Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley 
Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus 

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus’ is a groundbreaking piece of literature that explores themes of ambition, morality, and the consequences of playing god. Written in the early 19th century, the novel is considered one of the first science fiction works, blending Gothic elements with a cautionary tale of scientific hubris. Shelley’s intricate prose and vivid imagery highlight the inner turmoil of the characters, particularly Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his creation, the Monster, as they navigate the ethical dilemmas of creating life. The novel’s structure, including multiple narrative perspectives, adds layers of complexity to the gripping story. As the daughter of prominent feminist Mary Wollstonecraft and political philosopher William Godwin, Shelley drew inspiration from her radical upbringing and personal experiences of loss and betrayal. ‘Frankenstein’ can be seen as a reflection of Shelley’s own anxieties about societal expectations and the limits of human ambition. Her unique perspective as a female author in a male-dominated literary landscape adds depth to the novel’s portrayal of power dynamics and gender roles. I highly recommend ‘Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus’ to readers interested in exploring the intersection of science, morality, and identity. Shelley’s masterpiece continues to captivate audiences with its timeless themes and thought-provoking narrative, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human condition.

About the author

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, an iconic figure in the literary pantheon, was born on August 30, 1797, into a world of intellectual prominence. As the daughter of political philosopher William Godwin and the famed feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, Shelley’s heritage was infused with rich intellectualism and radical social thought. Despite the tragedy of her mother’s death shortly after her birth, Shelley’s formative years were steeped in an environment of literary and philosophical discourse. This, combined with her education by her father, prepared her for an illustrious literary career. Shelley’s enduring literary contribution is her monumental novel ‘Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus’ (1818), which she penned at the young age of eighteen. A pioneering work of science fiction, ‘Frankenstein’ explores the complex interplay between creation, responsibility, and the human quest for knowledge, making it a timeless reflection on the human condition and the dangers of unchecked ambition. Her creation of the ‘mad scientist’ Victor Frankenstein and his tragic creature has left an indelible mark on literature and popular culture. Shelley’s narrative style intertwines gothic elements with Romantic sensibilities, a fusion that highlights her acute awareness of the darker undercurrents of Enlightenment thought. Her literary contributions extend beyond ‘Frankenstein’, however, with works such as ‘The Last Man’ and ‘Mathilda’, but it is ‘Frankenstein’ that remains her most studied and celebrated work, continuing to spark scholarly discourse across disciplines. Shelley’s life, marred by personal losses including the death of her husband, the Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, was one of both profound creativity and profound tragedy, a duality that imbues her writing with its haunting and elegiac quality.