Mary Shelly

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Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly has written many books in her life. She has received much criticism about one of her books inperticular, Frankenstien. Frankenstein was one of her most famous novels. Shelly had written Frankenstein in order to enter a contest but what few people realized was that Frankenstein was one of many nightmares that Shelly had during her rough childhood. Shelly has become one of the most renowned Gothic authors because of her use of graphic descriptions and settings and her use of many significant themes.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly was born in London on August 30, 1797. Shelley was the daughter of a philosopher named William Godwin. Shelly’s mother died while giving birth to her and her father was remarried in 1801(Drabble 121). Shelley disliked her father’s new wife so, as a result, he sent her to go live in Dundee with the Baxter’s, foster parents, where she stayed until 1814. Shelley took many visits back to London to visit her father (Bloom 3014).

On May 5, 1814, Mary met Percy Bysshe Shelley on one of her visits to London. Percy Shelley left his wife, Harriet, and went to France with Mary (Bloom 3014). Shelley returned to London to give birth to a daughter only to lose the child two weeks later. Percy Shelley proposed to Mary Godwin and they were married in 1816. Shelley became pregnant again and again lost the child at birth. Out of four children, only one survived, Percy (Drabble 121).

While the Shelley’s were traveling thought Italy, they had sent letters to their friends asking for financial support. During this time, many legal battles were being fought over publishing matters, the Shelley estate, and the four children from Percy’s previous marriage. Shelley’s next two c...

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... 1876 a poem was published titled “A poem on Shelley’s Death”. Then, in 1891, almost seventy years after Shelley passed away, another book was published. This book entitled “Tales and Stories by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley”, was a collection of short stories written by Shelley but never published (Goldberg 3205).

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley lived a very difficult life. During this rough time she managed to accomplish more than most Gothic writers. Her insight into the world of Gothic Romance was a direct reflect of her struggle through life. This enabled her to give a better account than most authors. Her life ended as miserable as it began but with no regrets. Her work is well remembered and often looked upon. Shelley, as well as her novel Frankenstein, will always be regarded as one of the best Gothic authors with one of the best Gothic novels to date.

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