Literary Legend

The tale of how Mary’s idea for Frankenstein originated has gone down in literary history and boasts an impressive cast of poets, authors and even a doctor. The tale takes place in, none other than, Geneva.

Rainy day

In 1816, on a rainy afternoon in a house on the shores of Lake Geneva, Mary and Percy Shelley, Lord Byron and his doctor, John Polidori, were finding an activity to keep them amused while they sheltered from the terrible weather outside.
They decided to have a ghost story competition, seeing who could write the scariest story.

A dream

It is rumoured that Mary had a dream about ‘a pale student of the unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together’ and was inspired to write Frankenstein.

Two Versions of the Novel

After Percy’s death, Shelley published a revised version of the novel with some intrinsic changes.

Revisions

In 1818, Shelley published the novel with a preface from her husband Percy, which is why many believed he had written the novel.
In 1831, after Percy’s death, Shelley published a revised version, including a written explanation by Shelley as to why she wrote it.
There are some intrinsic changes made.

Elizabeth Lavenza

The character of Elizabeth Lavenza changes from a cousin of Victor’s in the 1818 version to an orphan in the 1831 version.
Even though it is not unlawful for cousins to marry one another, Shelley probably made the change because of critical comments about the novel. She probably wanted to make the character of Caroline Frankenstein even more virtuous in her compassion towards the young girl.

Galvanism

In the 1831 version, Shelley adds reference to Galvanism in Chapter 2 after the "blasted stump" observation.
This makes a link between electricity and the suggested ways that the Monster is created, though it is never explained fully how he is brought to life.

Moral content

The 1818 version presented Victor as a victim of fate, whereas the 1831 version made subtle changes to be more critical of Victor’s decisions. He does not fully accept blame for his responsibilities and actions.
Again, this could be due to critical comments aimed at the moral content of the novel.

1Narrative Structure

1.1Narrative Structure

1.1.1Narrative Structure

1.1.2Narrative Distancing

1.1.3End of Topic Test - Narrative Structure

2Character Summaries

2.1Walton & Frankenstein

2.1.1Walton

2.1.2Victor Frankenstein

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Walton & Frankenstein

2.2The Monster

2.2.1The Monster

2.2.2The Monster 2

2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster

2.3Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.3.1Elizabeth Lavenza

2.3.2Justine Moritz

2.3.3Henry Clerval

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.4Families & Other Characters

2.4.1The Frankenstein Family

2.4.2The De Lacey Family

2.4.3Other Characters

2.4.4End of Topic Test - Families & Other Characters

3Intertextuality & Allusions

3.1Intertextual References

3.1.1The Modern Prometheus

3.1.2The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

3.1.3The Bible

3.1.4Mutability & Tintern Abbey

3.1.5End of Topic Test - Intertextual References

3.2Philosophical & Scientific Theories

3.2.1Edmund Burke

3.2.2Thomas Paine

3.2.3John Locke

3.2.4Jean-Jacques Rousseau

3.2.5Historical Figures

3.2.6End of Topic Test - Philosophy & Science Theories

4Biographic Context

4.1Biographic Context

4.1.1Shelley's Parents

4.1.2Loss & Maternal Anxiety

4.1.3Literary Legend

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Biographical Context

5Chapter Summaries

5.1Letters

5.1.1Letters 1 & 2

5.1.2Letters 3 & 4

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Letters

5.2Chapters

5.2.1Chapters 1-2

5.2.2Chapters 3-4

5.2.3Chapters 5-6

5.2.4Chapters 7-9

5.2.5Chapters 10-11

5.2.6Chapters 12-15

5.2.7Chapters 16-19

5.2.8Chapters 20-23

5.2.9Chapter 24 & Walton’s Last Letters

5.2.10End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6

5.2.11End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-15

5.2.12End of Topic Test - Chapters 16-23

5.2.13End of Topic Test - Chapter 24 & Walton's Letters

6Key Themes

6.1Key Themes

6.1.1Curiosity & Knowledge

6.1.2Science & Society

6.1.3Loss & Companionship

6.1.4Connection to Nature

6.1.5Injustice

6.2Key Locations

6.2.1Extreme Landscapes

6.2.2Industrialised University Cities

6.2.3End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Locations

Jump to other topics