1. Emphasis on Emotion and Individual Experience:
* Subjective Narrative: The novel is narrated from Victor Frankenstein's perspective, emphasizing his internal struggles, emotions, and guilt. This deeply personal and subjective approach is a hallmark of Romanticism.
* Importance of Feeling: Frankenstein's actions are driven by overwhelming emotions like ambition, fear, and remorse. The novel explores the power of emotions to drive both creativity and destruction.
* Focus on the Individual: The novel explores the complexities of the human condition and the consequences of individual choices, contrasting the societal pressures with the individual's struggle for identity and meaning.
2. Nature and the Sublime:
* Nature as a Source of Inspiration and Terror: The novel features breathtaking descriptions of nature, often used to create a sense of awe and wonder. Nature also serves as a source of inspiration for Victor's creation and later becomes a refuge from his guilt and despair.
* Sublime Experiences: The novel utilizes elements of the sublime, characterized by awe-inspiring and sometimes terrifying experiences that evoke both fear and wonder. The monster's appearance and the frozen landscapes of the Arctic exemplify this.
* The Power of Nature: The novel hints at the power and unpredictability of nature, reflecting a Romantic belief in nature's ability to both nurture and destroy.
3. Imagination and Creativity:
* The Creative Genius: Victor Frankenstein is depicted as a brilliant scientist driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a desire to create something new. His creation of the monster is a testament to the power of human imagination and creativity.
* The Dark Side of Imagination: The novel also explores the potential dangers of unchecked imagination, showing how Victor's obsession leads to tragic consequences.
* The Romantic Ideal: Frankenstein's creation is a reflection of the Romantic ideal of artistic creation, albeit one tainted by hubris and the fear of the unknown.
4. Social and Political Commentary:
* Social Inequality and Prejudice: The novel reflects the Romantic era's concern with social inequality and prejudice. The monster's rejection by society, due to his appearance, mirrors the ostracized and marginalized groups of the time.
* The Limits of Science: The novel critiques the unchecked pursuit of scientific knowledge and its potential for causing harm. It questions the ethics of scientific advancement and the responsibility of scientists to consider the consequences of their actions.
* The Nature of Humanity: The novel explores the complexities of human nature, questioning the role of societal expectations in shaping individuals and the capacity for both good and evil within each of us.
Conclusion:
While "Frankenstein" is a Gothic novel, it embraces many key themes and characteristics of Romanticism, including the power of emotions, the beauty and terror of nature, the potential of human creativity, and the importance of individual experience. This blend of elements makes it a captivating and enduring literary masterpiece.