Legacy of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Mary Shelley, born in 1797, suffered many losses in her lifetime, beginning with the death of her mother shortly after she was born. In addition to losing 3 of her own children, she dealt with the emotional toll of being rejected by family members for her life choices. Her relationship with her husband, author Percy Shelley, was tumultuous. It is not surprising that she battled depression for much of her life.
Best known as the author of the gothic novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus (1818).
Mary suffered many losses of family and was rejected throughout her life for choices she made.
The painting I’ve created to honour the legacy left by Mary Shelley is often mistakenly identified as Frankenstein, when it is, in fact, the monster created by the character in the novel, Dr. Victor Frankenstein.
Throughout the story, this monster is referred as “the creature,” “the fiend,” “the demon,” and “the wretch”, but Frankenstein refused to give his creation an actual name.
These derogatory titles and refusal to name the monster could infer a deeper meaning. Dr. Frankenstein denies his creation of basic acknowledgment because he is severely dissatisfied with how things have turned out, much like how Shelley felt in her own relationship.
Shelley died at the age of 53, leaving behind her legacy. Frankenstein is one of English literature’s best works, some consider Mary Shelley to be the creator of a whole new genre of literature called science fiction. It challenges the idea of modernity and questions the state of “being human” while continually searching for a way to validate the emotions that one may feel through the course of life.
The story heavily corresponds with the life of its novelist, Mary Shelley, who suffered a loss of love and family, and had to bear the pain on invalidation for most of her life. She received a severe rejection for her actions and life decisions, a heartache she shares with her character, the monster of Frankenstein. Even today, Frankenstein stands at the heart of classic literature because its timeless themes ring true still.
These derogatory titles and refusal to name the monster to infer a deeper meaning. Dr. Frankenstein denies his creation of basic acknowledgment because he is severely dissatisfied with how things have turned out, much like how Shelley felt in her own relationship.
Furthermore, the monster remaining unnamed throughout the novel reinforces the idea of dissatisfaction and encourages us to understand that Dr. Frankenstein wishes to leave his creation and flee from it. Once again, this epitomizes the state of Mary Shelley’s relationship with her husband. Not giving it a name makes this easier.
Lastly, the absence of a name shows that the monster is neither human nor animal and belongs solely to its creator and the university. It is robbed of the right to a personality and receives no validation. This reflects the state the author was in when writing the novel. It is a somber story that emphasizes the lack of validation and an exorbitant amount of pain in Shelley’s life.
Deep Analysis – Irony and Moral Lesson
Like all living beings, the monster is born “pure” of heart, just as a baby is. It only becomes cruel after being exposed it humanity’s evil. He constantly faces rejection, invalidation, and a lack of love from his creator, which ultimately makes him a murderous “monster.” This can be seen as a representation of the strong, undeniable evil that resides deep within the human condition; an evil so powerful it can corrupt even the purest of hearts.
Conclusion
Shelley died in 1851, leaving behind her legacy. Frankenstein is one of English literature’s best works. It challenges the idea of modernity and questions the state of “being human” while continually searching for a way to validate the emotions that one may feel through the course of life.
“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.”
Mary Shelley, in Frankenstein