The science of life and death in Frankenstein
(Book)

Book Cover
Published
Oxford : Bodleian Library Publishing, 2021.
ISBN
9781851245574, 185124557X
Physical Desc
152 pages, 32 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color), portraits (some color), ; 24 cm
Status

Copies

LocationCall NumberStatus
Framingham State - MainPR5397 .F73 R87 2021On Shelf

More Details

Published
Oxford : Bodleian Library Publishing, 2021.
Format
Book
Language
English
ISBN
9781851245574, 185124557X

Notes

Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages [125]-146) and index.
Description
What is life? This was a question of particular concern for Mary Shelley and her contemporaries. But how did she, and her fellow Romantic writers, incorporate this debate into their work, and how much were they influenced by contemporary science, medicine and personal loss? This book is the first to compile the many attempts in science and medicine to account for life and death in Mary Shelley's time. It considers what her contemporaries thought of air, blood, sunlight, electricity and other elements believed to be most essential for living. Mary Shelley's (and her circle's) knowledge of science and medicine is carefully examined, alongside the work of key scientific and medical thinkers, including John Abernethy, James Curry, Humphry Davy, John Hunter, William Lawrence and Joseph Priestley. Frankenstein demonstrates what Mary Shelley knew of the advice given by medical practitioners for the recovery of persons drowned, hanged or strangled and explores the contemporary scientific basis behind Victor Frankenstein's idea that life and death were merely 'ideal bounds' he could transgress in the making of the Creature. Interweaving images of the manuscript, portraits, medical instruments and contemporary diagrams into her narrative, Sharon Ruston shows how this extraordinary tale is steeped in historical scientific and medical thought exploring the fascinating boundary between life and death.

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Citations

APA Citation, 7th Edition (style guide)

Ruston, S. (2021). The science of life and death in Frankenstein . Bodleian Library Publishing.

Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Ruston, Sharon. 2021. The Science of Life and Death in Frankenstein. Bodleian Library Publishing.

Chicago / Turabian - Humanities (Notes and Bibliography) Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Ruston, Sharon. The Science of Life and Death in Frankenstein Bodleian Library Publishing, 2021.

MLA Citation, 9th Edition (style guide)

Ruston, Sharon. The Science of Life and Death in Frankenstein Bodleian Library Publishing, 2021.

Note! Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy. Citation formats are based on standards as of August 2021.

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