Frankenstein, Romantic or Gothic?

Arguably Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' is a overtly romantic novel, it carries attributes that linked with the romantic genre. For example the use of nature and emotional attachments is used heavily in the novel. Readers will often see that Victor Frankenstein look towards nature almost as sanctuary. 'these sublime and magnificent scenes afforded me the greatest consolation' Victor looks towards nature as 'sublime' in other words, perfect. Nature is a perfect creation in contrast with his creation. Romanticism often features the theme of nature as a powerfully beautiful force we see this in other texts such as in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's 'Rime of the ancient mariner' where the comforting nature harbors and gives sanctuary to the hermit character. Romanticism does not linger on the tangible aspects of nature instead it indulges on its aesthetic appeal through the emotions that are provoked by these images. The character of Frankenstein seems to agree with this notion and while observing the scenery comments 'they elevated me from all the littleness of feeling' this continues the sublime image of nature, showing that Frankenstein is in awe from the sight. This is a highly romantic feature, romanticism often involves the glorification of seemingly normal things and uses the sublime. It is easy to understand 'Frankenstein' as a romantic novel when you look at the context of it. At the time it was written Romanaticism was very popular and would of had widespread influence on all literature and art. The romanticism genre was also respected unlike the gothic. However it could be argued that 'Frankenstein' is a overtly gothic novel due to the plot itself. 'Frankenstein' deals with the fear of transgressing boundaries. Victor strays away from the normal boundaries of academics and tries to play God, this results in something very bad. Mary Shelley's negative view of innovation is argubally conservative and the gothic at it's heart is a conservative tradition. The gothic extaggerates the shared anxities and fears of people. However when we take into account the background and upbringing of Mary Shelley it is hard to believe she was a conservative women sticking to old rules surely she must of been a liberal, free thinking individual like her father and mother. In my opinion the content of 'Frankenstein' seems to be gothic: a monster, a man striving to obtain hidden knowledge, the search for this knowledge results in a bad consequence however the way it is written is through a romantic way; the text relies and refrences heavily emotions and how the setting evokes them. Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' can argubally be seen as the first sci-fi novel, as it was written during aa time when industrial and technological innovations were taken place. The novel deals with the tampering of science, it also shows the use of science trying to play god and the bad consequences. This can be considered romantic as the genre went against the scientific rationalization of nature.

Frankenstein Reading journal: Chapter 3

- The readers are able to see how the death of Frankenstein's mother has effected him. This shows a Frankenstein which the readers can be more sympathetic of. Also it is as almost Frankenstein is warning the narrator as both have interests they wish to pursue although it may cost there humanity.

Frankenstein Reading journal: Chapter 2

- Shelley delves into how Frankenstein's work in the academic world comes from his desire for knowledge. He states how he seeks the 'secrets of heaven and earth' this statement shows how Frankenstein wants to obtain the secrets of not just this world but a world unknown to man. This is knowledge that is above the knowledge of normal folk almost as if he wants to become superior than a normal man. This straight away draws resemblance to another gothic text, Christopher Marlowe's 'Dr. Faustus' in it the main character Faustus also wants to obtain knowledge above man, Faustus states how he wants to be 'how jove is in the sky' this shows how he wants to be almost godlike, which is quite a sacrilegious thought when you take into account the audience at the time. This is similar to Frankenstein's actions later when creating the creature. Both texts show how there characters fell from grace due to transgressing boundaries.

-The arrogance of Frankenstein is also introduced. He seems to despise his peers who stick to the framework they have been given and compares them to little kids 'picking up shells' rather than explore the seas. Frankenstein has a obvious sense of superiority and feels he is above them.

Frankenstein Reading journal: Chapter 1

- The character of Frankenstein is shown to have strong affection for his parents. Frankenstein even goes as far as to say that his parents made his life. This is quite a sensible idea and fits with the possible conservative tradition of the gothic genre. This timid image of Frankenstein, that Shelley purveys comes into contrast with Frankensteins character later on in the novel. We learn that  Frankenstein becomes bored of normal boundaries. This Frankenstein is before his fall much like the story of Prometheus.

- We also learn about Frankensteins childhood. He is from a wealthy family and is able to live life freely. However we find that he has had a fairly sheltered life. As readers find out, Frankestein shows interest in things which he should not. This sheltered life may be a reason for this. This idea of transgressing the normal boundaries is common within the gothic genre, this again supports the idea that gothic is a mostly conservative genre.