What Is The Use Of Frame Narrative In Frankenstein

Frankenstein Brings Creativity to Life

What would it take to stop the pursuit of fame? Throughout the book Frankenstein, Mary Shelley takes the reader on the entertaining journeys of Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein while they pursue their dreams in hope of reaching fame. The story begins with Robert Walton writing to his sister, Margaret, from his ship as he is exploring the area around the North Pole. He encounters Victor floating on the ice, and brings him aboard. Victor begins to tell Walton his adventurous life story involving the creation of the Creature, who continually terrorized Victor as Victor fled for his life. Although the book has a depressing tone, because of Mary Shelley's use of frame narrative, foiling characterization,

and an interesting plot, Frankenstein was an enjoyable book to read.
Mary Shelley’s use of the frame narrative prevents the reader from losing interest in the plot.

In one letter to his sister, Walton writes about his encounter with Victor. As Victor begins to tell his story to Walton, the story shifts into Victor’s perspective and he becomes the protagonist of the story. This transition from Letter 4 to Chapter 1 intrigues the audience into continuing to read the story to find out what has happened to Victor. Later on in the story, Mary Shelley changes the protagonist from Victor to the Creature, creating an interesting perspective for the audience. This shift of perspective, which happens from Chapter 10 to Chapter 11, begins to reveal the true story of the Creature. The reader finally gets to understand the story from the Creature’s point of view. With the intricate plot of the story, Shelley leaves the reader wondering what truly happened, and the change in perspective satisfies this need and makes the reader want to continue

reading.
Along with using frame narrative, Mary Shelley’s use of foiling characterization creates conflicting ideas about the characters and allows the audience to sympathize with some characters and dislike others.

Victor wants to be away from society and do his own thing, while the Creature wants to be accepted by society, but isn’t. While thinking about the cottagers the Creature is watching, the Creature states, “I asked, it is true, for greater treasures than a little food or rest; I required kindness and sympathy”(112). All of the Creature’s desires are the aspects of life which Victor takes for granted. Victor is egotistical, and is not thinking about the consequences of his actions. The Creature, on the other hand, wants to be kind, caring, and respectful, and has few needs other than being accepted by someone. Victor takes his “acceptance” in society for granted even though his actions aren’t acceptable for society. Another foil is the DeLacy family, who care about each other, live together, and suffer together and the Frankenstein family, who are spread out, not connected with each other, and all suffer individually. As summer turns to fall, the Creature observes that “[The DeLacy family] loved and sympathized with one another; and their joys, depending on each other, were not interrupted by the casualties that took place around them”(112). Even though the DeLacy family is poor, the story emphasizes their ability to stay happy in bad situations because they get through

their troubles together. On the contrary, the Frankenstein family is falling to pieces because they are spread out and don’t have each other for help. The foils between the families and characters do a good job of creating conflicting ideas and morals in the story, leaving the interpretation of which side is better up to the reader. Mary Shelley’s use of foiling characterization engages the reader and creates a personal connection between the characters and the audience.
Mary Shelley creates an interesting plot with her use of foreshadowing, which leaves the reader wondering what will happen next. Right after Robert Walton picks Victor up off of the ice, Walton states, “One man’s life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought… As I spoke, a dark gloom spread over my listener’s countenance”(12). Mary Shelley uses Victor’s emotions to display that the willingness to pursue knowledge over the lives of men had played a large role in Victor’s story. The fear Victor has while listening to Walton makes the reader question what has occurred in Victor’s life. Later on in the story, the Creature tells Victor, “I shall be with you on your wedding-night”(147). The Creature’s revengeful tone creates suspense, making the audience wonder what might happen on Victor’s wedding night. Shelley’s use of foreshadowing helps the reader think about the plot and keeps them entertained with what might happen next.
Overall, Frankenstein is a well written book which is a must read for everyone. It uses different perspectives to create a sense of understanding and strengthen the audience’s interest in the book along with characterization, and an interesting plot which engages the reader. The book constantly changes, creating suspense and curiosity through foreshadowing throughout the story. The book is interesting read and it is worth reading about the various misadventures of Victor Frankenstein and his creation.