Dreaming of eternal tranquility wins E. Quaff's the elixir of immortality, but soon his

tranquility turns to torture.

Mary Shelley, today on the Classic Tales podcast.

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Today's story was commissioned in 1883 for The Keepsake, a literary annual, which combined

short fiction, poetry, and engraved artwork.

The mortal Immortal is an example of a Godwinian confessional narrative, a technique developed

by Mary's father William Godwin in his novel, Sent Leon.

Godwin's novel features a tragic, immortal protagonist, possessed of exceptional powers,

but unable to use them well.

The narrative technique and the theme of exploring the nature of life and immortality are evident

in many of Shelley's writings, including the short story Transformation and, of course,

Frankenstein.

And now, the mortal Immortal by Mary Shelley.

July 16th, 1833.

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