‘Frankenstein’ by Mary
Shelley
___
Context
Age of Enlightenment, Neoclassicism & Romanticism
● Age of Enlightenment= 18th century intellectual
movement-focused on use of reason, progress,
scientific method & rational thought.
● GALVANISM: Enlightenment scientist Luigi
Galvani, in 1791, put forward his theory that
animal tissue contained ‘animal electricity’ (came
to be known as Galvanism), as he was able to
make dead frogs legs move using electricity.
● The theory led to people wondering if it was
possible to reanimate a corpse using electricity.
● Enlightenment explorer William Scoresby tried to
reach the North Pole, but failed - character of Walton likely based on him.
● Neoclassicism coincided with Enlightenment- emphasised classical ideals of order
& rational control- looked to ideals & art form of classical times.
● Neoclassical writers attempted to imitate the style of Roman & Greeks writers.
● The Age of Enlightenment & the Industrial Revolution were both characterised by
an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
● By the time Neoclassicism approached its end (1770s), revolution was in the air in
Europe & America. Writers & painters began
to depict nature as sublime,chaotic &
beyond human understanding, rather than
the ‘unerring’ source of ‘ancient rules.’
● Romanticism was a late 18th to mid
19th century literary, artistic,musical &
intellectual movement. It was fuelled by the
, French Revolution, & was a reaction against the Age of Enlightenment.
● Romantics celebrated individualism, were anti-establishment, and believed that
emotions are equally important or more important than rational thought to
understand & experience the world.
● Romantics believed that childhood was special, as children are inherently good, but
are corrupted by society ( John Locke’s theory of tabula rasa, and Rousseau's idea
of the noble savage).
● Romantics believed nature is sublime: wild,untamed, awe-inspiring.
● For Romantics, nature was a source of emotion,morality,inspiration & creativity (
was being destroyed by Industrial Revolution & Enlightenment scientists &
explorers).They believed those who live close to nature are more virtuous.
Industrial Revolution & French Revolution
● Novel written at a time of great change in Britain - industrial development, social
& political upheaval.
● Lower-class lost livelihoods due to technology & machines, leading to violent
reactions: Shelley & husband sympathised with these poor individuals.
● Monster allegory for the Industrial Revolution? - damage it causes mirror for
societal damage caused by industrialisation.
● Monster symbol of French Revolution? - a ‘gigantic body politic’ that originated in
a ‘desire to benefit all
mankind’, but instead
became an
‘uncontrollable rage’ -
warning against Age of
Enlightenment?
Mary Shelley’s life ( biographical context)
● Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (nee Godwin),
was the only daughter of the radical feminist
Mary Wollestonecraft & the famous novelist
& philosopher, William Godwin.
Shelley
___
Context
Age of Enlightenment, Neoclassicism & Romanticism
● Age of Enlightenment= 18th century intellectual
movement-focused on use of reason, progress,
scientific method & rational thought.
● GALVANISM: Enlightenment scientist Luigi
Galvani, in 1791, put forward his theory that
animal tissue contained ‘animal electricity’ (came
to be known as Galvanism), as he was able to
make dead frogs legs move using electricity.
● The theory led to people wondering if it was
possible to reanimate a corpse using electricity.
● Enlightenment explorer William Scoresby tried to
reach the North Pole, but failed - character of Walton likely based on him.
● Neoclassicism coincided with Enlightenment- emphasised classical ideals of order
& rational control- looked to ideals & art form of classical times.
● Neoclassical writers attempted to imitate the style of Roman & Greeks writers.
● The Age of Enlightenment & the Industrial Revolution were both characterised by
an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
● By the time Neoclassicism approached its end (1770s), revolution was in the air in
Europe & America. Writers & painters began
to depict nature as sublime,chaotic &
beyond human understanding, rather than
the ‘unerring’ source of ‘ancient rules.’
● Romanticism was a late 18th to mid
19th century literary, artistic,musical &
intellectual movement. It was fuelled by the
, French Revolution, & was a reaction against the Age of Enlightenment.
● Romantics celebrated individualism, were anti-establishment, and believed that
emotions are equally important or more important than rational thought to
understand & experience the world.
● Romantics believed that childhood was special, as children are inherently good, but
are corrupted by society ( John Locke’s theory of tabula rasa, and Rousseau's idea
of the noble savage).
● Romantics believed nature is sublime: wild,untamed, awe-inspiring.
● For Romantics, nature was a source of emotion,morality,inspiration & creativity (
was being destroyed by Industrial Revolution & Enlightenment scientists &
explorers).They believed those who live close to nature are more virtuous.
Industrial Revolution & French Revolution
● Novel written at a time of great change in Britain - industrial development, social
& political upheaval.
● Lower-class lost livelihoods due to technology & machines, leading to violent
reactions: Shelley & husband sympathised with these poor individuals.
● Monster allegory for the Industrial Revolution? - damage it causes mirror for
societal damage caused by industrialisation.
● Monster symbol of French Revolution? - a ‘gigantic body politic’ that originated in
a ‘desire to benefit all
mankind’, but instead
became an
‘uncontrollable rage’ -
warning against Age of
Enlightenment?
Mary Shelley’s life ( biographical context)
● Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (nee Godwin),
was the only daughter of the radical feminist
Mary Wollestonecraft & the famous novelist
& philosopher, William Godwin.
