Bellwork Assignment Answer the following prompt: What constitutes someone being considered a monster? When you think of a monster, what do you think of?

Introduction to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Mary Shelley – Who Was She? Daughter of two of England’s leading intellectual radicals. - Her father, William Godwin, was an influential political philosopher and novelist. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, the author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, was a pioneer in promoting women’s rights and education. Her future husband, the admired poet Percy Shelley, was one of her father’s frequent visitors. She later married Percy Shelley.

The Creation of Frankenstein Summer of 1816 Mary and Percy Shelley were living near the poet Lord Byron and his doctor-friend John Polidori on Lake Geneva in the Swiss Alps. During a period of incessant rain, the four of them were reading ghost stories to each other when Byron proposed that they each try to write one. For days, Shelley could not think of an idea. Then, while she was listening to Lord Byron and Percy discussing the probability of using electricity to create life artificially, according to a theory called galvanism, an idea began to grow in her mind: Perhaps a corpse would be re-animated; galvanism had given token of such things: perhaps the component parts of a creature might be manufactured, brought together, and [endued] with vital warmth. The next day she started working on Frankenstein. A year later, she had completed her novel. It was published in 1818, when Shelley was nineteen years old.

Society’s Influence on the Novel Romanticism (1798 – 1832) - Movement contrary to Enlightenment and Industrialization which emphasized how man’s reason and logic can improve society - Emphasized the importance of the individual, subjectivity, imagination, and expression of emotions Romantic writers were turning to nature as an escape from the harsh realities of the world. Nature was a place where human tyrannies did not exist or reign.

The Romantic Quest During the Romantic period, a journey to find one’s self through nature, isolation, and meditation. Natural science should lead to discovery Could be a physical journey or a mental, psychological, or spiritual one

Weird Science During Mary’s time, scientists and physicians were fascinated by the elusive boundary between life and death. Experimented with lower organisms, performed human anatomical studies, attempted to resuscitate drowning victims, and performed experiments using electricity to restore life to the recently dead.

Weird Dream Mary Shelley’s daughter, Clara, had died. She had a dream that Clara was brought back to life through vigorous rubbing and being held near a warm fire. This dream and the proposal from Lord Byron to write a ghost story inspired Mary Shelley to write Frankenstein.

Characters in Frankenstein Victor Frankenstein – the protagonist and narrator of the main part of the story The monster – the hideous creation of Frankenstein Robert Walton – the Arctic seafarer whose letters open and close the novel Alphonse Frankenstein – father to Frankenstein Elizabeth Lavenza – an orphan whom the Frankensteins adopt Henry Clerval – Victor’s boyhood friend William Frankenstein – Victor’s youngest brother

Characters Continued Justine Moritz – young girl adopted into the Frankenstein household while Victor was growing up Caroline Beaufort – daughter of Beaufort Beaufort – merchant and friend of Victor’s father Peasants – family of peasants M. Waldman – professor of chemistry who sparks Victor’s interest in science M. Krempe – professor of natural philosophy Mr. Kirwin – the magistrate who accuses Victor of Henry’s murder

Themes in Frankenstein Dangerous Knowledge Sublime Nature Monstrosity Secrecy Texts

Motifs in Frankenstein Passive Women Abortion

Symbols in Frankenstein Light and Fire

A Framework Narrative Robert Walton’s Letters to his sister Victor Frankenstein’s story as he tells it to Walton The monster’s description to Frankenstein of the development of his mind

Timeline of Mary Shelley’s Life Aug. 30, 1797 Mary is born to well-known parents: author and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft and philosopher William Godwin. Mary Wollstonecraft dies giving birth to Mary. 1813 Mary meets the young poet Percy B. Shelley, a devotee of her father`s teachings 1816 They go to Geneva, this time spending time with Byron and his friend Polidori 1816 William is born. 1816 In Geneva, Byron suggests they should all write a ghost story. Mary begins writing Frankenstein, the only story of the four that was ever published as a novel. 1816 Percy`s wife drowns herself; Percy and Mary marry in December. 1818 Frankenstein Tragedies after Frankenstein 1819 Mary suffers a nervous breakdown after the death of William. 1819 Percy is born; only child of Mary`s to survive childhood. 1822 Percy Sr. drowns during a sailing trip in the Bay of Spezia. 1822 She has a dangerous miscarriage. 1826 She writes The Last Man, which depicts the end of human civilization. Feb. 1,1851 Mary Shelley dies in London, possibly of a brain tumor.

As you read the novel, be sure to ask: Shelley’s Purpose As you read the novel, be sure to ask: Given all of these influences on Shelley’s life, why would she write a novel like Frankenstein? Is it more than just a simple ghost story? Have fun analyzing!!!!