1. The Life and Times of Mary Shelley
A Surprisingly Drama-Filled Extravaganza!

2. Ingredient 1: Two Super-Smart Parents
Dad: William Godwin
Famous philosopher, journalist, novelist
Mom: Mary Wollstonecraft
Also famous! Feminist philosopher, educator, novelist
She “argued that women were not naturally inferior to men, but they appeared that way due to lack of education.”
Frankenstein, the Graphic Novel, Classical Comics Series

3. Ingredient 2: A Lonely Childhood
Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin was born in London on Aug 30,1797
Her mother died shortly after her birth
Her father remarried in 1801
Mary’s life was pretty chaotic. Living with an older half sister and two step-siblings, poor Mary often got overlooked.
What’s worse, Mary’s stepmother didn’t care about educating her. But, Mary’s dad had a great library, and Mary taught herself to read in her free time.

4. Ingredient 3: A Scandalous Affair
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Born August 4, 1792
An author, poet, and radical thinker
Greatly admired William Godwin
However, Mary’s father did NOT approve of her relationship with Percy
Percy was already married when he met Mary!

5. Ingredient 4: An Adventurous Life
Mary & Percy run away together and have a pretty exciting life
When they run away, Percy’s wife is pregnant. She sues for child support, then commits suicide.
They live broke and shunned by their families until Percy’s grandfather leaves them an inheritance.
Get married 2 years after eloping
3 of their children die young
Mary’s half-sister commits suicide
In 1822 Percy drowns while boating in a storm
Mary never remarried, and died in 1851 of a brain tumor

6. Ingredient 5: A Writing Contest
Summer vacation in Switzerland
Hang out with a bunch of intellectuals, including the poet Lord Byron
While bored on a rainy day, Lord Byron challenges each friend to write a ghost story
As a result, 19-year-old Mary writes Frankenstein
Frankenstein was published anonymously
Percy Shelley wrote the introduction, and some believed he was the author
A second revised edition is published
Mary Shelley is revealed as the author and writes her own introduction

7. Ingredient 6: Victorian Angst
Age of Enlightenment (1700s) - movement that focused on natural law, universal order, and human reason.
Wanted to progress human knowledge using scientific rational
Industrial Revolution (late 1700s to 1800s)
Transition from rural to urban
Advances in technology including electrical experiments and the steam locomotive
Age of Romanticism (1800s) - movement that focused on the individual, emotions, imagination, nature, and the supernatural.
Powerful ideas come from the individual’s mind
These thoughts are inspired by observing nature

8. Ingredient 6: Victorian Angst
Victorian Era ( ) - focused on high morals, decorum, and sound family structure
Women were expected to be graceful, refined, and committed to the home.
“Gentlemen” come from wealthy families. Also expected to have a good education so they could meet the needs of the advancing world.
Middle class grew thanks to industrialization, but there were still lines between the merchants and the gentry.
The British Empire was expanding, creating both national pride and anxiety about the future.

9. What’s the Result?
It’s pretty incredible that Mary, an unwed teenage mother, beat two published and respected writers AND created what is now considered the first science fiction novel.
In her novel, watch for elements of:
Scientific advancement and how far it should take us
The role of women – what values they should possess
Romanization of nature and natural imagery
Idealized individual – the importance of free-will, education, and personal abilities in defining a person’s life