Frankenstein: Structure of a novel By: Arun Rao, Tamera Patrick, Phillip Prater, Holden McLain

Literal Meaning of Topic The topic is structure of the novel and that is defined as the arrangement of and relations between the parts and elements of the novel. The novel is structured in a narrative form however it is an epistolary novel since all of it is written as Captain Robert Walton's letter.

Example #1 from the text Quote: "You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings. I arrived here yesterday; and my first task is to assure my dear sister of my welfare, and increasing confidence in the success of my undertaking" (Shelley 1). Analysis: In this quote Walton introduces the setting in which the novel will take place. This connects with the structure of the novel as a whole because it immediately starts with Walton writing a letter to his sister informing her about the story of Victor Frankenstein.

Example #2 from the text Quote: "He then told me that he would commence his narrative the next day when I should be at leisure. This promise drew from me the warmest thanks. I have resolved every night, when I am not imperatively occupied by my duties, to record, as nearly as possible in his own words, what he has related during the day. If I should be engaged, I will at least make notes. This manuscript will doubtless afford you the greatest pleasure; but to me, who know him, and who hear it from his own lips, with what interest and sympathy shall I read it in some future day!" Analysis: In layman's terms, Victor has told Walton that he will tell him his story which as we know, is the majority of the novel. This example shows how an epistolary novel which is written in the form of letters goes from the perspective of Walton to Frankenstein's story .

Literary device: Unreliable Narrator There are two unreliable narrators in the novel who are Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. Victor tells his side of the story when he was sick and dying of old age so most people would not believe him. Most of his events and ideas resulted in chaos as well on top of being untrustworthy throughout the majority of the novel.  

Literary Device: Narrator In the novel, Mary Shelley uses three different narrators. The first narrator is Robert Walton, who tells his side of the story and how he feels about Victor's actions and personality through a series of letters to his sister, Mrs. Saville. This is also referred to as an epistolary novel. Secondly, we get Victor's point of view in which he tells us about his childhood and the events which led him the create the monster. Lastly, we have the Creature who allows us to truly see his thoughts and feelings to an extent of wanting a companion who can take the pain of isolation away.  

Literary Device: What If? In Frankenstein, Victor is constantly thinking of ways creating a second monster could go wrong. He asks himself how would life be different for both humans and the original creature in the future if he could satisfy the creatures need of a female companion instead of living alone and isolated.  

Connection/relationship with Mary Shelley .

Creature: The creature is a very alone and isolated creature who has a lot of hatred towards society for the way that they treat him. His appearance makes him an outcast and the way he is treated by Victor only intensifies it. The connection between Shelley and the creature is that both are viewed as outcasts: the creature for the aforementioned reasons and Shelley for eloping with Percy Shelly at age 15 and her sister having a rumored affair with Shelly as well. She was in the middle of many controversies.

Victor Frankenstein: Victor becomes very isolated with the death of his mother when he is 17 and it causes him to feel very alone and comparable to the creature as through most of the novel he's is burdened with the knowledge that he is responsible for the creature's actions and he has to keep that to himself. Victor is connected to Shelley in that both experienced many deaths in their families that affected how they lived their own lives.

Robert Walton: Walton is very similar to Victor in that he is lonely and self- educated and is very curious about science and its impact in nature. Walton is connected to Shelley in that both are interested in the unknown of science and what it can bring to our society.

Who is the minor and major character in the novel and how do they function together throughout the novel? In Frankenstein, The minor character is Elizabeth Lavenza, and the major character is Victor Frankenstein. Ever since the adoption of Elizabeth into the Frankenstein family, the relationship between the two has been tumultuous. After the creation of the monster, Frankenstein completely cut ties with her. This bothers Elizabeth as well as his family. Eventually, Elizabeth starts to reach out to Victor through letters to see if he's found someone else to love, due to their lack of communication.  Victor love for her grew tremendously after her death, but wasn't as clear while she was living . His obsession with his creation ruled his life, and resulted in Elizabeth's death.

Significant moments 1. The creature speaking from his POV. This allows us to empathize with the creature, and track his journey from birth to meeting Victor in his own words, fleshing out the narrative.  

Significant moments  2. Walton encountering the creature. Victor's story becomes more believable with Walton having seen and spoken to the creature himself, tying the novel together as a major character from Victor's story meets the person who recorded it.

Citations and Sources http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2012/03/strange-relationship-mary- shelley-and.html http://www.shmoop.com/frankenstein/ http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/frankenstein/canalysis.html