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Epistolary Novels and Cool Frame Stories: Frankenstein and More!

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Lana Litvak

2/12/2023

AP English Literature

Frankenstein Plot Diagrams

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AP English Literature

/

Short Fiction III

/

Short Fiction III

/

Identify and Explain the Function of Personification

Epistolary Novels and Cool Frame Stories: Frankenstein and More!

Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" employs a complex narrative structure featuring multiple narrative perspectives and an epistolary frame story. The novel's layered storytelling technique enhances its depth and allows readers to explore different viewpoints on the central events. This structure includes Robert Walton's letters, Victor Frankenstein's narrative, and the Creature's tale, each providing unique insights into the story's themes and characters.

  • The novel uses an epistolary frame story to introduce and conclude the main narrative
  • Multiple narrators offer diverse perspectives on the events
  • The structure allows for a comprehensive exploration of the story's moral and philosophical themes
  • The narrative layers add complexity and depth to the characters and their motivations
...

2/12/2023

152

<h2 id="robertwaltonsletterstohissister">Robert Walton's Letters to His Sister</h2> <p>The story begins with Robert Walton's letters to his

View

Main Story: Victor's Tale

Victor Frankenstein's narrative forms the core of the novel, recounting his life story and the creation of the Creature to Robert Walton. This section employs a first-person perspective, allowing readers to delve deep into Victor's thoughts, motivations, and emotions.

Vocabulary: Narrative perspective refers to the point of view from which a story is told, influencing how readers perceive events and characters.

Victor's tale encompasses:

  1. His childhood in Geneva
  2. His university studies and the creation of the Creature
  3. The tragic consequences of his actions, including the deaths of his loved ones
  4. His pursuit of the Creature across Europe and into the Arctic

Quote: "I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on." This quote from Victor reflects his deep anguish and self-loathing following the Creature's actions.

The narrative style of Frankenstein in this section is introspective and emotionally charged, reflecting Victor's tormented state of mind. It allows readers to witness his descent from ambitious scientist to broken man, haunted by his creation.

Highlight: Victor's narrative perspective is crucial in understanding the moral implications of his actions and the consequences of unchecked scientific ambition.

<h2 id="robertwaltonsletterstohissister">Robert Walton's Letters to His Sister</h2> <p>The story begins with Robert Walton's letters to his

View

The Creature's Tale

The Creature's narrative, embedded within Victor's story, provides a crucial counterpoint to Victor's perspective. This section offers insight into the Creature's experiences, emotions, and motivations, challenging readers to empathize with the being Victor abhors.

Example: The Creature's account of learning language and human emotions by observing the De Lacey family is a poignant example of his desire for connection and understanding.

Key elements of the Creature's tale include:

  1. His initial experiences and confusion upon being created
  2. His self-education and growing awareness of his isolation
  3. His rejection by society and Victor
  4. His demand for Victor to create a companion for him

Quote: "I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?" This statement encapsulates the Creature's anguish and the root of his violent actions.

The inclusion of the Creature's perspective adds depth to the novel's exploration of themes such as isolation, prejudice, and the nature of humanity. It challenges readers to consider the moral complexities of Victor's actions and the Creature's subsequent behavior.

Highlight: The Creature's narrative provides a stark contrast to Victor's perspective, highlighting the unreliability of a single narrative voice and the importance of considering multiple viewpoints.

<h2 id="robertwaltonsletterstohissister">Robert Walton's Letters to His Sister</h2> <p>The story begins with Robert Walton's letters to his

View

Narrative Structure and Its Significance

The complex narrative structure of "Frankenstein" serves several important functions in the novel:

  1. It provides multiple perspectives on the central events, allowing for a more nuanced exploration of the story's themes.
  2. The frame narrative in Frankenstein creates a sense of distance and objectivity, while also adding credibility to the fantastic elements of the story.
  3. The nested narratives mirror the novel's themes of creation and storytelling, with each narrator giving life to their own tale within the larger framework.

Definition: A frame narrative is a literary technique where an introductory or main narrative sets the stage for a more emphasized second narrative or story.

The use of multiple narrators in "Frankenstein" allows readers to:

  • Compare and contrast different viewpoints
  • Question the reliability of individual narrators
  • Gain a more comprehensive understanding of the story's events and their implications

Highlight: The novel's structure reflects its themes of ambition, creation, and responsibility, with each narrative layer adding depth to these central ideas.

In conclusion, the narrative structure of "Frankenstein" is integral to its exploration of complex moral and philosophical questions. By presenting multiple perspectives through an epistolary frame story and nested narratives, Mary Shelley creates a rich, multifaceted work that continues to captivate readers and scholars alike.

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Subjects

AP English Literature

Short Fiction III

Short Fiction III

Identify and Explain the Function of Personification

 

AP English Literature

•

152

•

Feb 12, 2023

•

4 pages

Epistolary Novels and Cool Frame Stories: Frankenstein and More!

user profile picture

Lana Litvak

@lenalitty

Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" employs a complex narrative structure featuring multiple narrative perspectives and an epistolary frame story. The novel's layered storytelling technique enhances its depth and allows readers to explore different viewpoints on the central events. This structure includes... Show more

<h2 id="robertwaltonsletterstohissister">Robert Walton's Letters to His Sister</h2> <p>The story begins with Robert Walton's letters to his

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Main Story: Victor's Tale

Victor Frankenstein's narrative forms the core of the novel, recounting his life story and the creation of the Creature to Robert Walton. This section employs a first-person perspective, allowing readers to delve deep into Victor's thoughts, motivations, and emotions.

Vocabulary: Narrative perspective refers to the point of view from which a story is told, influencing how readers perceive events and characters.

Victor's tale encompasses:

  1. His childhood in Geneva
  2. His university studies and the creation of the Creature
  3. The tragic consequences of his actions, including the deaths of his loved ones
  4. His pursuit of the Creature across Europe and into the Arctic

Quote: "I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on." This quote from Victor reflects his deep anguish and self-loathing following the Creature's actions.

The narrative style of Frankenstein in this section is introspective and emotionally charged, reflecting Victor's tormented state of mind. It allows readers to witness his descent from ambitious scientist to broken man, haunted by his creation.

Highlight: Victor's narrative perspective is crucial in understanding the moral implications of his actions and the consequences of unchecked scientific ambition.

<h2 id="robertwaltonsletterstohissister">Robert Walton's Letters to His Sister</h2> <p>The story begins with Robert Walton's letters to his

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

The Creature's Tale

The Creature's narrative, embedded within Victor's story, provides a crucial counterpoint to Victor's perspective. This section offers insight into the Creature's experiences, emotions, and motivations, challenging readers to empathize with the being Victor abhors.

Example: The Creature's account of learning language and human emotions by observing the De Lacey family is a poignant example of his desire for connection and understanding.

Key elements of the Creature's tale include:

  1. His initial experiences and confusion upon being created
  2. His self-education and growing awareness of his isolation
  3. His rejection by society and Victor
  4. His demand for Victor to create a companion for him

Quote: "I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?" This statement encapsulates the Creature's anguish and the root of his violent actions.

The inclusion of the Creature's perspective adds depth to the novel's exploration of themes such as isolation, prejudice, and the nature of humanity. It challenges readers to consider the moral complexities of Victor's actions and the Creature's subsequent behavior.

Highlight: The Creature's narrative provides a stark contrast to Victor's perspective, highlighting the unreliability of a single narrative voice and the importance of considering multiple viewpoints.

<h2 id="robertwaltonsletterstohissister">Robert Walton's Letters to His Sister</h2> <p>The story begins with Robert Walton's letters to his

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Narrative Structure and Its Significance

The complex narrative structure of "Frankenstein" serves several important functions in the novel:

  1. It provides multiple perspectives on the central events, allowing for a more nuanced exploration of the story's themes.
  2. The frame narrative in Frankenstein creates a sense of distance and objectivity, while also adding credibility to the fantastic elements of the story.
  3. The nested narratives mirror the novel's themes of creation and storytelling, with each narrator giving life to their own tale within the larger framework.

Definition: A frame narrative is a literary technique where an introductory or main narrative sets the stage for a more emphasized second narrative or story.

The use of multiple narrators in "Frankenstein" allows readers to:

  • Compare and contrast different viewpoints
  • Question the reliability of individual narrators
  • Gain a more comprehensive understanding of the story's events and their implications

Highlight: The novel's structure reflects its themes of ambition, creation, and responsibility, with each narrative layer adding depth to these central ideas.

In conclusion, the narrative structure of "Frankenstein" is integral to its exploration of complex moral and philosophical questions. By presenting multiple perspectives through an epistolary frame story and nested narratives, Mary Shelley creates a rich, multifaceted work that continues to captivate readers and scholars alike.

<h2 id="robertwaltonsletterstohissister">Robert Walton's Letters to His Sister</h2> <p>The story begins with Robert Walton's letters to his

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

First Frame Story: Robert Walton's Letters

Robert Walton's letters to his sister serve as the epistolary frame story that introduces and concludes the main narrative of "Frankenstein". This framing device provides context for Victor Frankenstein's tale and offers an outside perspective on the events.

Definition: An epistolary frame story is a narrative technique where a story is told through a series of letters or documents, which frame the main story within them.

The letters chronicle Walton's Arctic expedition, during which he encounters Victor Frankenstein. Walton's narrative sets the stage for Victor's story and provides a parallel to Victor's own ambitions and isolation.

Highlight: The use of letters as a framing device creates a sense of authenticity and immediacy, drawing readers into the story's world.

Key events in Walton's narrative include:

  1. Setting out on a sea voyage to the North Pole
  2. His ship getting stuck in ice
  3. Rescuing Victor Frankenstein
  4. Witnessing Victor's death and final encounter with the Creature

Example: The opening line of the novel, "You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings," immediately establishes the epistolary format and introduces Walton's voice.

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Paul T

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️

Thomas R

iOS user

Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades

Brad T

Android user

Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend

Aubrey

iOS user

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Marco B

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Elisha

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This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!

Paul T

iOS user