Introduction to M.Shelleys Frankenstein - 2679 Words

Introduction Frankenstein was Mary Shelleys (1797-1851) first published novel, written when she was only eighteen years old in 1818. In her preface to the 1831 edition, Mary Shelley tells the reader that she was asked by her publisher: How I, then a young girl, came to think of, and to dilate upon, so very hideous an idea? Explaining where and why the idea for Frankenstein came to Mary Shelley could answer it Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (living with but unmarried to the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley); Shelley; George Gordon, Lord Byron; and Dr. John Polidori spent the summer of 1816 in Switzerland. According to a 1 June 1916 letter by Mary Shelley, almost perpetual rain confines us principally to the house. Lord Byron (a friend of†¦show more content†¦The being became educated and learned of his origin. After continuous rejections and hostility from society, the being decided to get revenge on his creator who gave him this pitiful life. The being murdered Victors brother and Victors friend. The being promised to stop murdering if Victor agreed to create a companion for the creature. Victor agrees to do so, but after close consideration and deep contempt for his actions, he destroyed the being that he promised to his creation. The being killed Victors best friend and wife in protest, and left Victor to wallow in his misery. Victor vowed to avenge his friends and wifes murders and he se t out find the monster. After an arduous journey following the beast (which has brought him Walton,) Victor dies. The being, unable to bear his horrible crimes and his masters death, reveals his plans to commit suicide to Walton and leaves. After learning of Victors self-destruction, Walton decides to end his voyage and he and his crew head south. Frankenstein and the Gothic Novel One of the first Gothic Novels is The Castle of Otranto (1764) by Horace Walpole. Other Gothic Novels are Vathek (1786) by William Beckford, The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794) and Mathew Gregory Lewis’ The Monk (1796), just to name a few. Frankenstein belongs to the Gothic genre as well. Generically, Frankenstein is clearly a tale of terror. Mary Shelly’s declared intention was to â€Å"awaken thrilling terror†