Mother Monster (and no, I'm not talking about Lady Gaga)

- Frankenstein is clearly written by a woman based solely on the subject of birth: its emphasis is on the trauma of the afterbirth rather than what precedes the birth or even the birth itself.

- Victor defies morality not by living forever, but by giving birth.

- Throughout the text, birth is a dangerous and hideous thing.

- Shelley's perspective as a woman, and a woman with topsy-turvy past concerning children and sexuality defined the work.