The Life And Literary Works of Mary Shelley Finding a meaning in literary works can be easy, but by delving deeper into an author’s personal life we can get a greater understanding of his or her reason for writing. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley lead an interesting life; though, it was not the most fortunate life. Peering into Mary Shelly’s different stages of life as well as her early and later works, we can gain an insight of how her life was reflected into her writing. In London, England on August 30, 1797 William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft welcomed their daughter Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin into the world. Her mother was an acclaimed feminist writer, but died just ten short days after giving birth to Mary due to puerperal fever. Her
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In 1814 at the age of seventeen Mary and Percy proclaimed their love for each other, and her father was less than thrilled about the idea of her traveling with a married man to the European continent. Mary and Percy were assisted by her stepsister Jane to plan their escape (Means, para. 4-6). They explored Europe for a month and a half before returning to England, but they were not welcomed back by the Goodwin or Shelley families (Huntley, para. 3). Mary gave birth to a son, William, in 1815 after she and Percy Shelley moved to England. Jane had also moved to England and changed her name to Claire. Claire soon began a romantic relationship with a famous poet George Gordon, Lord Byron. Mary, Percy, Clair, and Byron became lifelong friends, and they caused quite the controversy as they traveled together. Percy and Byron motivated Mary to do some writing during this time. In 1816 Mary’s half-sister Fanny overdosed and passed away. A few months later, Harriet, who was Shelley’s estranged wife, committed suicide, and provided Shelley the opportunity to marry Mary after their many years together. Shelley wasn’t granted custody of his children from his former marriage and was forced to give them to foster parents. Though there had been many tragic events in 1816, the relationship between the Goodwin and Shelley families had improved with the marriage of Mary and
In 1814 at the age of seventeen Mary and Percy proclaimed their love for each other, and her father was less than thrilled about the idea of her traveling with a married man to the European continent. Mary and Percy were assisted by her stepsister Jane to plan their escape (Means, para. 4-6). They explored Europe for a month and a half before returning to England, but they were not welcomed back by the Goodwin or Shelley families (Huntley, para. 3). Mary gave birth to a son, William, in 1815 after she and Percy Shelley moved to England. Jane had also moved to England and changed her name to Claire. Claire soon began a romantic relationship with a famous poet George Gordon, Lord Byron. Mary, Percy, Clair, and Byron became lifelong friends, and they caused quite the controversy as they traveled together. Percy and Byron motivated Mary to do some writing during this time. In 1816 Mary’s half-sister Fanny overdosed and passed away. A few months later, Harriet, who was Shelley’s estranged wife, committed suicide, and provided Shelley the opportunity to marry Mary after their many years together. Shelley wasn’t granted custody of his children from his former marriage and was forced to give them to foster parents. Though there had been many tragic events in 1816, the relationship between the Goodwin and Shelley families had improved with the marriage of Mary and