of her mother, who, born in freedom spurned the bondage to which she was now reduced. She instructed her daughter in the tenets of her religion, and taught her to aspire to higher powers of intellect, and an independence of spirit, forbidden to the female followers of Mahomet.” (83) In this passage, Safie’s mother was revered and respected by her daughter even though she was a slave. By doing this, Shelley is putting slaves in a positive light and has managed to express her opinion of slavery in general.
 * New Ideas**

2. “The prospect of marrying a Christian, and remaining in a country where women were allowed to take a rank in society, was enchanting to her.” (83). Safie continues to shy away from social convention, and is intent on doing what she wants. The idea of feminism was relatively new at this time period, but Safie is gaining control of her own life.

3. “Justine, thus received in our family, learned the duties of a servant; a condition which, in our fortunate country, does not include the idea of ignorance, and a sacrifice of the dignity of a human being.” (40). Even though Justine is a servant in the Frankenstein household, she is still treated equally. When William was killed, Elizabeth and Victor tried to prove her innocence, and they both felt awful when she was convicted. They valued Justine as a person, and not just a servant. The social boundaries and class divides still existed between them, but they were not acted upon.

Frankenstein's cute <3