MARY SHELLEY | Draw My Life de la creadora de Frankenstein

Summary

Mary Shelley, best known for her novel 'Frankenstein,' led a life marked by tragedy, love, and literary achievement. Born in 1797 to the philosopher William Godwin and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, she grew up surrounded by intellectuals. At 17, she eloped with poet Percy Shelley, enduring hardship, loss, and the deaths of their children. Her masterpiece 'Frankenstein' emerged during a rainy summer with Lord Byron. After Percy’s death, she continued writing, producing novels like 'The Last Man' and editing her late husband's works. Despite personal tragedies, her legacy as a literary pioneer endures.

Takeaways

• 📖 Mary Shelley is widely recognized for her gothic horror novel 'Frankenstein'.
• 👶 She was born on August 30, 1797, in London to philosophers Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin.
• 💔 Mary Shelley’s mother died shortly after childbirth, and her father remarried, leading to a difficult relationship with her stepmother.
• 📚 Despite this, Mary Shelley received an advanced education and grew up around influential intellectuals.
• 💑 At age 16, she met poet Percy Shelley, and they eloped together to France despite his being married.
• 🤰 Mary Shelley experienced multiple pregnancies, the first of which ended tragically with the death of her premature baby.
• 🌩 'Frankenstein' was written during a rainy summer in Geneva while Shelley, Percy, and Lord Byron shared ghost stories.
• 📜 The novel was initially published anonymously in 1818, leading many to believe Percy wrote it.
• 💔 Tragedy marked her life, with multiple children dying young and her husband Percy drowning in 1822.
• 🖋 After Percy’s death, Mary Shelley focused on her writing, producing notable works like 'The Last Man', and worked to preserve her husband’s legacy.

Q & A

Who was Mary Shelley and what is she best known for?

Mary Shelley was a British writer best known for her horror classic, 'Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus'.

What was significant about Mary Shelley's parents?

Mary Shelley was the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, a feminist writer, and William Godwin, a liberal journalist. Both were prominent philosophers of their time.

How did Mary Shelley meet Percy Bysshe Shelley?

Mary Shelley met Percy Bysshe Shelley, a poet and philosopher, after returning to England from Scotland. They began seeing each other in secret, meeting behind her mother's grave.

Why did Mary Shelley and Percy Shelley leave England and where did they go?

Mary and Percy Shelley left England to escape societal pressures, traveling to France along with Mary's stepsister, Claire Clairmont.

What was the inspiration behind Mary Shelley's novel 'Frankenstein'?

'Frankenstein' was inspired by a summer spent in Geneva with Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and Claire Clairmont, where they entertained themselves by telling ghost stories and discussing strange experiments.

How did Mary Shelley cope with the tragedies she experienced in her personal life?

Mary Shelley coped with personal tragedies, including the deaths of her children and her husband, by dedicating herself to writing. Her novels during these periods include 'Valperga' and 'Mathilda'.

What genre did Mary Shelley’s novel 'The Last Man' belong to and what was its theme?

'The Last Man' is an apocalyptic novel set in 2073, where humanity is annihilated by a plague. It featured characters based on personalities close to Mary Shelley, including her husband Percy and Lord Byron.

How did Mary Shelley's father's actions affect her early life with Percy Shelley?

Mary's father, William Godwin, withdrew his support when Mary and Percy eloped, leaving them to struggle financially during their early years together.

What hardships did Mary Shelley face after Percy's death?

After Percy's death, Mary Shelley faced economic hardship and was left alone to care for their son. She moved back to London and dedicated herself to writing and editing to support herself.

What impact did Mary Shelley’s health have on her later life?

In her later life, Mary Shelley suffered from headaches and paralysis that affected her ability to read and write. She died at the age of 53 from a brain tumor.