Perceptions of nature are central to much romantic literature, whereas notions of the supernatural can rather be found in a type of literature that is associated with the Romantic period: the Gothic. Lacking a precise and stable meaning, the term commonly refers to literature that dramatizes the fantastic, supernatural, and macabre and features narrative suspense that creates horror. In this essay, different aspects of the relationship between the natural and the supernatural will be examined in two Gothic texts: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus and Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘M.S. Found in a Bottle’ .
In Frankenstein, nature is presented in harmony with the actually unnatural, in some respects even supernatural, creature, whereas it appears to oppose as well as soothe the creator who transgressed the boundaries of natural science. On the other hand, in Poe’s ‘M.S. Found in a Bottle’ natural force, embodied in the sea, does not have a counterpart, whether natural or unnatural, but culminates in a supernatural, all-devouring abyss. This culmination, though, links the two texts: Frankenstein’s desire, his ‘almost supernatural enthusiasm’ (Shelley 30), is realized in bringing to life the supernatural creature which ultimately, like natural forces in Poe’s story, proves destructive. Another common ground situated on the border of natural and supernatural is the reoccurring notion of sublimity, which will be considered rather extensively.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. INTRODUCTION
- II. DEFINITION OF TERMS
- II. NATURAL AND SUPERNATURAL IN THE TWO TEXTS
- IV. CONCLUSION.
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the intricate relationship between the natural and the supernatural in two prominent Gothic texts: Mary Shelley's *Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus* and Edgar Allan Poe's "M.S. Found in a Bottle." The essay investigates how these texts depict nature as a force both harmonious with and opposed to the supernatural, highlighting the interplay between the realms of nature, science, and the uncanny.
- The complex and multifaceted nature of the supernatural within the context of Romanticism and Gothic literature.
- The role of nature in shaping both the actions and perceptions of characters within the texts.
- The concept of sublimity as a bridge between the natural and the supernatural.
- The implications of transgressing the boundaries of natural science and the consequences of such actions.
- The representation of gender within the texts and the relationship between the natural world and the idea of female sexuality.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- I. INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the main themes and objectives of the essay, focusing on the concepts of nature and the supernatural within the context of Romanticism and Gothic literature. The essay focuses on Mary Shelley's *Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus* and Edgar Allan Poe's "M.S. Found in a Bottle" as representative examples of this genre.
- II. DEFINITION OF TERMS: This chapter defines key terms like "natural" and "supernatural," drawing upon the Oxford English Dictionary to clarify their meanings and establish a framework for analyzing the texts.
- II. NATURAL AND SUPERNATURAL IN THE TWO TEXTS: This chapter analyzes the relationship between nature and the supernatural in both *Frankenstein* and "M.S. Found in a Bottle." It explores how the creature in *Frankenstein* is both unnatural and supernatural, and how nature reacts to Frankenstein's transgressions. The chapter also examines the concept of sublimity and its role in shaping the characters' experiences of nature.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay explores themes of Romanticism, Gothic literature, nature, the supernatural, sublimity, transgression, science, gender, and the consequences of hubris. It draws upon key concepts and theories from the works of Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe, and philosophers such as Kant and Burke, emphasizing the interplay between the natural world and the supernatural in shaping human experience and the consequences of manipulating the boundaries between these realms.
- Quote paper
- Theresia Knuth (Author), 2006, The Relationship between the Natural and Supernatural in Shelley's Frankenstein and Poe's M.S. Found in a Bottle, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/70042
