Frankenstein facts for kids
Frankenstein's monster
in the first movie adaptation, (1910) |
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| Author | Mary Shelley |
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| Language | English |
| Genre | Gothic, Horror, Romance, science fiction |
| Publisher | Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones |
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Publication date
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11 March 1818 |
| Media type | |
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is a famous novel by Mary Shelley. It tells the story of a creature made in a strange science experiment. Mary Shelley was only 19 when she started writing it. The book was first published in London in 1818. Her name was added to the book in 1823.
Mary Shelley traveled near Geneva, Switzerland. This area is where much of the story happens. She talked about strange and mysterious ideas with her friends. These friends included her future husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley. One day, Mary, Percy, Lord Byron, and his doctor John Polidori had a fun idea. They decided to see who could write the best horror story. After weeks of thinking, Shelley had a dream. She dreamt of a scientist who created life. The scientist was horrified by what he had done. This dream became the start of Frankenstein.
Since the book came out, people often call the monster "Frankenstein." This is not quite right, as Frankenstein is the scientist's name. But it is a very common way to use the word now. In the book, the monster is called many things. These include "creature," "monster," "fiend," and "daemon." The monster also calls himself "the Adam of your labors."
What is the Story of Frankenstein About?
Frankenstein is about a young scientist named Victor Frankenstein. He creates a smart creature using an unusual science experiment. He brings his creation to life during an electrical storm. The monster scares Frankenstein. It begins to kill people without a clear reason.
Frankenstein chases the monster all the way to the Arctic. He dies while trying to catch the creature. The Creature then feels sad over Victor's body. It promises to burn itself on a funeral fire. This way, no one else will ever know it existed. The monster then floats away on an ice raft. It is never seen again.
Images for kids
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A draft of Frankenstein showing Mary Shelley's writing.
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Different versions of the Frankenstein book.
See also
In Spanish: Frankenstein o el moderno Prometeo para niños
