Shaina Gong Mikol Jao Belinda Jiang

 Point of view is the perspective of the narrative voice. -First person: I did my homework. -Second person: You need to do your homework. -Third person: No one did their homework.  Point of view helps tell the story in an elaborate and flowing manner that allows for readers to connect with the narrator emotionally.  It opens different perspectives for readers to have a greater scope in understanding the story.  It adds characterization and more depth to each character.

 The point of view in Frankenstein shifts many times. From this, we are able to understand that each character had their own set of troubles that caused them pain. The main conflict of Frankenstein vs. The Creature is told from different points of view. Walton  Frankenstein  The Creature  Frankenstein  Walton

 “You have read this strange and terrific story… and do you not feel your blood congeal with horror, like that which even now curdles mine?” (Shelley 155).

 Walden’s manner of speaking in second person makes the audience feel addressed. This helps the readers identify with Walden’s feelings of being enthralled with Frankenstein’s surreal tale of horror.

 “I never saw a more interesting creature; his eyes have generally an expression of wildness, and even madness, but there are moments when, if any one performs an act of kindness towards him or does him any the most trifling service, his whole countenance is lighted up, as it were, with a beam of benevolence and sweetness that I never saw equaled. But he is generally melancholy and despairing; and sometimes he gnashes his teeth; as if impatient of the weight of woes that oppresses him” (Shelley 9).

 As Walden describes Frankenstein from his point of view in the beginning, the readers are later able to see the similarity in the description of Frankenstein to that of the creature, who share many of the same qualities.

 “I was bewildered, in a cloud of wonder and horror. The death of William, the execution of Justine, the murder of Clerval, and lastly my wife; even at that moment I knew not that my only remaining friends were safe from the malignity of the fiend” (Shelley 146).

 Frankenstein’s misfortunes overwhelm him, and the readers realize how much Frankenstein has fallen since the death, execution, and murder of his recently, once- living family and friends whom he cherished so dearly. The readers are able to understand the pain he is going through and empathize with his fear of losing more of his loved ones. Readers are able to connect with Frankenstein’s emotions more due to the first person point of view.

 “As the memory of past misfortunes pressed upon me, I began to reflect on their cause – the monster whom I had created, the miserable daemon whom I had sent abroad into the world for my destruction” (Shelley 147).

 Frankenstein has a revelation about the cause and birth of his misery, and he realizes that he is at fault for creating the source of his own adversities and misery. As the audience, we view the whole situation heavily ironic and are able to piece the story together in a manner that conveys the story’s horror.

 I formed in my imagination a thousand pictures of presenting myself to them, and their reception of me. I imagined that they would be disgusted, until, by my gentle demeanor and conciliating words, I should first win their favour, and afterwards their love” (Shelley 81).

 The audience becomes warm to the idea of the creature’s existence after knowing the creature’s yearning and shy, gentle hopes of being loved and accepted by man. The readers are able to understand that the creature was born kind and good.

 “Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? I know not; despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feeling were those of rage and revenge” (Shelley 97).

 The readers are able to witness the mentality behind the change in the creature’s demeanor, and we see how his innocent hopes and dreams were crushed and resulted in a hateful, bitter, and miserable monster.

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. 3rd ed. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., Print.