4.2.1
Form
Framed Narrative and Epistolary Form
Framed Narrative and Epistolary Form
‘Frankenstein’ is written as a framed narrative, which can be described as a Chinese box narrative. It is also an example of epistolary form (novels told through other documents.)
Multi-narrative
Multi-narrative
- The main narrative voice is Victor’s, and he relays what the Monster said to him when they met.
- However, both of these narratives are actually told through Walton in his letters to his sister, Margaret Saville, and so each narrative is encapsulated within another.
Epistolary form
Epistolary form
- Epistolary form is a literary form which was popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
- It is when novels are told through the medium of other documents, such as letters or journals.
Shelley's use
Shelley's use
- Although 'Frankenstein' is not a pure example of this form, Shelley makes use of it in the novel.
- She begins and ends with Walton’s letters to his sister, and includes various letters written between other characters.
Purpose?
Purpose?
- The inclusion of these letters can be seen to add a sense of authenticity to the narrative, particularly with Walton’s letters, in which he claims to have witnessed the events he describes first hand.
Key Quotations: Form
Key Quotations: Form
‘Frankenstein’ is written as a framed narrative, which can be described as a Chinese box narrative. It is also an example of epistolary form (novels told through other documents.)
Authenticity
Authenticity
- Walton is clearly convinced of the truth of Victor's tale, which, in turn, encourages the reader to be.
- Shelley furthers this effect by having Walton claim to have read Victor's evidence, thereby adding authenticity to the narrative.
(Walton, in continuation)
(Walton, in continuation)
- “His tale is connected, and told with an appearance of the simplest truth; yet I own to you that the letters of Felix and Safie, which he showed me, and the apparition of the monster seen from our ship, brought to me a greater conviction of the truth of his narrative than his asseverations, however earnest and connected. Such a monster has then really existence! I cannot doubt it; yet I am lost in surprise and admiration.”
Further evidence
Further evidence
- Walton refers to his own process of writing down Victor's narrative, which again encourages the reader to view it as more authentic.
- Shelley suggests that Victor has edited the notes himself, thereby allowing it to seem as if Victor's narrative has gone through a real editing process, making it more accurate and closer to the real truth.
Dishonesty
Dishonesty
- Ironically, the fact that Victor desires to check Walton's notes could imply that he goes on to doctor the narrative: after all, the majority of this tale is told from the point of view of one of the participants.
(Walton, in continuation)
(Walton, in continuation)
- “Frankenstein discovered that I made notes concerning his history: he asked to see them, and then himself corrected and augmented them in many places; but principally in giving the life and spirit to the conversations he held with his enemy."
- "'Since you have preserved my narration," said he, "I would not that a mutilated one should go down to posterity.'”
1Plot Summaries
1.1Volume I
2Characters
2.1Victor Frankenstein
2.2The Monster
3Key Themes
3.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge
3.2Prejudice
3.4Companionship & Family
3.5Revenge
3.6Monstrosity
4Authorial Method
4.1Genre & Intertextuality
4.2Form & Structure
4.3Settings & Symbolism
4.4Imagery & Doubling
5Context
Jump to other topics
1Plot Summaries
1.1Volume I
2Characters
2.1Victor Frankenstein
2.2The Monster
3Key Themes
3.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge
3.2Prejudice
3.4Companionship & Family
3.5Revenge
3.6Monstrosity
4Authorial Method
4.1Genre & Intertextuality
4.2Form & Structure
4.3Settings & Symbolism
4.4Imagery & Doubling
5Context
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