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Frankenstein 10 minute
plan 2
Tuesday, 31 March 15
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015
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“The
use of three narrators
contributes significantly to the novel’s
air of mystery”
How
far and in what ways do you
agree with this view of the novel?
Set
June 2012
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015
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Step 1
Recognise
the three
narrators
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015
Walton
Frankenstein
Creature
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Step 1 continued
Framing
structure
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015
Walton 1&5
Frankenstein
2&4
Creature 3 –
the “heart of
the novel”
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Step 2 work through each in turn
Creature is born
innocent –
seeks affection
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015
Creature begins
to “turn” as a
result of poor
treatment
(education)
Creature
become savage
and murderous
Creature is
outcast and
wanders the
barren wastes
with
Frankenstein.
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Summary
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Three narrators all male used to tell the same story
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Different perspectives mean different areas of ignorance
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3 unreliable narrative – each as subjective as the next.
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Themes and symbols emerge slowly
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Sympathies change
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015
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Walton
In a sense narrates
the whole
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015
Letters create
intimacy with
reader
Self serving tone.
Establishes idea of
scientist as
potential
transgressor
Introduces Victor in
tone of high praise
and creates
questions ready for
frame 2
Establishes idea of
“companion as
vital” and
prefigures both
Clerval’s role and
the creature
request
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Frankenstein
Foreshadows
narrative in
warnings – builds
anticipation apt
for schauerroman
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015
Obsessed with
transgression of
natural order
after meeting
Waldman
Creator of a
“monster” – the
misunderstanding
of the creature is
not clear in frame
2
Selfish and
ambitious – will
allow Justine to
perish rather than
admit his guilt.
Leaves much
unknown and
develops
questions about
the Creature
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Creature
Abandoned at
birth- no
discernible
change in tone
of narrative
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015
Fills in missing
story re deaths
- establishes
compassion.
Answers many
questions
Begins to
explore central
theme of poor
parenting
leading to “evil”
behaviour
Seduces Victor
and establishes
motives for
action of frames
4&5- creation of
Eve-monster
Some sense of
self questioning
in search for
improvement
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Victor
Account lacks any
sympathy for creature
he has created.
Narrative is defined by
earlier sections -
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015
Travel to Orkney –
Eve-creature – death
of Clervalimprisonment – rescue
are all explained
within the narrative
Certainty in
convictions is
misplaced – wedding
night is told from his
perspective – only
passionate embrace
with Elisabeth is after
her death.
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Walton
Continues letters –
reminder that he is the
overall narrator
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015
Tells reader that
Frankenstein has
“corrected and
augmented” his own
notes prior to the
letters being written –
control.
Sept 2: Frankenstein
quells mutiny told in
most glowing terms:
Sept 7th: Return is
promised in very
short entry
Reports final speeches
of Creature –
establishes some
remorse and
justification which is
absent in
Frankenstein’s
narrative
Shares final narration.
Clarifies motives.
Ambivalence towards
creature equals that
of the reader?
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The question: “contributes
significantly to the novel’s air of
mystery”
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Yes: Leaves questions for the reader which are answered due
to the non-linear narrative
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Yes: Delays gratification in terms of the inner working of the
novel
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Yes: By placing creature in third frame, MS ensures that
nothing is clear before this mid-point is reached. Some
questions still unanswered – notably how did V get into the
state reported in frame 1?
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015
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The question: “contributes
significantly to the novel’s air of
mystery”
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NO: Rationale from context: 3 male narrators hides female authorship
and protects Shelley
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NO; The frames are the real developers of mystery, not the narrators –
no real difference in voice between them. (this should be developed for
other essays relating to narrative voice).
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NO: Although non linear in frames 1-3, frames 4&5 are linear and the
novel assumes a linear shape – narrators say more about character than
about developing mystery in second half of novel
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NO: Final frame ends up shared with Walton quoting the final words of
the Creature as the close of the novel – creature is allowed to show
remorse and offer explanations – a sense of loss permeates the speech
– no mystery here.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015