Making the monster, the science behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Kathryn Harkup
Type
Label
Making the monster, the science behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Kathryn Harkup
Language
eng
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Index
index present
Literary Form
non fiction
Main title
Making the monster
Responsibility statement
Kathryn Harkup
Sub title
the science behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Summary
The year 1818 saw the publication of one of the most influential science-fiction stories of all time. Frankenstein: Or, Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley had a huge impact on gothic horror and science-fiction genres, and her creation has become part of our everyday culture, from cartoons to Hallowe'en costumes. Even the name `Frankenstein' has become a by-word for evil scientists and dangerous experiments. How did a teenager with no formal education come up with the idea for an extraordinary novel such as Frankenstein? Clues are dotted throughout Georgian science and popular culture. The years before the book's publication saw huge advances in our understanding of the natural sciences, in areas such as electricity and physiology, for example. Sensational science demonstrations caught the imagination of the general public, while the newspapers were full of lurid tales of murderers and resurrectionists. Making the Monster explores the scientific background behind Mary Shelley's book. Is there any science fact behind the science fiction? And how might a real-life Victor Frankenstein have gone about creating his monster? From tales of volcanic eruptions, artificial life and chemical revolutions, to experimental surgery, 'monsters' and electrical experiments on human cadavers, Kathryn Harkup examines the science and scientists that influenced Shelley, and inspired her most famous creation
Classification
Creator
Subject
- Scientists in literature
- Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797-1851 -- Knowledge and learning -- Science
- Nonfiction
- Science + History
- Frankenstein, Victor, (Fictitious character)
- Science fiction, English + History and criticism
- Monsters in literature
- Literature and science -- Great Britain -- History -- 19th century
- Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797-1851
- Science in literature
- Horror tales, English + History and criticism
Content
Author
Incoming Resources
- Has instance1
Outgoing Resources
- Classification1
- Creator1
- Subject11
- Scientists in literature
- Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797-1851 -- Knowledge and learning -- Science
- Nonfiction
- Science + History
- Frankenstein, Victor, (Fictitious character)
- Science fiction, English + History and criticism
- Monsters in literature
- Literature and science -- Great Britain -- History -- 19th century
- Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797-1851
- Science in literature
- Horror tales, English + History and criticism
- Content1
- Author1