Scene Summary: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was written during the Romantic period, a time characterized by emphasis on emotion, nature, and individualism. In the novel, Shelley explores themes of creation, responsibility, and the sublime beauty and terror of nature. The story begins with Victor Frankenstein’s obsession with uncovering the secrets of life, driven by a desire to push beyond natural limits. His experiments symbolize the Romantic emphasis on intense emotion and curiosity. Key phrases like 'storm of the soul' and 'monstrous offspring' highlight the era’s fascination with the sublime and the limits of human knowledge. The novel’s language often reflects Romantic ideals, emphasizing awe and horror intertwined with the natural world. Context Guide: The Romantic era, spanning roughly from the late 18th to mid-19th century, was a response against the Enlightenment’s focus on reason and science. Romantic writers valued emotion, nature, and individual experience. Shelley’s language in Frankenstein is rich with imagery and metaphor, illustrating the tension between human innovation and the natural order. For example, her use of phrases like 'darkened skies' and 'beast within' evoke both the power of nature and the monstrous aspects of human ambition. This context helps us understand the novel not just as a story about a creature, but as a reflection of Romantic values and fears about unchecked scientific progress.

Extract: "Darkened skies stretched above the desolate landscape, as if nature itself mourned the Creature’s tragic destiny. The monster’s eyes reflected the turmoil within, a mirror of Shelley’s portrayal of the sublime terror of the natural world intertwined with human emotion. The creature’s cry echoed through the valley, a volta in the narrative that shifted the reader’s perception from sympathy to horror." This passage exemplifies Shelley’s use of imagery, metaphor, and volta, all characteristic of Romantic literature.

Excerpt: "The creature’s eyes were like glowing embers, burning with an unspoken pain. The darkened sky seemed to press down upon the lonely mountain, echoing the creature’s despair. As Victor gazed upon his creation, he felt a 'storm of the soul' brewing within him, a conflict of guilt and fascination."