Narrative perspectives

Letters:

• In the first part of Frankenstein, the novel is from the perspective of Robert Walton in the form of letters. 
• In addition to setting the scene for the telling of the stranger’s narrative, Walton’s letters introduce an important character—Walton himself—whose story parallels Frankenstein’s.
• His letters set up a frame narrative that encloses the main narrative—the stranger’s—and provides the context in which it is told. 
• The use of multiple frame narratives calls attention to the telling of the story, adding new layers of complexity to the already intricate relationship between author and reader: as the reader listens to Victor’s story, so does Walton; as Walton listens, so does his sister.
• Perspective is an effective technique as it's used to build up the reader’s view of one character only to change it later when the character gives his own recollection of the events. 

Chapters 1-5:

• Told from Victors perspective
•  Victor explains his creation of the monster
•  Victor believes the monster is nothing but a hideous and evil creature
•  adds Frankenstein’s point of view to add emotion and additional description to keep the reader’s attention.

Chapter 6: 

From the perspective of Victor, but within it is a letter from Elizabeth.

Additionally, the mention of “record[ing]” Henry’s words underscores the fact that it is only through Walton that the reader has access to the other characters and their narratives.