British Romanticism and Gothic Fiction Overview

Study Notes

Romanticism is a literary movement that emerged in the late 18th century, characterized by an emphasis on emotion, imagination, and individualism.
Key features include a strong emphasis on nature, the sublime, and the power of the imagination, along with a fascination with the past and with the exotic.
Romanticism developed in response to the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and order.
Orientalism played a role in Romanticism, contributing to an interest in the exotic and in cultures outside of Europe.
Romantic artists often focused on depicting the beauty and power of nature.
Romantic and Byronic heroes were often characterized by their strong emotions, their rebellious nature, and their intense passions.
William Blake's poem "London" is a critique of the social and political conditions of 18th-century London, particularly its poverty and suffering.

Gothic fiction is a genre that emerged in the late 18th century and is characterized by a focus on the dark, the mysterious, and the supernatural.
The term "Gothic" originates from the architecture of the time, characterized by its use of pointed arches, vaulted ceilings, and intricate ornamentation.
Gothic fiction is a development of Romanticism, with elements of both fascination with the past and a focus on the power of the imagination.
Key concepts in Gothic fiction include monstrosity, the grotesque, the supernatural, atavism and Edmund Burke's philosophical discussion of the sublime as a combination of beauty and terror.
Often used narrative structures in 19th-century Gothic fiction include: the return from a journey, secrets, and a focus on individual versus society, amongst others.
Dark Romanticism is a subgenre of Gothic fiction that explores the darker aspects of human nature and often includes themes of death, decay, and madness.
In the 19th century there was a fear amongst a certain cohort that women reading Gothic fiction could be corrupted, and in some situations, might even inspire them towards mad or immoral acts.
Alchemy plays a key role in Gothic literature, often as a metaphor for the transformative power of knowledge and the potential for both good and evil.

Themes in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein include: the dangers of ambition, the pursuit of knowledge, the nature of creation, the isolation of the individual, and the importance of family.
Major characters in the novel include:
Victor Frankenstein: The novel's protagonist, a brilliant but flawed scientist obsessed with creating life.
The Monster: A complex character, Frankenstein's creation. While monstrous in appearance, the Creature is often portrayed as intelligent, sensitive, and capable of love.
Elizabeth Lavenza: Victor's adopted sister and fiancée, whom he loves deeply. Her death, at the hands of the Monster, devastates Victor further.
Robert Walton: The explorer who narrates the story. He is initially fascinated by Victor's tale and serves as a foil to him.
Henry Clerval: Victor's best friend, who is killed by the Monster on a journey to the Arctic.

Essay questions will revolve around Frankenstein, focus on the themes, characters, and key quotes from Frankenstein.
Essay responses should be a minimum of 300 words and follow the guidelines of the provided rubric.