The Birth of Frankenstein: Mary Shelley's Inspiration and Gothic Legacy
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In the summer of 1816, 18-year-old Mary Shelley, alongside Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley, found inspiration for her legendary novel "Frankenstein" during a ghost story challenge. Bad weather forced the group indoors, leading to discussions about life and reanimation that ignited Shelley's imagination. Following a vivid dream, she began writing the tale of Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation, which was published anonymously in 1818. Rooted in the Gothic romance tradition, the novel explores themes of isolation, creation, and the supernatural, solidifying its place in literary history.
The Birth of Frankenstein: Mary Shelley's Inspiration and Gothic Legacy
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Presentation Transcript
(The Modern Prometheus) Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Shelley’s Inspiration“How I, then a young girl, came to think of, and to dilate upon, so very hideous an idea?” • Summer of 1816, at age 18, Shelley was visiting the villa of friend Lord Byron, along with her future husband Percy Bysshe Shelley. • Bad weather forced everyone to stay indoors and read ghost stories. • Byron suggested that they each write a ghost story.
Unable to think of a story for several days; each morning Shelley was asked if she had thought of a story yet and had to reply “No”. • One evening in June 1816, the group discussed the nature of the principle of life and re-animation.
Later that night, Shelley “dreamed” of the story of Frankenstein.
The next morning she began writing the story as a short story. But expanded it to a novel with the encouragement of her husband Percy. • The novel was published anonymously two years later in 1818. Mary Shelley was 20 yrs old.
aka The Modern Prometheus • The novel’s subtitle, though sometimes dropped in modern editions • Based on the myth of Prometheus ( Titan who created mankind, stole fire from the gods and gave it to man, and was punished by Zeus for eternity ) • In Greek mythology, Prometheus parallels Victor Frankenstein
The Gothic Romance Novel • Popular during the late 18th and early 19th century in England. • Setting is usually isolated • Often involved the supernatural with elements of horror. • Omens, portents, visions: a character may have a disturbing dream, foreshadowing, etc
An atmosphere of mystery and suspense: fleeting images, sense of impending disaster, unexplained deaths, “darkness”, etc. • High emotion: Characters are usually high strung or have a feeling of impending doom • Women in distress/abandoned or left alone • Protagonist is usually isolated (voluntarily or involuntarily)
