Mary Shelley — Creation though Grief

Mary Shelley. (1).

The start of Mary Shelley's painful familiarity with grief began at a young age. Her mother, unfortunately, passed away due to complications from childbirth shortly after Mary was born. Throughout her life, she faced numerous tragedies and overcame personal challenges that include losing her own children. Even though she was presented with countless devastating experiences, she found a way to create through her grief. She lived a full and eventful life.

When Mary Shelley was sixteen, she eloped with Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was twenty-four at the time. Soon after, she became pregnant with their first child, Clara, who tragically died shortly after being born. Following the loss of their child, she endured a series of personal tragedies that deepened her understanding of loss. Although it was a common occurrence during this time period, the impact remains the same. Two weeks after Clara had passed, Mary Shelley wrote, “Dream that my little baby came to life again – that it had only been cold and that we rubbed it by the fire and it lived – I awake and find no baby – I think about the little thing all day.” (2). Shelley suffered a miscarriage and gave birth to two more children, one whom she named in honor of her first child, who died, Clara Everina and Percy Florence. Clara Everina died from an infection, and Percy was their only child who survived to adulthood.

Mary Shelley's son, William. (2).

In the early 19th century and prior, motherhood was idealized as a woman’s primary role. During this time period, a woman was defined by marriage, motherhood, domesticity, and reproduction. When Mary was eighteen, she had another child named William. In real life, Mary’s son, William, unfortunately, passed away at a young age due to an illness. This connection can be linked to her infamous novel, Frankenstein. In the story, William is the younger brother of one of the central characters, Victor Frankenstein. He is murdered by the creature Victor created at a young age.  

In Mary Shelley's novel, she removes women from the story when it comes to creating life. Victor creates the creature but does not actually become a parental figure. There is no maternal bond, care, or nurturing. "The connection typically made from experiencing childbirth is absent, and that is what creates their horrifying relationship. All, the women portrayed in her novel experience hardships, which ultimately lead to death." (3). This further contributes to the connection between the novel Frankenstein and Mary Shelley as a mother. This idea is important because it reveals that the horror in Frankenstein is not simply the existence of the creature but the way he is brought into the world without love, care, or meaningful connections.

Mary Shelley and a page from her Frankenstein manuscript. (5).

In her novel, she showcases what happens when someone is created, abandoned, and left without love, family, or guidance. Victor abandoning his creation is one of the most central tragedies of the novel. "In Frankenstein, she analyzed the disastrous consequences of the absence of a nurturing parent or supportive family." (4). By highlighting these key themes, Shelley is demonstrating the importance of care and attachment, something she is deeply familiar with.

The life and experiences Mary Shelley has endured are severely reflected in Frankenstein. Through this, she was able to highlight the themes of parental responsibility and creation. Her familiarity with grief added a greater meaning and understanding to the story. By understanding her background, it reveals numerous layers to the novel. Ultimately, this does help readers further see the novel as more than just a story and how it can be perceived as a reflection of emotions and the struggles that come with them.

Works Cited

1.) Wikipedia Contributors. “Mary Shelley.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Jan. 2019,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Shelley. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

2.) Burdon, Suzanne. “Mary Shelley and Motherhood.” ‎Suzanne Burdon, 13 May 2017, www.suzanneburdon.com/blog/2017/5/13/mary-shelley-and-motherhood. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

3.) Ashby, Campbell. “Personal Problems = Great Literature: Shelley’s Motherhood Issues Reflected In Frankenstein.” Celebrating Writers and Writing in Our Communities Volume 2 Issue 1, 2019, digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&context=rwc. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

4.) Mellor, Anne K. Mary Shelley: Her Life, Her Fiction, Her Monsters. (p. 13). New York, NY, Routledge, 1989. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

5.) “Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein.’” Origins, origins.osu.edu/milestones/march-2018-mary-shelleys-frankenstein. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.