Switching Perspectives

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

As a frame story, Frankenstein incorporates many different points of view to give the audience several different understandings of what happens during the novel.  Shelley begins the novel writing in Robert Walton's first person point of view.  This perspective provides the audience with an initial, third party vantage point from which to be introduced to Victor Frankenstein and, briefly, his creation.  When Walton describes seeing "a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature" pass by on a sledge, the creature enters the novel for the first time (Shelley 8).  Walton's viewpoint, followed by a shift to Victor's first person point of view, lets the reader know that neither Victor or the creature will die during Victor's tale.  As Victor tell his story, the perspective shifts, in letter format, to that of Elizabeth or his father.  These changes in point of view provide a refreshing break from Victor's narrative in addition to allowing Shelley to segue into the next portion of her novel.  For example, Alphonse Frankenstein's letter informs Victor of William's death and transitions the story into Justine Moritz's murder trial.  Finally, after Victor regains control of the story, he passes narrative power off to the creature who gives his perspective of the novel's happenings in contrast to Victor's.  With her dynamic use of perspective and point of view, Shelley keeps Frankenstein interesting and forces her audience to read on.  A linear narrative of this frightening tale would no doubt be enthralling, but Shelley transforms a good work into a masterpiece by seamlessly shifting from one character's viewpoint to the next.