Perseverance and Creativity - The Creation of Mary’s Monster-Frankenstein as Metaphor to Transform Loss

Eleanor D. Hamilton, Ph.D., LPC, LMHC, as a psychotherapist, has specialized in psychological trauma, addiction/recovery, grief/loss, anger management and meditation/mindfulness in diverse cultural settings all over the US. She holds degrees from Concordia College, Columbia University, and the Florida Institute of Technology. Part of her doctoral study was in Switzerland where she received extensive training in Hypnosis. Her clinical practice, in may parts of the US, was always focused on understanding and integrating approaches to diverse cultures (African American, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian, European to name some). Her Post-doctoral study in Jungian Psychology was a helpful framework in utilizing diverse therapeutic techniques (sometimes working with Native Healers in an integrative manner). Currently she is in private practice and holds certificates in HeartMath/Biofeedback, Anger Management Therapy, Brain-Spotting and Military Counseling.

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In clinical practice, the issue of abandonment in early childhood is frequently relevant in the therapeutic process. The phenomenon of abandonment in early childhood is a critical precursor to the development of severe psychological conditions and can also evoke immense creativity. Mary Shelley's life provides a classic example of how her profound childhood loss catalyzed her creative writing. Shelley's literary masterpiece, Frankenstein, is a tribute to her perseverance and vivid imagination. The narrative of her life is symbolic of how individuals can channel their struggles into their work, transmute their pain into creativity, and create something that has an enduring impact on the world. Her story reminds us that even in the darkest of times, we have the power to create something beautiful and enduring.

Shelley's life and work offer compelling insights into the role of early-life experiences in shaping an individual's creativity and resilience.