Frankenstein (with an Introduction by Sir Walter Scott)

Shelley's enduringly popular and rich gothic tale, Frankenstein, confronts some of the most feared innovations of evolutionism and science--topics such as degeneracy, hereditary disease, and humankind's ability to act as creator of the modern world. This new edition, based on the harder andwittier 1818 version of the text, draws on new research and examines the novel in the context of the controversial radical sciences developing in the years following the Napoleonic Wars. In addition it shows the relationship of Frankenstein's experiment to the contemporary debate between championsof materialistic science and proponents of received religion.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expertintroductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. Shelley's Enduringly Popular And Rich Gothic Tale Confronts Some Of The Most Feared Innovations Of Evolutionism And Science, Topics Such As Degeneracy, Hereditary Disease, And Humankind's Ability To Act As Creator Of The Modern World. This New Edition, Based On The Harder And Wittier 1818 Version Of The Text, Draws On New Research And Examines The Novel In The Context Of The Controversial Radical Sciences Developing In The Years Following The Napoleonic Wars, And Shows The Relationship Of Frankenstein's Experiment To The Contemporary Debate Between Champions Of Materialistic Science And Proponents Of Received Religion. Introduction -- Chronology -- Frankenstein -- Appendices. A. Author's Introduction To The Standard Novels Edition (1831) ; B. The Third Edition (1831): Substantive Changes ; C. The Quarterly Review And Radical Science, 1819. Mary Shelley ; Edited With Introduction And Notes By Marilyn Butler. Includes Bibliographical References. This is the original edition which was published in 3 volumes. The cover photograph is of Volume 1. Published anonymously. By Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. First edition. With half-titles. Title page with quote from Milton's Paradise Lost: "Did I request thee, maker, from my clay / To mould me man? Did I solicit thee / From darkness to promote me?" Printer statement from title page verso of volume 1; place of printing follows printer. Pagination: volume 1: xii, 181, [3] pages; volume 2: [4], 156 pages; volume 3: [4], 192, [4] pages. Publisher's advertisements on 2 unnumbered pages at end of volume 1 and 2 unnumbered pages at the end of volume 3. SUMMARY: Shelley's enduringly popular and rich gothic tale confronts some of the most feared innovations of evolutionism and science--topics such as degeneracy, hereditary disease, and humankind's ability to act as creator of the modern world. This new edition, based on the harder and wittier 1818 version of the text, draws on new research and examines the novel in the context of the controversial radical sciences developing in the years following the Napoleonic Wars, and shows the relationship of Frankenstein's experiment to the contemporary debate between champions of materialistic science and proponents of received religion.