As seen in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, explain the influence of Romanticism in the characters of Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein.

's novel
was written during the Romantic period (1789-1832). Written in 1818, the
novel possesses characteristics true to both the Romantic and Gothic traditions. In regards to
the Gothic tradition, the novel contains elements of the supernatural, decaying scenery, and
mystery. In regards to the Romantic elements, nature is by far the most prominent
characteristic.

The Romantics adored imagination over reality, individualism
over society, and elevated the power of nature. Many times, authors personified nature (giving
nature the power of mankind). As for the influence of Romanticism over theofand , much can be
readily seen.

Victor Frankenstein

Victor's life in science began with a lightening strike to a tree. The lightening
strike utterly demolished a tree on the Frankenstein property. After bearing witness to the
power of nature, Victor picked up the works of Cornelius Agrippa. From this point forward,
nature's impact on Victor was sealed. For example, each time Victor became ill, nature cured
him. It was the promise of spring and the renewal of life which would bring Victor hope of good
to come. In the end, it was nature which ended up taking Victor's life--given he sought out his
creature until half frozen to death (only dying once he is able to pass his story onto Walton).

Robert Walton

Robert Walton,
like Victor, is a highly ambitious man. His one desire, to find the seat of magnetism and
establish new trading routes, leads him to the North Pole on a scientific expedition. During
this expedition, Walton finds his ship stuck amidst the ice of the North. For him, nature is his
enemy. The ice is the one thing which forces his travels to cease. It is nature which holds the
power over the man wishing to make a name for himself.

In the end, both
Victor and Walton are subject to the power of nature. Nothing is found to be more powerful than
nature itself. Outside of the power of nature, the imagination and individual goals of both men
prove to be Romantic. That said, it is the power of nature which proves to be the most forceful
element in the novel.