Final answer:
Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' is considered an epistolary novel due to its narrative being conveyed through letters, starting with those from Robert Walton to his sister. This structure provides multiple perspectives and enhances the gothic elements, building suspense through the gradual revelation of information.
Step-by-step explanation:
How is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein an Epistolary Novel?
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is considered an epistolary novel because it employs a narrative structure that relays the story through letters. The novel begins with a series of epistles from Robert Walton to his sister, in which he recounts his encounters with Victor Frankenstein and the subsequent tale Frankenstein tells. Shelley uses this literary technique to create layers within her storytelling, providing multiple perspectives and a sense of immediacy as Walton's letters convey the unfolding events in real-time.
The use of epistolary form also allows Shelley to delve deeply into the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters, particularly Walton and Frankenstein. This narrative device enhances the gothic elements of the novel, as the reader receives an intimate, first-hand account of the horrors and moral dilemmas encountered by the characters. Furthermore, this method of storytelling can help to build suspense, as information is revealed gradually through the correspondence.
Frankenstein not only intertwines narratives through letters but also includes journal entries and personal narratives, such as the monster's own story. Thus, the novel's layered narrative structure and utilization of the epistolary form contribute to its classification within the genres of both epistolary fiction and the gothic novel.