Geneva, Switzerland

International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva, Switzerland

Mary Shelley, along with Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, and others, spent the summer of 1816 at the Villa Diodati near Lake Geneva. The gloomy weather and the group's discussions about ghost stories inspired Mary to begin writing "Frankenstein." The summer of 1816 was known as the "Year Without a Summer" due to the volcanic eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815, which led to severe weather conditions. The dark and stormy nights contributed to the eerie atmosphere that influenced Shelley's writing. 

Geneva was an independent city-state until 1798, when it was annexed by France during the Napoleonic era. Geneva was a hub for Enlightenment thinkers. The city was home to notable figures such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who was born there in 1712. The intellectual environment was vibrant, with discussions on philosophy, science, and politics shaping the city's cultural landscape.  The late 1700s were marked by social upheaval, influenced by the broader European context of the French Revolution. Geneva experienced its own revolution in 1782, which led to significant political and social reforms. Geneva continued to grow and develop, with improvements in infrastructure and public spaces. The city's architecture reflected its prosperity and cultural significance.

The region around Lake Geneva was renowned for its stunning landscapes. The natural beauty of the area provided inspiration for many writers and artists, including Mary Shelley during her stay in 1816. Geneva in the late 1700s was a dynamic city, balancing its rich historical heritage with the changes brought about by the Enlightenment and the French Revolution.

“Geneva - History.” Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/place/Geneva-Switzerland/History.

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Parent Map

Echoes of Empowerment: Women’s Journey Through British Literary History-KW

Coordinates

Latitude: 46.204390700000
Longitude: 6.143157700000

Timeline of Events Associated with Geneva, Switzerland

Date Event Manage
1 Jan 1818

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

"Frankenstein", written by Mary Shelley and published in 1818, is a seminal work of Gothic literature and one of the earliest examples of science fiction. The novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Mary Shelley conceived the idea for "Frankenstein" during a stay in Switzerland in 1816, inspired by a ghost story challenge among friends, including her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron.

 The creature's struggle with identity and acceptance can be seen as a reflection of societal expectations and gender roles. Some analyses suggest that the creature's violent behavior stems from his rejection and isolation, paralleling the experiences of marginalized groups, including women. : Shelley's own experiences with motherhood and loss are reflected in the novel. The act of creating life and the subsequent abandonment by Victor can be seen as a critique of patriarchal control over women's bodies and the fear of childbirth. These feminist interpretations reveal deeper layers of the novel, making it not just a Gothic horror story but also a commentary on gender and societal norms.

Docka, Jackie. “Frankenstein: A Feminist Interpretation of Gender Construction.” Augsburg Honors Review, vol. 11, no. 1, 12 Dec. 2018, idun.augsburg.edu/honors_review/vol11/iss1/1/.

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