The publication of a collection of poems, William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge calls Lyrical Ballads, mark the beginning of Romantic writings in England. The Romantic Ages extend from 1798-1832. The somewhat subjective, anti-rational, emotional currents of Romanticism transform intellectual life in the revolutionary periods. Six poets-William Blake, William Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge, John Keeds, Percy Shelley, and George Gordon- of the Romantic Period help to respond to social and economic changes and to the governmental policies that ignore the problems of the poor. Just the term "Romantic" signifies a fascination with youth and innocence (all that remains good), a questioning of authority and traditions for idealistic purposes, and an adaptation to change despite the ills of the society such as overpopulation, tyranny, and filth. Romantics tend to regard the writings of poetry as a transcendentally important activity, closely relating it to the creative perception of meaning in the world.
Mary Shelley gives the theme of good vs. evil in Frankenstein by her implicit utterance. Frankenstein occurs at the propitious moment when it becomes necessary for works of fiction to produce, not only repellant if vicarious sensations in the pit of the stomach; but also speculation in the mind. In her introduction to the work, Mary Shelley writes, "I busied myself to think of a story... one which would speak, to the mysterious fears of our native, and awaken thrilling horror..." (Spark 156) purpose then set supernatural and scientific proposition, Shelley ultimately develops several themes to the story, one of which remains good vs. evil.
As he displays a faith and optimism about science, in Frankenstein, light [good] symbolizes knowledge, discovery, and enlightenment. The natural world remains a place of dark secrets, hidden passages, and unknown mechanisms [evil]; the goal of the scientist is to needs to be reaching the light. The monster's first experience with a fire reveals the dual nature of fire [good and evil]. He discovers excitedly that it creates light in the darkness of the night, but also that it harms him when he touches it.
William Blake, also a Romantic writer, promises a "demonstration of the human soul" in Songs of Innocence (1794) [good] and Songs of Experience (1794). In his writings, he defines "Innocence" as a state of genuine love and native trust toward all human bind accompanied by unquestioned belief in Christian doctrine. Blake defines "Experience" as disillusionment with human nature and society. One sees cruelty and hypocrisy clearly, but becomes unable to imagine one was out of it. Blake possesses a third statement of consciousness that he calls "Organized Innocence," He expresses this idea in his later works. It remains a sense of the divinity of humanity and coexists with oppression and injustice.