Mary Shelley was an iconic writer, renowned for her complex work “Frankenstein” which continues to intrigue readers till today. Her novel was born out of the dark and brooding era of 19th-century Gothic Literature that had captivated Europe for decades. At only 18 years old, Mary Shelley created the now-famous story that became the benchmark for all Gothic literature. This article will explore the life of Mary Shelley and how her personal life inspired her to create one of the most unforgettable novels in history.
Mary Shelley, born in London in 1797, was the daughter of a prominent feminist philosopher, Mary Wollstonecraft.
Her mother’s feminist values would greatly impact Mary Shelley’s life and her writing. Wollstonecraft’s death during childbirth, left Shelley to grow up without a mother and to be raised by a father who rarely acknowledged her. In 1812, Mary Shelley met Percy Shelley, a poet and feminist who shared her mother’s ideas. Despite being already married, they fell immediately in love and ran away together. Their life together was a tumultuous, yet enduring journey that had a significant influence on Mary Shelley’s work.
Mary and Percy Shelley, along with the famous poet Lord Byron and his physician John Polidori, were on a rainy holiday in Switzerland when the idea for “Frankenstein” was formed.
During a dismal group reading of ghost stories, Byron challenged the group to write their own. This challenge became the catalyst for the creation of Mary Shelley’s most famous novel, “Frankenstein”.
Mary Shelley, fuelled by personal tragedy and growing Neo-Gothic literature, created the story of “Frankenstein”.
Her novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant scientist who creates a monster out of stolen parts – but ultimately cannot control it. The novel serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific hubris, and the consequences of giving life to things we should leave untouched. Shelley’s novel marked a departure from the traditional Gothic horror of the era, with its creation of a new sub-genre of science fiction.
“Frankenstein” is a reflection of Shelley’s own life – from the themes of maternal abandonment to the overwhelming sense of loss and guilt.
The creation of the monster can be seen as an expression of her grief, loss, and emotional turmoil. Through Frankenstein, Shelley explores the darker side of human nature, and the moral questions surrounding the creation of life.
Mary Shelley was a complex and talented writer whose life and work were deeply intertwined.
The Gothic origins of “Frankenstein” and its exploration of scientific exploration, tragedy, and morality, continue to be as relevant today as they were over two hundred years ago. Mary Shelley’s writing provided a different view from the established norms of the Victorian era, making her stories timeless and still appealing to today’s readers. Her creativity and passion for writing allowed her to bring forth thought-provoking literature that broke away from the traditional norms of her time and made a lasting impact.
