Físico-Química
Physics-Galvanism: The Science Behind Frankenstein
Mary Shelley referenced the works of Luigi Galvani as part of the summer reading list. Her 1831 introduction to the third edition of Frankenstein specifically mentions Galvanism as the topic of conversation on the night of her ‘waking-dream’ of the monster’s creation.
The origins of Galvanism lay in the late 1700’s and is a branch of science that is still studied today under various names. So, what was it that allowed the science of Galvanism to influence Mary Shelley when she created Frankenstein and his monster?
First discovered in the 1780’s by Luigi Galvani, from whom the name is derived, during his experimentation in the application of an electrical current to dissected animals. Luigi quickly noticed that by using a certain combination of metals (iron and copper in this case) that the legs of frogs would twitch and move about. It is said that he first stumbled across the idea of applying an electrical stimulus when he touched a scalpel to an exposed nerve ending during a routine dissection. In this case we’re pretty sure that stored static from the removal of the skin would have been his electrical current.
BBP- 1 Galvanism.keyBBP-2-Pilha Volt.keyHe dubbed his discovery ‘Animal Electricity’ although now debunked some of his ideas about animal electricity are being examined in the science of bioelectricity. His discovery improved our understand of how muscles and nerve endings work. Luigi was however wrong in his understanding of what was happening. Galvani thought that he was activating the animals own intrinsic electrical energy, which he thought was stored in muscles near the pelvis.
Although heavily implied and alluded to in the introduction Shelley never specifically mentions Galvanism or the use of electricity in the reanimation of Frankenstein’s monster. We instead see Victor transporting and setting up his ‘chemical equipment’. The method would not have been important to Shelley and needed little explanation. It was a means to an end of getting the monster created.
Galvanism however does form the basis of the modern Frankenstein. Conductive bolts in the neck and electro-chemical equipment, normally generators, and stormy nights replete with lightning bolts culminate in bringing the monster to life.