Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, is the full title.

So much has been written about this novel over the years; so much has been analysed about Mary Shelley’s personal life and social circle she moved in and the psychological undercurrents of the novel, and its place in literary history and how it might be the first real science fiction novel and its engagement with both the romantic, gothic style and with ideas of the Enlightenment and scientific progress… that it is all a bit overwhelming. I will not try to be a perfect spokesperson for this novel and not present some academic synthesis of all this information. I have a life! I’ll just note some things that stood out to me.

The story of Frankenstein is all about knowledge and wisdom. What are these things, and are they safe pursuits? The story of the “monster” is set within the framework…