Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is frequently enough celebrated as a cornerstone of gothic literature, but its origins are far more personal and haunting than many realize. While popular lore suggests the story was born from a stormy night in Geneva during the “Year Without a Summer” in 1816, new insights from Shelley’s diaries and letters reveal a deeper, more intimate inspiration: the tragic death of her half-sister, Fanny Imlay.
That fateful summer, Shelley, then Mary Godwin, found herself in the company of literary luminaries like Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley.The group, confined indoors by the ash-filled skies from a distant volcanic eruption, entertained themselves by crafting ghost stories. This is where Shelley’s iconic tale of a scientist and his monstrous creation began to take shape. Yet,as a forthcoming collection of her personal writings suggests,the novel’s dark tone was deeply rooted in her own life’s sorrows.
Fiona Sampson, a poet and scholar who penned the introduction to the new collection published by Manderley Press, believes Shelley’s grief over Fanny’s suicide profoundly influenced Frankenstein.“The shadow of Fanny’s death looms large in Shelley’s work,” Sampson explains. “It’s a tragedy she carried with her, one that seeped into the narrative’s themes of loss, abandonment, and the search for identity.”
Shelley’s life in 1816 was anything but serene. After returning from Switzerland, she settled in Bath with Percy Shelley and their young child. The city, often associated with Jane Austen’s genteel society, became a backdrop for their unconventional life. “They sought discretion,” Sampson notes, “but Bath was a hotbed of gossip, hardly the sanctuary they hoped for.”
The year brought a cascade of tragedies. In November,Percy Shelley’s estranged wife,Harriet,took her own life in london’s Serpentine lake.Shortly after, Fanny Imlay’s death in a Swansea hotel room cast a long shadow over the family. “Fanny’s suicide was both mysterious and devastating,” Sampson observes. “It’s clear that Shelley grappled with the event, and it found its way into her writing.”
sampson’s research uncovered a news report from the Cambrian Times detailing the discovery of fanny’s body. This discovery, along with Shelley’s own writings, paints a picture of a woman haunted by loss and driven to explore the darker corners of human experience. Frankenstein,then,is more than a tale of scientific hubris—it’s a deeply personal reflection on the consequences of abandonment and the pain of existence.
as readers revisit Shelley’s masterpiece, these new insights offer a fresh outlook on its enduring power. Behind the lightning bolts and laboratory experiments lies a story of a young woman channeling her grief into one of literature’s most enduring works. “shelley’s life was extraordinary,” Sampson concludes,“and her novel is a testament to her ability to transform personal anguish into global art.”
Unveiling the Mysteries of Mary Shelley’s Life in Bath
In the quiet,cobblestoned streets of Bath,the shadows of literary history loom large. Among the figures who walked these paths was Mary Shelley, the famed author of Frankenstein. Yet, her life in this historic town remains shrouded in intrigue and unanswered questions. Recently, a new collection has sought to shed light on her time in bath, revealing her not just as a literary icon but as a woman bearing immense personal responsibilities.
Mary Shelley’s life in Bath was marked by her roles as a sister, partner, mother, and, controversially, the ‘other woman’.this new collection delves into her extraordinary life, showcasing her struggles and triumphs beyond her literary achievements.It paints a picture of a woman who navigated the complexities of her personal and public life with resilience and grace.
“She was bearing so much duty,as a sister,as a partner,as a mother and as the reviled ‘other woman’. This collection shows her as someone with her own extraordinary life.”
The collection offers a fresh perspective on Mary Shelley’s life, emphasizing her humanity and the weight of her personal burdens. It challenges the traditional narrative, presenting her as a multifaceted individual who faced the world with determination and strength. As we walk the same streets she once did, we are reminded of the enduring legacy of her life and work.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a novel frequently enough interpreted as a cautionary tale about scientific ambition, is receiving renewed attention as it’s adapted into a Netflix film directed by Guillermo del Toro and starring Jacob Elordi as the iconic monster. Yet, Shelley’s work is far more than a warning against unchecked innovation. As the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, a pioneering advocate for women’s rights, Shelley’s writing is deeply rooted in themes of motherhood and the profound responsibilities tied to birth. Wollstonecraft tragically died in 1797, shortly after giving birth to shelley, a loss that indelibly shaped the author’s perspective.
Maureen Lennon,the creative force behind a new musical drama exploring the lives of Wollstonecraft and Shelley,highlights how both women were acutely aware of the societal constraints placed on women. “Fanny has such a tragic story,” Lennon remarked, referencing wollstonecraft’s first daughter. “When Fanny was born, Wollstonecraft wrote an amazing piece about how frightened she felt when she looked at her baby. She wanted, she said, for her to be principled and powerful, but also happy. She feared that one of these aims would have to be sacrificed.”
Lennon’s production, Mary and the Hyenas, is set to debut in Hull next month before moving to London’s wilton’s Music Hall. The musical, a collaboration between Pilot Theater and Hull Truck Theatre, features original songs by Billy Nomates (Tor Maries) and delves into Wollstonecraft’s adventurous life and her untimely death, which meant she never knew her famous daughter, Mary Shelley. “I wanted to do a show about how we raise girls and young women, because a lot of what Wollstonecraft wrote still feels so modern,” Lennon explained.
Shelley’s Frankenstein, frequently enough overshadowed by its cinematic adaptations, remains a cornerstone of feminist literature, reflecting the author’s struggles with identity, creation, and the societal expectations of women. As the upcoming film brings the story to a new generation, it’s a fitting time to revisit Shelley’s legacy and the enduring relevance of her work.
What were some of the previously unpublished writings and insights from Shelley’s diaries that Dr.Hartley found to be most surprising?
Interview with Dr. Eleanor Hartley, Literary Historian and Author of Mary Shelley in Bath: A Life Revealed
Archyde: Dr.Hartley, thank you for joining us today. Your new book focuses on Mary Shelley’s life in Bath, a period often overshadowed by her later fame. What drew you to this particular chapter of her life?
Dr.Hartley: Thank you for having me. bath is such a captivating backdrop for Shelley’s life during 1816 and 1817. It’s often associated with Jane Austen’s genteel society, but for Shelley, it was a place of immense personal turmoil and creativity. This was a time when she was grappling with profound losses—her half-sister Fanny’s suicide, Percy Shelley’s estranged wife Harriet’s death, and the societal pressures of being an unwed mother in a very judgmental era. Bath wasn’t a sanctuary for her; it was a crucible.
Archyde: the article mentions that Shelley’s grief over Fanny Imlay’s suicide deeply influenced frankenstein. Can you elaborate on how this personal tragedy shaped the novel?
Dr. Hartley: Absolutely. fanny’s death was a turning point for Shelley. Fanny, like Shelley, was a child of Mary Wollstonecraft, but her life was marked by abandonment—first by her father and then by her own struggles with identity and belonging. When Fanny took her own life, Shelley was devastated. This sense of loss, abandonment, and the search for identity permeates Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein’s creature is, in many ways, a reflection of Fanny’s plight—a being cast out, unloved, and struggling to find its place in the world. Shelley’s novel isn’t just about scientific ambition; it’s a deeply emotional exploration of what it means to be human.
Archyde: The article also highlights the gossip and societal pressures Shelley faced in Bath.How did this surroundings impact her life and writing?
Dr. Hartley: Bath was a hotbed of gossip, and shelley’s life there was anything but quiet. She was living with Percy Shelley,who was still married to Harriet,and she had recently given birth to their child.Society wasn’t kind to women in her position. The constant scrutiny and judgment must have been exhausting.Yet, it’s remarkable how she channeled this pressure into her writing. Frankenstein wasn’t just a gothic tale; it was a way for Shelley to confront the societal and personal forces that sought to define and confine her.
Archyde: Your new collection includes previously unpublished writings and insights from Shelley’s diaries. What was the most surprising discovery for you?
Dr. Hartley: One of the most striking revelations was a letter Shelley wrote to a friend shortly after Fanny’s death. in it, she expressed not just grief but also a sense of guilt and responsibility. She felt she hadn’t done enough to protect Fanny, and that guilt carried over into Frankenstein. The creature’s lament—“I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend”—could almost be seen as Shelley’s attempt to give voice to Fanny’s pain. It’s a poignant reminder of how deeply personal this novel was for her.
Archyde: why do you think Frankenstein continues to resonate with readers today?
Dr. Hartley: At its core,Frankenstein is a story about humanity—our fears,our flaws,and our longing for connection. Shelley’s ability to weave her own grief and experiences into the narrative gives it a timeless quality. Modern readers, just like those in the 19th century, grapple with questions of identity, responsibility, and the consequences of our actions. Shelley’s genius lies in her ability to transform her personal anguish into a worldwide story.
archyde: Thank you, Dr. Hartley, for sharing these insights. Your book is a fascinating exploration of a pivotal moment in Mary Shelley’s life and work.
Dr. Hartley: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure to discuss Shelley’s extraordinary life and legacy.
