All writers contribute to their chosen genres, either by adopting generic conventions or by exploring these conventions and adapting them to create new aspect of their genre, or even a new genre altogether. Mary Shelley and William Shakespeare exemplify these ideas of adoption and adaptation. Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein is a classically gothic novel, it incorporates the supernatural with the realistic to create a horrific plot with deep psychological characters who’s actions question societal norms, morality and humanity. The text adopts but also adapts motifs of doppelgangers, forbidden knowledge and heroism. Shakespeare was a literary pioneer in almost every aspect and the genres of his plays were no different. In his play The Tempest,
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This motif is undeniably adopted in Frankenstein through Victor and his creation. The Creature, ‘haunts’ Frankenstein throughout the novel by pursuing him from place to place, reminding him of his lack of morality and rationality. The monster becomes an external embodiment of Frankenstein’s increasingly divided and conflicted personality. As he obsessively pursues his studies, Frankenstein divides his head from his heart; his intellect and desire for scientific knowledge separate from his emotions, affections and responsibilities to other people. The monster 's ugliness makes him the image of a purely intellectual, heartless Victor, the opposite of the young man who begins his studies with hope and the desire to contribute to the improvement of humanity. This is also reflected in the monster’s own search for knowledge when abandoned. “Of what strange nature is knowledge! It clings to the mind when it has once seized on it… I wished sometimes to shake off all thought…” The Creature follows Frankenstein’s path in self-education and further cements the idea that he represents intellect and rationality. This idea, however, can be seen as adapted by Shelley as she transforms the idea to present the notion that good and evil are inherent in both Frankenstein and his creation, rather than a multi personified representation …show more content…
The Romantic Movement of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, was largely concerned with the individual rather that society and community, Romantics were fascinated with individual consciousness and imaginations and the effects of nature on the emotions of individuals. Shelley explores these notions in her novel in varying degrees. Nature is a recurring motif and has profound effects Frankenstein’s character; nature is constantly used in the novel to describe Frankenstein’s moods and the changes between them. Nature is seen as a consoler, a comforter for Frankenstein, “The very winds whispered in soothing accents, and, maternal nature bade me weep no more.” This, however, is not so much the case for the monster. There is a stark contrast between Frankenstein’s descriptions of eternal mountains and sublime lakes and passes and the Creature’s descriptions of the surroundings as, “desert mountains”, “dreary glaciers” and “bleak skies”. This shows contrast between the romantic and gothic values of
This motif is undeniably adopted in Frankenstein through Victor and his creation. The Creature, ‘haunts’ Frankenstein throughout the novel by pursuing him from place to place, reminding him of his lack of morality and rationality. The monster becomes an external embodiment of Frankenstein’s increasingly divided and conflicted personality. As he obsessively pursues his studies, Frankenstein divides his head from his heart; his intellect and desire for scientific knowledge separate from his emotions, affections and responsibilities to other people. The monster 's ugliness makes him the image of a purely intellectual, heartless Victor, the opposite of the young man who begins his studies with hope and the desire to contribute to the improvement of humanity. This is also reflected in the monster’s own search for knowledge when abandoned. “Of what strange nature is knowledge! It clings to the mind when it has once seized on it… I wished sometimes to shake off all thought…” The Creature follows Frankenstein’s path in self-education and further cements the idea that he represents intellect and rationality. This idea, however, can be seen as adapted by Shelley as she transforms the idea to present the notion that good and evil are inherent in both Frankenstein and his creation, rather than a multi personified representation …show more content…
The Romantic Movement of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, was largely concerned with the individual rather that society and community, Romantics were fascinated with individual consciousness and imaginations and the effects of nature on the emotions of individuals. Shelley explores these notions in her novel in varying degrees. Nature is a recurring motif and has profound effects Frankenstein’s character; nature is constantly used in the novel to describe Frankenstein’s moods and the changes between them. Nature is seen as a consoler, a comforter for Frankenstein, “The very winds whispered in soothing accents, and, maternal nature bade me weep no more.” This, however, is not so much the case for the monster. There is a stark contrast between Frankenstein’s descriptions of eternal mountains and sublime lakes and passes and the Creature’s descriptions of the surroundings as, “desert mountains”, “dreary glaciers” and “bleak skies”. This shows contrast between the romantic and gothic values of