Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, a formidable voice in 19th-century literature, stands out for her innovative and controversial contributions to prose fiction. Her work extends beyond her classic novel "Frankenstein" as she forged a unique space for women writers and engaged with the political and cultural challenges of her time. Shelley's personal life, marked by tragedy and resilience, deeply influenced her vast and varied literary legacy.
Early Life
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley entered the world on August 30, 1797, in London. She was born into a family of intellectual distinction, her mother being the renowned feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft, and her father, the radical philosopher William Godwin. Tragically, Wollstonecraft died shortly after Mary’s birth, succumbing to puerperal fever. This left William Godwin to raise Mary and her half-sister Fanny by himself, initially without the support of a partner.
Godwin's circle of intellectual friends, including Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the essayists Mary and Charles Lamb, enriched Mary's upbringing. However, Godwin felt overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising his daughters alone. His marriage to Mary Jane Clairmont in 1801 was partly motivated by his desire to secure help with their education. Unfortunately, Mary’s relationship with her stepmother was strained, as Clairmont seemed to favor her own child, Jane, over Mary. This familial tension drove Mary to seek solace in the works of her deceased mother, often reading at her mother's graveside in Saint Pancras churchyard. This early exposure to her parents' radical ideas would profoundly shape Mary's worldview.
In 1812, Percy Bysshe Shelley, an aspiring poet and admirer of William Godwin, entered the Godwin household. Although initially Mary had brief encounters with Percy, by 1814, upon returning from Scotland, their paths crossed significantly. Despite Percy’s marriage, an irresistible bond formed between him and Mary. Defying societal norms and familial apprehension, they eloped to France with Jane Clairmont, embarking on a six-week European journey that solidified their relationship. Upon returning to England, they faced societal and familial disapproval, forcing them to live a nomadic life, frequently moving to elude creditors.
Life’s Work
Mary and Percy enjoyed a tumultuous yet intellectually rich partnership for nearly eight years. Their marriage only became legal in 1816 following the suicide of Percy’s first wife, Harriet. That same year marked a creative milestone for Mary as she commenced writing "Frankenstein," completing it the following year. Their unconventional lifestyle provoked societal disapproval, prompting another relocation, this time to Italy in 1818.
The Italian years were intellectually enriching for Mary. She immersed herself in learning Italian, Spanish, and Greek, and collaborated with Percy on translations. During this period, she penned the novella "Mathilda," and the historical novel "Valperga," alongside possibly crafting "Valerius: The Reanimated Roman." Her output also included the mythological dramas "Proserpine" and "Midas," showcasing her literary versatility.
Despite these creative endeavors, the Shelley marriage was fraught with difficulties. Financial strain plagued the couple, as did personal tragedies, such as the deaths of two of their children. Mary's bouts of depression were exacerbated by Percy's romantic entanglements with other women, including Jane Clairmont. This, alongside Claire's tumultuous custody battles with Lord Byron over their daughter, further strained the Shelleys' relationship. The couple's final year together was marred by estrangement, and Mary's health suffered from a near-fatal miscarriage in June 1822.
Percy's untimely death by drowning in July 1822 left Mary a destitute widow at just twenty-four, with their young son, Percy Florence, to care for. Her poetry from this period reveals the depth of her bereavement and her internalized guilt over their prior estrangement. Financial necessity and her desire to secure her son’s future compelled her return to England in 1823, where...
(This entire section contains 1088 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
she dedicated herself to writing as a means of support.
Literary Contributions
Mary Shelley’s career as a writer was prolific, spanning four decades and encompassing a diverse array of genres. Apart from her six novels and one novella, she wrote numerous short stories, travel narratives, and non-fiction articles. Her biographies of prominent figures in France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal reflect her wide-ranging interests. Furthermore, Mary undertook editorial work, preparing editions of Percy Shelley’s poems and essays, and ventured into translation.
While "Frankenstein" remains her most renowned novel, Mary Shelley's literary achievements include "The Last Man," and "Valperga," each contributing significantly to the English novel's evolution. Although her later novels "The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck," "Lodore," and "Falkner" were crafted during financially motivated periods and are less polished, they remain integral to understanding her complete oeuvre.
Mary’s editorial work, particularly her introductions and annotations for Percy’s poetry, were instrumental in shaping his posthumous reputation. Through these, she sculpted a portrait of Percy that highlighted his genius while downplaying his radicalism. Her writings on literary criticism and book reviews further cemented her influence on 19th-century literary taste.
Influence and Legacy
Beyond her novels, Mary Shelley was an early pioneer in professional literary criticism, contributing significantly to journals and periodicals. Her critiques played a crucial role in defining the literary canon of her time, often privileging English literary works. Mary’s literary career was undoubtedly shaped by her parents' radical legacies, yet she also grappled with the cultural and societal norms of 19th-century England.
The duality of Mary’s identity as both Godwin’s daughter and Wollstonecraft’s heir imbued her work with themes of independence and female agency, reflecting the ideological struggles of her era. Encouraged by Percy to honor her intellectual heritage, Mary’s writings ultimately express a complex negotiation between revolutionary ideals and conventional expectations.
Further Reading
Those interested in exploring Mary Shelley's life and work further can consult a variety of critical and biographical sources. "The Other Mary Shelley: Beyond Frankenstein," edited by Fisch, Mellor, and Schor, offers a collection of essays that delve into both her celebrated and lesser-known works. Martin Garrett’s "Mary Shelley" provides a comprehensive introduction to Shelley's life, enriched with letters and diary excerpts, while Anne K. Mellor's "Mary Shelley: Her Life, Her Fiction, Her Monsters" discusses her oeuvre in context with early 19th-century science, highlighting Percy Shelley’s influence.
Mary Poovey’s "The Proper Lady and the Woman Writer" places Shelley alongside her contemporaries, analyzing her revisions of "Frankenstein" and her engagement with the era's gender ideologies. Johanna Smith’s work offers a genre-focused analysis of Shelley’s writings within their political and cultural contexts. Muriel Spark and William St. Clair provide biographical perspectives that illuminate the radical environment that shaped Mary Shelley’s life and career. For the most detailed biography, Emily Sunstein’s "Mary Shelley: Romance and Reality" is indispensable, offering an extensive account of her life and work.
