Mary Shelley: A Very Short Introduction

Mary Godwin, daughter of two radicals, wrote Frankenstein in 1816, defying social conventions and advocating for women's rights. This Very Short Introduction explores the novel's context, background, and themes, highlighting Shelley's distinctive voice and political and philosophical stance. It shows how Shelley devoted herself to her mother's ideas, believing in women's equality, rights, reason, and love's power to reform the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

In 1816, when Mary Godwin, then just eighteen years old, embarked on the writing of Frankenstein, the notion that a woman could conceive such a tale was as fantastical as resurrecting the dead. However, Mary was far from an ordinary woman. Born to two notorious radicals, she had been exiled from English society at the tender age of sixteen. A lifelong champion of women's rights, she defied societal conventions, eloping with a married man, bearing children out of wedlock, and penning books, stories, and essays that challenged literary norms. This Very Short Introduction delves into the historical context, background, and significant themes found within Shelley's renowned novel, Frankenstein, while also highlighting the enduring significance of her work. Throughout her illustrious career, Shelley cultivated a distinct literary voice and a political and philosophical stance. Charlotte Gordon explores key themes throughout Shelley's oeuvre, demonstrating how she dedicated herself to the principles outlined by her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. These principles include the equality of women and men, the universal entitlement to rights, the transformative power of human reason and love, and the fundamental right to justice and freedom for all individuals.

The Very Short Introductions series, published by Oxford University Press, boasts an extensive collection of titles spanning nearly every subject area. These compact books are designed to provide a quick and efficient introduction to new subjects, making them ideal for individuals seeking to expand their knowledge swiftly. Our expert authors, armed with a wealth of facts, analysis, perspective, innovative ideas, and infectious enthusiasm, transform complex and challenging topics into highly engaging and thought-provoking reads.

Weight: 130g
Dimension: 112 x 175 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198869191