Frankenstein: Nature, Science, and Romanticism Analysis

Frankenstein: A Masterpiece of Romantic Literature

Frankenstein is a novel written by English author Mary Shelley, published in 1818. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a hideous, sapient creature through an unorthodox scientific experiment.

The Role of Nature and Romanticism

In my opinion, both interpretations of the text are valid. On one hand, the impact and beauty of the natural world—always significant to Romantic writers—play an important role in creating an appropriate setting for the novel’s dramatic events. The creature’s experience of entering the world without knowledge of social norms or behavioral expectations reflects Romanticism’s curiosity regarding how innate human nature is gradually shaped by society and culture.

Setting and Symbolic Landscapes

From the novel’s opening, the importance of the reader establishing a sense of physical place is clear. For example, Victor notes that the landscape of the Orkneys and that of his native country are quite distinct:

• The Orkneys: Described as cold, barren, gray, and rough.
• Switzerland: Recalled as colorful and lively, featuring verdant vines and blue lakes that reflect the brilliant sky.

Furthermore, the final comparison Victor draws concerns the winds of each place. In Switzerland, the winds are “but…the play of a lively infant” (Shelley 42), rather than the tormented sea squalls that batter the rock face of the Orkneys. It is symbolic that Victor chose such a barren place to create a companion for the creature; the contrast between the two locations is as stark as the difference between Frankenstein’s creature and the human world.

Science Over the Supernatural

On the other hand, Victor Frankenstein’s creature is not born of magic or the supernatural, but through scientific principles. While the morbid events in the story are terrifying, they are conducted in the name of science. For instance, Victor gathers dead body parts specifically to secure supplies for his experiments.

The Brilliance of Victor Frankenstein

Shelley created a truly brilliant scientist who may have discovered a method of preservation that enabled basic physiological functions to be restarted. Alternatively, he may have found a way to reverse the inevitable damage caused by 18th-century preservation techniques. This level of expert knowledge still eludes us today, yet it would be of immense benefit to health and the prolongation of life.

Philosophical Foundations

I appreciate a quotation cited by Harold Bloom from an article by William Godwin in The Enquirer:

“As this view of the nature of the human mind is of the utmost importance in the science of education.”

Shelley’s novel may be read as a thought experiment regarding the anthropomorphic foundations of, and limits to, Godwin’s science.