Each literary period is a reinterpretation of the one before. There may be a synthesis of the previous themes and ideals, or a rebellion against them, but the preceding works invariably inform and influence new authors. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, originally published in 1818 with a second edition published in 1831, although assigned to the Romantic period of literature1798-1832, surpasses her contemporaries by its complexity of themes, scientific and religious pragmatism, as well as social commentaries embedded deep within. In 1812 Mary Shelley the nineteen year old and her friends made a literary competition in Geneva Switzerland to see who could make the best ghost story. Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein along side with her husband Percy Shelley both working with their own projects Mary with Frankenstein and Percy with his own project Prometheus unbound. It could be said that in the time after the scientific revolution or the age of reflection influenced her in the way of the mad scientist creating life and tempering in the realm of god. The story of Victor Frankenstein (God) and his creation (Frankenstein), victor neglecting his creation and the "monster" wondering why he is hated.
First examine the life of Mary Shelley, particularly the personal live and ideologies of those who she was closest. It is here that we will discover how her mother and fathers preoccupation with social inequality as well as atheism would influence her own beliefs and in turn, her novel. Shelley's closest friends and husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley also had a major influence on her with concerns and be1liefs, and see how she used new ideas, philosophies, and beliefs into her novel. The eighteen year old writer sat amazed by the conversations between her friends and the passionate poet she adored, Percy Bysshe Shelley regarding the latest scientific experiments upon cadavers and what they might mean philosophically in terms of the limitations of science.
