Read the excerpt of a letter from Mr. Walton to his sister that appears early in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, or the Modern Day Prometheus. In it, Walton explains that a fellow traveler on his voyage has promised to tell the story of his tragic life. What purpose does this excerpt serve in this frame story? "He then told me that he would commence his narrative the next day when I should be at leisure. This promise drew from me the warmest thanks. I have resolved every night, when I am not imperatively occupied by my duties, to record, as nearly as possible in his own words, what he has related during the day. If I should be engaged, I will at least make notes. This manuscript will doubtless afford you the greatest pleasure; but to me, who know him, and who hear it from his own lips—with what interest and sympathy shall I read it in some future day! Even now, as I commence my task, his full-toned voice swells in my ears; his lustrous eyes dwell on me with all their melancholy sweetness; I see his thin hand raised in animation, while the lineaments of his face are irradiated by the soul within. Strange and harrowing must be his story, frightful the storm which embraced the gallant vessel on its course and wrecked it—thus!"Works CitedShelley, Mary W. Frankenstein, or the Modern Day Prometheus. London, 1831. It conveys the theme of the novel. It provides a different perspective to evaluate Walton's credibility. It creates the opening for another story to be embedded into this frame story. It provides a series of plot events that bring the story to a climax.

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)

5th Edition

ISBN:9780134477961

Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White

Publisher:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White

Chapter1: The Science Of Psychology

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1TY

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Read the excerpt of a letter from Mr. Walton to his sister that appears early in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, or the Modern Day Prometheus. In it, Walton explains that a fellow traveler on his voyage has promised to tell the story of his tragic life. What purpose does this excerpt serve in this frame story?

"He then told me that he would commence his narrative the next day when I should be at leisure. This promise drew from me the warmest thanks. I have resolved every night, when I am not imperatively occupied by my duties, to record, as nearly as possible in his own words, what he has related during the day. If I should be engaged, I will at least make notes. This manuscript will doubtless afford you the greatest pleasure; but to me, who know him, and who hear it from his own lips—with what interest and sympathy shall I read it in some future day! Even now, as I commence my task, his full-toned voice swells in my ears; his lustrous eyes dwell on me with all their melancholy sweetness; I see his thin hand raised in animation, while the lineaments of his face are irradiated by the soul within. Strange and harrowing must be his story, frightful the storm which embraced the gallant vessel on its course and wrecked it—thus!"

Works Cited
Shelley, Mary W. Frankenstein, or the Modern Day Prometheus. London, 1831.

	It conveys the theme of the novel.
	It provides a different perspective to evaluate Walton's credibility.
	It creates the opening for another story to be embedded into this frame story.
	It provides a series of plot events that bring the story to a climax.