Family:
* Mary Wollstonecraft: Her mother, a prominent feminist writer, instilled in Mary a love of literature and intellectual debate.
* William Godwin: Her father, a political philosopher and novelist, also encouraged her intellectual development and introduced her to radical thinkers and ideas.
* Percy Shelley: Her husband, the Romantic poet, was a strong influence on her writing, both through his own work and their shared discussions about literature and philosophy.
Literature:
* John Milton's *Paradise Lost*: The epic poem was a major source of inspiration for Shelley's *Frankenstein*, particularly its themes of ambition, rebellion, and the consequences of playing God.
* Gothic literature: Shelley was well-versed in the Gothic genre, with authors like Horace Walpole and Ann Radcliffe influencing her fascination with the dark and mysterious.
* Romanticism: The Romantic movement, with its emphasis on emotion, imagination, and the power of nature, played a significant role in shaping Shelley's writing.
Personal experiences:
* Her childhood: Mary's childhood, marked by the early death of her mother and her unconventional upbringing, likely shaped her interest in exploring themes of loss, isolation, and the supernatural.
* Her travels: Her travels with Percy Shelley across Europe exposed her to different cultures and ideas, which she later incorporated into her writing.
* The creation of *Frankenstein*: The famous story is said to have been inspired by a challenge during a trip to Switzerland, where she and her friends dared each other to write a ghost story.
Ultimately, it was a combination of these influences that shaped Mary Shelley's literary vision and inspired her to write groundbreaking works like *Frankenstein*. Her ability to weave together personal experiences, literary influences, and philosophical ideas into captivating stories established her as a prominent figure in the history of literature.