FRANKENSTEIN Or the Modern Prometheus By Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley’s family Influence § Born on August 30, 1797. § Daughter of two of England’s leading intellectual radicals. § Mother: Mary Wollstonecraft She was a famous feminist author who was a pioneer in promoting women’s rights and education. She died 11 days after giving birth to Mary. § Father: William Godwin He was a famous 19 th century political philosopher and novelist who believed in the rights of the individual. (August 30, 1797 -February 1, 1851)

Her love – percy shelley • Her future husband, the admired poet Percy Shelley, was one of her father’s frequent visitors. • When she was sixteen and he was still married, she and Percy eloped to France. • His first wife drowned which allowed for them to finally marry. • She gave birth to four children in five years, three of whom died as infants. • Percy died eight years later, due to a boating accident.

Literary Influences on Mary Shelley “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Coleridge The Greek myth of Prometheus Paradise Lost by Milton

“The Rime of the ancient Mariner” v. When Mary was nine, she hid under a sofa to hear Samuel Taylor Coleridge recite this poem. v. Its themes of isolation, suffering, and transformation influenced her. v. It also explored theme of man vs. nature and how important it is to respect the natural world.

Modern Prometheus • Prometheus was the son of a Titan • In the battle between Zeus and the Titans for control of Olympus, he sided with Zeus and became his chief counselor. • • • Zeus denied man fire. Prometheus stole fire and gave it to man. Therefore, Zeus became furious. He chains him to rock and lets birds devour his liver. Since his liver grew back every night, this torture continued indefinitely. The importance of fire/electricity and theme of continual suffering are both reflected in Shelley’s work.

Paradise Lost • This epic poem is referenced often in Shelley’s novel • Written by John Milton • This poem attempts to "justify the ways of God to man" by retelling of the story of Creation, the revolt of Lucifer and his fall from grace, and the story of Adam and Eve.

Modern Scientific advances During Mary’s time, scientists and physicians were fascinated by the elusive boundary between life and death. They experimented with lower organisms, performed human anatomical studies, and attempted to resuscitate drowning victims. Galvanism - a theory defined as the effect of the application of electric current pulses through body tissues that causes muscle contraction.

The Baby and The Dream • Mary’s 1 st daughter died in 1815. • Mary dreamed that her daughter was brought back to life through vigorous rubbing and being held near a warm fire. • This also added to her inspiration to write Frankenstein.

In May 1816, Mary, Percy Shelley, and Claire Clairmont spend the summer in Geneva, Switzerland with the poet Lord Byron. The summer proved to be dreary and full of constant rainstorms. The party entertained themselves by reading aloud German ghost stories. Lord Byron suggested that they each write their own supernatural story. Frankenstein grew from a short story to a novel and was published in 1818

Characteristics of a Gothic Novel • Set in medieval times • Dark, mysterious, evil tone • Dark castles, palaces, chambers, haunted mansions • Isolated setting • Repressed fears and desires • All come together to emphasize the sense of evil

Themes in the Novel 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Personal Responsibility to Others Parent/Child Relationship Compassion and Forgiveness Life, Consciousness, and Existence Isolation Ambition and Fallibility Romanticism and Nature Revenge Prejudice Lost Innocence Playing God

Setting of Frankenstein Time: Eighteenth century (late 1700 s) Place: Geneva, Switzerland Ingolstadt, Germany England Scotland the Arctic ice Point of View: Robert Walton – letters at beginning Victor Frankenstein’s monster Robert Walton – letters at end

Frame story

Characters Protagonist - Victor Frankenstein • Scientist and narrator of the main portion of the story • Discovers the secret of life • Creates an intelligent but grotesque monster • Recoils in horror from his creation • Feels guilty and ashamed Antagonist – Frankenstein’s Monster • 8 -foot tall, hideously ugly creation of Frankenstein • Intelligent and sensitive • Tries to fit in with other people, but all shun him • Feels abandoned • Seeks revenge against his creator

Robert Walton • Arctic seafarer • Letters open and close the novel • Hears Victor’s story • Tells story to his sister, Margaret, through letters Other Characters: • Alphonse Frankenstein – Victor’s father • Elizabeth Lavenza – Victor’s wife • Henry Clerval – Victor’s boyhood friend • William Frankenstein – Victor’s brother • Justine Moritz – Frankenstein housekeeper