1 Frankenstein, An IntroductionAP English Literature

2 Mary Shelley Born to radicals Father remarriedMary Wollstonecraft, feminist writer, A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792) which drew attention to women’s second class status William Godwin, ex-minister, atheist, influential writer (politics, morality); name became associated with truth, justice and liberty Both influenced by French Revolution Both anti-marriage, but did wed when Mary became pregnant Mother died of septicemia (blood poisoning) after Mary’s birth Father remarried Emotionally void, but intellectually guided AP English Literature

3 Mary & Percy Shelley Met in 1814Shelley, “Romantic”, attached self to Godwin and his idealistic political notions Shelley abandons wife to spend time at Godwin house Eloped in July 1814 1815 Mary gives birth to 1st baby, but baby dies a few days after birth “Dream that my little baby came to life again: that it had only been cold, and that we rubbed it before the fire and it lived.” AP English Literature

4 Mary & Shelley in GenevaOpposite of gloomy London, yet rained much in summer to confine to house Ghost story contest Mary, Percy, Lord Byron, and others Discussion of Erasmus Darwin’s (evolution, education of women) Dreamed about monster coming to life AP English Literature

5 Historical Context The French Revolution and the Rise of IndustrialismEarly Romantic writers strongly advocated the French Revolution, Revolution signaled throwing off of old traditions and customs of the wealthy classes Balance of economic power shifted toward the middle class with the rise of industrialism. Advanced machinery and technology threatened to replace workers England's literary thinkers welcomed revolution because it represented an opportunity to establish a harmonious social structure. AP English Literature

6 Historical Context, con’tNapoleon crowned emperor in England now at war against France After the war ended in 1815, the English focused on economic and social problems England didn’t regulate the economic shift from a farming-based society to an industrialized society stemmed from a hands-off philosophy of non-governmental interference leading to extremely low wages and terrible working conditions for employees who were prevented by law from unionizing. AP English Literature

7 Science and TechnologyTechnology/machines replaced workers creating low wages and poor working conditions People encouraged to sabotage machines that took jobs away from workers. Erasmus Darwin, scientist who wrote about biological evolution big influence (people began to question power of God) Percy and Mary also attended lecture by Andrew Crosse, scientist whose experiments with electricity discussed galvanism, or the study of electricity and its applications. AP English Literature

8 Galvanism & Natural Philosophygalvanism - contraction of muscles due to electrical current; also describes bringing organism to life using electricity now called electrophysiology named after Luigi Galvani Natural Philosophy – study of nature and the physical universe physics, chemistry, astronomy, cosmology AP English Literature

9 Arctic Exploration The late 1700s also marked the beginnings of a new era of ocean exploration. England's Royal Academy, which promoted the first voyage to the South seas, appealed to scientists and travelers alike. Explorers wanted to find a trade route through the Arctic to connect the Atlantic and the Pacific. AP English Literature

10 Romantic Writers Began in 18th centuryPromote unique individual imagination and expression Nature, spirituality and humankind interrelated Publication of Wordsworth’s and Coleridge’s Lyrical Ballads the beginning AP English Literature

11 Characteristics of RomanticsEmphasis on intuition and emotion – rejected rational and intellectual (didactic – for sermons); emotions for art Emphasized strange an bizarre – common has no place in art Choose subject not encountered in everyday life Not always interested in creating viable/ believable characters AP English Literature

12 Characteristics of RomanticsSetting usually obscure, remote or unknown place (or foreign country) Rugged, natural settings provide comfort and visual appeal Creation of new/different worlds so readers concentrate on themes and ideas Close relationship and concern for poor and less fortunate Searched for fundamental knowledge and consequences of acquiring knowledge Humans born inherently kindhearted and moral AP English Literature

13 Gothic Style Supernatural forces Imaginative excess Delusionsreligious and human evil Social transgressions Mental disintegration Spiritual corruption AP English Literature

14 Gothic Style – Stock Featurestorturous, fragmented narrative horrible images and life-threatening chases spectres monsters demons corpses skeletons evil aristocrats monks nuns fainting heroines bandits scientists criminals madmen monstrous doubles (dopplegangers) signifying evil and duplicity wild landscapes AP English Literature

15 Reaction to Gothic StylePerceived as subversive Promotes violence and vice, celebrates criminal behavior Texts give free reign to selfish ambitions and desires beyond law and family duty AP English Literature

16 Gothic Motifs images of light and dark duality of selves (alter ego)conflicts between reason and passion supernatural and natural past and present sacred and profane AP English Literature

17 LITERARY TERM – FRAME STORYNarrative technique Main story sets the stage for internal story or smaller narratives Within Frankenstein, Robert Walton’s letters to sister set the stage for Victor Frankenstein’s tale AP English Literature

18 Theme Topics Alienation and Loneliness from society Nature vs. NurtureAppearance vs. Reality Duty and Responsibility to self, family, society Justice and Injustice and what constitutes each AP English Literature

19 Sources http://www.answers.com/topic/frankenstein-novel-3Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Cliff’s Notes Robinson, Robbie. Lecture Notes Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Penguin Books USA Inc. 1818, 1992. AP English Literature