Mary Shelley Frankenstein Research Paper

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The Story of Frankenstein in Relation to Mary Shelley’s Experiences Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein express aspects of an autobiographical novel that critiques society. When looking at Mary Shelley’s life and the societal norms and changes in the nineteenth century, the connections start to become obvious. Although it’s not necessary to understand her point of view for the novel’s message to get across, doing so helps with the understanding of the Victorian era. Mary Shelley, originally named Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, was born in the 1797. Her parents, Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin, were both considered radicals for their time. Mary Wollstonecraft was a feminist who advocated for education for girls and William Godwin was heavily …show more content…
Mary felt isolated by her family and hated her stepmother. The monster in Frankenstein was abandoned by his creator and felt lonely. Both have a complex relationship with their guardians and wish they had a more stable life. This isolationism is outright said in Frankenstein: "I am an unfortunate and deserted creature; I look around and I have no relation or friend upon earth. These amiable people to whom I go have never seen me and know little of me. I am full of fears, for if I fail there, I am an outcast in the world forever,” (Shelley). Mary Shelley criticizes society subtly by showing the treatment of people in the justice system. Justine, a servant for the Frankenstein family, was accused of murder. The court automatically assumed she was guilt because she was a poor woman and a priest pressured her into confessing to a crime she didn't commit. When Frankenstein was locked up and accused of murder, he was assumed innocent because he was a rich man that was well educated. Justin ended up being executed while Frankenstein was set free. The last criticism of society was religion and science. Frankenstein was written when science and religion began to conflict with each other, and Mary Shelley’s views on the subject are central to the book. Frankenstein is seen as playing god and trying to defy nature, but ends up ruining his life. This theme is clearly a condemnation of the recent rise in scientific theories that goes against church
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