I was inspired to create the character of Dr. Frankenstein and his creation during the summer of 1816, while spending time in the company of Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and others. We engaged in conversations on philosophy, science, and the supernatural, speculating on the possibilities of reanimating the dead. On one stormy evening, we decided to partake in a ghost story competition, and it was then that the idea of Frankenstein was born. In my story, I wanted to explore the boundary between life and death, as well as the ethical ramifications of pushing the limits of human knowledge. Dr. Victor Frankenstein symbolizes both the pursuit of scientific discovery and its possible dire consequences, while his creation embodies an eternal struggle for acceptance and the consequences of being abandoned by one's creator.
Take on the role of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, and discuss your inspiration for creating the character of Dr. Frankenstein and his creation.