Frankenstein

Frankenstein: Context, Shelley and Plot.

Historical context

The Gothic genre emerged as a response to the Age of Reason, a cultural movement in the 18th century that emphasised the power of the human mind. During this time, people believed that they could reshape society and create a better world. However, the Gothic novelists saw a darker side to this apparent progress. They portrayed their characters as being at the mercy of powerful forces such as nature and death, highlighting the limitations and imperfections of humanity. This was a stark contrast to the prevailing belief in the "infinite perfectability of man." As a result, the Gothic genre represented a reaction to the unchecked faith in humanity that characterised the Age of Reason. Through their works, Gothic novelists sought to explore the darker aspects of human nature and the world around us.

Brief biography of Shelley

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was a British novelist and the daughter of the philosopher William Godwin and the writer Mary Wollstonecraft. Her mother's book, "Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792), was an early feminist work. Tragically, Shelley's mother died shortly after giving birth to her. She was raised primarily by her father, who encouraged her education. At the age of 18, Shelley eloped with Percy Bysshe Shelley, a prominent Romantic poet, and eventually married him in 1816. The couple had a son, but after Percy's death in a shipwreck in 1822, Mary Shelley struggled financially and was forced to support herself through her writing. Her most famous work, "Frankenstein" (1818), is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror novels of all time and has had a profound impact on popular culture. Despite the challenges she faced, Shelley's legacy as a ground-breaking novelist and feminist icon endures to this day.

Brief plot summary

Frankenstein is a novel written by Mary Shelley that tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient artificial being in his laboratory. Victor becomes obsessed with his creation and abandons it out of fear and disgust, leading the creature to seek revenge against its creator.

The novel opens with Victor's childhood in Geneva, Switzerland, where he is raised in a wealthy family and develops a fascination with natural philosophy. He later attends university in Ingolstadt, Germany, where he becomes obsessed with the idea of creating life. Victor works tirelessly in his laboratory until he finally succeeds in bringing his creation to life.

However, Victor is horrified by the creature's appearance and abandons it immediately. The creature, who is initially kind and gentle, is rejected by society and becomes bitter and vengeful. It sets out to destroy everything Victor holds dear, including his family and friends.

The novel follows the lives of both Victor and the creature as they struggle with their own identities and the consequences of their actions. In the end, Victor succumbs to his obsession and dies pursuing the creature, who ultimately dies alone and desolate in the Arctic wilderness.