Autobiography. An autobiography is the story of a person’s life, written by that person. Since Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley originally published Frankenstein anonymously, the Introduction published later was her public declaration that she herself, not her husband, wrote the great novel. Though the introduction is brief, it reveals much about her life.
Catharsis. Catharsis was described by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle as a purging of the emotions of fear and pity, such as that which occurs at the end of the Greek tragedy. Modern usage of the term includes any event or process by which we are purged of strong emotions like fear, pity, or grief. Catharsis involves a release of the tension these emotions provoke. Consider, as you read this selection, the appeal of horror stories in providing catharsis for the reader.
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In Switzerland, during the rainy summer of 1816, Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, probably the greatest Gothic novel and science fiction fantasy ever written. The well-known story of the creation of a monster from human parts has been presented in several movies. More than a horror story, Frankenstein explores themes of creation and responsibility, remaining fascinating today as we ponder whether science has gone too far in some of the strides it has made. The Introduction was written for the third edition of Frankenstein, fifteen years after the book was first published.
How do you feel about ghost stories and tales of horror, and why?
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