Respond

Part 1 - Define romanticism. How does Mary Shelley incorporate themes of Romanticism in the novel Frankenstein? Do an online search and research romanticism and another movement such as the enlightenment, scientism, realism or modernism. Which movement do you most associate your thinking with? Why?

Part 2 - Define romanticism. How does Mary Shelley incorporate themes of Romanticism in the novel Frankenstein? Do an online search and research romanticism and another movement such as the enlightenment, scientism, realism or modernism. Which movement do you most associate your thinking with? Why?

In reading and watching several different articles and viewpoints regarding Romanticism, most are agreed that Romanticism is based on almost an innocent and pure insight. The foundation is usually of a Christian nature, and those who are taken with it, very much like the mystical and magical side of religion because of the aspect of faith and childlike anticipation. Romanticists are drawn to nature over human aspects, rural over urban, and a love of the chivalrous tendencies of the Middle Ages and Medieval times (Richey, 2014).

Literature and art of the Romantic Age, often tell tales of sadness, doom and martyrdom all for the sake of love. Those who are forsaken, or can never be for one reason or another, tortures of the heart, blind love, innocence...they're all cut from the same romantic cloth (The School of Life, 2015). Perhaps Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliette could be a good example. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1869), for me it was a tug-of-war between pain, fear, and the need to be liked and cared about...and even loved, something that was not likely to be in the cards for this poor creature. He felt love yet anger toward Victor, his creator...and understandably so. His point being that he didn't ask to be 'born' or made, as it were. He is of Victor's making...from studying and experimenting, and reading the words of another who had gone even farther than Frankenstein in his experiments and uncovered secrets he never ever wanted another to read or know about (Shelley, 1869). The story also seemed to have a touch of Beauty and the Beast to it.

The creature learned by watching others, and felt himself longing for a female companion whom he could love and be loved by. He begged Victor to do this for him, to make him a partner who was like himself...someone who wouldn't be terrified of him or see him as an ugly monster (Green, 2014). This story truly had all the various attributes of romanticism, from beginning to end.

In regard to my connections with the various movements, I honestly feel that I'm drawn most strongly to the Romanticism movement. The literary works all have elements I can relate to or feel empathy with. So many emotions are entangled in romantic works and they draw those emotions out in me. I'm very visual and sensory in general with things I read or hear or think of, and can easily feel or see what is being described. Sometimes I can smell the air, when it's said to be autumn and leaves crackling under feet. Romanticism seems to be a very nurturing movement for these kinds of feelings and connections. I also feel that romanticism still plays a big part in the other movements. It's like a staple that can't be done without.

Part 3 - Romanticism is defined as an artistic, literary, musical and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward the end of the 18th century and in most areas was at its peak in the approximate period from 1800 to 1850. Mary Shelley incorporated the themes of romanticism by adding gloomy details in the novel to make it more supernatural. This novel is filled with mysterious ways and modern ways to give it the theme it has. The movement that I associate my thinking with is realism because I accept things are what they are and I deal with them the way I see fit.

I'm not sure if that answered the questions but if not, can someone please elaborate on it?

Part 4 - According to research, Romanticism is an artistic, literary, musical and intellectual movement in the arts and literature that originated in the late 18th century, emphasizing inspiration, subjectivity, and the primacy of the individual. Romanticism basically deals with expressions via emotions, feelings, and fantasies. Mary Shelley uses themes of Romanticism in the novel Frankenstein in many ways such as having the main character, Victor, to be fascinated by science, and as a result, created a creature from parts of human cadavers. Due to a disagreement between the creature and Victor, the creature began tormenting Victor by killing his companions/ families. These example all stem from elements of Romanticism as deaths do create emotions and creating a creature from human remains is basically a fantasy and imaginations as that is not a norm.

As it relates to another movement, other than romanticism, I would say I mostly associate my thinking with Realism. Realism movement in literature is broadly defined as "the faithful representation of reality" or "verisimilitude." Realism is also denoted as a particular kind of subject matter, especially the representation of middle-class lives. At my current's age, I found myself thinking more into details in a normal manner with no fantastical elements, emotions, or imagination like that of Romanticism. I do find myself being very practical and calm in situations. If I was asked this question few years ago, I probably would have associate myself with Romanticism, as I was more into imaginations and fantasies.