FrankensteinMary W. Shelley

Mary’s Early Life Born in 1797 Mother died ten days after giving birth Mary was influenced by her mother’s

writings and reputation Mary’s father, William Godwin, was a

philosopher and novelist Mary married Percy Shelley- a well-

known author and were married 8 years until Percy died in a boating accident

Mary’s life continued Mary gave birth to 4 children in 5 years.

Of those 4, 3 died as infants Mary did not put her name on the first

publication of the novel because she was 18 when she wrote it, so many believed her husband was the author

Mary moved back to England after Percy’s death and supported herself, her son, and her father off of her writings.

Frankenstein Mary conceived the idea for the novel while

listening to Lord Byron and Percy discuss galvanism, which was a theory of bring back the dead with electricity

It is a gothic novel which was popular between 1760-1820; gothic novels consisted of mystery, horror, and supernatural

The novel proposed questions about science and technology

Frankenstein Mary Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein was labeled “romantic fiction” by an early reviewer. It is a powerful work of imagination that uses exotic natural settings and emphasizes the emotions of fear and awe. Many scholars also see her novel as a critique of

Romantic ideals. The “modern Prometheus” she holds up for readers’

evaluation, Dr. Frankenstein, is an ambiguous character who may or may not be worthy of our admiration.

Misconception Many people believe that the MONSTER

is Frankenstein. However, the doctor who brings the monster to life is Dr. Frankenstein.

However, critics believe that the monster is a double to the doctor, which is known as the term: doppelganger.

This German-oriented belief is that each human has an exact double.