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conversation in shelley's narrative style:

-would you say that the whole story is basically narrative?


-how would the epistolary approach & frame novel change the story if not used?

"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley is a novel that incorporates various narrative


elements to tell its story. The novel is primarily composed of multiple narrative
layers, including letters, first-person accounts, and the framing narrative
structure. Here's a breakdown of these elements:

1. Letters: The novel begins with a series of letters written by Robert Walton, an
explorer, to his sister, Margaret Saville. These letters serve as the outermost
framing narrative. In these letters, Walton narrates his journey and the events he
witnesses, which include his encounter with Victor Frankenstein.

2. First-person narratives: The central part of the novel consists of first-person


accounts from several characters, including Victor Frankenstein, the creature he
creates, and later, Victor's friend Henry Clerval and Victor's fiancée, Elizabeth.
Each of these characters narrates their experiences and perspectives, contributing
to the development of the overall story.

3. Framing structure: The nested narratives create a multi-layered structure that


is essentially a story within a story within a story. The core narrative is Victor
Frankenstein's account of creating the creature and the tragic consequences that
follow. This narrative is framed by Walton's letters, which provide context and a
larger perspective on the events.

So, "Frankenstein" is not a single continuous narrative but rather a complex


narrative structure that uses multiple layers of storytelling. This layered
approach allows Mary Shelley to explore various themes, perspectives, and emotions
throughout the novel, making it a rich and multi-dimensional work.

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