Mary Shelley: The writer who gave life to a literary monster.
Did you know that Mary Shelley, despite her young age, created one of the most influential works of world literature? Her novel Frankenstein not only marked the beginning of science fiction, but also profoundly explored themes such as the responsibility of creation, the power of love, and the social and ethical implications of scientific advances. But his life was as complex as his writings, marked by tragedy, personal struggle, and his own vision of society.
In this module, we will explore the life of Mary Shelley, the daughter of philosopher William Godwin and feminist activist Mary Wollstonecraft, and how these parental figures and mentors influenced her intellectual and creative development. Through her personal experiences, from financial crisis to grieving the loss of loved ones, Shelley developed a unique insight into the power of creativity in times of crisis. We will also look at her view of love relationships, where she explored the complexity between love and power, and how her personal experience with these dynamics was reflected in her writing.
We will also address the role of women in the society of her time and the impact it had on her work, while unraveling issues such as blended families and liberal politics that influenced her perspective on justice and equality.
Character Curiosities
- 📚 Although best known for Frankenstein, Mary Shelley wrote other novels, essays, and short stories that also explore themes of love, power, and responsibility.
- 💔 The tragic death of her first child and the untimely death of her husband, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, profoundly influenced her works and her view of life and death.
- 🌐 Mary Shelley was one of the first writers to address Gothic horror in a way that reflected the social and scientific anxieties of her time, anticipating many of the concerns common in contemporary literature today.
