The Narrators and Themes of Frankenstein
The advances made in science and in the area of electricity greatly influenced the writing of the novel, Frankenstein. The popular theories about evolution that were being developed by Charles Darwin’s grandfather aided the theory that Frankenstein could create life. Another scientist of this era that greatly influenced Shelley’s novel was Sir Humphry Davy, who like Darwin was a poet and a scientist. The development of different theories of how living creatures were brought to life enables the readers of this novel to believe that Frankenstein could actually create a living being. This theory of science along with the use of several narrators causes the reader to become entrenched into the story. The advances in science and the use of multiple narrators affect the point of view in the development of the story of Frankenstein. Mary Shelley used several characters as narrators, which causes the point of view to shift as the themes of knowledge, monstrosity, and secrecy are presented in the novel, Frankenstein.
The three narrators in “Frankenstein” that present the story are Frankenstein, the monster, and Robert Walton, the ship caption. Each of the men and the monster are very different and yet has some similarities. This method of storytelling that Mary Shelly used in creating Frankenstein provides the reader with an understanding of events from multiple points of view. In addition, this type of narration presents parallels that form between the characters. The first narrator of the story presents a sense of objectivity and reliability because he is a neutral party. Robert Walton, the first narrator, relates the story to his sister through letters. The second narrator of the story is Victor Frankenstein; he presents background about his childhood, and presents his reasons for creating the monster. The third narrator, the monster, interrupts Victor’s narrative to tell his own story, after which Victor...