Different Perspectives in Shelley's Frankenstein

Do literary works have a prerequisite for standing the test of time? Literature that lives on after the author's death is typically a multifaceted manuscript that offers readers varying perspectives during each reading. Timeless literature invokes readers to repeatedly explore the levels contained within, to emerge from the story with a new conclusion, despite the familiar ending. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is an example of timeless literature that contains thought-provoking levels, sharing a familiar story from many different perspectives.

Rather than building the levels from the inside out in Frankenstein, Shelley starts her story on the outside, with Walton writing letters to his sister, Margaret Saville. Through his letters, Walton shares his ambition to "tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man" (16). Brilliantly, Shelley uses this outer layer to foreshadow Victor Frankenstein's ambition in his chosen field of study, science. As the letters to Margaret continue, Walton shares his isolation from the crew, admitting "I bitterly feel the want of a friend" (19). Rounding the introductory character, Shelley uses Walton's yearning for companionship to also foreshadow the creature's desire for company. Relating to both characters, Walton is now prepared to understand and empathize with Victor and the creature.

When Walton meets Victor, the tale reverts to the oral tradition of story-telling in the inner level. Victor recognizes the ambition in his new friend. In the oral tradition of tales, Victor wishes to pass on a moral, a lesson for his friend to learn. Sharing his story, Victor tells Walton, "I imagine that you may deduce an apt moral from my tale; one that may direct you if you succeed in your undertaking, and console you in case of failure" (31). Using oral tradition, Shelley introduces the reader to Victor intimately, from the first person perspective. Victor Frankenstein's narrative allows the reader to understand the depth of his ambition when "the soul of Frankenstein [insists] more, far more, will I achieve, treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation" (49). Shelley's personification of his soul, as separate and different from the person, highlights the young man's desire to make his mark in the world.

Within his narrative, Victor reveals the next level of communication, the written letters from Elizabeth and his father. Elizabeth's own perspective is recorded in the first person, so the reader can comprehend her own tale. As Elizabeth implores Victor to respond "in your own handwriting," her letters reveal concern about his illness (65). Further, Victor's father reveals his hopes, "Enter the house of mourning, my friend, but with kindness and affection for those who love you, and not with hatred for your enemies" (75). Employing the first-person perspective in written form, Shelly uses Victor's father to foreshadow the wrath that will eventually take over Victor's existence.

Also within Victor's narrative, Shelly uses oral tradition when Victor and his creature meet again. The "father and son" finally talk when Victor acknowledges, "For the first time, also, I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were, and that I ought to render him happy before I complained of his wickedness" (104). The second round of oral tradition redeems Victor a little, as he feels compassion for the creature. He is still not guiltless, but through the exchange, Victor and the reader learn the human qualities of the creature. A first-person perspective of abandonment is the only way Shelley can achieve compassion for William's literal murderer.

The creature also converses with Walton after Victor's death. This is an essential conclusion, as Shelley has prepared Walton to empathize with Frankenstein's being. Walton admits being torn between father and son as "I was at first touched by the expressions of his misery" (223). While Walton eventually chooses to remember Victor's advice regarding the creature, Shelley is wise to include Walton's initial conflict, as this signal's the reader to sympathize with both the unloved creature and the unloving creator.

Simultaneously, Shelley strictly uses oral tradition in conjunction with the written word throughout the novel. Realizing the need for a first person perspective from many angles, Shelley crafts letters and conversations which share several perspectives of the same tale. Employing oral tradition and letters, the written communication of her day, Shelley uses human emotions of guilt and revenge to create her timeless legacy: Frankenstein.