FAQ About Frankenstein
How does the novel begin?
The novel Frankenstein begins with a series of letters written by Robert Walton, an Arctic explorer, to his sister Margaret Saville. These letters serve as a framing device for the main narrative.
In the first letter, dated December 11, Walton writes to Margaret about his expedition to the North Pole and his desire to achieve fame and glory through his discoveries. He describes the harsh conditions of the Arctic and the dangers he and his crew are facing. While Walton is determined to achieve his goals, he also expresses feelings of loneliness and isolation.
In the second letter, dated December 13, Walton tells his sister that their ship is trapped in ice, and he and his crew spot a mysterious figure traveling on a sledge across the frozen ocean. The next day, they find another man floating on a piece of ice and rescue him. This man is emaciated and weak, and Walton takes him on board the ship.
The third letter, dated December 19, reveals that the rescued man is Victor Frankenstein. He expresses gratitude to Walton for saving his life but also warns him about the dangerous pursuit of knowledge and ambition.
After this, the main narrative shifts to Victor Frankenstein's perspective, and he begins recounting his life story to Robert Walton. Victor's narrative comprises most of the novel, detailing his upbringing, education, and his fateful decision to create the Creature. The use of the framing device with the letters from Walton to his sister creates a multi-layered narrative structure, as the main story of Frankenstein's life is presented as a tale within a tale.
