Mary Shelley
Biography
Mary Shelley, born Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin on August 30, 1797, in London, England, was an English novelist who wrote the Gothic novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818). She was the daughter of the political philosopher William Godwin and the feminist philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft, who died shortly after Mary's birth. In 1814, she began a romance with the married Percy Bysshe Shelley, a political radical and fellow writer, whom she later married after his first wife's suicide. Shelley faced numerous personal tragedies, including the deaths of several of her children and her husband. Her work often explored themes of ambition, creation, societal prejudice, and the consequences of scientific advancement. She died on February 1, 1851, in London.
Selected Thoughts
«Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.»
«Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.»
«I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.»
Writing Style
Mary Shelley's writing style is deeply rooted in Romanticism and Gothic literature. She employed vivid, descriptive language to evoke strong emotional responses and create atmospheric settings, often exploring the sublime in nature. Her narratives frequently delve into complex psychological states, moral dilemmas, and philosophical questions. Shelley's prose is characterized by its intellectual depth, use of allegories, and ability to blend scientific speculation with elements of the supernatural and the macabre, presenting profound social critiques through her storytelling.