The Monster- —the Interpretation of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein

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The Monster —The Interpretation of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein In the summer of 1816, a young, well-educated woman from England traveled with her lover to Switzerland and became the neighbors of Lord Byron. Unexpected rain kept them trapped and they visited Byron, sitting around a log fire at his villa. The company entertained themselves by reading German ghost stories. And Byron suggested that each of them write their own ghost story, competing to see who could write the best one. The young woman, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, took the prize, having composed a creepy story. It is the very Frankenstein or Modern Prometheus which became a bestseller in her time and a Gothic classic that still resonates with readers almost two centuries. Background of Frankenstein Mary Shelley was born in 1797 as the daughter of two England’s leading intellectual literary celebrity. Her father, William Godwin, was an influential political philosopher and novelist. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft was a pioneer in promoting women’s rights and education. It was supposed to be the early time that she thought of writing. In this sense, on the one hand, she was a lucky girl in Victorian period that has the opportunity to come into contact with many new ideas, and also the meeting with Percy Shelly who later became her husband. But, on the other hand, she was also a poor girl for Mary never knew her mother, who died after giving birth to her. Mary left home at 16 with her lover Percy Shelly who married her and inspired her in literary writing. The story, based on a horrendous vision, was composed during sweeping life changes. Frankenstein was published anonymously in 1818. However, the story is enduring in its psychological drama, questions asked, and memorable characterizations. The story has adapted to many forms, with each adaptation telling a
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