Frankenstein is both a Gothic and romantic novel. It refers to romantic literature. Mary Shelley follows the characters’ feelings and tragic experiences. She chooses strong words and images that convey their fierce passions. The novel depicts the sad discord between nature and society. The theme is typical for romanticism.
Detailed answer:
Mary Shelley (1797-1851) is a prominent writer of Romantic prose. The writer’s primary work is Frankenstein, or Modern Prometheus of 1818. The young scientist is thirsty for discovery and recognition. He creates a humanoid, the appearance of which scares the whole world. Persecuted from society, he looks at the world as a child and longs for love. Still, human cruelty bears fruit: the outer monster becomes a monster inside too.
The era of romanticism is the time when the psychological approach to literature was formed. The English version of the genre appeals to a person. A romantic hero is an outcast and a seeker of truth. In the novel, the principle of “crime and punishment” works. Every protagonist’s act returns as an echo, destroying their lives and souls.
One of the philosophic topics raised in the book is that of unlimited choices. Shelley reveals nature as a sublime concept of the romantic period. It reflects the experience of fear in the face of the beautiful world. Nature is the ultimate owner of the weapon of life and death.