Structure and Summary (Frankenstein)

This section explains the structure and provides a summary of the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Frankenstein, published in 1818 by Mary Shelley, is considered one of the earliest works of science fiction and a foundational text in Gothic literature. The novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a living being from dead body parts, only to be horrified by his creation. It explores themes of ambition, isolation, and the dangers of unchecked scientific experimentation.

Structure of the Novel

Frankenstein is written as a frame narrative, with multiple layers of storytelling. It uses epistolary form, where the narrative is conveyed through letters. The novel consists of three main narrative voices:

Robert Walton's Letters: The novel opens and closes with letters from Robert Walton, an Arctic explorer, to his sister Margaret Saville. He recounts his journey and encounters with Victor Frankenstein.

Victor Frankenstein's Narrative: The bulk of the novel is told from Victor Frankenstein's perspective as he narrates his story to Walton. This recounts his early life, his scientific pursuits, and the tragic consequences of his creation.

The Creature's Narrative: Within Victor's narrative, the Creature tells his own story of abandonment, isolation, and eventual descent into violence.

This structure gives multiple viewpoints, providing different interpretations of the events.

Summary of the Novel

Letters 1–4 (Robert Walton's Journey)

The novel begins with Robert Walton's letters to his sister, Margaret. Walton is on a voyage to the Arctic in search of new scientific discoveries. During his journey, his ship becomes trapped in ice, and the crew spots a strange figure travelling across the ice on a sledge. Soon after, they rescue Victor Frankenstein, who is in pursuit of the mysterious figure (the Creature). Walton befriends Victor, and Victor begins to tell him the story of his life.

Chapters 1–10 (Victor’s Early Life and the Creation of the Creature)

Victor Frankenstein describes his idyllic childhood in Geneva, his close relationship with his adopted sister Elizabeth, and his passion for science. He attends university in Ingolstadt, where he becomes obsessed with the idea of reanimating life. After years of secretive work, Victor successfully brings a creature to life using body parts from corpses. However, he is horrified by the grotesque appearance of the Creature and immediately abandons it. The Creature, left alone, flees into the wilderness.

Victor falls into a deep depression following the creation, and when he recovers, he learns that his younger brother, William, has been murdered. A family servant, Justine, is wrongfully accused and executed for the crime. Victor suspects that his Creature is responsible for William's death.

Chapters 11–16 (The Creature’s Story)

The Creature confronts Victor and tells him his story. After his abandonment, the Creature wandered through the woods and learned basic survival skills. He secretly observed a family living in a cottage and gradually learned to speak and read by listening to their conversations. Despite his growing intelligence and kindness, when he finally reveals himself to the family, they react with fear and drive him away.

The Creature feels profound loneliness and hatred towards humanity for rejecting him. He admits to killing William in a vengeful rage and framing Justine for the crime. The Creature demands that Victor create a female companion for him, promising that they will live in isolation and leave humanity in peace.

Chapters 17–24 (Victor’s Refusal and the Tragic Consequences)

Victor reluctantly agrees to create a female companion but, halfway through the process, he destroys his work, fearing the potential consequences of creating a second monster. Enraged, the Creature vows revenge and promises to be with Victor on his wedding night.

Victor returns to Geneva and marries Elizabeth. On their wedding night, the Creature kills Elizabeth as revenge for Victor's refusal to create a companion. Grief-stricken and enraged, Victor vows to track down and destroy his creation.

The novel ends with Victor chasing the Creature across the Arctic, where he eventually collapses from exhaustion and is rescued by Walton's ship.

Conclusion (Walton’s Final Letters)

In the final letters, Walton recounts Victor’s death aboard the ship. Shortly after, the Creature appears to Walton, lamenting Victor’s death and expressing regret for his actions. He declares his intention to end his own life and disappears into the Arctic wilderness, leaving his fate ambiguous.

Key Themes

Ambition and the Pursuit of Knowledge: Victor’s obsessive desire to push the boundaries of science leads to disastrous consequences. The novel questions the limits of human ambition and the responsibilities that come with scientific discovery.

Isolation and Loneliness: Both Victor and the Creature experience profound isolation. Victor isolates himself in his scientific pursuits, while the Creature is isolated due to his appearance and rejection by society.

Nature vs. Nurture: The novel raises questions about the nature of evil. The Creature, initially innocent and capable of kindness, becomes violent and vengeful due to the rejection and cruelty he experiences.

Responsibility and Consequences: Victor’s failure to take responsibility for his creation leads to the destruction of his loved ones. The novel explores the consequences of shirking moral responsibility.

Frankenstein is a complex novel that intertwines Gothic elements, scientific inquiry, and moral questions. Its layered narrative structure and exploration of universal themes make it a rich text for study. Through the stories of Victor Frankenstein and his Creature, Shelley warns of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the ethical responsibilities of creators towards their creations.