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