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Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
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Mary Shelley ( ) Father: William Godwin, philosopher & novelist, radical ideas Mother: Mary Wollstonecraft, feminist & author, died 10 days after Mary’s birth
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Growing up… Exposed to intellectuals – philosophy, politics, science, literature Great advances in science – contribution to novel Belief that science could improve life Missing link = mother Motherless, Mary & the creature suffer some of the same emotions Mary’s insecurities – maternal, as an author – translate to creature’s insecurities
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Marriage… Eloped to France w/Percy Shelley Mary was 16
Switzerland, Germany, & Italy 4 children w/in 5 years 3 died as infants Birth & death – related to Frankenstein
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The novel… Written w/in 1 year – published 1818
Lord Byron, Dr. John Polidori – Lake Geneva, Swiss Alps Galvanization – medical advances
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The novel… Gothic novel – Gothic genre was a phase in Romantic movement – Forerunner of modern mystery/science fiction -- supernatural -- horror -- mystery -- brooding atmosphere -- fear -- remote settings -- violent/mysterious events -- reveal the dark side of human beings
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The novel… Morally complex characters Provoking questions science
society human nature destructiveness of human nature Cloning Genetic engineering Stem cell research
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The novel… Setting – 1700s – Europe – Switzerland, Germany, Arctic
Published during Romantic period in England Optimism – human endeavors Hopeful, but turbulent times – Industrialism
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The novel… Elements of Romanticism Innovation Spontaneity
Freedom of thought/expression Idealization of nature Individualism Imagination Emotions triumphed rational thought Passion Nature, beauty, societal rebels
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The novel… Addresses serious philosophical subjects in a fantastical manner Confronts recognizable human problems but not in a rational, recognizable world Literary tension = tension that existed between Mary and Percy
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The novel… Themes: nurture vs. nature good vs. evil
ambition vs. social responsibility
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The novel… Subtitle: The Modern Prometheus
Greek Mythology – Prometheus – stole fire from Zeus – punishment Prometheus plasticator – created mankind from clay Stolen fire – Fire of life Prometheus – creating aspect fused w/in novel Modern Prometheus = Victor Frankenstein Prometheus defies gods (Zeus) = punishment Victor defies God = punishment
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Characters… Victor Frankenstein Elizabeth Lavenza
Alphonse Frankenstein Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein Henry Clerval the Dæmon
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