The Importance Of Shifting Perspectives In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

There is no such thing as true objectivity; life is all a matter of perspective. One’s subjective view will always differ from another’s. That is why having multiple perspectives allows for more information to be brought across, because neither one truly has the full story, but together, a full story can be pieced together. This and other reasons are why perspective shifting in books is so important. The shifting perspectives in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein are there to create three-dimensional characters, close loose plot threads, and expand upon existing suspense. First is to explore how the shifting perspectives create the three-dimensional character of Frankenstein’s monster. From the perspective of Doctor Frankenstein, his creation is little more than a malevolent monster. He

The idea of suspense is the anticipation for the continuation of something, or the expectation of something. This is greatly expressed when the monster mentions how the reader should, “Allow me [the monster] to return to the cottagers, whose story excited in me such various feelings” (Shelley 108). The various feelings that are invoked are unknown, and it is that unknown that fuels the suspense the reader experiences. By shifting perspectives, Shelley draws the reader away from the plot temporarily, which will agitate some, but this is intentional. Shelley knows that the reader will want to see the monster’s tale continue, so she adds in an entire chapter about the cottage family to set up future chapters. She is trying to make the reader invested in the cottage family, even though she knows they will only be in the book for another chapter or two. This is to create a suspense in the reader, who now expects the cottage family to be much more influential in the story, but in reality, are little more than red herrings. Thus, the shift in perspective fuels the suspense in the