The Influence Of Her Parents In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Biography: Mary Shelley was born in London in 1797 to a “radical philosopher”, and “an early feminist” (Shilstone). Since her mother died of childbirth complications, Shelley was raised by her father, who mostly homeschooled her, giving her a standard of education which she would not have attained at school due to her gender. For example, Mary and her siblings were all taught “French, Italian, and drawing” (Garrett). Shelley’s father was acquainted with many scientists, engineers, and poets, whom Shelley often interacted with. At age 16, Shelley fell in love with a married man, Percy, and the two travelled to America. When they returned, Shelley was pregnant, which was frowned upon since she was unmarried; even her father refused to see them. The couple moved to

In fitting with the natural theme of romanticism, Shelley uses highly detailed descriptions of landscapes to mirror the feelings of her characters. For instance, Frankenstein’s monster sees his natural surroundings as nurturing when he is innocent and new to the world, yet he later views the same surroundings as mocking when he feels abandoned. Victor and the Monster see nature as “comforting and soothing” and they often surround themselves in the natural world when they are experiencing internal conflict (Gatto). Frankenstein is narrated by three characters throughout the novel, Walton, Frankenstein, and the monster. The purpose of various narrators is to replace the typical Gothic “stock villain[s]”, with “morally ambiguous” characters who have more psychological depth, allowing the reader to empathise with each of them (Teuber). Shelley emphasises the importance of family in Frankenstein by having loving supportive families, such as the Frankensteins and the DeLaceys, and by having the Monster, who is a familyless outcast who deals with his feelings of abandonment by destroying families