When one thinks of context in literature, most people think about the author’s political, cultural, or religious background.  The Trojan War obviously heavily influenced Homer’s tale of Odysseus.  Shakespeare’s inclusion of omens was influenced by the superstitious beliefs of his time period.

So, what happens when it’s actually climate change that influences literature?  What would the result be then?  Read the article at NPR to discover how weather patterns indirectly led to one of the greatest novels of all time.

Did Climate Inspire the Birth of a Monster? : NPR.

…Shelley wrote her book during a period of extremely freaky weather in Europe and North America.

Most people look at Frankenstein as a simple tale of arrogant science running amuck. But it can also be viewed as an example of how climate change can have a profound effect on artists.

Mary Shelley started writing the book in 1816, when she was just a teenager. It wasn’t too long after she had run off with the married poet Percy Shelley. They went to Switzerland for a summer vacation.

“I think the plan had been to be tourists and go climbing mountains and things like that,” Phillips says. “And they couldn’t, because of the weather.”

The weather was beyond bad. It was unbelievable.

“And we know why it was bad weather,” Phillips says. “It was because of this volcano.”

We often think of climate change and global warming as modern concepts – however, Frankenstein proves otherwise.

Further your knowledge: read more about Mount Tambora and The Year Without a Summer.  Then, on your own blog, predict how modern science and modern weather patterns will influence literature written during this time period.  What do you think will have the biggest influence on contemporary literature?