Explore the purposes of the frame narrative technique in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

One purpose of the frame narrative, or 'story within a story', employed by Mary Shelley in Frankenstein is to mirror the examination of the dark internalised consciousness. The outer layer of the frame narrative would be the letters of Captain Walton to his sister (a 'normal' member of society and thus representative of the outside of the narrative), which concern his discussions with Victor Frankenstein. As the frame narrative moves inwards, Frankenstein takes up the story for Walton's benefit, before the dark heart of the process is revealed to be the creature, who tells his story to Frankenstein. The creature, a product of the lonely and mentally-internalising Frankenstein, is the dark fantasy of traditional Gothic consciousness; an artificially constructed being who can talk and think for itself. Captain Walton, who is isolated around the Gothic setting of the North Pole, is the fascinated listener who has not yet undertaken an inward journey to the extent that Frankenstein has with his experiments. Frankenstein himself, naturally, enforces the process between one who is beginning that journey and the creation of one who has fulfilled its course.   

Answered by Emmott L. English tutor

20949 Views

See similar English A Level tutors

Related English A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do I avoid using a robotic structure in my paragraphs, while also thoroughly analysing and embedding quotes?


‘The play Hamlet shows a disturbing fascination with death.’ Using your knowledge of the play as a whole, show how far you agree with this view of Hamlet.


Should I only revise subject knowledge directly relevant to the mark scheme?


When I have to analyse sentences what do I have to look for?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences