Robert Walton, captain of a ship sure for the North Pole, pens the opening letters in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. These letters, addressed to his sister, Margaret Saville, in England, body the first narrative. They introduce Victor Frankenstein, whom Walton rescues from the Arctic ice, and supply the context for Victor’s recounting of his creation’s tragic story. The embedded narrative construction continues with the monster’s personal story, associated to Victor, after which relayed to Walton, and at last again to Margaret by Waltons continued letters.
This epistolary framework is essential for a number of causes. It establishes an intimate and rapid reference to the narrative, drawing the reader into the unfolding occasions. The letters’ emotional tone conveys Walton’s ambition, loneliness, and rising horror at Victor’s experiences. In addition they serve to distance the reader from the fantastical parts of the story, initially presenting them by the lens of a seemingly rational and scientifically-minded observer. Moreover, the layered storytelling mirrors the thematic issues of the novel, emphasizing themes of isolation, communication, and the risks of unchecked ambition.
