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How Did Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Reflected In Romantic Literature?

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The literary period known as the Romantic Period began in 1798 and lasted until approximately 1832. During this time, people yearned for freedom and equality, which eventually led to a rebellion against the status quo and the beginning of a progressive nation. The authors of the Romantic Period attempted to find beauty in hardship and expressed their feelings and individuality in their writing (“Frankenstein”). One of these authors, Mary Shelley, found writing to be a creative outlet. Did you know that she even continued to write after facing incredible tragedies in effort to support herself and her son? Some of her major works include Frankenstein (1818), Valperga (1823), The Last Man (1826), and Lodore (1835) (“Mary Shelley”). Because of …show more content…

Artists and writers of the Romantic Period were concerned with the beauty of nature, human emotions, rebellion against society, and compassion for mankind. They often fantasized about distant places and ancient legends (Kreis). Mary Shelley used several of these concepts in her novels, especially Frankenstein. The creature would never become part of mainstream society because he bears rejection from humanity since he is less than average. Mary Shelley evokes a sympathetic reaction for the creature who is misunderstood, and although the creature shuns all humankind, he is still considered a romantic hero (“May Shelley”). As was previously stated, the events that occur in Frankenstein reflect upon how Mary Shelley views her life. Specifically, during the years that the novel was being written, three of her children died, definitely influencing her desire to write a piece relating to the creation of life. Mary Shelley mirrors Victor Frankenstein and the creature’s lives with that of her own, displaying how they are unsuccessful at fitting in with society. “I am alone and miserable: man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me”

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