Frankenstein Romanticism Analysis

English romanticism can be defined a literary era in which several characteristics are utilized to cause meaning. During this time, “...emphasis shifted to the importance of the individual's experience in the world and one's subjective interpretation of that experience, rather than interpretations handed down by the church or tradition” (Romanticism). Numerous tenets highlighted several of the beliefs of this period and their shifted mindset of individual experience, represents one of the many tenets, “emotional over logic.” The idea of Romanticism “...was further developed during the twentieth century as part of modern psychological theory...the romantics were fascinated with self-exploration and with the particulars of the individual's experience
This time period “...praised creativity over reason, emotions over logic, nature over society, and intuition over science. This idealistic focus cleared the way for a vast body of literature of great sensibility and passion” (Mueller). Romantics praised their emotions over logic, and throughout the novel, this tenet is showcased and sought to be supported by Shelly. Multiple times the characters allowed their emotions to be expressed, rather than what was logical. In the heat of the moment the creature “urged by this impulse, [he] seized on the boy as he passed and drew [the boy] towards [him].” (Shelley 131). In addition, because of the family the boy comes from, and his desire for revenge of his creator, he took the boy as his first victim. The monster “grasped his throat to silence him, and in a moment he lay dead at [his] feet.” (Shelley 131). The creature’s creator, Victor also conveys this tenet. He is constantly conflicted by the acts of the monster and his hatred and resentment of him, clouds what the logic. Before even knowing the true cause of William’s death, Victor automatically feels as if his creation is responsible. Throughout the novel, Victor’s “...abhorrence of this fiend cannot be conceived. When [he] thought of him [he] gnashed [his] teeth, [his] eyes became inflamed, and ardently wished to extinguish that life which [he] had so thoughtlessly bestowed.”
The people of this time “...recognized the "higher reality" of magic and the supernatural as vehicles of the collective unconscious...thus as agencies of an expanded national individuality not constrained by the limits of universal rationality.” (Izenberg). Although the Romantic Era was recognized as embracing the supernatural, Shelley’s novel questions the tenet. Simply Victor’s actions towards the monster demonstrates the resentment present. “Devil,” I exclaimed, “do you dare approach me? And do not you fear the fierce vengeance of my arm wreaked on your miserable head? Begone, vile insect! Or rather, stay, that I may trample you to dust!” (Shelley 86). Victor sees the monster solely as the cause of the deaths of his family members and the terrifying result of his studies. Approaching the end of the novel and the end of his life, Victor devotes all of his efforts to seeking revenge on the creature who turned his life upside down. He explains this longing of vengeance as something he must accomplish “until he or I perish; and then with what ecstasy shall I join my Elizabeth and my departed friends, who even now prepare for me the reward of my tedious toil and horrible pilgrimage!” (Shelley 196). With Victor’s constant and growing distaste of his creation, readers are led to believe that Shelley questions the tenet of embracing the