Delving Deeper...

Frankenstein: the novel that characterized so much within the start of my year. It’s considered an artwork; Shelley does a brilliant job of crafting together a work that has appealed to ideas on so many different levels. When someone reads it, they relate the concept of doubles to Victor and the creature or they relate the dangers of trying to be an over-reacher to Victor’s endeavors. Although these are definitely significant and prominent underlying themes throughout the novel, I do believe that there is a principle connection that many fail to see because it is overshadowed by all the other, more obvious aspects of the novel. This message is wrapped around the existence of one main (although many would consider her minor) character. This character’s name is Margaret Saville.

The technique Mary Shelley employs in this novel is referred to as the frame narrative, an ancient literary genre and technique that utilizes connective narrative “frames”, joining shorter stories to create an overarching picture. This approach is usually combined with a sort of alignment that creates artistic wholeness in the text. The structure of this work mimics the thematic search that is present in the story for something deep, dark, and secret at the heart of the narrative. This structure also reflects the process of discovering the unconscious truth that is hidden behind multiple levels of concealing and obscuring narratives; essentially ridding of the conscious mind.

What do Margaret Saville and the technique by which Shelley writes this novel have in common? Everything, in fact – the role of Margaret is greatly defined by the structure of the novel. Margaret is the final listener – she is the one that is on the outside of the framed narrative. She is most conscious, most alert, and most disciplined through the duration of the novel. Yet she resides (similar to the other female characters in the novel) in a more passive form, causing some to perceive her as just what she appears to be: Walton’s disapproving sister. But it’s all a matter of perspective. Perhaps had Margaret been a more prominent character throughout the novel, the importance of her role would have diminished. Because of the constant void that was present, it may have been the reason that I noticed the impact her character had in the story and on the reader.

As aforementioned, Margaret holds a prestigious position within the framework of the story. Inside the actual story, it is almost as if she is the voice of Mary Shelley herself (which would explain the peculiar initial identicalness between Margaret and Mary). Although she never really says a word, I found her voice to be the guiding voice, and the one that aided me, as the reader, to distinguish between what was right and wrong, moral and immoral – essentially Margaret was the one marking the boundaries. I think this was unconsciously true for many other readers as well, whether they realized it or not. Because Margaret is the voice of Shelley, she embodies the voice of the whole story, and she warns us against everything Shelley warns us against – thus forming the key connection I mentioned earlier. Margaret warns us against the dangerous pursuit of knowledge and ambition similar to one of the most prominent themes Shelley attempts to bring to light. Because Margaret’s voice is always there throughout the novel, because she is always listening, no matter whose story it is, Shelley is capable of keeping her own voice throughout the whole story.

            

Although unnoticed by many, it’s definitely a connection I thought worthy to keep in mind while reading, thinking, and talking about this novel. I really saw it as a way to provide more insight throughout the read.