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Frankenstein, An Introduction

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1 Frankenstein, An Introduction

2 Mary Shelley Born to radicals Father remarried
Mary Wollstonecraft, feminist writer, A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792) which drew attention to women’s second class status William Godwin, ex-minister, atheist, influential writer (politics, morality); name became associated with truth, justice and liberty Both influence by French Revolution Both anti-marriage, but did wed when Mary became pregnant Mother died of septicemia (blood poisoning) after Mary’s birth Father remarried Emotionally void, but intellectually guided

3 Mary & Percy Shelley Met in 1814
Shelley, “Romantic,” attached self to Godwin and his idealistic political notions Shelley abandons wife to spend time at Godwin house Eloped in July 1814 1815 Mary gives birth to 1st baby, but baby dies a few days after birth “Dream that my little baby came to life again: that it had only been cold, and that we rubbed it before the fire and it lived.”

4 Mary & Shelley in Geneva
Opposite of gloomy London, yet rained much in summer to confine to house Ghost story contest Mary, Percy, Lord Byron, and others Discussion of Erasmus Darwin’s experiments with galvanism (uses of electricity) Dreamed about monster coming to life

5 Historical Context The French Revolution and the Rise of Industrialism
Early Romantic writers strongly advocated the French Revolution Revolution signaled throwing off of old traditions and customs of the wealthy classes Balance of economic power shifted toward the middle class with the rise of industrialism. Advanced machinery and technology threatened to replace workers England's literary thinkers welcomed revolution because it represented an opportunity to establish a harmonious social structure.

6 Historical Context, con’t
Napoleon crowned emperor in England now at war against France After the war ended in 1815, the English focused on economic and social problems England didn’t regulate the economic shift from a farming-based society to an industrialized society. This stemmed from a hands-off philosophy of non-governmental interference (laissez-faire philosophy) leading to extremely low wages and terrible working conditions for employees who were prevented by law from unionizing.

7 Science and Technology
Technology/machines replaced workers, creating low wages and poor working conditions People were encouraged to sabotage machines that took jobs away from workers. Erasmus Darwin, scientist who wrote about biological evolution was a big influence (people began to question power of God) The Shelleys also attended a lecture by Andrew Crosse, a scientist whose experiments with electricity: discussed galvanism-the study of electricity and its applications.

8 Arctic Exploration The late 1700s also marked the beginnings of a new era of ocean exploration. England's Royal Academy, which promoted the first voyage to the South seas, appealed to scientists and travelers alike. Explorers wanted to find a trade route through the Arctic to connect the Atlantic and the Pacific.

9 Romantic Writers Began in 18th century
Promote unique individual imagination and expression Nature, spirituality and humankind interrelated (a new interest in the supernatural is explored) Publication of Wordsworth’s and Coleridge’s Lyrical Ballads the beginning

10 Characteristics of Romantics
Emphasis on intuition and emotion – rejected rational and intellectual (didactic – for sermons); emotions for art Emphasized strange and bizarre – common has no place in art Choose subjects not encountered in everyday life Not always interested in creating viable/ believable characters

11 Characteristics of Romantics
Setting usually obscure, remote or unknown place (or foreign country) Rugged, natural settings provide comfort and visual appeal Creation of new/different worlds so readers concentrate on themes and ideas Close relationship and concern for poor and less fortunate Searched for fundamental knowledge and consequences of acquiring knowledge Humans born inherently kindhearted and moral

12 Gothic Style Supernatural forces Imaginative excess Delusions
religious and human evil Social transgressions Mental disintegration Spiritual corruption

13 Gothic Style – Stock Features
torturous, fragmented narrative horrible images and life-threatening chases spectres monsters demons corpses skeletons evil aristocrats monks nuns fainting heroines bandits scientists criminals madmen monstrous doubles (dopplegangers) signifying evil and duplicity wild landscapes

14 Reaction to Gothic Style
Perceived as subversive Promotes violence and vice, celebrates criminal behavior Texts give free reign to selfish ambitions and desires beyond law and family duty

15 Gothic Motifs images of light and dark duality of selves (alter ego)
conflicts between reason and passion supernatural and natural past and present sacred and profane

16 LITERARY TERM – FRAME STORY
Narrative technique Main story sets the stage for internal story or smaller narratives Within Frankenstein, Robert Walton’s letters to his sister set the stage for Victor Frankenstein’s tale

17 Theme Topics Alienation and Loneliness Nature vs. Nurture
Appearance vs. Reality Duty and Responsibility Justice and Injustice

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