1. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Introduction

2. Author: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
18-19 years old when began writing novel; when published
Mother: women’s rights activist; died from complications of Mary’s birth
Father: Political activist; detached but loving father
Parents married 5 months before her birth, even though disagreed with institution of marriage.

3. Married Life
Eventually married Percy Shelley, the most famous Romantic poet.
Premature birth/death of their first child when she was 17.
Not married but pregnant with 2nd child at the time of writing novel
When she was 25, her husband drowned in a boating accident.

4. Novel Shelleys take a summer trip to Switzerland
Group of friends telling ghost stories prompted writing of the novel
Becomes a bloodcurdling thriller that deals with scientific/humanitarian interests.

5. Style Creates an appearance of reality
1st person narrative: told from the perspective of characters
Uses concrete detail and personal observation
Book originally began at Chapter 5

6. Frame Tale A story within a story: 2. Frankenstein’s story
1. Walton’s Letters
2. Frankenstein’s story
3. Creature’s story

7. Gothic Elements
Romantic themes: emphasis on nature, strong emotional content
Juxtaposition of beauty and grotesque
Characters trying to play God but only succeed in creating horror.
Psychological suspense
Abnormal psychology: character fascinated with death and morbidity

8. Gothic Novel Horror: ghosts, trap doors, castles, etc.
Brooding unknown terror
Nature: primitive, harsh, wild settings for stories
Authors: Edgar Allen Poe, Bronte sisters

9. Themes: Children left as orphans Obsession/Passion
Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Social Injustice
Alienation/Solitude
Dangers of Knowledge
Responsibility of Parent to Child
Science:
Gene Manipulation
Bioethics
Fetal tissue transplants
Cloning
Life medically prolonged