The "frame"work

A major literary used by Mary Shelley in Frankenstein is the frame story.  She uses this strategy effectively, beginning the novel with 4 letters which perform dual tasks.  First, they set the foundation for the rest of the novel.  Shelley does this by introducing the main character, Victor.  She begins to characterize him by reveling his appearance, speech, and some mannerisms.  In addition, he begins to reveal a small portion of his life story and how he ended up on the the ship with Walton.  The second function of the frame story is to give an early glimpse of Victor's story and the struggles that plagued his life.  Our early sighting of Frankenstein's creature, "a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently with gigantic stature (p 8),"  create mystery and suspense.  Why is Victor chasing the creature?  How is this creature intelligent enough to use a dogsled and outrun Victor?  Why are they in the Arctic in the first place?  Shelley's use of frame story is an engaging way of beginning the story.  A perfect cliffhanger, it answers some questions while leaving even more to be answered.