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Exploring Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

May 7, 2025

Lecture Notes on Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein"

Background and Influence

  • Mary Shelley: Early Life and Influences

    • Conceived "Frankenstein" at 18 after losing a child.
    • Grief over daughter’s death and mother’s death influenced the novel’s themes of abandonment and reanimation.
    • Shelley's personal experiences with childbirth, motherhood, and mourning paralleled Victor Frankenstein’s experimental obsessions.
  • Scientific and Social Context in 1818

    • Advancements in science, particularly in galvanism and anatomy, influenced the novel.
    • Debates on vitalism vs. materialism, medical ethics, and social injustices shaped the narrative.
    • A period of instability: post-Napoleonic Wars, industrialization, and colonial disputes.

Shelley's Personal and Literary Journey

  • Mary and Percy Shelley

    • Met Percy Shelley at 15, eloped defying social norms.
    • Early motherhood and social ostracization.
    • Published "Frankenstein" anonymously in 1818 to avoid scrutiny.
  • Social and Literary Challenges

    • Limited rights and societal expectations for women in 19th-century UK.
    • Female writers faced societal backlash; anonymity protected Shelley.

Themes and Structure of "Frankenstein"

  • Central Themes

    • Ambition and the dangers of playing God.
    • Sympathy for the marginalized and societal rejection.
    • Complex ethical questions and moral ambiguity.
  • Character Analysis

    • Victor Frankenstein: Obsessed scientist, embodies unchecked ambition.
    • The Creature: Intelligent, rejected by society, reflective of Mary’s own feelings of alienation.
    • Elizabeth Lavenza: Represents passive feminine virtue.
    • Justine Meritz: Victim of injustice, reflecting societal flaws.
    • Captain Robert Walton: Frame narrator, learns from Victor’s tragedy.
  • Literary Techniques

    • Epistolary form lends legitimacy, drawing inspiration from earlier novels.
    • References to mythology, literature, and science.
    • Nested narration presents multiple perspectives.

Impact and Legacy

  • Cultural Reception and Adaptations

    • Initial acclaim despite critical scrutiny.
    • Numerous film adaptations reflect changing cultural anxieties, often altering character portrayal.
  • Enduring Questions

    • Exploration of humanity, creation, and societal failure to nurture.
    • The novel’s themes resonate with ongoing discussions on social justice and ethical responsibility.

Conclusion

  • Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" remains a profound exploration of ambition, ethics, and societal norms, its relevance and complexity enduring across generations.

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