Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
The novel Frankenstein begins with Robert Walton writing letters to his sister Margaret Saville. Robert reassures his sister that he is going to be safe on his expedition, and he tells his sister of events during his expedition. The fourth letter begins his explanation of meeting Victor Frankenstein. This letter does not end with his signature, but continues to record the account of Victor Frankenstein. Chapter one begins Victor's account of how he came to be on a sea of ice. The story continues with Victor telling Robert how he created a creature. He also continues to tell how horrific the creature was.
By using a frame story, Shelly creates suspense. The reader sees snippets of events before hearing the explanation of circumstances leading to the event. "We perceived a low carriage, fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs pass on towards the north, at the distance of half a mile a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature, sat in the sledge, and guided the dogs"( Shelley, 8). This excerpt shows a snippet of the creature Frankenstein created before the reader even knows that a creature existed. By seeing this strange occurrence, the reader awaits an explanation. Anticipation in this story can install fear in the reader. By using a frame story, Shelley developed a more frightening story.
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