ENG 272 LogoBritish Literature II: Revolution, Reaction, Reform examines British literature from the late eighteenth century to the present, a period that witnessed the American and French Revolutions, slave revolts such as the Haitian Revolution, a “revolution in female manners,” the Industrial Revolution, the twentieth-century revolutionary wave in Europe, as well as World War I and World War II, and, of course, artistic revolutions. We will consider how the authors and literary works of this period might be reacting to change, advocating for reform, or participating in literary revolutions—whether revolution is understood in the sense of “revolving” or of “revolting,” going full circle to return to a previous (more perfect?) time or experiencing/effecting a great alteration or rupture.

Access the works for annotations assignments in COVE Studio here: ENG 272, Fall 2025

The digital edition of Frankenstein for annotations and the map project can be found here: Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (1818)

Timelines, Galleries, and Maps


Westmorland, England | Place

Westmorland (also spelled Westmoreland in older texts) is located in the Northwestern part of England, and as of 1974 (along with Cumberland), it has merged with Cumbria. It was smaller than Cumberland and sat between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Like Cumberland, it was a less Urban area and esteemed for its valleys, lakes, and pastoral mountains. Also, for many readers,…

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Posted by Aubrey Costello on

South America | Place

South America shows up in the story Frankenstein when the creation asks Victor to make him a companion. This pops up in chapter 17 when the creature locates Victor and they have this conversation. The creature promises that he will run away with a woman creation to South America. The British saw South America as a major economic opportunity in the 1800s, and after assisting the newly…

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Posted by Makayla French on

Greenwich, England | Place

Greenwich, England was pertinent to the story of Frankenstein because of its rich history and contribution to high society. Greenwich is located by the River Thames and is recognized for the Royal Observatory, Greenwich Hospital, and Greenwich Park. All of these locations would have made it very popular during the time that Frankenstein was written and may be why Shelley added it to…

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Posted by Aubrey Costello on

Edinburgh | Place

In Chapter II of Volume III, Victor and Clerval arrived in Edinburgh during their tour of Britain and have very different reactions. Victor says "I visited Edinburgh with languid eyes and mind; and yet that city might have interested the most unfortunate being." (Vol. II Chapter II) which in my opinion basically means that Edinburgh would be incredibly impressive to anyone except Victor…

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Posted by Emily Moore on

The Alps | Place

The Alps appear many times throughout Frankenstein, each time connecting the setting to the larger themes that are presented in the novel. More specifically, in my opinion the Alps act as a mirror of Victor's inner life and feelings. The first time the Alps are mentioned is just after Justine's exicution as he is traveling into the mountains it states "As it was, I was somewhat interested in…

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Posted by Emily Moore on

Cumberland, England | Place

Cumberland was a historic country in Northwest England—now part of Cumbria and Westmoreland. It is included in the Lake District which is famous for its gorgeous scenery, mountains, and lakes. In the early 1800’s, the Lake District was associated with Romantic poets such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Robert Southey. For many British readers, writers, and poets,…

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Posted by Aubrey Costello on

Ingolstadt | Place

Appearance in Frankenstein: Ingolstadt is introduced in Chapter 2, Volume 1, when Victor explains: "When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt." The city becomes the site of Victor's education and, crucially, where he conducts his experiments and creates the…

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Posted by Grace Testerman on

St. Bernard's Well | Place

Appearance in Frankenstein: St. Bernard's Well is mentioned alongside Arthur's Seat in Chapter 2, Volume 3, during Victor and Clerval's Edinburgh visit. While Clerval finds these sites fill him "with cheerfulness and admiration," Victor remains detached and "impatient to arrive at the termination of my journey" to the Orkney Islands where…

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Posted by Grace Testerman on

Arthur's Seat | Place

Appearance in Frankenstein: Arthur's Seat appears in Chapter 2, Volume 3, when Victor and Clerval visit Edinburgh. Victor describes viewing the city "with languid eyes and mind," while Clerval finds the "beauty and regularity of the new town of Edinburgh, its romantic castle and its environs" delightful. Arthur's Seat, along with St.…

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Posted by Grace Testerman on

Black Sea | Place

 

Appearance in Frankenstein: The Black Sea appears in Chapter 7, Volume 3, as Victor pursues the creature across Europe. Victor follows the creature from the Rhone valley through the Mediterranean, ultimately tracking him to "a vessel bound for the Black Sea." This marks a crucial moment…

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Posted by Grace Testerman on

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