Part 1: Introduction
Mary Shelley was a famous female novelist who published a novel named, Frankenstein. She was born on the 30th August 1797 and died at the age of 54 on 1 February 1851, her mother Mary Wallstonecraft passed away during birth to Mary Shelley.
Mary Wallstonecraft was also an influential feminist who published a book named, Vindication of Rights of Women. After her mother passed away Mary Shelley had adapted with a step-mother, but she grew up with her father, William Godwin, a political philosopher. William Godwin also provided a full education for his daughter until she became 16 and eloped with a romantic poet named, Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Mary Shelley had come up with idea of the novel Frankenstein from a dream, at the time Galvanism also inspired her to create a monster in the novel. Galvanism was the study of electricity combining life and death. This helped her create the horrific monster in the novel.
The French Revolution began in 1789, Mary Shelly’s husband supported the revolution. Frankenstein was meant to represent the romantic disappointment that had cropped up amongst the society in France.
The Enlightenment was a major concern during the 18th century. The enlightenment is a term used to describe a time in Western philosophy and cultural life, in which reason was entitled as the primary source and legitimacy for authority.
Part 2: Chapter 5 – Setting and Atmosphere
In chapter 5 I will explain how Mary Shelly has used tense weather description to create a dramatic atmosphere.
For example, in the first paragraph the writer wrote “It was a dreary night of November…” this description of the weather just indicates the type of gloomy darkness upon the night. I believe that this very effective because at this moment Victor Frankenstein is about to unveil his thoughts of the monstrous creation.
Another example is when it says “the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was