Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ is a groundbreaking work of gothic fiction that delves into ethical and philosophical questions surrounding the creation of life and the consequences of playing god. Written in epistolary form, the novel follows the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a monstrous being through a scientific experiment gone terribly wrong. The haunting narrative explores themes of ambition, loneliness, and the pursuit of knowledge, making it a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers today. Shelley’s rich prose and vivid descriptions evoke a sense of dread and fascination, immersing the reader in a world of moral ambiguity and psychological depth. ‘Frankenstein’ also reflects the Romantic movement’s interest in the supernatural and the unknown, adding layers of complexity to the story.
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Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797–1851) was an English novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, best known for her Gothic novel ‘Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus’ (1818). She was the daughter of political philosopher William Godwin and feminist activist Mary Wollstonecraft, and thus exposed to intellectual discourse from a young age. The death of her mother shortly after her birth, her stepmother’s hostility, and her own early romantic involvement with the then-married Percy Bysshe Shelley, shaped Mary’s adolescence. Her relationship with Percy was marked by both passion and personal tragedy, including the loss of several children. During a stay near Geneva in 1816, Mary conceived the idea for ‘Frankenstein’ during a storytelling contest among friends, in a year known as the ‘year without summer’. This novel, her most celebrated work, was a profound reflection on the limits of scientific exploration, the nature of humanity, and the pursuit of knowledge. Shelley’s innovative narrative structure employed multiple viewpoints through correspondences and framed narratives, influencing the development of the science fiction genre. Beyond ‘Frankenstein’, her literary achievements include works such as the historical novels ‘The Last Man’ (1826) and ‘Lodore’ (1835), and the travelogue ‘History of a Six Weeks’ Tour’ (1817), co-authored with Percy Shelley. Despite the initial success of ‘Frankenstein’, Mary Shelley faced challenges later in life, including societal ostracism, financial difficulties, and the overshadowing of her work by Percy’s literary legacy. Yet, she has attained posthumous acclaim as a seminal figure in literature, with ‘Frankenstein’ remaining a cornerstone of Gothic fiction and a precursor to science fiction.
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