Robert’s and Victor’s stories act as frame stories, and in a small way the monter’s also does for Felix’s story.
A frame story is a narrative that sets the stage for a telling. Robert’s story sets the stage for the final confrontation between Victor and the creature and allows Victor to tell his story to someone else. Victor’s story does the same for the creature’s story. Victor paints an image of the creature which is put into question when we hear the creature’s story from Victor.
The interesting question is the purpose of setting the story in this fashion. Mary Shelley never explained her reasoning for the multiple narratives. Ultimately we are receiving each story second (Victor’s), third (the creature’s), and even fourth hand (Felix’s).
1. How does the frame structure distance the story from the author?
2. Does this make the tale more or less reliable? Consider how urban legends and campfire stories start with “they say in this very house” or “I heard that in these woods”.
Volume 1
Letters
3. What is Robert Walton’s goal? Why has he hired a boat and a crew?
4. Where does Robert Walton find Victor Frankenstein? What is his condition?
Victor’s Tale
