Mary+Shelley

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Mary Shelley was born August 30, 1797 in London, England. She is best known for //Frankenstein// to this day. Shelley's mom died ten days after giving birth to her because of puerperal fever. Mary Shelley's father was William Godwin, a writer and political journalist. Her first poem was published when she was ten years old. In 1816, Percy Bysshe Shelley and her got married. Percy's first wife commit suicide by drowning. Their daughter died in Venice a few years later. They returned to England where then Mary gave birth to a son, William.

Mary Shelley's story of Frankenstein began in 1816 when she joined Percy Shelley, Claire Clairmont, and Lord Byron. Lord Byron challenged her to write a ghost story. Mary completed the story within a one year time. At some point, Mary said that she got the idea for the story from a dream she had where she saw “the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life, and stir with a uneasy, half vital motion.”

Mary Shelley suffered from different kinds of psychosomatic illnesses and nervous attacks later in life. She died from a mysterious paralysis on February 1, 1851. She was buried between her mother and father.

"In a world where countless squeakquels, remakes, and re-imaginings are being made every year, it seems the one and only place for original content is the past. One great example is Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” The book of course, not those movies. But everyone remembers Frankenstein, right? The movie about a mad scientist who creates a brain-dead, grunting, diabolical monster who wrecks havoc on the villagers but turns out is just misunderstood. Those movies (and sequels) have very little to do with the source material. There is no abnormal brain, no mad scientist, no angry mob of villagers. Instead there is a far more interesting plot.

Written as part a challenge to create the best horror story, “Frankenstein” begins with a framing device of sailor Robert Walton writing letters to his sister. The letters detail his trek to the Arctic north and his meeting of a very troubled Victor Frankenstein. From there the story is narrated by Victor explaining his happy childhood, his creation of a horrifying creature, and then the Creature exacting revenge upon Frankenstein. While considered scary at the time, it’s not even a little bit scary and instead it becomes a drama.

This story is far removed from the movies and is, in fact, a deep and philosophical piece of literature. As previously noted, there is no abnormal brain rendering the creature a drooling grunt. Instead, the Creature starts with the mind of newborn but later learns how to read, write, and speak by secretly observing a family. The Creature becomes very smart and analytical, reflecting upon his existence and questioning what will become of him and the human species. Victor Frankenstein becomes increasingly haunted and depressed each chapter after he creates the Creature. As the novel progresses, Victor is depicted as a destroyed man, forced to live with what he has done, and without the ability to confide in anyone else. He curses the heavens, science, the Creature, and finally himself. “Frankenstein” may have been written nearly 200 years ago, but it still retains powerful messages. Are we going too far with science? Are some things best left unknown or not utilized? Whether you agree or not, Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is riveting tale of Gothic suspense and philosophy." --News Article written by Andy Crooker []



Looks good! 30/30