Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Published: 1818
Country: United Kingdom
Publisher: Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones.
Arguably the first science fiction novel, Frankenstein began when the author Mary Shelley was only eighteen years old. It has been the subject of numerous films and stage adaptations, entering -in the words of the distinguished American novelist, Joyce Carol Oates- “a collective cultural consciousness.”
The nameless creature created by Victor Frankenstein seems to be a familiar mythic figure, but the novel itself contains a more complex narrative of creation and responsibility, of primal innocence and human corruption.
Shelley was the daughter of the great radical thinker William Godwin, and Mary Wollstonecraft, author of A Vindication of the Rights of Women- one of the very earliest works of feminism. Her work was inspired by two of the great English Romantic poets, Lord Byron, and her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley. The result is one of the central texts of European Romanticism, and a prophecy for the ages.
Find out more about Frankenstein...
- CHAPTERS - Chapter by chapter synopsis of the novel and relevant essays to help you with your own understanding of the novel
- CHARACTERS - Find out more about how Shelley creates the psychology behind the characters and makes them come to life
- THEMES- Develop your understanding of the key thematic ideas throughout the novel and read useful related essays
Frankenstein essays
Learn more about Frankenstein by Mary Shelley using our Study Guide and gain tips for essays and coursework at Marked by Teachers.
Frankenstein has been described as a 'novel of the Gothic genre' do you feel this adequately describes the novel?
Frankenstein has been described as a 'novel of the Gothic genre' do you feel this adequately describes the novel? Frankenstein does correspond with the many conventions of the Gothic genre...
The Novel Frankenstein is as relevant and as terrifying today as it was when it was first published in 1818. Discuss.
Compare the two chapters which describe the creation of Frankenstein(TM)s monster.
Compare the two chapters which describe the creation of Frankenstein's monster. Why does Mary Shelley give us both points of view?
Evaluate the methods used by Shelley to present the relationship between the Creature and Victor, the creator
Evaluate the methods used by Shelley to present the relationship between the Creature and Victor, the creator Shelley uses a cornucopia of different methods in order to present the intricate relationship between the creature and Victor.
How does Shelley present the idea of Monsters and Monstrosity in Frankenstein?
How does Shelley present the idea of Monsters and Monstrosity in Frankenstein? Monster [mon-ster]: 1) a person who excites horror by wickedness or cruelty 2)...
With Relation to social/historical context, how does Mary Shelley explore the theme of monstrosity in chapter five of Frankenstein?
With Relation to social/historical context, how does Mary Shelley explore the theme of monstrosity in chapter five of Frankenstein? The story of Frankenstein is a tragic tale...