Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars, unlike most wars, consisted of several wars between the French and other European nations. These war's were fought under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte during 1799 and 1815. Napoleons goal was to control the entire European continent, at which he almost achieved. Napoleon was a fierce leader who knew how to lead an army, and get what he wanted. However, he did not expect the British to have such a powerful Navy when he waged war on them. In 1805 the British ships created a blockade on the French ports, and defeated a French fleet of boats. Ten years later the British and Allies won the war against the French in 1815. (Historynet , History of War)

This picture shows ships that the British Navy (Royal Navy) used during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Gothic Literature and Frankenstein

 Throughout the book of Frankenstein Gothic literature constantly makes it's appearance. Based on the research there are some connections such as the conflict of the story, the setting and even the atmosphere. A good example would be when Dr. Frankenstein says "I feared every turning of the street would present to my view. I did not dare return to the apartment which I inhabited, but felt impelled to hurry on, although wetted by the rain, which poured from a black and comfortless sky." This was minutes before Dr. Frankenstein gave life to the creature. He was terrified of his creation that he simply ran from his apartment and abandoned the monster. From the imagery given in the quote we can easily figure out what kind of person Dr. Frankenstein is.

The idea of the age of Enlightenment and Frankenstein

The Idea of the Age of Enlightenment and Frankenstein

From 17^th to 18^th century, the enlightenment era; the age of the enlightenment or the age of the reason was opened.  In this era, people found the new ideas; the discovery of the natural laws of the universe, determination of the natural right of mankind, and progress of knowledge, technical achievement and moral values. Most importantly, people in this era tried to find a reason for mankind existence without religious idea. Many scientists thought things more logically. For example, Isaac Newton found the gravity of the universe. Its idea leads to scientific and mathematical revolution.   

In the “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein, main character, learned the enlightenment thinking. He is a student of the university. He tries to develop his idea that he makes a creature throughout the science. For instance, Victor says, “In rather philosophical and connected a strain, perhaps, I have given an account of the conclusions I had come to concerning them in my early years. As a child, I had not been content with the results promised by the modern professors of natural science. With a confusion of ideas only to be accounted for by my extreme youth, and my want of a guide on such matters, I had retrod the steps of the knowledge along the paths of time, and exchanged the discoveries of recent enquirers for the dreams of modern natural philosophy.” While Victor is growing up, he is learning many scientific ideas. He is thinking about discoveries for his dream. He has been increased his scientific knowledge like Isaac Newton did in the age of the Enlightenment.

In conclusion, he does success to make his creature, Frankenstein’s monster, in the story. His discovery to make the creature is definitely influenced by the idea of the Enlightenment.     

The resources

Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Science

http://www.newton.ac.uk/newtlife.html

Western New England College Essay by Professor Gerhard Rempel

http://mars.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/wc2/lectures/enlightenment.html

Social History of Women

Women had little or no inheritance to look forward to, this lead some to begin working from the early ages of 8 and 12.  Lower class women were looked at differently and as poor because they didn't dress with style or class. Their clothes were dirty and torn and had messy, unkept hair. Some of the jobs that women had were, seamstress, washer women, and serving the rich.  Women in this lifestyle were expected to fullfil three roles: mother, housekeeper, and worker.

http://www.flowofhistory.com/readings-flowcharts/the-early-modern-era/the-industrial-revolution/fc114

Gothic Literature

Gothic culture has always drawn attention in many aspects. Gothic literature is well known all over the world by its qualities associated with its form of writing. It influenced other different types of writing styles. Writers of "the optimistic country" founded the "Enlightenment principles of the pursuit happiness", came up with a literature which some found strange yet filled with beauty and sorrow. The writers were influenced by the conflicts and settings that made the British Gothic well known for its literature in the Atlantic. The Early American literature had some similarities to British Gothic such as a strange atmosphere, ghosts, strange settings such as haunted houses or abandoned buildings.

(Source: http://www.americangothic.narod.ru/america.htm)

Colonialism and Imperialism

Colonialism is when a nation takes over another nation, with the intent to transfer its people into the conquered land.  However, the people that are transferred, maintain their allegiance to their home country, in this case the British Empire, and bring over their customs and traditions with them.(Stanford)
On the other hand, Imperialism is when a nation takes over a nation, but this time with the intent to command, or control its inhabitants.(Stanford)

Natural philosophy and Frankenstein

Without a doubt, there is a connection between natural philosophy and Frankenstein. In volume 1 of chapter 1, the young Victor clearly states that ‘Natural philosophy is the genius that has regulated my fate; I desire therefore, in this narration, to state those facts which led to my predilection for that science.’ When he was 13 years old, he came across the works of Cornelius Agrippa, a German physician. Then he went on reading works of Paracelsus and Albertus Magnus. From then on, he started to examine nature and things that happen in his daily routine. One day, when he happens to watch a terrible thunderstorm, he is excited to see the thunder make an oak disappear. It is his father that first introduces to him what electricity is. He does a few experiments on electricity and one of them was an allusion to Benjamin Franklin’s famous experiment. Later on when he goes to the University of Ingolstadt, Victor meets M. Waldman, a professor at the university. After listening to a lecture of his and talking to him in person regarding Victor’s issues on his study, Victor’s prejudice on modern science such as chemistry disappears. Victor continues to study Natural philosophy as well as modern science.

(Picture from: Benjamin Franklin )