The Real Shelley. New Views of the Poet's Life. Vol. 2 (of 2)

"The Real Shelley: New Views of the Poet's Life, Vol. 2" by John Cordy Jeaffreson is a historical analysis that explores the world of Percy Bysshe Shelley. This account, written in the late 1800s, is written with the goal to reveal Shelley's life, focusing on those around him, especially William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft. Jeaffreson kicks off this volume by pointing out errors in earlier Shelley biographies, like those by Kegan Paul, leading into Godwin's life and his link to Shelley. By looking closely at Godwin's past, writings, and relationships, including his complicated marriages, the book sets the stage for understanding how Shelley was influenced and how this impacted his poems. The narrative builds toward Mary Wollstonecraft's complex life and her relationship with Godwin, touching on themes of love, societal norms, and how revolutionary ideas affected people's lives.