Frankenstein is a multi-strand narrative with 3 different first person The intention of each narrative narrators. Shelley uses a framing device (the reason for the telling of is to create some effect on the the main narrative) and epistolary narration (when a story is told reader. The narrative of through letters). monster attempts to convince his creator, Victor, to take his The complex narrative structure of Frankenstein involves framed or responsibility as parent and to embedded narratives – what has been called a Russian doll structure make a mate for him. This of stories within stories, that looks something like this: results in the reader feeling [Robert Walton [Victor Frankenstein [Monster] Victor Frankenstein] sympathy for the monster, Robert Walton] however these feelings could be Walton’s narrative provides the framing device, The monster has the mixed as he also commits embedded narrative, and the protagonist Victor is our main narrator. terrible acts. Victor’s narrative The first person narratives can be seen to be limited or unreliable, as ventures to persuade Walton to can the Chinese whispers effect, which may make the reader feel end his journey and to destroy more unsettled, but also distances them from the horrific events of the monster (the cautionary the plot. tale). Through the narratives, the Frankenstein has a complex narrative structure. There are three parallels between the "frames"— characters are sketched that • The story of Walton and his expedition to the Arctic, link the stories together, such as • The story of Frankenstein himself, the shared ambition and desire • The story the monster tells Frankenstein of his life after his creation. for knowledge of V & W, and the shared thirst for revenge from Victor and the monster.