Key Facts
full title · Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus
author · Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
type of work · Novel
genre · Gothic science fiction
language · English
time and place written · Switzerland, 1816, and London, 1816–1817
date of first publication · January 1, 1818
publisher · Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones
narrator · The primary narrator is Robert Walton, who, in his
letters, quotes Victor Frankenstein's first-person narrative at
length; Victor, in turn, quotes the monster's first-person narrative;
in addition, the lesser characters Elizabeth Lavenza and
Alphonse Frankenstein narrate parts of the story through their letters
to Victor.
climax · The murder of Elizabeth Lavenza on the night of her
wedding to Victor Frankenstein in Chapter 23
protagonist · Victor Frankenstein
antagonist · Frankenstein's monster
setting (time) · Eighteenth century
setting (place) · Geneva; the Swiss Alps; Ingolstadt; England and Scotland;
the -northern ice
point of view · The point of view shifts with the narration, from Robert
Walton to Victor Frankenstein to Frankenstein's monster, then back
to Walton, with a few digressions in the form of letters from Elizabeth
Lavenza and Alphonse Frankenstein.
falling action · After the murder of Elizabeth Lavenza, when Victor Frankenstein
chases the monster to the northern ice, is rescued by Robert Walton,
narrates his story, and dies.
tense · Past
foreshadowing · Ubiquitous—throughout his narrative, Victor uses words
such as “fate” and “omen” to hint at the tragedy that has befallen him;
additionally, he occasionally pauses in his recounting to collect
himself in the face of frightening memories.
tone · Gothic, Romantic, emotional, tragic, fatalistic
themes · Dangerous knowledge; sublime nature; texts; secrecy; monstrosity
motifs · Passive women; abortion
symbols · Fire and light
