Romantic Period - Frankenstein Notes

Romantic Period
1780-1830

Age of Revolution

Political
Many countries at war
American Revolution
Industrial Revolution
Educational Revolution

The literature of the time reflect events immersed in turmoil.

Romantic Period
Literature changed from creative to sophisticated writing.

Concerns of the writers:

Intelligence, high level thinking
Science=Enlightenment
Intricacies of the mind, psychology

Books and Literacy
The general public read more than previous time periods.
Libraries were readily available.
Affordable books.
Rise of periodicals.
Self help books on subjects such as math, science, were popular.

Concerns of the scientist
Can man create life?
Powers of life and death.
Who is responsible for life/death concerns?

Psychology
Nature vs. nurture issue
Human nature itself – what effects it?
Born with? Tabula rasa (blank slate?? OR
Family/social environment – how important is the way one is raised/treated?
Frankenstein

Characters:
Captain Robert Walton
English explorer (18th century) navigating his way to the North Pole.
Goal= Find glory, help mankind
Desires a friend
Responsible for his crew
We meet him in letters as the story begins.

Margaret Saville
Sister of the explorer
Recipient of letters
Not an active character in the story

Frankenstein’s family
Sons:
Victor
William
Ernest

Adopted sister:
Elizabeth Lavenza
Other characters

Victor’s parents
Henry Clerval – Victor’s friend
Justine Moritz- long time family servant
Monster (he has no name, but is called by many synonyms for monster – notice them)
DeLacey family

Structure of the novel
Multiple narrators
Begins with letters
Themes – coincide with Romantic period interests.