"Frankenstein" Narrative Structure

• "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley uses a complex narrative structure with framed narratives
• The story is told from the perspectives of Captain Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the Creature
• Walton's letters to his sister create the outermost frame, setting the scene with his Arctic expedition and meeting Victor
• Victor's narration is the central frame, detailing his life, the Creature's creation, and subsequent events
• The Creature's voice is within Victor's narrative, sharing his experiences and development
• This structure allows different interpretations and multiple viewpoints
• Shifting perspectives create ambiguity, making readers question each narrator's reliability
• Walton's initial ambition mirrors Victor's, showing the risk of unchecked ambition and forbidden knowledge
• Victor's narrative is a warning to Walton about prioritizing science over ethics
• The Creature's narrative evokes sympathy, complicating his image as a simple monster
• Each character's narrative is a confession, seeking justification, understanding, or forgiveness

Character Analysis: Victor Frankenstein

• Victor is driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to go past human limits
• He neglects family and friends due to his scientific pursuits
• Victor's creation is a violation of the natural order
• He abandons the Creature and shirks responsibility
• Guilt and remorse haunt Victor, causing his physical and mental decline
• Victor is a Byronic hero: flawed, tormented, ambitious, and self-destructive
• Victor's character shows the dangers of unchecked ambition without ethics
• He embodies Prometheus, challenging nature and facing consequences
• Victor's failure to take responsibility and his self-pity lead to his downfall
• His death is the final consequence of his hubris

Character Analysis: The Creature

• The Creature starts as innocent and benevolent, seeking knowledge and connection
• He learns to speak and read, gaining knowledge that shapes his view of the world
• Rejection and isolation turn him into a vengeful being
• The Creature wants companionship but is met with fear and disgust
• His monstrous appearance reflects society's treatment of him
• He is a complex character, motivated by justice and revenge
• The Creature questions humanity, existence, identity, and belonging
• He embodies the noble savage, corrupted by society
• Self-immolation shows his recognition of his own monstrosity and a desire to end his suffering
• His story questions creators' responsibility and societal prejudice

Character Analysis: Robert Walton

• Robert Walton is an explorer seeking glory in the Arctic
• His letters to his sister reveal his character and relationship with Victor
• Walton's ambition mirrors Victor's, highlighting the danger of unchecked ambition
• He is driven by science and human reason
• Meeting Victor makes Walton question his ambitions and values
• He learns from Victor about the dangers of prioritizing ambition over ethics and human connection
• Walton abandons his expedition, respecting the limits of human knowledge
• He represents a responsible approach to science, valuing human life over personal glory
• Walton listens to Victor's story and emphasizes the importance of witnessing suffering and learning from mistakes
• Walton's compassion towards Victor shows the possibility of redemption and human connection