Frankenstein is a tale within a tale. Three different storytellers explain their lives. The two main characters, Victor Frankenstein and his creation, take up the majority of the book explaining all the horrible tragedies that have befallen them. Throughout both of their tales, several prominent themes are evident in the text. Shelley also uses similar setting to further her story. Two questions are raised throughout the novel, "What is Shelley saying about the nuclear family?" and "Is the creature good or evil?" Through the creature, Shelley and Frankenstein confront these questions of family and perception.
             Understanding Mary Shelley's life gives the reader important information on why she feels the necessity of a strong family life. Shelley's life was not an easy one for a little girl growing up. Her mother, Mary Wollenstonecraft, died during childbirth. Shelley lacked a nurturing mother for most of her child hood. Growing up, Shelley attached herself to her very famous author-father, William Godwin. She held her father in very high esteem. Shelley enjoyed listening to her father's discussions with other famous authors and thinkers of the time. All during her early childhood Shelley had him all to himself. Godwin felt he could not care for his children the way a mother could, and he remarried to Mary Jane Clairmont. Shelley hated her, and blamed Clairmont for stealing her father from her. Shelley became more isolated within her household and eventually eloped with Percy Shelley. (Mellor 12) This did not lead to all the happiness that Mary Shelley expected. Affairs Percy had while Shelley was pregnant distracted Percy from "his primary family relationships, from his commitment to the maintenance of the nuclear family," (Mellor 32). Shelley uses this abandonment later in Frankenstein's abandonment of his creation.
             Frankenstein's creation reveals Shelley&a...