The Spark of Science Fiction: Fun Trivia from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Evan Swensen
April 10, 2024

In the landscape of literary genres, science fiction stands tall, a bastion of innovation and imagination. But where did it begin? The year was 1818, when a young Mary Shelley, just 18 years of age, introduced the world to her creation: Frankenstein. This novel is not just a story; it is the cornerstone of what would become a vast universe of science fiction. So, gather around lovers of trivia and fun facts for a dive into the trivia tidbits of Frankenstein.

Let’s set the scene in the picturesque setting of Lake Geneva, where a group of friends, including the literary greats Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley, decided to engage in a friendly competition of who could pen the best horror story. Among them was Percy’s 18-year-old wife, Mary, whose vivid imagination gave birth to a tale that seamlessly blended the gothic horrors of its time with the then-emerging fabric of scientific discovery.

Frankenstein is often recognized as the first work of science fiction for its innovative incorporation of the scientific method and modern technology to animate the dead. This was a period when electricity sparked curiosity across Europe, where experiments like those of Luigi Galvani, with his galvanism, influenced the public’s understanding of life and death. Inspired by such scientific endeavors, Shelley’s story did more than just send shivers down the spine—it asked profound questions about creation, responsibility, and the limits of scientific exploration.

The novel’s protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, embodied the quintessential mad scientist long before the trope became a staple in pop culture. His creation, often erroneously referred to as Frankenstein (when, in fact, it remains nameless throughout the novel), represents humanity’s complex relationship with progress and knowledge. Interestingly, Shelley’s masterpiece predated the term “science fiction” itself, which wouldn’t be coined until the 1920s by Hugo Gernsback. It’s amusing to think how Shelley, scribbling away by candlelight, was pioneering a genre without even knowing it.

While many believe Frankenstein to be a standalone marvel, Shelley’s trailblazing didn’t stop at its pages. Her lesser-known work, The Last Man (1826), dabbled in post-apocalyptic fiction, setting the stage for a new realm of storytelling. It speaks to the dynamism of her creativity, her ability to weave tales stretching beyond her time, stories that invited readers to ponder what lay on the horizon.

In the spirit of fun trivia, did you know that Frankenstein was initially published anonymously? It made many readers presume that Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary’s husband, was the author. It wasn’t until the second edition in 1823 that Mary Shelley was credited, and her name was etched alongside her monumental work.

Delving into Frankenstein’s pages, we discover an abundance of themes transcending the horror and science fiction genres. Shelley’s work is as much a mirror to the soul as it is a lens to the future.

Moreover, consider the monster itself—a patchwork of different pieces brought to life by a spark. Isn’t that reflective of creativity itself? Shelley teaches us that stories are often an assemblage of various ideas and experiences, reanimated with the electricity of the writer’s voice.

As a fun bit of trivia, Frankenstein’s subtitle, “The Modern Prometheus,” draws a parallel with the Greek myth of Prometheus, who defied the gods by giving fire to humanity. Shelley’s novel is imbued with this Promethean spirit, challenging the celestial order of her day, questioning the fire of the Enlightenment, and ultimately birthing a genre that would forever change how we look at the stars and ourselves.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley isn’t just a novel; it’s a historical beacon that illuminates the curiosities of its time and the endless possibilities of the mind. It’s a fun trivia note that echoes through the annals of literary history, reminding us that sometimes, it’s the youngest voices, like that of an 18-year-old girl on a stormy Swiss night, who tell the tales that endure the test of time.

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