+ Frankenstein 10 minute plan 2 Tuesday, 31 March 15 Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

+ “The use of three narrators contributes significantly to the novel’s air of mystery” How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of the novel? Set June 2012 Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

+ Step 1 Recognise the three narrators WaltonFrankensteinCreature Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

+ Step 1 continued Framing structure Walton 1&5 Frankenstein 2&4 Creature 3 – the “heart of the novel” Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

+ Step 2 work through each in turn Creature is born innocent – seeks affection Creature begins to “turn” as a result of poor treatment (education) Creature become savage and murderous Creature is outcast and wanders the barren wastes with Frankenstein. Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

+ Summary Three narrators all male used to tell the same story Different perspectives mean different areas of ignorance 3 unreliable narrative – each as subjective as the next. Themes and symbols emerge slowly Sympathies change Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

+ Walton In a sense narrates the whole Letters create intimacy with reader Self serving tone. Establishes idea of scientist as potential transgressor Introduces Victor in tone of high praise and creates questions ready for frame 2 Establishes idea of “companion as vital” and prefigures both Clerval’s role and the creature request Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

+ Frankenstein Foreshadows narrative in warnings – builds anticipation apt for schauerroman Obsessed with transgression of natural order after meeting Waldman Creator of a “monster” – the misunderstanding of the creature is not clear in frame 2 Selfish and ambitious – will allow Justine to perish rather than admit his guilt. Leaves much unknown and develops questions about the Creature Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

+ Creature Abandoned at birth- no discernible change in tone of narrative Fills in missing story re deaths - establishes compassion. Answers many questions Begins to explore central theme of poor parenting leading to “evil” behaviour Seduces Victor and establishes motives for action of frames 4&5- creation of Eve-monster Some sense of self questioning in search for improvement Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

+ Victor Narrative is defined by earlier sections - Travel to Orkney – Eve-creature – death of Clerval- imprisonment – rescue are all explained within the narrative Certainty in convictions is misplaced – wedding night is told from his perspective – only passionate embrace with Elisabeth is after her death. Account lacks any sympathy for creature he has created. Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

+ Walton Continues letters – reminder that he is the overall narrator Tells reader that Frankenstein has “corrected and augmented” his own notes prior to the letters being written – control. Sept 2: Frankenstein quells mutiny told in most glowing terms: Sept 7 th : Return is promised in very short entry Reports final speeches of Creature – establishes some remorse and justification which is absent in Frankenstein’s narrative Shares final narration. Clarifies motives. Ambivalence towards creature equals that of the reader? Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

+ The question: “contributes significantly to the novel’s air of mystery” Yes: Leaves questions for the reader which are answered due to the non-linear narrative Yes: Delays gratification in terms of the inner working of the novel Yes: By placing creature in third frame, MS ensures that nothing is clear before this mid-point is reached. Some questions still unanswered – notably how did V get into the state reported in frame 1? Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

+ The question: “contributes significantly to the novel’s air of mystery” NO: Rationale from context: 3 male narrators hides female authorship and protects Shelley NO; The frames are the real developers of mystery, not the narrators – no real difference in voice between them. (this should be developed for other essays relating to narrative voice). NO: Although non linear in frames 1-3, frames 4&5 are linear and the novel assumes a linear shape – narrators say more about character than about developing mystery in second half of novel NO: Final frame ends up shared with Walton quoting the final words of the Creature as the close of the novel – creature is allowed to show remorse and offer explanations – a sense of loss permeates the speech – no mystery here. Jonathan Peel JLS 2015