1. Born 1797

2.  William Godwin Free thinker (believed in an open marriage…) Atheist journalist, philosopher, & novelist Championed cause of the underprivileged Wrote of political justice Criticized the privilege of class and the irresponsibility of the aristocracy Famous literary figures visited home

3.  Mary Wollstonecraft Feminist-believes woman are equal to men but are deprived an education Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women. Opposed the institution of marriage, but married so that Mary would have a legitimate birth. Ten days after Mary Shelley is born, Mary Wollstonecraft dies of Puerperal fever (from blood poisoning during childbirth).

4.  Mary Jane Clairmont Causes a very turbulent home life for Mary Shelley. A widow with two children (Charles and Claire). Has a sharp tongue and a short temper. Mary’s Stepmother resents Godwin’s attention to his daughter.

5. Little or no formal education Avid reader; exposed to father’s library but not monitored Kept journals and wrote stories Expose to the great literary figures of England (Colleridge, Wordworth, Lamb, etc.) Mary’s stepmother sees that “intellect is the favored commodity and sends her daughter Claire away to a boarding school for a “competitive” education.

6.  Major Romantic Poet  Regarded among finest lyrical poets in the English Language; influenced poets for last 200 years  Atheist  Devotee of Godwin  Unconventional life and uncompromising idealism  Expelled from Oxford because of a radical pamphlet.  Wanted to build a “free love” community…Mary wasn’t into it.  Opium and Absinth user.  Tormented as a child because of his “feminine” appearance and unique intellect.  At 19 marries Harriet Westbrook (16)

7.  May 1814- Mary and Percy meet and weeks later run away together. (Percy is still married to Harriet!) Mary’s father disapproves; Mary considers rejecting him, but Percy threatens suicide.  1815- Mary is 18, her first child born premature, dies.  1816-Mary is 19, she gives birth to her son, William. Mary’s half-sister (Claire) commits suicide. Mary and Percy “marry” even though he is still married. Percy’s pregnant wife Harriet, commits suicide (drowns herself because she misses her husband and has terrible shame over having an illegitimate baby.) Mary begins writing Frankenstein (coincidence? I think not….)

8.  1817-Mary is 20 Her daughter, Clara is born. Mary finishes writing Frankenstein.  1818-Mary is 21 Clara dies Frankenstein is published.  1819-Mary is 22 Mary’s son William dies at the age of three. Mary’s son Percy is born.  1822-Mary is 25 Mary miscarries and almost dies. Percy goes on a boat trip and dies. The ship is found with no survivors. Multiple motives from accident, to suicide, to robbery, to government assassination.

9. What do you already know about Frankenstein … and how did you learn it? Prometheus? And why did Shelley subtitle this “ The Modern Prometheus”?

10.  Stole fire from Zeus  Gave fire to Mortals  Punished by Zeus - bound to rock -great eagle ate liver daily -liver grew back daily Questions to keep in mind as we read: What does Prometheus and Frankenstein have in common? Why “Modern” Prometheus?

12.  -Uses imagination and naturalness -Individual passions important -Individual liberty and rebellion against tyranny -Eeeeerrrriiiiieeeee -SUPERNATURAL -Unpredictable aspects of nature used -Melancholy, desolate settings that create “heightened awareness.” -Protagonists are solitary, misunderstood men

13.  Captain of ship writes letter to sister (or the reader)  Dr. Frankenstein tells story to Captain (who tells sister)  Monster tells story to Dr. Frankenstein (who tells Captain who tells sister)

14.  Is man born good but corrupted by society? (Rousseau)  Is man born a blank slate (tabula rasa) and becomes good or bad as life happens? (Locke)  Is man born “naturally depraved” and needs redemption? (..now, where have I heard that before?)

15. How can society balance benefits of new medical discoveries against ethical/religious/spiritual dilemmas they may pose?  Did you know that in 1932 executed people were use for dissection?  Did you know that now you can find dissections posted on the internet?  Did you know organs can now be transplanted from one species to another?  Did you know human body parts are harvested and sold?

16.  How can society balance the human urge to understand against problems arising from that knowledge?  atomic and hydrogen energy/bomb  genetic research (seeds/humans)  artificially prolonging/ending life  cloning  DNA research (cure diseases or create life?)

17. 1. What does Prometheus and Frankenstein have in common? Why “Modern” Prometheus? “Of what materials was I made that I could thus resist so many shocks, which, like the turning of the wheel, continually renewed the torture. “ 2. Who really is the monster?