structure of noble Frankenstein
Answers
Frankenstein is a multi-strand narrative with 3 different first person
narrators. Shelley uses a framing device (the reason for the telling of
the main narrative) and epistolary narration (when a story is told
through letters).
The complex narrative structure of Frankenstein involves framed or
embedded narratives – what has been called a Russian doll structure
of stories within stories, that looks something like this:
[Robert Walton [Victor Frankenstein [Monster] Victor Frankenstein]
Robert Walton]
Walton’s narrative provides the framing device, The monster has the
embedded narrative, and the protagonist Victor is our main narrator.
The first person narratives can be seen to be limited or unreliable, as
can the Chinese whispers effect, which may make the reader feel
more unsettled, but also distances them from the horrific events of
the plot.
The intention of each narrative
is to create some effect on the
reader. The narrative of
monster attempts to convince
his creator, Victor, to take his
responsibility as parent and to
make a mate for him. This
results in the reader feeling
sympathy for the monster,
however these feelings could be
mixed as he also commits
terrible acts. Victor’s narrative
ventures to persuade Walton to
end his journey and to destroy
the monster (the cautionary
tale).
Through the narratives, the
parallels between the
characters are sketched that
link the stories together, such as
the shared ambition and desire
for knowledge of V & W, and
the shared thirst for revenge
from Victor and the monste