1. Frankenstein

2. Let’s Begin with Romanticism
Revolt against Enlightenment ideas—reason, individualism, emphasis on science
Emphasis on imagination; personal, subjective experience; emotions; nature as a source of inspiration

3. Sublime vs. beautiful
Sublime: overwhelming and terrifying, yet beautiful
Beautiful: soft, enjoyable, soothing

4. Elements of Romanticism
Emphasis on the individual (but in a different way from the Enlightenment)
Genius, hero, lone artist figure—focused on passions and internal struggles
Imagination as a gateway to the transcendental—belief in the supernatural

5. The Gothic Novel In England: 1790-1830, but continues even into today
Mysterious disappearances and supernatural occurrences.
Protagonist usually a solitary, egocentric character.
Nature is used frequently to create atmosphere.
Evokes terror.
Shows the dark side of human nature.

7. Science and Romanticism
Anxiety about manipulating nature and pushing the limits of science (“mad scientist” figure emerges)
Galvanism (electric currents to stimulate muscle movement)
Body Snatching (theft of bodies from graves to sell to doctors and scientists)
Vivisections (dissecting living animals for scientific study)
Polar Expeditions

8. So what about Frankenstein?
Heavily influenced by Romanticism and Gothic literature
Overview (Crash Course):