The epistolary structure of a novel involves the use of letters, journal entries, and other forms of personal documents to tell the story. In the case of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley employs an epistolary framework to present the narrative. The novel is not entirely epistolary, but it begins and ends with a series of letters exchanged between characters, creating a framing device for the main narrative.
The epistolary structure in Frankenstein is as follows:
Letter 1: The novel begins with Captain Robert Walton writing letters to his sister, Margaret Walton Saville. In these letters, he shares his experiences and aspirations as he embarks on an Arctic expedition.
Letters 2-4: Walton narrates in his letters the discovery of Victor Frankenstein, who is found stranded and weak on an ice floe during the Arctic expedition. Victor's initial story is presented through his narration to Walton.
The Main Narrative: The majority of the novel consists of Victor Frankenstein's narrative, which he shares with Walton through dialogue and storytelling. Victor recounts his life story, including his childhood, his education, and his fateful decision to create the Creature. This main narrative is not presented in letter format but through a traditional storytelling style.
Letter 5: After Victor finishes his narrative, the novel returns to the epistolary format, and Walton writes a letter to his sister, continuing the correspondence.