The Romantic era originated in Europe at the end of the 18th century, with its peak from 1800 to 1850. It was an intellectual, artistic, literary and musical movement that focused on emotions, nature and the past. Turning away from the Industrial Revolution, artists and visionaries drew inspiration from Medieval times. Some reveled in intense emotions such as fear, horror and surprise. The Gothic novel, a genre that intended to frighten readers, many times included romance. A leader in this fictional foray was novelist Mary Shelley.
Perhaps best known for her masterpiece Frankenstein, she also edited the writings of her husband, poet Percy Bysshe Shelly. Mary penned her famous novel while on a trip to Lake Geneva with other notable writers of the time. During this rainy summer, the group entertained each other by telling ghost stories, prompting them to each create one themselves. Mary’s story was her release from various family losses. Channeling her pain, she created flawed characters that trigger our sympathy. Her monster is both terrifying and pitiful.
In her story, it is the inventor and not the monster that is called Frankenstein. Over the years, in popular culture, it is the creature that has become referred to with this infamous name. Mary’s Gothic imagery is haunting and mysterious. A feeling of dread keeps readers on their toes. In the story, mourning the tragic loss of his mother, Victor Frankenstein creates his monster. However, after seeing the horrendous creature he has made, abandons it. The monster awakens and is all alone, himself fearful of people and the world around him. Without love the creature turns cold. In the story both Victor and his creature search for love. Victor finds it and marries. Filled with hatred, jealousy and a desire for revenge the creature murders Victor’s new bride.
In the final scenes, Victor chases the monster across the lonely Arctic circle. As his creator passes away from exhaustion, the monster gathers him up gently, claiming him in an almost loving way. Torn, we mourn the death of Victor and realize the creature has lost as well. The monster is truly hideous, but on some level our heart aches for him. He was rejected by Victor, the only parent he had ever known, as well as the rest of the world. Desiring love, the monster had begged Victor to make him a mate. Fearful of a new race being crated, Victor refused. Imagine never knowing love and realizing you never will. Heartbreaking.
Mary Shelly’s mother, who died soon after giving birth, was the feminist activist Mary Wollstonecraft. Many years after her mother’s death, it was the feminist literary movement that helped raise awareness for Mary’s literary works. Sadly, her husband, Percy, died in an sailing accident. But due to the renewed interest in her work, Mary Shelley was able to support herself and her son as an author. Mary’s monster is one of the most well known fictional characters and I don’t think a Halloween goes by without spotting a few. So far my young daughters want to celebrate this holiday by being princesses and fairies, but someday they may tell me they want to visit the macabre. I’ll savor the glitter and gauzy wings while it lasts!
