"I see by your eagerness and the wonder and hope which your eyes express, my friend, that you expect to be informed of the secret with which I am acquainted; that cannot be: listen patiently until the end of my story, and you will easily perceive why I am reserved upon that subject."
I've used that title before for a blog, but it seemed to fit. This is the most extended anecdote I have ever read. Victor is telling his story to Robert in order to inform him of a truth he learned from his life. He is trying to help Robert, and Victor is using this story to aid him in his mission of informing Robert about the side effects of too much scientific discovery. Not only is this a frame story, but it also a long parable (that just happens to have actually happened in the storyteller's life as opposed to a made-up story) that has a purpose of relaying a message.
Mary Shelley wrote this story to also inform the world not to pry further than is necessary into science. There are negative effects of scientific pursuit, and nothing can ever be unlearned. Once a theory or discovery grips the mind of a person, it is there to stay.
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