Clarification of Question by
statestraveller-ga
on
24 Mar 2004 12:11 PST
Well actually I'm looking for something more like this:
Essay on Romanticism in Frankenstein
All literature is influenced by the time period in which it was written;
whether it be war, poverty, or any other social trends. People tend to write
commentaries of political events, or just describe the time period. Whether it
is intentional or subconscious, an author can not help to include some aspects
of the time period in which they are in. The Romantic Period had a tremendous
influence on Marry Shelly's writing of the novel, Frankenstein.
The Industrial Revolution in England during the late 1700's was a time
of great change. The populace was moving into cities, and people were
disillusioned by the destruction of nature and the living conditions in the
cities. In response to this disillusionment, people started to envision the
world differently than they had before. They saw nature as all beautiful,
powerful, and perfect. Previously, the inspiration for literature was law, order,
and religion; now, it is in the writers imagination and powerful emotions. This
change in the attitude of the people is called Romanticism. The Romantic
Movement is one of the most important literary periods in history; affecting the
literature, music, and art of the period. It encouraged spontaneity, and acting
with emotions, not common sense. In the more classical style of writing, writers
addressed their books to the upper class, but now writers addressed the common
man and his problems. Their was a new feeling of spirituality. People were
seeking eastern concepts of nirvana, transcendentalism and being one with nature.
People wanted to experience life, not study it. They seeked extreme emotions,
whether they were good or bad. Marry Shelly used all of these philosophies of
the Romantic Period in writing, Frankenstien.
Victor Fankenstien is a man with great ambition, he is obsessed and
self-centered. His life is the mirror of a Greed Tragedy. In his case, the flaw
is his excessive pride. This flaw causes Victor to rush into something, for
which he is not prepared. He fulfills his ambition and makes the biggest mistake
of his life by creating a monster. Finally, just before Victors death, he has
his catharsis. He tells Robert his story and cleanses himself. ?seek happiness
in tranquillity, avoid ambition? (pg. 205) This paradox, that he created a
creature to help society, but it turns out to be the undoing of society and
himself is an example of Victors self-centeredness. His life degenerates from
here on. Victor is a product of the Industrial Revolution. In reaction to people
with Victor's characteristics, the Romantic Period is born. His beliefs are in
science and the known world, which is the opposite of the Romantic ideal. He
believes that he can conquer nature, and tries to be ...
...which came from one of those gosh darned
pay-us-$10-so-you-can-see-the-rest-of-the-essay-and-cheat-on-your-homework
sites: http://www.academiclibrary.com/view/English/5209.htm . It's a
bit amateurish but has the general drift of my question which the
Prometheus discussion really doesn't.
I'm looking for a variety of similar sources so I can do background
reading and formulate my own opinions before I write the essay.
