Captain Robert Walton In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

The novel Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley depicts certain ideas that can not be described or written within novels. For example, the telling of the story between three different narrators can teach the reader about putting together “pieces of a puzzle” in order to understand the plot of the story. The three narrators in Frankenstein are Victor, Walton, and the Creature, all with very distinct personalities and character traits. Of these storytellers, Victor could possibly be debated as the most extraordinary. The qualities that make Victor pictured as this unique character, that the fact that he is a dynamic character, and that he is an unreliable narrator. His personality and traits are different and similar to some of the other narrators such as the creature.

The fictional horror novel of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is driven by the accentuation of humanity’s flaws. Even at the very mention of her work an archetypal monster fills one’s imagination, coupled with visions of a crazed scientist to boot. Opening her novel with Robert Walton, the conduit of the story, he also serves as a character to parallel the protagonist’s in many ways. As the ‘protagonist’ of the story, Victor Frankenstein, takes on the mantle of the deluded scientist, his nameless creation becomes the embodiment of a truly abandoned child – one left to fend for itself against the harsh reality posed by society. On the other hand, Walton also serves as a foil to Victor – he is not compulsive enough to risk what would be almost

In volume 1 of Frankenstein, Victor's fearfulness unleashes the “monster” in Victor and leads to Justine's execution. Through the portrayal of of the “monster” inside Victor, Shelley argues the theme of responsibility of an individual to society. As an individual to

Whereas Frankenstein does not properly value the domestic affection he is given until it is violently taken from him, his creation learns that this is what values most in life and yet is not able to gain this affection from others. Francis Bacon says in his essay Of Friendship “I have given the rule, where a man cannot fitly play his own part; if he have not a friend, he may quit the stage”. Shelley highlights the need for a sense of belonging and companionship by letting both her main figures suffer the pain of not having this need fulfilled and, in consequence, they both “quit the stage” (Bacon) and turn their backs on humanity. Social isolation, although through different circumstances, was the predominant cause for both Frankenstein and his creature’s demise. Even Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Shelley’s husband, wrote in his preface to Frankenstein about the “amiableness of domestic affection” (Shelley 9). By denying both main characters the sensation of domestic affection, or any other kind of social belonging, Mary Shelley highlights the importance thereof. The resulting isolation became the driving force behind both Frankenstein and his creation’s abominable actions which, in turn, shows that trying to avoid isolation and seeking the feeling of social belonging is the primary message of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and of

Victor has feelings toward the monster that Walton doesn’t have because Walton doesn’t have the past experiences with the creature like Victor does. Walton understands and agrees with Frankenstein about how ugly the creature once Frankenstein shows Walton what the creature looks like. Walton understands and agrees with Frankenstein that the monster is hideous. Walton is able to tell the story of Frankenstein and the monster while being removed from the drama of it all. Walton ultimately adds great amounts of suspense in the mysterious character known as Victor Frankenstein, and the outcome of the novel right away in the book.

Both characters seem to strongly despise one another yet they both also despise themselves for their wrong and disastrous actions. The vivid similarities between these characters is driven by their isolation from paternal figures and society. In pursuit of his scientific studies, Victor admits that he “seemed to have lost all soul or sensation but for this one pursuit" (Shelley 38). Not only are the two characters both subjugated from society through their own personal choice, but they also share interest in the mysteries of the natural world. They both admire nature for its serenity and beauty. For example, when the Monster was exposed to a peaceful natural setting he states: “my [the Monsters] spirits were elevated by the enchanting appearance of nature; the past was blotted from my memory, the present was tranquil, and the future glided by bright rays of hope and anticipations of joy” (Shelley 101). Another common interest between these two seemingly contradicting characters is their strong love of knowledge. Although their love for knowledge is obvious, their inability to control their obsession with it often results in something negative. Victor becomes obsessed with science and studying life. His obsession leads to the creation of the Monster, his biggest mistake. On the other hand, the Monster becomes obsessed with humans.

When writing any piece of fiction, an author 's choice of narrative voice has a huge impact on how readers experience the story. From the slightly less personal yet versatile third-person to the narrow, limited view of first-person, the narrative voice literally provides the voice of literature. It affects which characters the reader really connects with, the opinions that influence them, the knowledge they have, and numerous other aspects. While most authors stick with only one tense, Mary Shelley challenged that standard in Frankenstein. In Frankenstein, Shelley changes her narrative voice numerous times in order to fully develop all aspects of the story through Walton 's letters, Frankenstein 's story, the Monster 's story, and also the

I think that Frankenstein starts off cleverly with the use of letters which creates a nice introduction through a frame tale. In my opinion, Walton, being at the beginning of this novel, serves the purpose of setting the theme for this book and creates a great nativite hook which draws the reader in. When comparing Walton to Victor, there are definitely some similarities but also they have some differences too. Walton is portrayed as an ambitious explorer through the background given through his letters to his sister. We learn that he spent six years trying to get this voyage and is putting himself on the line. Despite the hard ice and constant challenges of the bitter cold, he keeps pressing on to try to find a passage to North America and

any people are sanguine when it comes to decision-making, but what many don’t understand is the ability to make one, you must visualize the different options and reactions. Without this it will have a negative aftereffect. The novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley begins with a series of letter. The captain of a ship named Robert Walton encounters a man named Victor Frankenstein traveling alone in the North Pole. As Walton nurses him back to health, Victor begins telling his story of his early life in his home, Geneva. Then he later leaves to attend the University of Ingolstadt. He describes the horrible and whimsical events of the creation he had made, and the consequences of it. As Victor is narrating his life, the writer tries to convey through the novel how we must consider that our actions will affect others before we take them. Mary Shelley uses three coherent rhetorical devices to describe the novel. Using imagery to paint picture to show how he feels, symbolism is being used in the beginning of the novel and allusion being used throughout the novel.

In your opinion, who is the hero of Frankenstein: Victor Frankenstein or the monster? Why? How did Mary Shelley influence your choice (you may discuss the ways she reveals her characters)?

In fact, no matter how similar two people seem each person’s experiences will never be exactly the same. Frankenstein and Walton each seem to have a similar path to travel, however Walton seems to have it easier. Walton has just begun his journey when he runs into his first obstacle when he meets Frankenstein, who tells Walton he is, “pursuing the same course, exposing [himself] to the same dangers which have rendered [Frankenstein] what [he] is…”(23) When Frankenstein first begins tampering with the natural laws of life and death, no one comes around to advise him against defying the laws to create a creature. Instead Frankenstein debates against his conscious, thinking, “When I found so astonishing a power placed within my hands, I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it.”(43) After deciding to play God, Frankenstein has to deal with the consequences thrown at him. Meanwhile,Walton benefits from finding Frankenstein on the ice, because his curious nature drives him to want to listen to Frankenstein’s story. At the end of the novel Frankenstein pleads to Walton, “ Peace, peace! Learn my miseries and do not seek to increase your own.” (177) A man who learns firsthand of the dangerous cost of pursuing forbidden knowledge tells Walton how much the expedition will damage his life in the long run. Author Barbara Witucki uses frankenstein’s pleas to state, “[Walton] is urged not to seek person glory and reward, but to fulfill duties to kinsman and country.”

During the first two letters of mary shelley 's frankenstein mary shelley makes important character inferences. Includes setting , provides information about possible conflicts.

The myth of restoring life is proven true in the novel Frankenstein, but the evidence becomes toxic to humanity and Victor makes every effort to warn others. Victor’s creation commits multiple murderous crimes, harasses and cripples villagers, and makes Victor develop anxiety. When Victor is searching for the monster in the inclement north, he discovers a ship. The crew members invite Victor aboard but he declines the offer until the ship captain Robert Walton informs Victor that they are sailing Northward. As time advances, captain Walton and Victor become acquaintances and confess their personal histories toward one another. Walton sought out on a journey to discover unknown passages throughout the Arctic Circle and with his driven attitude

In Frankenstein, Mary Shelly opens the story with letters being written from Robert Walton, who is writing to his sister Margaret Saville. Robert Walton can be assumed to be in the British navy away traveling at sea, around the world and writing to his sister to let her know that he is alive and to tell her his experiences roaming the waters. While he is traveling Robert and his comrades come across a mysterious man that is wandering the sea on a piece of ice. It can be inferred that this mysterious man is Victor Frankenstein, our main narrator, seeking shelter on the ship. Victor and Robert develop a bond and Victor confesses to Robert that “You have hope, and the world before you, and have no cause for despair, But I- I have lost everything and cannot begin life anew.” (Shelly 13).

In the narrative, Mary Shelley carefully introduces various aspects of the tradition of Romantic literature and thus, the novel can also be understood as a mirror to the society of that era. Few of the Romantic thoughts evident in Frankenstein are, the idea of individualism, yearning for a utopic state, nostalgic remembrance, the symbolic use of nature and most evidently, the presence of gothic elements that showcase intense emotions and horror. Furthermore, Shelley uses the voice of three different narrators-Walton, Victor and The Monster, to engage the audience and make them understand all the three viewpoints. Through the epistolary and framed narrative, she also continues to establish new themes as the novel proceeds. The skilful use of literary devices such as allusions, monologues, imagery and metaphors helps to dramatize the text and create an impact on the readers’ mind. Additionally, two of the most impressive aspects in Frankenstein are the foreshadowing of events and the adverse use of intertextuality. Shelley by using words such as ‘fate’ and ‘omen’ sets up the course of the book in an intriguing manner. Notably though, events such as Victor referring to his genius as “the fatal impulse that lead to my ruin” (24) establishes a firm ground for foreshadowing and prepares the reader for what evil is yet to come. As previously