In the early 19th century, however, many of his actions and beliefs were attacked as immoral. As a result of these actions, she would end up being ostracized by both the society she had left behind and the family she had betrayed. Although she was confident in the validity of her decisions, she was deeply affected by this experience of isolation from everything she had ever known. Shelley's excommunication by his family and social banishment from his native country may have inspired him to include similar events in the development of a Frankenstein character, Felix De Lacey. By choosing to elope with Percy, Mary defied the social expectation that she would obey her father in all respects. As punishment for this transgression, she became virtually dead to her family. Edward Ball described this situation, writing: "In the eyes of her father – and of English society – she had become a 'fallen woman' and a moral pariah" (Ball). By continuing her engagement to Percy and running away against her father's wishes, Mary knew full well that she was severing all ties to the family and life she would leave behind. As a result, the consequences of this decision did not come as a surprise to her and her husband. However, the banishment from her home and family probably inspired some feelings of regret in her, despite her belief that she was right. The resulting emotional pain