Introduction to Frankenstein
Warm-Up What do you think the characteristics of Romanticism might be? What about the characteristics of Gothicism?
A Movement Across the Arts Romanticism A Movement Across the Arts
Definition Romanticism refers to a movement in art, literature, and music during the 19th century. Reaction against the Age of Reason and industrialization. Romanticism is characterized by the 5 “I”s Imagination Intuition Idealism Inspiration Individuality
Imagination Imagination was emphasized over “reason.” This was a backlash against the rationalism characterized by the Neoclassical period or “Age of Reason.” Imagination was considered necessary for creating all art. British writer Samuel Taylor Coleridge called it “intellectual intuition.”
Intuition Romantics placed value on “intuition,” or feeling and instincts, over reason. Emotions were important in Romantic art. British Romantic William Wordsworth described poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”
Idealism Idealism is the concept that we can make the world a better place. Idealism refers to any theory that emphasizes the spirit, the mind, or language over matter – thought has a crucial role in making the world the way it is. Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, held that the mind forces the world we perceive to take the shape of space-and-time.
Inspiration The Romantic artist, musician, or writer, is an “inspired creator” rather than a “technical master.” What this means is “going with the moment” or being spontaneous, rather than “getting it precise.”
Individuality Romantics celebrated the individual Unique or odd Brave heroes Walt Whitman, a later Romantic writer, would write a poem entitled “Song of Myself”: it begins, “I celebrate myself…”
The Dreamer Gaspar David Friedrich, 1835
What’s it all about? Emotion Passion Irrationality
Visual Arts Neoclassical art was rigid, severe, and unemotional; it hearkened back to ancient Greece and Rome Romantic art was emotional, deeply-felt, individualistic, and exotic. It has been described as a reaction to Neoclassicism, or “anti-Classicism.”
Visual Arts: Examples Romantic Art Neoclassical Art
Music: Components 1730-1820. Classical music emphasized internal order and balance. 1800-1910. Romantic music emphasized expression of feelings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ea90L91eZk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLjwkamp3lI
The Power & Majesty of Nature It’s about: The Power & Majesty of Nature
Turner: “Shipwreck”
Lion with the Rabbit - Eugène Delacroix
Sublime Sensation of awe, often mixed with fear
Romanticism is also about: The Pitfalls of Science
It’s about: Nationalism
An Officer of the Imperial Horse Guard Théodore Géricault, 1814
The Romantic Country Life It’s about: The Romantic Country Life
Flatford Mill – John Constable, 1817
The Dreamer Gaspar David Friedrich, 1835
Romanticizing the Gothic and Medieval Life It’s about: Romanticizing the Gothic and Medieval Life
Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows John Constable, 1831
Gothicism Gothic Architecture Majestic, unrestrained architectural style Profusion of savage, often grotesque ornamentation Vaulting arches Spires reaching to the heavens
Modern day examples What are some examples of more recent “Romantic” films, books, TV shows, and songs? Example: The Lord of the Rings Come up with 2-3 ideas in each category. Books Films TV Shows Music
Literature In America, Romanticism most strongly impacted literature. Writers explored supernatural and gothic themes. Writers wrote to express themselves.
Dark Romanticism Reaction to the American Transcendental Movement, which some writers thought was too optimistic. Transcendentalists believed in a perfect spiritual state that could be reached through intuition Dark Romanticists adapted Transcendental ideas to fit their less positive views Ex: Edgar Allen Poe, Emily Dickinson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, etc.
Dark Romanticism (cont.) Common beliefs include: Humans are not inherently perfect; they are inclined towards wrongdoing. Nature is a mysterious and sometimes evil spiritual force. People may try to change the world, but they often fail. Overlaps with Gothic fiction
Gothic Literature Motifs
Gothicism Gothic Literature Developed as a genre in 18th century It is devoted to tales of horror, the darker, supernatural forces
Madness Reflects realities beyond rational comprehension Mad characters speak truths we wish to deny Madness/Madmen/Characters Who Question Their Own Sanity: suggest humanity’s encounter with the fantastic side of existence that defies human reason. Because mad characters are in touch with a deeper reality beyond rational comprehension, they often speak the truths that normal characters wish to deny. Madmen face universal or psychic forces that rational men fear to acknowledge.
The Doppelganger A second self or alternate identity Represents opposing forces in human nature Suggests humans have a double nature More Recent Example: Star Trek The Double or Doppelganger (German for "double-goer"): defined by Frederick S. Frank as "a second self or alternate identity, sometimes, but not always, a physical twin. The Doppelganger in demonic form can be a reciprocal or lower bestial self or a Mr. Hyde. Gothic doppelgangers often haunt and threaten the rational psyche of the victim to whom they become attached" (435). The double motif involves a comparison or contrast between two characters or sets of characters within a work to represent opposing forces in human nature. For example, Dr. Jekyll and his evil double Mr. Hyde are contrasted to represent the battle between the rational, intellectual self (Jekyll) and the irrational, bestial self (Hyde). The double motif suggests that humans are burdened with a dual nature, a soul forever divided. Double characters are often paired in common relationships, such as twins, siblings, husband/wife, parent/child, hero/villain, creator/creature, etc. Work cited: Frank, Frederick S. The First Gothics: A Critical Guide to the English Gothic Novel. New York: Garland Publishing, 1987
The Faust Motif: Forbidden Knowledge or Power Hero attempts to control supernatural powers Ambition leads to fall Forbidden Knowledge or Power/ Faust Motif: forbidden knowledge/power is often the Gothic protagonist’s goal. The Gothic "hero" questions the universe’s ambiguous nature and tries to comprehend and control those supernatural powers that mortals cannot understand. He tries to overcome human limitations and make himself into a "god." This ambition usually leads to the hero’s "fall" or destruction; however, Gothic tales of ambition sometimes paradoxically evoke our admiration because they picture individuals with the courage to defy fate and cosmic forces in an attempt to transcend the mundane to the eternal and sublime.
Tragic Hero Traits... Hamartia: weakness that causes the eventual downfall; a fatal flaw Hubris: arrogance causing transgression against the gods; pride and overconfidence Catharsis: a move from ignorance to knowledge; release of emotions Peripeteia: reversal of fortune (fall from grace); unexpected reversal Nemesis: fate that cannot be escaped; poetic justice
Monster/ Satanic Hero/ Fallen Man Fallen Hero becomes a Monster Or, confronts a monster who is his double Like Satan, he defies the rules of God’s universe More Recent Example: Breaking Bad Monster/Satanic Hero/Fallen Man: the courageous search for forbidden knowledge or power always leads the hero to a fall, a corruption, or destruction, such as Satan’s or Adam’s fall. Consequently, the hero in Gothic literature is often a "villain." The hero is isolated from others by his fall and either becomes a monster or confronts a monster who is his double. He becomes a "Satanic hero" if, like Satan, he has courageously defied the rules of God’s universe and has tried to transform himself into a god. Note: the mad scientist, who tries to transcend human limitations through science, is a type of Satanic hero that is popular in Gothic literature (examples include Dr. Jekyll and Frankenstein).
Demons/ Devils/ Witches/ Angels Represent conflicting forces in the human soul Hero may be tempted by evil spirits Or, redeemed by good spirits More Recent Example: Star Wars Demons/Devils/Witches/Spirits/Angels: often symbolize conflicting forces within the human soul. The hero may be tempted by evil spirits or redeemed by good spirits that symbolize the hero’s own potential for evil or good
Graveyards / Churches / Ruins Suggest human confrontation with infinite forces More Recent Example: Harry Potter 4 Graveyards/Churches/Ruins: such settings suggest human confrontation with infinite forces (death, spirits, time, etc.).
Multiple Narrative Series of secret manuscripts or multiple tales Narrative spirals inward to hidden truth Narrator compelled to speak to captive listener More Recent Example: “Found Footage” Movies Multiple Narrative/Spiral Narrative Method: the story is frequently told through a series of secret manuscripts or multiple tales, each revealing a deeper secret, so the narrative gradually spirals inward toward the hidden truth. The narrator is often a first-person narrator compelled to tell the story to a fascinated or captive listener (representing the captivating power of forbidden knowledge). By revealing to us their own souls’ secrets, these narrators reveal the secrets of humankind’s soul.
Pitch Your Story Let’s say that you are a screenwriter who is trying to write and sell a script that falls under the genre of Romanticism, Dark Romanticism, Gothicism, or a combination. What is the story? (1-2 paragraphs) How does the story fit its genre? (1-2 paragraphs)
Mary Shelley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4p96vqI3zA&list=FLhtAEOsRgD8G3ESHYXiBlMQ&index =6
Mary Shelley When she was sixteen, she eloped with a poet named Percy Shelley. Shelley and her husband eventually moved to Geneva, Switzerland, where they spent a large amount of time with another famous poet, Lord Byron. While living there, the group engaged in a competition as to who could write the best ghost story. This competition led to the creation of Frankenstein. The book was published anonymously in 1818. Reviews were mixed. Mary Shelley died in 1851.
Closure Summarize what you learned about Romanticism, Dark Romanticism, and Gothicism in three sentences.