"I, the wretched and forsaken, am an abortion, to be despised, kicked, and trodden underfoot" (SparkNote on Frankenstein). This famous quote said by Frankenstein, in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, which leaves a lasting impression on the reader, was intended by Shelley. Literature was an important part of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's childhood and adulthood. Mary Shelley's parents brought her literature from the day she was born. Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, as she was named at birth, was born to two rebellious intellectuals of their time, William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, on August 30, 1797. Mary Wollstonecraft was the celebrated author of A Vindication of the Right's of Woman (Mary Shelley Biography). Godwin was the author of An Inquiry Concerning Political Justice. Just twelve days later, his mother died from puerperal fever (Garrett 9). This left William to care for Mary and Fanny Imlay, Mary's three-year-old half-sister. William spent a few months putting together Memoirs of the Author of a Vindication of Woman's Rights which would be published in January 1798. It is a sensitive but factual account of Mary's life and writings, including her infatuation with the painter Henry Fuseli, his affair with former American Revolutionary Army officer, Gilbert Imlay, Fanny's father, and his two failed attempts to take his own life (Mary Shelley biography). The unintended consequence of honesty became a scandal that took many years to die down. In 1801, William married Mary Jane Clairmont, their neighbor. He already had two illegitimate children (Garrett 10). Mary Shelley's relationship with her stepmother was strained and full of tension. The new Mrs. Godwi... middle of paper... her adolescence and adulthood were also full of it, marrying an author and becoming one herself. Throughout her life it can be seen that literature truly had the greatest influence on Mary Shelley's life. She is best known for Frankenstein, but one cannot forget her other six novels, a novella, mythological dramas, short stories and articles, various travel books and biographical studies. Works Cited by Benson, Etienne, and Rebecca. SparkNote on Frankenstein. September 16, 2007Bourgoin, Suzanne M. "Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft (1797-1851)." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. General OneFile. Storm. Karns High School Library. August 24, 2007 Garrett, Martin. Mary Shelley. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2002.Ty, Eleanor. "Biography of Mary Shelley". Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Wilfrid Laurier University. September 13th 2007.