<P> Frankenstein is infused with elements of the Gothic novel and the Romantic movement . At the same time, it is an early example of science fiction . Brian Aldiss has argued that it should be considered the first true science fiction story because, in contrast to previous stories with fantastical elements resembling those of later science fiction, the central character "makes a deliberate decision" and "turns to modern experiments in the laboratory" to achieve fantastic results . It has had a considerable influence in literature and popular culture and spawned a complete genre of horror stories, films and plays . </P> <P> Since the novel's publication, the name "Frankenstein" has often been used to refer to the monster itself . This usage is sometimes considered erroneous, but usage commentators regard it as well - established and acceptable . In the novel, the monster is identified by words such as "creature", "monster", "demon", "wretch," "abortion," and "it". Speaking to Victor Frankenstein, the wretch refers to himself as "the Adam of your labours", and elsewhere as someone who "would have (been) your Adam", but is instead "your fallen angel" (which ties to Lucifer in Paradise Lost, which the monster reads, and relates to the "modern" Prometheus of the book's subtitle). </P> <P> Frankenstein is written in the form of a frame story that starts with Captain Robert Walton writing letters to his sister . It takes place at an unspecified time in the 18th century, as the letters' dates are given as "17 --". </P> <P> The novel Frankenstein is written in epistolary form, documenting a fictional correspondence between Captain Robert Walton and his sister, Margaret Walton Saville . Walton is a failed writer and captain who sets out to explore the North Pole and expand his scientific knowledge in hopes of achieving fame . During the voyage, the crew spots a dog sled driven by a gigantic figure . A few hours later, the crew rescues a nearly frozen and emaciated man named Victor Frankenstein . Frankenstein has been in pursuit of the gigantic man observed by Walton's crew . Frankenstein starts to recover from his exertion; he sees in Walton the same obsession that has destroyed him, and recounts a story of his life's miseries to Walton as a warning . The recounted story serves as the frame for Frankenstein's narrative . </P>

To whom does the narrator write in frankenstein