Narrative voice and structure

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

NB All page references and quotes are taken from the 1992 Penguin Classics edition

Answer the following questions and include page references as appropriate:

1. How many narrators does Shelley employ? Who are they?

Where do we see them?

2. Which narrator do you find most convincing and why?

3. What is the impact of the epistolary narratives?

4. What effects do the multiple narrative perspectives have

on the reader?

Select two contrasting extracts from the novel (of up to one page each) which illustrate the
different narrative voices Shelley creates. Think about tone, style, pace, language and
structure.

Page
reference:

Who is
narrating?

What are the

characteristics
of this
narrator’s
voice? What
makes it
different from
the other one
you chose?

Join up with a partner and compare your extracts. Do you agree? Why/why not? What are the
similarities?

Extension task

Many readers have found the novel’s ending unsatisfactory, with some narrative strands and
characters left hanging. Write a final chapter for the novel which would come after the creature
is ‘borne away by the waves’.

You can choose your narrator and form (epistolary, journal or first person recount) as well as the
date. Make sure you employ the stylistic features of your chosen narrator.

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 Narrative voice and structure
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Suggested answers

1. How many narrators does Shelley employ? Who are they? Where do we see them?
Walton: letters to sister ‘frame’ the whole narrative
Frankenstein: narrates his story Volume 1 Chapter 1 – Volume 2 Chapter 2 and Volume 2
Chapter 9 – Volume 3 Chapter 7
Monster: Volume 2 Chapter 3 – Volume 2 Chapter 8
Elizabeth: letter to Frankenstein Volume 3 Chapter 5
Other voices: witness accounts at Frankenstein’s trial in Volume 3 Chapter 4

2. Which narrator do you find most convincing and why?

 All prove unreliable to some extent, but Walton is probably considered most reliable.
 Frankenstein’s inability to let go of his ambition clouds his judgements – he even says
someone else may take up his quest after his death.
 Monster is disarmingly erudite so manages to be very persuasive – can we trust him? How
convincing is this from a supposedly uneducated creature?
 Problems of first person narrative include the need to suspend our disbelief and assume
all that is reported is exact direct speech and not filtered through the narrator’s voice.

3. What is the impact of the epistolary narratives?

 Literary convention, popular in earlier novels of the 18th century in particular.
 Adds a further layer to narrative, a way of containing the chaotic actions of the
characters.
 Lend some authenticity to the account.
 Gives the narrative an audience – Walton’s sister.
 Allows the story to continue after Frankenstein’s death.

4. What effects do the multiple narrative perspectives have on the reader?

 Draw out parallels and similarities between the three alienated men.
 Allow us to interpret story ourselves.
 Distance us from Frankenstein at times.
 Create sympathy for the monster in his own narrative.

Page
pp. 212-3 p. 56-7
reference:
Who is Monster – his final rhetorical Frankenstein – the monster comes to
narrating? speech, within Walton’s letter. life.

What are the  Extended descriptions of

 Eloquent, sophisticated
characteristics monster
vocabulary
of this  Colour imagery – dark & yellow
 Patterned syntax – ‘Once my
narrator’s  Fast paced, long sentences with
fancy’ ‘Once I falsely’
voice? What multiple clauses, listing his
 Rhetorical questions
makes it actions – frantic behaviour
 Reasoned and logical: ‘Yet’
different from  Images of death in his dream, at
‘But’
the other one moment of monster’s birth –
you chose?  Emotive tone
ominous link

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