Romanticism
Elements of "this" are an idealization of nature, belief that childhood is pure, and importance of emotion and passion.
Romanticism
Name one theme explored in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Parenthood, Ambition, Isolation, Revenge, Beauty (outer vs. inner), etc... There are many themes explored in the novel, but these are some important ones. If you named one of these, you are correct!
"In the morning, however, as soon as it was light, I went upon deck and found all the sailors busy on one side of the vessel, apparently talking to someone in the sea. It was, in fact, a sledge, like that we had seen before, which had drifted towards us in the night on a large fragment of ice."(Shelley Letter 4). What has just happened and who has been introduced in the story?
Captain Walton and his crew encounter a stranger who they take on board. This happens to be Dr. Frankenstein, who has been chasing his creature to exact his revenge.
A visitor from Turkey, known for her beautiful voice.
Safie
"'She sang, and her voice flowed in a rich cadence, swelling or dying away like a nightingale of the woods.'"(Shelley Chapter 13). What literary device is used here?
Simile (comparison of voice to nightingale using the word "like").
“Nothing could equal my delight on seeing Clerval; his presence brought back to my thoughts my father, Elizabeth, and all those scenes of home so dear to my recollection. I grasped his hand, and in a moment forgot my horror and misfortune; I felt suddenly, and for the first time during many months, calm and serene joy.”(Shelley Chapter 5). How does this quote display Romanticism?
It shows how Victor found comfort and happiness in his childhood. Romanticism stresses the belief that childhood is pure and beautiful.
"'Yet you, my creator, detest and spurn me, thy creature, to whom thou art bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us. You purpose to kill me. How dare you sport thus with life?'"(Shelley Chapter 10). What theme is depicted in this quote?
The theme of Parenthood. Shelley conveys the idea that parents have a natural responsibility to care for their creation, justifying the creature's murderous acts.
When the creature approaches Dr. Frankenstein for the first time after being abandoned, what does he ask for?
He asks Dr. Frankenstein to listen to his story before abandoning him once more.
This character is used to convey how ambition can be dangerous. "I am already far north of London, and as I walk in the streets of Petersburgh, I feel a cold northern breeze play upon my cheeks, which braces my nerves and fills me with delight..."(Shelley Letter 1).
Captain Walton
Frankenstein alludes to this famous poem about a sailor. Hint: both stories have a protagonist who tell others their tale so others don't make the same mistake as them.
"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
“The summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit. It was a most beautiful season; never did the fields bestow a more plentiful harvest or the vines yield a more luxuriant vintage…”(Shelley Chapter 4). How does this quote display Romanticism?
It shows Victor's passion, which is a central component of Romanticism.
Dr. Frankenstein and Captain Walton both convey this key theme in the novel.
Ambition. Dr. Frankenstein is ambitious in his scientific progress and Captain Walton in his journey. Shelley conveys that too much ambition can be a negative thing, seen in the negative outcomes of both of the characters' quests.
"The wretch saw me destroy the creature on whose future existence he depended for happiness, and with a howl of devilish despair and revenge, withdrew."(Shelley Chapter 20). What has just happened?
Dr. Frankenstein destroys his work on the second creature, going back on his promise to the original creature. This sets up the rest of the murders in the novel.
This character is often used to show how pure childhood is compared to technological progression. "...his presence brought back to my thoughts my father, Elizabeth, and all those scenes of home so dear to my recollection."(Shelley Chapter 5).
Henry Clerval
"I walked on the stony beach of the sea to listen to the waves as they roared and dashed at my feet."(Shelley Chapter 19). What literary element is depicted here?
Personification (waves cannot literally "dash" towards feet).
“One of the phenomena which had peculiarly attracted my attention was the structure of the human frame, and, indeed, any animal endued with life. Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle of life proceed?”(Shelley Chapter 4). How does this quote display Romanticism?
It shows Victor's awe of nature. Nature is considered to be virtuous by Romantic authors.
"'Who can describe their horror and consternation on beholding me? Agatha fainted, and Safie, unable to attend to her friend, rushed out of the cottage. Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore me from his father...'"(Shelley Chapter 15). What theme does this quote show?
The theme of Beauty. Shelley conveys that humans naturally find beauty in our physical characteristics rather than our personality, which is wrong. This, she contends, is what makes the creature a monster.
Which character's death does Dr. Frankenstein get blamed for and tried under the Irish court?
Henry Clerval
This dynamic character's growth in the novel shows how isolation and rejection from society can create a monster. "'Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.'"(Shelley Chapter 10).
The creature
Frankenstein alludes to "Paradise Lost" by John Milton. What similarity exists between Dr. Victor Frankenstein and God.
They both punish their own creations. Dr. Frankenstein does this by abandoning his creation and not creating a companion for it. God punishes Adam and Eve for listening to Satan when they were instructed against listening to him.
Shelley tries to show how scientific development is evil in comparison to the purity of nature in the current status quo (Romanticism frowns upon scientific and technological progression).
"'That is also my victim!' he exclaimed. 'In his murder my crimes are consummated; the miserable series of my being is wound to its close! Oh, Frankenstein! Generous and self-devoted being! What does it avail that I now ask thee to pardon me? I, who irretrievably destroyed thee by destroying all thou lovedst. Alas! He is cold, he cannot answer me.'"(Shelley Chapter 24). What theme does this quote depict?
Revenge. Shelley conveys that revenge is an evil that brings no happiness to any party, seen in the monster's grieving of Dr. Frankenstein.
After Elizabeth is murdered by the creature, what does Dr. Frankenstein do? How does that set up his encounter with Captain Walton?
Dr. Frankenstein vows to get revenge on the creature. While chasing him, he meets Captain Walton who takes him on his ship and allows Dr. Frankenstein to gain health.
This character believes he is virtuous and ethical, however he can be seen as ignorant. "As I looked on him, his countenance expressed the utmost extent of malice and treachery. I thought with a sensation of madness on my promise of creating another like to him, and trembling with passion, tore to pieces the thing on which I was engaged."(Shelley Chapter 20).
Dr. Victor Frankenstein
"'Remember that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed.'"(Shelley Chapter 10). This quote alludes to what famous poem?
"Paradise Lost", by John Milton.