Why Frankenstein?

Remember, thou hast made me more powerful than thyself.

If you have been following me for a while, you'll be aware of my new Classics in Context courses which are kicking off from September 2025. The first text we'll be tackling is the classic gothic horror story, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley.

Decided on which text to study is a bit like choosing a favourite child but I settled on Frankenstein as the first because, while many people know the image of the monster and the concept of man creating life, few people have actually read the, far more complex story. In many ways it is a classic idea: the hubris of man bringing about his own destruction - but it is more than this: is progress always a good thing? Should there be restraints on science? What is virtue? How does one atone for sin? Why is it the innocent who always pay for the mistakes of the guilty?

There is a huge amount to discuss in the text alone but the course will go further: the book, published in 1818 (and revised in 1831) was heavily influenced by the events of the time. In the previous 50 years the world had seen two major revolutions (in America and France) and the development of industry and empire at a rate never experienced before. On top of this, the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815 caused global climate change: harvests failed and skies darkened. The world in which Mary Shelley lived was a period of dramatic change and not always change for the better.

As we move through the text, students will have the chance to discuss and evaluate the way in which the world of the early nineteenth century impacted on Shelley's ideas and reflect on the themes of the story.

There are still a few places available for the September cohort. If you'd like to know more, fill in this form for updates.