1. Gothicism and Romanticism
Pre-Reading Material
For Frankenstein

2. Gothic Literature and Romanticism
Gothic Literature emerged during the Romanticism time period
Romanticism embraced the Progressive Movement that emerged during the French and American Revolutions
It parallels the Scientific and Industrial Revolutions

3. Elements of Gothic Literature
Is known for:
Supernatural characters
Frightening, far away settings
Darkness and death
Curses and secrets
Haunted Houses

4. Romanticism Is NOT sentimental love stories! It is:
Idealism that caused people to question authority
A fascination with youthful innocence
Awareness of social change

5. Romanticism and Nature
The Romantics very much believed in NATURE!
Nature is NOT just known for its beauty
Nature IS believed to inspire the human mind

6. Romanticism and Society
Romantics REJECTED:
Conservative morality
Authoritarian governments
Reason being the primary way to explain the world
Self-Control
Conformity
Romantics BELIEVED in:
Individualism
Personal Expression
Emotional responses to life experiences

7. Themes of Romanticism
Travel
Nature
Adventure
Legends
Folklore

8. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Frankenstein is a gothic novel because it involves the Romantic tradition of the supernatural and the unexplainable.
It closely aligns with the genre of today’s Science Fiction.
It did NOT conform to society expectations, it was NOT conventional, philosophical, or educational.

9. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Mary Shelley created Frankenstein out of her imagination.
NOT: her mind, education, or personal experience.
Shelley admitted that the idea came to her after she woke up from a dream.
The title, Frankenstein; the Modern Prometheus, alludes to a Titan God (Prometheus) who was punished by Zeus for stealing fire.