Frankenstein - Point of View Allyssa, Jacob, Emily J

Frame Narration A story within a story within a story

First person The monster’s story as told by Victor, is written down by Walton in letters to his sister. Victor’s story as written down by Walton in letters to his sister. Walton’s story written down by himself in letters to his sister.

Irony Normally, a point of view in the first person gives us an exact account of the events throughout the novel. However in Frankenstein, because of the frame narration, the reader is subject to bias by Walton (as he is the one writing the story), a bias in Victor’s retelling of the monsters story to Walton and misunderstanding of time (as Victor’s storytelling may have confusing gaps in time.)

3 Points of View Explorer Frankenstein Monster

Walton Corresponds to his sister through writing letters, detailing Frankenstein’s story- aka "epistolary form“ (a novel written as a series of documents-usually letters) Quote: LETTER IV To Mrs, Saville, England August 5th, 17-… “Some of my comrades groaned, and my own mind began to grow watchful with anxious thoughts, when a strange sight suddenly attracted our attention, and diverted our solicitude from our own situation. We perceived a low carriage, fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs, pass on towards the north, at the distance of half a mile: a being which had the shape of man, but apparently of gigantic stature, sat in the sledge, and guided the dogs. We watched the rapid progress of the traveler with our telescopes, until he was lost among the distant inequalities of the ice.”

Victor Is found by Walton and his crew and relays his story, as well as Frankenstein’s story, to Walton. Quote: “I am by birth a Genevese; and my family is one of the most distinguished of that republic.”

Monster First speaks when he finds Victor (chapter 10) and begins to tell Victor his story after he was abandoned. Although we hear the monster’s story as first person, we have to remember it is Victor retelling the story to Walton. Quote: “"I expected this reception," said the daemon. "All men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated, who am miserable beyond all living things! Yet you, my creator, detest and spurn me, thy creature, to whom thou art bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us. You purpose to kill me. How dare you sport thus with life? Do your duty towards me, and I will do mine towards you and the rest of mankind. If you will comply with my conditions, I will leave them and you at peace; but if you refuse, I will glut the maw of death, until it be satiated with the blood of your remaining friends."