The Significance of a Frame Story in the Novel Frankenstein - Book Report/Review Example

The subjective and complex approach of the novelist in Frankenstein has been contributed by the stylistic differences between the different narrators of the novel. For example, Frankenstein's battle with his soul and the opening up of multiple perspectives has been assisted by the use of three narrators. The stylistic features of these narrators differ greatly in order to emphasize the conflicting moods of the novel as well as the changing perspectives of the narrators. What is the purpose of having multiple narrations?

 The novel, as we have seen, develops through different stories nested together as well as through the different narrators with varied stylistic features. The ultimate purpose of such a strategy may be understood as helping the reader arrive at a pertinent conclusion about the absolute truth of the story. "The multiple narrators add a whole level of complication to the novel since there is no voice placed outside the story to whom we can attribute absolute truth. Rather, the best that can be done is to compare the different accounts of the events in the novel and reach our own conclusions on who is telling the truth and who is manipulating it for their own purposes." (Shader).

What is the author's intent and what is the effect of this, on readers and on the plotlineThe intention of the author has been to assist the readers to come to the exact conclusions. In other words, "the way Mary Shelley structures her novel forces the reader to constantly change their perception of reality. The selection of different perspectives presented in the novel requires the reader to consider which accounts they consider trustworthy and to what extent. The parallels between the lives of many of the characters provide some "familiar ground" in each story, which provides further contrast when the story plays out differently in the end and the reader is forced once again to change their perception.

Finally, the highly non-linear presentation of the novel allows for subtle hints as to events the reader has yet to read of, so that perception is gently altered as the story evolves.