Context about author Flashcards
Expand on Feminist mother, “A vindication of the Rights of Woman”.
Mary Shelley’s mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, was a pioneering feminist who wrote “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman”. This was one of the earliest works of feminist philosophy. Shelley’s exposure to her mother’s ideas likely influenced the themes of creation and responsibility in “Frankenstein”. For example, the monster could be seen as a symbol of the marginalized, seeking acceptance and equal treatment in society. Additionally, the novel examines the consequences of neglect and the absence of maternal figures, which can be tied back to Shelley’s own life, having lost her mother shortly after birth.
Outline the main points about the author
Feminist mother, “A vindication of the Rights of Woman”.
Percy Bysshe Shelley knew Dr Adam Walker, electrified cat.
Father a member of a circle of radical thinkers, felt French revolution “removed corrupt institutions”.
Mary’s 3 out of 4 children died in infancy in 1815-19.
Percy Shelley knew Dr Adam Walker, electrified cat.
Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary’s husband, was influenced by scientific thinkers of his time, including Dr. Adam Walker. Walker was known for public lectures on science and once demonstrated electricity by electrifying a cat, which might have contributed to the ideas about reanimation in “Frankenstein”. The novel reflects the fascination with the potential and the limits of science, and how crossing certain boundaries can lead to dangerous outcomes, much like the controversial experiment with the cat.
Mary’s 3 out of 4 children died in infancy in 1815-19.
Shelley faced immense personal tragedy, with the loss of three of her four children in infancy. This personal experience with death and grief is palpable in “Frankenstein”, which is suffused with themes of loss, mourning, and the devastating impact of death on the living. The longing for the dead to return, as well as the horror that arises when one attempts to defy death, are central to the novel’s narrative.
Father a member of a circle of radical thinkers, felt French revolution “removed corrupt institutions”.
Mary Shelley’s father, William Godwin, was a philosopher and a member of a group of radical thinkers. He was supportive of the French Revolution’s initial aims to dismantle corrupt institutions. Growing up around these ideas probably got Mary thinking about change and pushing boundaries. In “Frankenstein” as the main character, Victor, does something really wild by making a person from scratch. This is kind of like saying he doesn’t have to play by the usual rules of life and death, which is a huge deal and shakes things up a lot, just like the French Revolution tried to shake up society.
