Mary Shelley's Sexuality and Gender Constructions in her Letters and her Earlier Novels

Molly Johnson
Dr. Sarah Mohler and Dr. Adam Davis, Faculty Mentors

Within the past 50 years, the major works of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley have been used as a template of feminist criticism. However, the history of Mary Shelley’s life adds further complexity when her works are analyzed in the context of historical queer and female experiences. After Percy Shelley's death, Mary developed infatuations with women, and her sexuality became fluid and complex. Her sexuality and feelings towards men and women, influenced by the coldness of her father, the impetuousness of Byron, and the wild ups and downs of her life with Percy Shelley, is a central theme of her work. An analysis of two of her major works, Frankenstein and The Last Man, in terms of the sexuality and gender attitudes revealed to us in her confidential letters gives a unique historical and personal dialogue that illuminates new ideas of who Mary Shelley was and what gender meant to her.

Keywords: Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Gender Studies, Lesbian Studies, The Last Man

Topic(s):Women's and Gender Studies
English
History

Presentation Type: Oral Presentation

Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA