Frankenstein

Introduction

David, a lecturer at the University of Huddersfield, introduces himself and discusses the focus of the talk.
- Topic: Unreliable narration in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein."
- Addressing students interested in studying English at the university.

David inquires about the students' progress with "Frankenstein."
- Responses: Some students have not started, while others have reached Chapter 3.
- David recalls his own initial confusion during the first reading, expecting certain tropes associated with the "mad scientist."

Definition and distinction between author and narrator:
- Author: The real-life person who writes the book (Mary Shelley).
- Narrator: The voice telling the story, which can be a character within the book or an omniscient presence.
Discussion of the multiple narrators in "Frankenstein."
- Main Narrators Identified:
- Robert Walton (the epistolary framing narrator).
- Victor Frankenstein (intradiegetic narrator).
- The Creature (metadiegetic narrator).

Introduction of Mise en Abyme: A story within a story, also known as an embedded narrative.
Discussion of how narratives in "Frankenstein" are layered, with stories told from different perspectives.
- Example of narration being influenced by characters' views, bias, and potential manipulation.

Emphasis on the complexity of information relay:
- Most accounts in "Frankenstein" are hearsay, changed over time before reaching the reader.
- Multiple perspectives contribute to the overall unreliable narration.
David uses the example of the Creature retelling a story learned from the De Lacey family, implying that narratives are not always direct accounts.

Definition of an unreliable narrator:
- Not necessarily lying but not telling the whole truth.
- They may be biased or emotionally affected, influencing the narrative's reliability.
Factors contributing to a narrator's unreliability include:
- Deliberate lies.
- Misunderstandings or poor vantage points when events occurred.
- Omissions of crucial information or emotions clouding their judgment.

Analysis of how the relationship between narrator and narratee affects reliability.
- Each narrator has different motivations, biases, and emotional states.
- Walton's initial insights into his reliability questioned through the emotional influences the narrators face.

David engages the audience on their interpretation of emotional bias in narration:
- The influence of emotional context on how narrators engage with each other in the book.
Example: Walton's interaction with Frankenstein might cloud his judgment and alter reliability.

Complexity of Walton and Frankenstein's relationship:
- Intensive focus on how their interactions dictate the reliability of the stories shared.
- How Walton's admiration for Frankenstein may lead him to present a biased narrative.

Exploration of extremes in characters' reliability:
- Walton's letters serve as a gateway to Frankenstein's story, yet they might not reflect total accuracy.
David discusses potential outcomes in a hypothetical court case comparing narrative reliability:
- Suggests all narrators could be considered unreliable since their perspectives might be altered due to emotional or situational context.

Reflection on how characters such as Frankenstein and the Creature represent themes of trust and betrayal:
- Frankenstein’s emotions towards the Creature potentially skewing his narrative and Walton’s interpretation.
Proposed difficulties in determining who is the hero and who is the villain adds to the unreliable narration discourse.

David summarizes the importance of recognizing both narrators and narratees in analyzing reliability in "Frankenstein."
- Close with a reminder that students should think critically about whose perspective they're getting when they read any narrative.
Invitation for conclusions, questions, and thoughts on studying English at Huddersfield.

Unreliable Narrator: A narrator whose credibility is compromised due to bias or other factors.
Mise en Abyme: A narrative technique where a story is set within another story.
Embedded Narrative: A narrative that exists within the larger framework of another narrative.
Framing Narrative: The overarching story that sets the context for the embedded narratives.
Narratee: The presumed audience within the text who listens to the narrator's story and may influence its interpretation.