It's all history...

Hi!

Mary Shelley's most famous work, Frankenstein, was published in 1818, a time of discovery. Britain and Europe were in the midst of colonial expansion, finding peoples, cultures, and creatures formerly unimaginable. They were also bumping into whole new continents, new hemispheres, new landscapes, as well as the cultures and religions that seemed so bizarre. Erasmus Darwin (Charles' grandfather) was also beginning to wonder about the progression of life, and this age was the beginning of the scientific method. Men were daring to push beyond what they had commonly observed and begun experimenting, even doing autopsies and vivisection. Luigi Galvani applied electricity to dead frog legs and caused them to move, leading him to believe that electricity was the essence of life. Could man create or restore life?

Into this world of discovery was birthed Frankenstein, or perhaps because of this world of discovery Frankenstein came into being. In addition to the scientific culture, artistic and intellectual movements were also undergoing change. Classicism and Rationalism emphasized science, technology, and discovery as a means to benefit society as a whole rather than individuals. Also, the Romantic Movement and Gothic Literature were growing in popularity. The political climate was also undergoing change in the form of revolutions.

Today's blog gives you the chance to peek back into history around the time of Shelley's writing of Frankenstein and tell us all some of the changes or popular thoughts that might have affected her worldview and purpose in writing. As usual, make sure you do not mimic someone else's post.

Have at it!
Love,
Mrs. D