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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/2195786-Life-of-Mary-Shelley-Ch02
Rated: E · Chapter · Biographical · #2195786
How Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin became Mary Shelley
"I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe, if I cannot satisfy the one I will indulge the other" wrote Mary Shelley.

Mary Shelley is a name that will always be remembered.Not only she was the daughter of the two reverend philosophers but the company she grew in,her companions throughout her life make her all the more interesting.
The circle included Percy Shelley,Coleridge,Lord Byron,Leigh Hunt Thomas love Peacock,John Keats. Mary wrote many novels and a few poems but her only most famous work was Frankenstein which was enough to mark her name in the history of literature forever and when Mary wrote Frankenstein she was living with Percy Shelley but she was not Mary Shelley yet.So how did she become Mary Shelley.Mary's behaviour towards her step mother was just fine but her dislike. towards her was not hidden.One day Godwin decided to send Mary to live with William Baxter's family in Scotland where she developed a close friendship with Baxter's daughter Isabella who too had lost her mother. Both girls used to talk about talking with dead people and reviving the dead.William Baxter's home was a place where poets and authors used to collaborate and indulge in discussions.This is where Mary came to know about Shelley.Percy Byshhe Shelley the author,the poet who wrote Queen Mab at such a young age.
Mary met Shelley when she went back to her home in London where Percy Shelley had now become a frequent visitor.Godwin's works had a great influence on Percy Shelley. Percy Shelley entered into an arrangement with Godwin and as Godwin was always short of money he accepted this opportunity as Percy Shelley had a handsome allowance on his part from his father.
Mary used to guide Shelley when he had trouble looking for books in Godwin's library.They used to meet at Mary Wollstonecraft's grave where Mary used to visit and spend her alone time.Her mother's grave-the graveyard it was the place where Mary allowed herself to feel her fears and sadness truly.She used to think and she always believed that she is the one who killed her mother as her mother died just few days after giving birth to her.She used to read and write while sitting there.
This connection was established long ago in Mary's childhood when she learned to read by touching the letters of her mother's name inscribed on her grave.It was Mary's place-a place where she used to find peace and understand herself better facing the loss and the pain of life ,looking for a connection to a mother whom she never met but seemed to know very well.And so the connection between Percy and Mary strengthened.
The fire of Mary's soul ignited the love of this romantic revolutionist poet and this was the time when Mary chose to reciprocate Shelley's proposal and fall in love following the path of her mother.
To be continued..
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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/2195786-Life-of-Mary-Shelley-Ch02