Mary Shelley was inspired to write Frankenstein by a dream she had of a man bringing a monster to life and running in fear from it. This, combined with a challenge among her and her friends to write a Horror story, resulted in Frankenstein.
Mary Shelley was inspired to write "Frankenstein" during a summer at Lake Geneva in 1816, where she and a group of friends, including Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron, challenged each other to write ghost stories. This challenge, along with discussions on scientific advancements and debates on ethics and societal issues, sparked the idea for Shelley's iconic novel.
At the time the science of bio-electrics was just beginning. Most notably 'scientists' found that if you pass a current through a dissected frog's leg, it would jump. From this the speculation that dead tissue could be reanimated was a fairly common topic.
Mary Shelley was having a nightmare, in which she saw a mad scientist who makes a monster and she transformed the story into a book
about 18
Mary Shelley was inspired by a variety of influences, including the works of her parents (Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin), her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley, and the Romantic poets of the time. Additionally, her upbringing in a literary and intellectual environment spurred her interest in writing.
Lord Byron challenged Mary Shelley to write a ghost story during a summer stay at Lake Geneva in 1816.
1818
Switzerland
dr Frankenstein
Mary Shelley got the idea for her novel "Frankenstein" from a dream she had while staying at Lord Byron's house. The dream inspired her to write a story about a scientist who creates new life through artificial means.
Percy Bysshe Shelley encouraged Mary Shelley to expand her ideas and write a longer, more ambitious story, which led her to write Frankenstein. He also provided feedback and support throughout the writing process, helping Mary shape the novel's themes and structure. Percy's own literary influence and romantic ideals likely inspired Mary and may have influenced the philosophical and moral questions explored in Frankenstein.
Mary Shelley wanted to write ghost stories that were real. She would visit places and then write about them.
Mary Shelley was the daughter of William Godwin. He was a journalist and author. His daughter would grow up to write Frankenstein.
Mary Shelley and her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley began reading ghost stories to each other while staying with Lord Byron at Villa Diodati in Switzerland. This inspired Mary to write her famous novel "Frankenstein." The group's shared interest in supernatural stories led to a challenge to write their own horror tales, resulting in Mary penning her iconic work.