Mary Shelley and the Creation of "Frankenstein"

Today were looking at the biography of Mary Shelley and, especially, how it laid the foundation for her to create “Frankenstein”. I am very grateful to have been sent a beautiful facsimile copy of the original manuscript of “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley by S P Books (which I will be showing off in this video). They have loads of fascinating facsimiles; check them out at: www.spbooks.co...
I hope you enjoy this video and find it interesting!
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Intro / Outro song: Silent Partner, "Greenery" [ • Greenery - Silent Part... ]
SFX from freesfx.co.uk/...
Images (from Wikimedia Commons, unless otherwise stated):
Portrait of William Godwin by James Northcote (1802). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.
Portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft by John Opie (c. 1797). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.
Screenshots from: Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entry for Mary Shelley; Oxford English Dictionary entries for “Deism” and “Pantheism”.
“Posthumous Portrait of Shelley Writing Prometheus Unbound” by Joseph Severn (1845). Held by the Keats-Shelley Memorial House, Rome, Italy.
Portrait of Mary Shelley by Richard Rothwell (exhibited 1840). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.
Portrait of Claire Clairmont by Amelia Curran (1819). Held by Newstead Abbey.
Portrait of William Shelley by Amelia Curran (1819). Held in an unknown collection.
Portrait of Lord Byron by Richard Westall (1813). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.
Caricature of Sir Percy Florence Shelley Bt. Published in “Vanity Fair”, 13 December 1879.
A still from the film Frankenstein (1910), showing Charles Stanton Ogle as the monster. The Edison Kinetogram 2 (4). Orange, N.J.: Thomas A. Edison Inc.
Screenshots from Germaine Greer’s article in The Guardian in 2007 - “Yes, Frankenstein really was written by Mary Shelley. It's obvious - because the book is so bad”: www.theguardia...
#History #LiteraryHistory #Frankenstein

[@realitycheck4842]

Your little boy is so lucky to have such a wonderfully talented mother to read him stories and awaken and encourage his imagination.

[@jebfallen]

That was Creepy

[@Xephyr1]

@@jebfallen it is not creepy. you're just dirty minded.

[@annewren8845]

I found this video extremely interesting, because I Volenteer at the Shelley Theatre in Boscombe, Bournemouth. Marys’ parents owned Shelley Manor in Boscombe, where Mary came to live. Whilst there, she commissioned a theatre to be built, so that she could put on plays etc. Mary could see how the work was progressing from her bedroom window. Sadly she died before it’s completion, so her son Percy Shelley jr completed the work in her memory. Sadly, because of Covid, the theatres’ been closed for over a year, but it will re-open when the restrictions are lifted. It’s very atmospheric, and of it’s time, and well worth a visit if you’re a fan of Mary Shelley.

[@ns-wz1mx]

listening to this in the middle of a crazy thunderstorm, couldn’t have worked out more perfect

[@gonefishing167]

🤣🤣🤣. Hope you don’t have a dog like mine 🙏🙏🙏🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@Heothbremel]

Delightful!

[@pamelaoliver8442]

Yes it was lol

[@l.plantagenet2539]

I live in Mobile,Alabama and we had a tropical storm named, Claudette come through this morning so I'm right there with you. ⛈🌪

[@savyjett]

Guaranteed nightmares.

[@nathanjurjevich217]

I love this book, and I first read it in 11th grade. My teacher had us write a research paper on it, whether it be a character analysis or some book review. When I read Frankenstein, I saw Mary Shelley as the monster, wandering the world, abandoned, finding purpose and discovering meaning. I struggled writing this paper because I couldn’t find adequate sources to back me up and it was challenging work especially for a high school student. Looking back I wish I could re-write it knowing what I know now, but I’m proud of that paper because for one of the first times, it forced me to walk in another’s shoes and see a different perspective, namely feminism and trying to do better despite society’s standards. Both are things that were not actively taught in school or at home for me. Loved your video on this topic!

[@lunar686]

Brilliantly said, I honestly loved this video too. I remember when I first read Frankenstein in high school as part of required reading, I didn’t have any appreciation for the subject, and I don’t remember any appreciation being encouraged in students either. However, when I came back to it during my time at university, I found the incredible depth in the work that truly spoke to the human experience

[@DrewSohl]

Mary had such a sad life,her loss of her mother, father, children, siblings,and husband,all had a profound impact.The monster also felt abandonment,even the undead feel lonliness.⚡

[@Terri_MacKay]

I've read the book several times, and it never fails to bring me to tears. It's a brilliant novel of soul shattering sadness.

[@701delbronx8]

Except she didn’t write Frankenstein, it was her husband Percy.

[@rachelbutler3367]

While the parent-child aspects of Frankenstein's relationship with his monster are impossible to ignore, the argument that this is reflective of the fear of birthing a monster seems to miss the mark. I always felt that relationship was a means of exploring the nature vs nurture argument: are monsters "gestated" or are they made by their childhood experiences? Although Frankenstein views the monster as such from its "birth" and flees from its perceived evil, the monster accuses Frankenstein of making it cruel and murderous through his abandonment. It is explicitly suggested in the text that, had the monster been raised and taught with affection, it might never have been a true monster. Additionally, the monster refers to Frankenstein as a creator and father, which implies that the narrative may be more reflective of Mary's potential feelings regarding her lack of emotional connection with her father (an emotional abandonment perhaps?). It is also possible that the focus on paternal abandonment indicates some fear that Percy Shelley might one day abandon Mary's children as he did the children of his first wife.

[@elisealbrektsen8647]

This is such an interesting take on the novel, and one that I share. I haven't read Frankenstein for a long time, but I kind of remember focussing on the tragic love story between Victor Frankenstein and - correct me if I'm wrong - Elizabeth Lavenza, upon first reading it. Frankenstein is so obsessed with his experiment to "create life" that he ignores and pushes the people who love him away, and in turn, fails to recognise his innate power to create life with the woman he (presumably) loves. I think, given the fact that Mary Shelley had lost a baby recently, that this is maybe a reflection of her's and Percy's shared grief on losing the child, and their, perhaps, desperate want of a child? It shows, perhaps, how differently one can deal with the responsibilites (and emotional and material "risks") of the creation of life ... There is just so much to unpack and learn from this novel!

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Agreed…

[@yensid4294]

I always had a somewhat different take on Frankenstein. Sure, it's about alienation & Creation & the human condition/search for meaning--no argument there. But I saw it also as an allegory for the pain & anguish of the creative process. The alienation many artists feel & their anxiety about their work--is it good, how will it be received, how will I be judged for creating it, etc. So you have Divine Creation, Human Creation & Artistic Creation all being explored in one story. At least that was my interpretation. I must say, that facsimile copy of the book is an amazing gift & addition to your library. Thank you for sharing it with us 👍

[@dewrock2622]

I must confess that I much prefer these kind of videos you make, to the ones who are zoom conversations. I learn so much this way

[@marpop4056]

I totally agree. I subscribed because I love learning in-depth history, especially about people,. However, I think that maybe having a baby to take care of may leave less time for the research and preparation that a weekly program entails.

[@denisehill7769]

I can't say I liked "Frankenstein" but that's due to my own limitations. Whatever one thinks of the book, it stands even today as an amazing creation out of the brain of an interesting strong woman, its influence is still great - which makes me feel all the sadder to hear that she was left at the mercy of her puppetmaster father-in-law, having endured the loss of her children and her husband's infidelity(ies). I only hope he was worth it. The part of the book I found the most engaging was the end where the Creature follows Frankenstein to the frozen arctic wastes; the sense of bone-chillingly cold isolation is palpable, and I'm now left wondering how far Mary herself experienced this as an outsider herself; an educated daughter of two unconventional people, living an unconventional life. Her ending is particularly poignant. Thank you for the video, I really enjoyed it! :) xxx

[@phoenixchi64]

Really enjoyed this, thank you! Would love a similar review of the inspiration behind Bram Stoker's "Dracula"... 😁

[@theclassicso8094]

Dr. Kat, thank you. I use the story about the creation of "Frankenstein" and the weather conditions as a result of the volcanic eruption in the atmospheric science classes I teach. The students find the story fascinating, and I'm glad to see you discussing this. Your presentation is far better than anything I could present. I think my students will enjoy your presentation.

[@--enyo--]

You might like this one too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5-tdYeIa7dqfcU

[@NicoleM_radiantbaby]

@@--enyo-- Thanks for that link! I love Simon's stuff and all the stuff with 'The Year Without A Summer', but managed to somehow miss this video!

[@l.plantagenet2539]

There was one in or right before 546A.D. but you might already know that. Apparently, that was the worst year on record because of the volcano.

[@theclassicso8094]

@@l.plantagenet2539 Yes. I do. And I show that one too. Thank you.

[@l.plantagenet2539]

@@theclassicso8094 I just recently watched a video on KZbin and found it really interesting. Never realized how one volcano can cause such misery and darkness over the entire earth.

[@lspthrattan]

OK, that is one cool book they sent! Interesting topic, as usual. Germaine Greer's take is interesting, but a tad harsh; I'm not so sure it's amoral to dread the idea of birthing a "monster". I do look forward to these videos of yours every week. Thank you for making them!

[@barbarak2836]

Interesting interpretation, though.

[@gladtobefreeagain7375]

Given the harsh social & sexual standards of the Victorian era Mary Shelley's worry about birthing (or being) a social pariah is exactly what comes with Gothic novels to come after her. But her work is genius because it forces the reader to question social mores that are inhumane & that suppress creativity, kindness, love. She discovered a way to pose a reconsideration of Prometheus, Adam, Eve & Deists. What happens to the unsanctioned offspring & intellectual works? We still create art, including scifi using her model. She earned her place in our culture as a feminine icon.

[@janehollander1934]

@@gladtobefreeagain7375 , Mary Shelley grew up, worked & lived the biggest part of her life (1797-1851) during the 'Georgian Age'. The 'Victorian Era' is set between 1832 (1837)- 1901.✌🏻

[@QueenBee-gx4rp]

Everything you do is so interesting! After being injured in an accident recently, it’s been wonderful to listen to something intelligent! Many thanks 😊.

[@misslornamae]

Love hearing such an intelligent woman talk about the past, a topic usually discussed by men. Would love to see you cover her mother, such an amazing feminist of the time.

[@dianegrooters6977]

Very Interesting topic Dr. Kat. Such heartache, can't imagine the loss of a child, not to mention more than one. Such a strong talented, driven woman, looking for love, possibly passing on her heartbreak to her own creation. Maybe a cathartic exercise somehow.

[@jared1870]

I saw who posted and the subject matter and automatically liked. I enjoy the mental stimulation I receive from this channel.

[@lynnedelacy2841]

Shelley has never been the same to me having seen an overly dramatic half naked statue of Shelley, in Oxford, his body prone ,his face writhed in torment and his arm outstretched pleadingly to the viewer and in his upturned palm - someone had placed a Big Mac…

[@denisenilsson1366]

😂😛😂😛😂🍔

[@DesertThunderDownUnder]

Watching this from Brisbane Australia. I am and have always been a sincere admirer of Mary’s works. No doubt her earlier years of infancy and the loss of her beloved mother informed the bones of her gift to write. Her father’s dutiful influence crafted that talent throughout her life. The unrelenting debauchery of Percy’s chosen lifestyle, deaths & loss - a young mother’s interminable cycle of grief pegged Mary to no end, and still she survived. One of the greatest writers of all time, not just her time. 📖❤

[@itsmainelyyou5541]

Beautifully done, Dr. Kat! I always viewed Frankenstein as a story in partial facet about the self and what we struggle to become against the constraint of what we are, and what is expected of us. It is the story of what we birth within ourselves. We fail, more often than not. It is a true onion as the best stories always are. What a fascinating women she was. On my short list of people I sorely wish I could speak to.

[@jdmaine919]

So excited for this video! I happen to think Frankenstein was the best thing ever written, and never fail to be moved by it when I read it. That copy of the manuscript is fabulous!

[@alexwholey3391]

I studied Frankenstein at university and always enjoyed the book. Thank you for this video ☺️

[@Goddessofvets16]

I love the historical gems you choose to educate your audience about.... you never fail to present both sides of an issue and explain it in context to the times, both present and when the topic occurred in the past. I'll remain a loyal fan! Kiss the baby for us all! He's so lucky to have you and your husband for parents and educators! Liz Barton

[@claireconolly8355]

Lovely to listen to you today! It's a crazy storm here (in NL). Have a great weekend Dr Kat :-)

[@jaycorwin1625]

I disagree with Germaine Greer's assessment of Frankenstein. I think it's beautifully written and original, and seems to have nothing to do with gender neuroses but with moral or philosophical questions of the period (subtitle, the Modern Prometheus should have indicated that to old Germaine there). Do we only read Mary Shelley because she was a woman? I didn't, and I don't recommend Frankenstein because it was written by a woman but because it is original and the prose is lyrical, which provides a counterbalance to the novel's psychological horror. If you have to focus more on the gender of the author than on the quality of writing (which Germaine Greer has clearly done, blinded by her own cynicism), then the result is a critique of the author, not an honest appraisal of the work. It seems she lost the plot with the word "abortion."

[@EmoBearRights]

When is Greer not wrong?

[@jaycorwin1625]

​@@EmoBearRights Sometimes her opinions can be unpopular, especially over current issues, but I do genuinely admire her intellect and her fearlessness. If you haven't seen it, here is a good interview she gave a view years ago on the BBC: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXObgml6acZpiq8

[@EmoBearRights]

I'm not interested in what Greer has to say. I've actually seen a work colleague on the verge of tears because of her sure she's intelligent but what good is it if you don't have an open mind when it comes to admitting opinions which contradict her own preduices. I think she's a misanthroptist who is only interested in attention.

[@EmoBearRights]

True bravery is confronting what you fear or allowing yourself to be vulnerable about what is right and admitting when you're wrong not giving a damn is NOT true bravery.

[@jaycorwin1625]

Her intelligence is good for sparking lively debate. One doesn't need to be accepting of everything to be of value. That was likely the impetus for her writings and the impact they have had on the modern world.

[@sarahhales1505]

I love Frankenstein! I first read it in middle school, while I was on vacation with the family to Disney World. We had a day of no parks, so we spent the day at the pool and just loafing around the hotel. I couldn’t put the book down, and finished it in at two days. My husband bought me a beautiful copy for Christmas 2020! I still think that Mary sometimes identified more with the monster than with her young protagonist. She seemed to always be looking for love and connection.

[@BrittleSun]

Out of curiosity was Mary Shelley pregnant when she wrote Frankenstein? I too think there is a subliminal theme of motherhood and the fears and risks and darkness associated with that.

[@merrittanimation7721]

At least part of it. I don't know if she knew she was pregnant at the time she started but she certainly was throughout the process, as she had two children by the time she finished it, not counting her daughter who died after being born prematurely after their first return to England.

[@jennypengelley8408]

This is yet another of your very interesting and informative videos. I think the story of Dr Frankenstein is a remarkable one and, unlike Ms Greer, I have always found it moving, having read it a number of times. What is especially curious it's that as I move (inexorably) through life's stages, my experience of the books I read regularly, changes; I would say that I have the sense of the book expanding within my understandings of it. This is true with 'Frankenstein' as it is with the variety of books that I read and reread including - To Kill A Mockingbird; Wuthering Heights, The Lord of the Rings, and Gone With The Wind, to mention but a few. Goodness, I certainly didn't know all of that was in my head when I started - I think that it is the quality of your ideas and the way you present said ideas that got my mind a-whirring! Many thanks Kat

[@margo3367]

Was listening to several of your Tudor videos and then I jumped to this. What I was struck with is how women’s lives and opportunities have changed over time; however much time it takes and resistance we meet we still keep making strides.

[@rycoli]

Love the topic! Thank you Dr. Any chance of a Bram Stoker video?? 😉 🦇

[@Shane-Flanagan]

Good idea 👍

[@hiwakoo]

Or Dr. Polidori?

[@rycoli]

Yessss

[@thelivingpen2648]

Dr Kat, as usual a creative presentation! I am a big fan of Frankenstein, one of my favorite stories. I have read it numerous times. Each time I feel I get to know Mary Shelly a bit better. She was a creative, intelligent woman at a time when womens choices were limited and often restricted. Yes, it is apparant that Frankenstein was written by a women, who else at that time could bring such emotion to the characters of a horror story. But to those that read it again and again, does she not give us a glimpse of the lives of people around her and the things that happened so often in life at that time. The dangers of giving birth, the loss of a child, the attitude of the men of the day, the constraints upon women. Mary Shelley Frankenstein gives a true chance to walk into her world and get a glimpse of the emotions that she had or that were around her. It is a priceless read. Thank you for the video....

[@CubanMami4]

I think this was one of the best stories I’ve read! TY for doing this video ! I just learned so much about the author

[@barrywerdell2614]

Two things: I compliment you on a fantastic lecture about an interesting subject and using the earliest version known for a picture of the monster (I think it was even done by Thomas Edison ). And in the movie "Bride of Frankenstein" Elsa Lanchester plays Mary Shelley in a kind of follow-up introduction to the second movie.

[@petersdotter1]

We tend to forget that due to medical innovation, our lives are very different from such a short time ago. Death from childbirth and infant mortality were prominent features of their lives. We tend to put death in a place to visit as rarely as possible, but deaths by illness in a time before antibiotics was completely normal. She suffered many losses, and that had to be a part of her outlook. The story also rings true today for that reason, but also as a warning about technology in the way our current horror stories often center around dystopian robots outthinking mankind, and technology going rogue.

[@--enyo--]

The volcano causing the storm was truely staggering in its effect. If anyone wants a quick (20 minute) overview of the sheer scale of this volcano that affected the whole world for years, here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5-tdYeIa7dqfcU It also talks about Mary Shelley and Frankenstein, although obviously much less depth than here.

[@katescrimgeour3884]

Just watched the video on Tambora - very interesting - thanks for posting the link.

[@C.G.Hassack]

Germaine does herself a disservice by her need for a controversial statement.

[@KatrinaLeFey]

She's a tiresome woman

[@C.G.Hassack]

@@KatrinaLeFey I'm inclined to agree.

[@gailcbull]

Greer's comment about Frankenstein proves that she suffers from the "academic's disease". She mistakes controversy for originality and dismissiveness for cleverness.

[@margo3367]

That’s the problem with tunnel vision. It’s limiting.

[@robbiemclaurin1852]

I love to listen to your narrations of subjects such as this....and of course the "Tutors" and the histories of England. Thank you.

[@michaellewis6510]

A wonderful insight into the creation of Frankenstein. So important that something amazing comes out of so much tragedy. So well crafted. Thank you

[@didisinclair3605]

I never thought to read Frankenstein...thanks to you, it is on my list! Wonderful video. Many thanks.

[@the_petty_crocker]

My favorite historian discussing my favorite author and favorite novel. I can't express how much this means to me. Thank you.

[@kirstena4001]

I'm rewatching this video, because it motivated me to read Frankenstein. it is really informing my understanding.

[@beccaboobabe2]

Woah! What an amazing piece of work you were gifted!!

[@Amc933]

Wow...heady stuff. Loved the background and thoughts that were shared...

[@j7333nnn]

Thanks, can't wait to read biographies of the Shelleys. And we thought we were having a sexual revolution in the 1960s !!

[@kathleenkaar6557]

Very interest. What a tragic life she led .

[@gonefishing167]

Thank you Dr Kat. I kept looking - as it was Friday night, sacrosanct! - but it didn’t let me know when it was uploaded. I checked, still subscribed and the bell is on. Maybe I’d better check the ‘bell bit’. I so look forward to your videos 🙏🙏🙏🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@jbwhitebirch6620]

This has to be my favorite so far, Kat. Which makes it about the 300th time I have said that. You have outdone yourself !

[@KatTheScribe]

Fascinating video Dr. Kat, I did not know very much about Mary Shelley. Thank you!

[@bieuxyongson]

This has been such an interesting video. I never realized how sad her life had started, with losing her mother so soon after her birth. I knew that she had lost her own children and of course Percy at a very young age. BTW, that book is amazing. I loved this video, Thanks so much.

[@mickeykolody7773]

Very interesting topic! I find Mary's life to be quite unusual / radical considering the times, and I wonder how the impact of the Napoleonic wars had on her perspective.

[@margaretschembridalli5218]

Great video Dr Kat! Just finished watching and I am going to watch it again .... immediately!

[@KatherineHugs]

I had been saving this one and am so happy with your deep dive!! Mary is a really interesting figure!

[@kirstena4001]

Great video! I have never actually read Frankenstein, but I think I will do so over this summer.

[@eagleeye2300]

You are an interesting and well spoken speaker. (Lol, say that 3 times quickly!) Thank you so much! Do you do all of your own research?

[@morriganwitch]

Thank you for showing us such delights xxx

[@4supernatural]

Absolutely awesome, I learn so much. You never fail to fascinate me with knowledge of the past. Blessings ✨👍🏻🤩💕✨

[@Hazel-C]

I finished reading Frankenstein for the first time last week so this couldn't have been better timed!

[@dianewalker9154]

One of my favorite authors and favorite books.Frankenstein explores every aspect of the human experience. Really profound.

[@vyvienvp3413]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. A great review, thank you.

[@chrisbmindful9890]

Such a delight to listen to her history, thank you

[@amyjones8114]

Effortlessly informative and interesting, Dr. Kat!

[@historybuff7491]

I guess I have the advantage of knowing that Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. So when I read it, I had no doubt that a woman wrote it. I remember tearing up in some places of the novel, not so much from what was taking place in that part, but from the overwhelming pain that seemed to be coming from the author. The sense of loss of love ones was so obvious, however, I had no idea what Shelley, herself, had suffered at that time. I had assumed that someone from the early 1800s had lost family as was seemingly so often the case. I thought Shelley had captured that, and poured it into her novel.

[@--enyo--]

You say ‘I have the advantage’ like it’s not common knowledge. 🤨

[@historybuff7491]

@@--enyo-- Your right, poor writing on my part. I meant, that I never heard that someone else may have written it.

[@penneycason9269]

Gratitude for this. Entertaining. Do share more of Mary Shelley. 🌻

[@goltandburlach]

I read Frankies bairn as my best mate called it in hospital after doing something stupid in the military. It is certainly a book of its time and has been inspiration for many other works, by which comparison it may suffer. Critics generally don't write themselves (why then can they be critical of others ,baffled) nor do we have any idea of the impact of this story being the first of its kind. I read some of Walter Scott too and Victor Hugo, the language of the time is different and the understanding of the reader profoundly challenged by the times they lived in or live in now

[@Shane-Flanagan]

Great choice of topic for a video Dr Kat! Thanks so much! 💕👍 A fan of horror or not, we've all heard of Frankenstein but not so much of his creator Mary Shelley who seems to have been a remarkable lady. It might surprise some that the infamous monster was created by a woman. Interesting too to think that Frankenstein, a horror story has hidden themes of loneliness and abandonment.

[@arrasonline]

Love your channel and I love Frankenstein...I have taught it for 25 years. I am always amazed that Mary's mother is an early feminist in her writings and she sticks with non-fiction. Mary on the other hand uses fiction to depict women as victims...every female in Frankenstein displays some of the true horrors that women faced in the 19th century. Death by disease (after caring for diseased children), death as victim of unfair judicial system (women have no voice, no property, no right to attorney?), arranged marriage (Safe is given to Felix in exchange for services), the aborted female creature because dad does not want her, and finally death as victim of murder after a conflict between two men. Every female character meets with a tragic end in this novel. I do wonder to what extent Mary felt incompatible with her times given her education and status in society. Anyway, thank you so much for the synopsis of her life...I will use it next year when I teach the novel again. Cheers.

[@dawnmuse6481]

I read Frankenstein in curiosity after seeing the TV movie version which starred Jane Seymore. As a teenager, I found it quite comprehensible so whoever this person quoted at the end was, they are full of their own wind!

[@dulaniwijesooriya1430]

Of course I found this video worthy. We will be studying Frankestine very soon at the university. And this was indeed a good Preamble

[@prettypic444]

Frankenstien is one of the rare books which I think is actually improved when you know the author's biography. knowing that Mary Shelley's parents were philosophers, was encouraged to learn and read, and had some major family drama just adds so much more depth to the story. the feminist themes it reveals alone are fascinating (it's why i always insist on calling "the monster" Frankenstein as well as the doctor)

[@jillbrim466]

Cool book. Great topic. Wonderfully informative and thought provoking video. Thanks

[@kickthespike]

Really interesting as always. I have no idea what Germaine Greer is on about!

[@janebaker966]

She was never off our tvs in the 1970s for two reasons,one,she was stunningly good looking snd two,she could always be relied on to say something outrageous. Daft old trout.

[@meme-sw1pc]

80K Subscribers, well done. I hope you and your family are safe and well. love from Tasmania.

[@dawnvickerstaff9148]

I always thought Frankenstein was as much about overweening vanity and hubris as lonliness, abandonement and never being understood, and as such falls squarely in the realm of 'male' sensibilities, as especially evidenced in the 18th and 19th centuries. Mary Shelley was perfectly able to channel that thought process and the resulting behaviour in an era when women were not allowed to do much of anything. Her observations are acute and Germaine Greer sadly, lacks that acuity. Still. I never understood why she was thought to be such a feminist voice. Mary Shelley and her mother far outstripped Germaine Greer there. Thank you for all your videos. I so look forward to the intellectual stimulation when I see you've posted a new one.

[@yoclark2723]

Wow! what a wonderful book to have! I read Frankenstein years ago but still think about the monster and his horrified creator. I agree that it is evident that the book is written by a female as she softens the character of the monster as the story progresses. It could be that we get to know the mind of the monster and therefore identify with it. The abandonment issue is a strong one as well. He accuses Frankenstein of looking at him in disgust and horror at the moment of his "birth" and abandoning it to face life alone with the self loathing that it's father has instilled in it.

[@JM-The_Curious]

While doing genealogy research I came across a distant cousin who told me that my line somewhat distantly and awkwardly related to Mary Ann and the elder Clara. I haven't yet finished adding their part to my family tree to work out my exact relationship to each of the famous people, Mary Shelley and Byron. So this video is fascinating to me that it doesn't just talk about the book but also all the family relationships. From what my relative told me, Mary Ann was a very fascinating character in her own right, and I think he told me she she was claiming a more aristocratic background than she really had, more specifically I think it was in claiming parentage of her children that was probably not quite factual. By these tales/lies she ended up moving in higher status circles with Godwin and became his wife, and her daughter Clara bought up alongside Mary Shelley. So I have to wonder what impact Mary Ann had on Mary and Clara, considering that Mary Ann and Clara, and where Mary Ann came from and how she got to where she did surely must be part of the background of the Shelley-Shelley-Byron group.

[@carolbulmer8253]

Thank you for this, Dr. Kat😊

[@conemadam]

Thank you once again. Eye-opening!

[@reinotsurugi]

Frankenstein is the most beautifully written book I've ever read. I miss her poetic prose in her later writings.

[@Heothbremel]

(1) This is so wonderful! What a beautiful book. I love how it shows the edits, nothing comes out perfectly :) but also that the original monster being less softened and humanized is really interesting. I might have to acquire a copy myself just to see the process.... ALSO that article is just...... the author *might* have valid points but Jiminy that's misogynistic. I'd like to make a snide comment but it's just exhausting.

[@Heothbremel]

(2) If anyone is interested for supplemental biography for a younger audience there's this: Mary's Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein Book by Lita Judge Which is a graphic novel version and is lovely.....

[@alisonjane7068]

i'm by no means a scholar, but i really enjoyed frankenstein. i actually liked it a lot more than i thought i would. found it very moving.

[@Yeahoover]

Hello from someone who was born in Ingolstadt :-)

[@pal7252]

It is so sad of what happened to Mary in her lifetime. But she was brilliant. 🥰

[@nichola607]

What an interesting video and a lovely book

[@andriswood5434]

Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!! I need a copy of that book!

[@sylviakanel9766]

Excellent! Thank you!!!💜🙏💜

[@alexiamills3682]

I Love your Channel❤️Can you make some videos on Eleanor of Aquitaine, Lady Cathy Gordon's life 💖

[@kimstill7611]

Thanks so much for this. I'm not a fan of any movie representation of this brilliant work of literature. I read FRANKENSTEIN after I graduated college with a BFA (emphasis: Drawing & Painting). In my humble opinion, it's certainly a psychological study of the human condition. In conclusion, I am gonna read it again for a 40 year perspective on my opinion. I'll try to remember to update my opinion. Although, I doubt it will be much different.

[@josephcamp8602]

The first two chapters seemed very feminine to me. Also, I enjoyed reading it. It’s a great work. She left something for us all that she can remembered by. I salute Shelly.

[@jimcoyle4453]

I like your inclusion of the provocative quote by Greer, as it points to the subversive, amoral sensibility of the feminine creator of the novel. This is interesting food for thought. I am a man and Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein is my favorite novel. As such my discussion in this topic should be viewed through that lens, perhaps.🎉. I always read this novel as a great epic tale of curiosity, science, creation, and defiance of society's norms. And that's why it broke new ground. However, given that Mary Shelley experienced repeated loss through her mother's early death and the death of her small children, these tragedies had to have been contributing factors with regard to the development of her writing and story telling. Having said that, I would say that Frankenstein's creation was a being that M Shelley must have identified with as his portrayal is largely sympathetic. Likewise, the lesson learned, if not learned by his creator at the end of his life, is one of hubris in the face of defying natures laws. This is what I see. There's a price to be paid for man's tampering with nature's ways. But this is at the heart of the godlike quality of V Frankenstein and in a sense M Shelley, in that humans have the creative impulse no matter what. This can be our downfall in spite of all our better impulses.

[@ebarrios08]

Thank you. I love all your videos

[@frostylunetta]

🥰 Thanks Dr Cat. I love your videos

[@DrewSohl]

This is great,learned so much.Thanks.⚡

[@martinamendezfernandez]

One of my favourite youtubers and one of my favourite books. This video was instaclick for me.

[@silva7493]

So very interesting! Thank you.

[@theresalaux5655]

I think Mary Shelly's book is very good. My children have read it and my grandchildren have read it.

[@chrismyles1538]

Dear Germaine Greer, Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

[@GracieGirl24]

Loved this one !! Thank you

[@Poemsapennyeach]

Well told. Thank you.

[@marpop4056]

I really enjoyed this episode. I don't agree with Germain Greer that this is a woman's story because a woman fears what she will give birth to. However, I can understand how Victor Frankenstein might have wished he had aborted his creation. Thus, I could understand the story being written by a man who, without considering the consequences, impregnates a woman and then abandons her and the child. One of the ideas of creation to consider is: Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD do it. There are so many other philosophical issues. Here's a link to a very good discussion of the book: www.prageru.com/video/gina-bontempo-frankenstein-by-mary-shelley/

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

I’ve always found the book to have many layers and have learned through responses to my own poetry there can be layers unique to the reader’s experience and nit that of the writer.

[@deborahtowns8983]

I was under the impression that Shelly wrote this story in Concord MA at the home of Emerson who supported many of his friends