 The themes of loss, guilt, and the consequences of defying nature present in the novel all developed from Mary Shelley's own life.The loss of her mother, the relationship with her father, and the death of her first child created the monster and his separation from parental guidance.In a 1965 issue of "The Journal of Religion and Health" a psychologist proposed guilt stemmed from her not feeling good enough for Percy because of the loss of their child.