The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley was written in the era of Romanticism which occurred between the 18th and 19th centuries as a direct stance against the Enlightenment. This particular historical moment has elevated both science and reason to become the ultimate goal. In contrast, the Romantic Movement specifically aimed for intuition to dominate reason and to view nature as a place of healing for humans fleeing urbanization and industrialization, Romanticism also celebrated the individual as strength to rebel against the status quo. In the following essay I will discuss the themes that make Shelley's Frankenstein a romantic novel: the individual as an outcast from society, the strong influence of heightened emotional states, as well as the use of the "sublime" (a mixture of both fear and awe for nature) which contrasts urbanization and modern development which give rise to the stylistic form of romantic writing. The role of the individual as opposed to the masses plays an important role in Frankenstein; perhaps the best example of this is seen through an analysis of the main character Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein is an eccentric scientist who lives in a mysterious mansion located in Geneva, Switzerland. He is a character with a dual nature, who struggles against faith in reason or in the unknown. In other words, Frankenstein represents both the positive and negative aspects of science. In the novel, Victor Frankenstein's father, Alphonse Frankenstein, criticizes his study of ancient philosophies which tend to focus on the supernatural and the inexplicable. He wished it to focus solely on the rational and logical contemporary work at hand “…My dear Victor, don't waste your time on this; it's sad... middle of paper......ouTube. Richey. February 16, 2014. Video. May 11, 2014. < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky6qKSCvSMw&list=PLnr-Pfk9NI7JfYD-kiYo1PAmUg7i-WggD>.• McAtee, Marjorie, and W. Everett. “What is the connection between romance and nature?” WiseGeek. Conjecture, May 2, 2014. Web. May 11, 2014. .• "Themes, Motifs, and Symbols." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, nd Web. May 11, 2014..•" I look for the characteristics of romance in Frankenstein.”enotes.com. enotes.com. April 5, 2012. Web. May 11, 2014. .• "sublime." © Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc .. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.. May 11. 2014..