Mrs. Shelley

Mary Shelley’s life had a profound impact on her writing. She included autobiographical aspects in several of her works. Critics often identify characters in her novels as figures in her life. In “The Last Man,” for example, Shelley features fictional characters that represent Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. Elements of her philosophy and enthusiasm for science and reason are evident in various themes throughout her works. It is useful, therefore, to become familiar with Mary Shelley’s life. Lucy M. Rossetti’s biography of Mary, titled “Mrs. Shelley,” is a great way to become acquainted with the history of the author of “Frankenstein.” For her work, Rossetti consulted letters from Shelley’s life and biographies of her contemporaries.