Main Points of Christopher Small's "[Percy] Shelley and Frankenstein"

The article contends that the two people who were most crucial in influencing Mary Shelley to write and shape Frankenstein were Lord Byron and Percy Shelley.

• Byron suggested the game of writing a "ghost story" that started her on the path; conversations about "the principle of life" piqued her interest
• Shelley encouraged her to keep expanding the novel, even when she decided to finish it after only a few pages; both always contends that Shelley in no way gave any ideas--in fact, he was out of town when most of the writing occurred--but only proof read final drafts
• Frankenstein based off of husband--Shelley often assumed Victor as a pen name/obsessed with word victory, Frankenstein's characteristics similar to the ideal version of Shelley, both governed by "vehement passions," both had ideal upbringings (though this is perhaps a "compensation for some of Mary's deprivations as a child") that focused on learning rather than childish pursuits
• Frankenstein's familial similarities and differences compared to Shelley's life--Elizabeth was the name of Shelley's mom and favorite sister, though the kind father is the opposite of Shelley's harsh father, but a similar character appeared in most of Shelley's works
• Shelley's "passion to learn the secrets of heaven and earth" is reflected in Frankenstein