FrankensFrankensteinteinby Mary by Mary ShelleyShelley

Mary Shelley (1797-1851)Mary Shelley (1797-1851)

Father: William Godwin, philosopher &

novelist, radical ideas

Mother: Mary Wollstonecraft, feminist &

author, died 10 days after Mary’s

birth

Father: William Godwin, philosopher &

novelist, radical ideas

Mother: Mary Wollstonecraft, feminist &

author, died 10 days after Mary’s

birth

Growing up…Growing up…Exposed to intellectuals – philosophy, politics, science,

literatureGreat advances in science – contribution to novelBelief that science could improve lifeMissing link = motherMotherless, Mary & the creature suffer some of the same

emotionsMary’s insecurities – maternal, as an author – translate to

creature’s insecurities

Exposed to intellectuals – philosophy, politics, science, literature

Great advances in science – contribution to novelBelief that science could improve lifeMissing link = motherMotherless, Mary & the creature suffer some of the same

emotionsMary’s insecurities – maternal, as an author – translate to

creature’s insecurities

Marriage…Marriage…

Eloped to France w/Percy Shelley

Mary was 16

Switzerland, Germany, & Italy

4 children w/in 5 years

3 died as infants

Birth & death – related to Frankenstein

Eloped to France w/Percy Shelley

Mary was 16

Switzerland, Germany, & Italy

4 children w/in 5 years

3 died as infants

Birth & death – related to Frankenstein

The novel…The novel…

Written w/in 1 year – published 1818

Lord Byron, Dr. John Polidori – Lake Geneva, Swiss Alps

Galvanization – medical advances

Written w/in 1 year – published 1818

Lord Byron, Dr. John Polidori – Lake Geneva, Swiss Alps

Galvanization – medical advances

The novel…The novel…Gothic novel – Gothic genre was a phase in Romantic

movement – Forerunner of modern mystery/science fiction-- supernatural-- horror-- mystery-- brooding atmosphere-- fear-- remote settings-- violent/mysterious events-- reveal the dark side of human beings

Gothic novel – Gothic genre was a phase in Romantic movement – Forerunner of modern mystery/science fiction-- supernatural-- horror-- mystery-- brooding atmosphere-- fear-- remote settings-- violent/mysterious events-- reveal the dark side of human beings

The novel…The novel…Morally complex charactersProvoking questions

sciencesocietyhuman naturedestructiveness of human nature

CloningGenetic engineeringStem cell research

Morally complex charactersProvoking questions

sciencesocietyhuman naturedestructiveness of human nature

CloningGenetic engineeringStem cell research

The novel…The novel…

Setting – 1700s – Europe – Switzerland, Germany, Arctic

Published during Romantic period in England

Optimism – human endeavors

Hopeful, but turbulent times – Industrialism

Setting – 1700s – Europe – Switzerland, Germany, Arctic

Published during Romantic period in England

Optimism – human endeavors

Hopeful, but turbulent times – Industrialism

The novel…The novel…Elements of Romanticism

InnovationSpontaneityFreedom of thought/expressionIdealization of natureIndividualismImaginationEmotions triumphed rational thoughtPassionNature, beauty, societal rebels

Elements of RomanticismInnovationSpontaneityFreedom of thought/expressionIdealization of natureIndividualismImaginationEmotions triumphed rational thoughtPassionNature, beauty, societal rebels

The novel…The novel…

Addresses serious philosophical subjects in a fantastical manner

Confronts recognizable human problems but not in a rational, recognizable world

Literary tension = tension that existed between Mary and Percy

Addresses serious philosophical subjects in a fantastical manner

Confronts recognizable human problems but not in a rational, recognizable world

Literary tension = tension that existed between Mary and Percy

The novel…The novel…

Themes:

nurture vs. nature

good vs. evil

ambition vs. social responsibility

Themes:

nurture vs. nature

good vs. evil

ambition vs. social responsibility

The novel…The novel…Subtitle:

The Modern PrometheusGreek Mythology – Prometheus – stole fire from Zeus –

punishmentPrometheus plasticator – created mankind from clayStolen fire – Fire of lifePrometheus – creating aspect fused w/in novelModern Prometheus = Victor FrankensteinPrometheus defies gods (Zeus) = punishmentVictor defies God = punishment

Subtitle:The Modern Prometheus

Greek Mythology – Prometheus – stole fire from Zeus – punishment

Prometheus plasticator – created mankind from clayStolen fire – Fire of lifePrometheus – creating aspect fused w/in novelModern Prometheus = Victor FrankensteinPrometheus defies gods (Zeus) = punishmentVictor defies God = punishment

Characters…Characters…

Victor Frankenstein

Elizabeth Lavenza

Alphonse Frankenstein

Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein

Henry Clerval

the Dæmon

Victor Frankenstein

Elizabeth Lavenza

Alphonse Frankenstein

Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein

Henry Clerval

the Dæmon