- The novel moves through three different narrators. Discuss the different perspective each narrator offers and what this does to the readers understanding of the events of the novel.
The three main characters (narrators) narrate the story in their perspective, their beliefs and their understanding. The three narrators are Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein and The Creature. The narrators tell the story from their perspective, what they have been through, what they saw, heard and learnt changed their perspective and understanding over time. At the start of the novel Robert Walton was the first person to be introduced in the novel by his letters. We learnt the lifestyle and the actions Walton took from reading the letters (‘at this point that’s all we know’). Until the new narrator Victor Frankenstein was revealed. More into the novel, us readers started understanding Victor Frankenstein, his story (‘his side of the story’) his perspective. At first Frankenstein seems like a humble and a knowledgeable person but digging in deeper into the novel it shows his true motives and ambitions. At this point us readers still have limited knowledge about the rest of the story and what the last narrator’s perspective is. The last narrator is The Creature, as we are introduced to The Creature our limited understanding makes us think that the creature is a clueless monster, it can only think of killing. But as we begin to indulge into the mind of The Creature we start understanding more about the story and how The Creature’s perspective changes the readers point of view. (‘Kind of creates a war between what is right or wrong.’) It shows us both sides of the story, seeing the story in other character’s narration and their unique perspectives allow the reader to have a greater understanding about the situations the characters are in.
- Reflect on the order of narrators. Why does Shelley expose us to the ‘truth’ by degrees? How is one of the critical themes of the novel developed via the structure of the narration?
The change of narrators helps the reader to understand the perspective of each character. What they been through, what they think, what are their motives and ambitions all this helps tell the story in the novel and helps the reader to have a greater understanding about the character’s and their lives. Normal human nature is to judge a book by its cover, in the creature’s situation people judge him by his looks before they even got a chance to know him (‘this is one of the factors in the critical themes’). As the reader knows more about the character’s and their point of view, their view would be changed as well.
- Explain the details of three key scenes in the novel. Analyse why these scenes are significant in regards to the development of character and theme.
When Frankenstein meets The Creature. This scene is a powerful development for both of the main characters, because both of them are emotional and their hatred for each other is ever lasting. But The Creature tries to talk and sort stuff out but Victor filled with disgust and hatred would have non of it. This is proves that the appearance of someone overshadows the person’s personality, and society also fails to accept someone without judging them by their looks first.
The disposal of the second creature. This leads The Creature to get angry and upset, leading it to make decisions that would change the course of the story.
The Creature murdering William Frankenstein, this event makes Frankenstein emotionally shook, traumatized and angry. He knew that he had been responsible for William’s death and even more so when Justine got wrongly accused for murdering William. Getting hanged in result. Despite that Frankenstein still wouldn’t open up and confess to anyone. This makes Victor start to isolate himself, cocooning himself in this problems that would effect loved ones around him to take the consequences.
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