Question

Read the following passage from mary shelley's frankenstein: but these philosophers whose hands seem only made to dabble in dirt and their eyes to pore over the microscope or crucible, have indeed performed miracles. they penetrate into the recesses of nature, and show how she works in her hiding-places. they ascend into the heavens; they have discovered how the blood circulates, and the nature of the air we breathe. they have acquired new and almost unlimited powers. which common notion from the historical context surrounding frankenstein does this excerpt most clearly show?

a. The Industrial Revolution brought about the scientific method, leading to more scientific quests.
b. The Romantic period brought about an appreciation for beauty in opposition to the intellectual quest for reason.
c. Horror and suspense, haunted forests, and castles were common settings in the Gothic literature of the day.

Answer 1

The passage from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein best reflects the Romantic period's appreciation for beauty in opposition to the intellectual quest for reason, showcasing the wonders achieved by scientists and their profound impact on understanding nature. Option B is correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein reflects on the achievements of philosophers and scientists, describing their ability to unveil the mysteries of nature and their advancement into scientific exploration.

This excerpt displays a common notion from the historical context around the time Frankenstein was written. During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Romanticism emerged as an artistic movement that valued emotion, imagination, and the awe-inspiring power of nature. Romanticism was in part a cultural response to industrialization, embodying a critique against the encroachment of the industrial and scientific world on the natural and the individual.

This passage from Shelley best illustrates option B: The Romantic period brought about an appreciation for beauty in opposition to the intellectual quest for reason. This is due to its emphasis on the miraculous and near-supernatural achievements of scientists who are described in a way that emphasizes their separation from the mundane.