How Does Frankenstein Benefit from Walton as a Narrator?

How successfully do Walton's letters introduce the central themes and concerns of the novel "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley?

Moreover, Levy juxtaposes Frankenstein’s disregard for his family with Walton’s consideration for the emotions of his sister, Margaret Saville. After detailing how Shelley believes that stronger domestic affections would have “mitigated suffering by making… exploration more gradual and less exploitive,” she goes on to say “Margaret Saville, who shares Mary Shelley 's initials, performs just this restraining function in the novel, as her absent presence reminds her brother to avoid being the agent of suffering,” (Levy 701). Walton would write to his sister, and he did as much as he could to both follow his ambition for exploration but limit the amount of risk so he would not cause grief in Margaret. Even hesitantly, he eventually decides to return to England at the persuasion of his crew after his ship becomes trapped in ice. In a later letter to his sister he writes “Oh! my beloved sister, the sickening failings of your heart-felt expectations are, in prospect, more terrible to me than my own death,” (Shelley 263). Walton’s regard for his sister does what Frankenstein’s disregard disallowed, which is lessen the suffering of others at his own hands.

The Novel of Frankenstein begins with a series of letter. This first letter is written from Robert Walton from St. Petersburg, Russia to his sister Mrs. Saville. Robert Walton him self is the captain of the ship and he is headed to North Pacific Ocean through the Arctic Ocean. In the first letter, Robert Walton tells his sister about his preparation up to his departure. Robert Walton also tells to his sister that he desires to aim for great purpose. He recounts that he will travel to Archangel, Russia to finish his plan. He tells his sister that if he succeeds he will not comeback home in some months and if he fails he will comeback home sooner or never. Robert Walton feels sad for his own ignorance that he needs to improve himself and expand

The entire story is told through the letters of Robert Walton to his sister, Margaret Saville. Walton’s letters start and end the novel, which sets up the framework for Frankenstein. Walton shares a few similarities with the characters of Victor and the monster. For instance, much like Victor’s character, Walton has an inquisitive nature and he loves to explore. In his first letter he writes, “I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited” (Shelley 16). While Victor has a deep interest in new sciences, Walton has an interest in exploring new places. This curiosity drives both men to take their interests to the limits. Walton’s character also shares some similarities with the

Towards the end of the 18th century, Frankenstein was written, during when Enlightenment ideas truly became the main focus in literature. However, Frankenstein incorporated horror and science fiction elements, and being published in 1818, it challenged the traditional writing style (Gothic Fiction). These elements were different from literature at the time, which focused on reasoning, rather than imaginative achievement. Additionally, the emotion and affection seen in Frankenstein, was unforeseen during the Enlightenment Era. For example, when Robert Walton talks about the potential success of his trip and his ships to his sister Margaret Saville, he states, "I feel my heart glow with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven; for nothing contributes so much to tranquillise the mind as a steady purpose" (Shelley 4) Here, in the stated quote Robert Walton expresses his confidence, that the expedition to the North Pole will be successful. Walton's curiosity of magnetism, which spurred his expeditions shows his own individual desire and interest (Shelly 5). Additionally, the inclusion of the letters, which helps to frame the plot, showed the relationship of relatives, which in this case evoked emotions. Through these stated examples, it illustrates how Frankenstein sets itself out challenging the literary style at the time. Additionally, the portrayal of the

In Mary Shelley Wollstonecraft’s novel, “Frankenstein”, it opens with Robert Walton's letters to his sister of his fantastic voyage to discover the North pole passage. He is presented as an established Englishman who is cultured and is in search of “some great purpose,” (Frankenstein letter 1) which would be either discovering the passage, secret to earth's magnetism, or merely just finding undiscovered land. In letter two and three Walton reveals that he is lonely and longs for a friend, He also shows that he has a romantic side and that he has a “love for the marvelous, a belief in the marvelous” (Frankenstein letter 2).On the short letter 3 he merely says that he has departed once again on his journey. Finally in the fourth letter, as he

In the famous novel Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, the character Robert Walton, also known as “Captain Walton”, is the only person who is somewhat nice to the monster. Walton’s motivation for being nice to the monster is because he feels as if he relates to the monster. Walton feels lonely and out of place in society, in the same way the monster feels lonely and out of place. There are many different illnesses that Walton suffers from throughout this novel. The illnesses that Walton Suffers through are depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

I believe that Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein starting with the letters of Robert Walton because she wanted to allow the story to have reliable character who would be able to guide the audience through the experiences of Victor. Walton is constantly writing to his sister complaining of loneliness and his desire for "the company of a man who could sympathize with him", showing his wish for connection from both his sister and those around him. The letters serve as a huge, almost shocking difference between the stories of Victor and his Creature, who have never quite been able to master the art of communication. In Victor's case, he rarely replies to the emotional letters he receives from his family, completely forgetting about the letters to

In the letters at the beginning of the novel, it’s stated that a Robert Walton, an explorer, is sailing in the Arctic Ocean and eventually stumbles upon an injured Victor Frankenstein. In the letters, Walton is retelling what Frankenstein had told him about his story. Frankenstein was at birth a Genevese, belonging to distinguished family. As a child, he enjoyed learning things and he was quick to learn new subjects which explains why he had a profound love for science. Later his mother, Caroline Beaufort, adopts a girl named Elizabeth Lavenza who she gives to Frankenstein and takes his mother words literally, believing that Elizabeth belonged to him.

"The faults of Frankenstein were the occasional extravagance and overwriting;... everything is cold, crude, inconsecutive, and wearisome; -- not one flash of imagination, not one spark of passion.” (Knights Quarterly Review 1824). These words from an unknown man have sparked a literary debate. Moreover, these words dive into the opinions of whoever reads Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, and makes the reader formulate his own opinion on the literary work. The critic is correct in some matters of the quote, yet in others, he could not be further from the truth.

Mary Shelley writing style for the novel Frankenstein is very special as it is written in a creative narrative point of view even though when reading it there are times when one can forget that Robert Walton is the true singular narrator. Frankenstein is both a frame narrative and a story within a story, the story within the story is seen through Walton telling of Victor’s telling of the Creature’s story. Mary Shelley’s writing style can clearly be seen in the novel with the letters from Robert Walton to his sister in which you can see the narrative point of view, however as you continue to chapter one it becomes hard to see that as it becomes the story within a story which then again happens when the creature tell Victor about what he has been doing since he was created. All of theses events are told by Walton yet it is hard to tell as the novel began to use words like “I” and “my” as if Victor was the narrator for example “I am by birth a Genevese, and my family is one of the most distinguished of that republic.” (19) which is describing Victor yet it seems as he is saying it. This can be seen throughout the main part of the story but towards the end with “You have read this strange and terrific story, Margaret…” (182) you can again see that Walton has been the narrator the whole time.

The story of Frankenstein is one that focuses mainly on the idea of losing touch with the reality of what is family and love whilst in the pursuit of knowledge. This can initially be experienced in the beginning of the novel in the letters Walton sends to his sister Margaret Saville. In this case, Walton, in search of a passage to the pacific, risks his life without much regard for how his sister may feel. During his voyage Walton eventually gets into a situation, being trapped by the ice, that jeopardizes not only his main objective to find the passage, but the relationships he has at home, specifically his sister.

In his thoughts, Walton concludes that if he does not have “glory and honour” he will have no reason to live (Shelley 205). This reflection opens Walton’s eyes to the dangers of too much ambition as he recognizes that he is dependent on his successes for his self-worth and happiness (Shelley 205). Fearing this concept, Walton makes a decision to return home empty-handed, despite its shamefulness (Shelley 204). In this example, Walton reveals that he is a dynamic character (Shelley 205). Instead of seeing an abundance of forbidden knowledge as the secret to success, he sees it as it truly is: an opportunity for his own destruction (Shelley 205). Walton’s character is developed in this way to demonstrate that one is in control of their life (Shelley

The novel Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, begins with a series of letters from explorer Robert Walton to his sister Margaret Saville. Walton is on a journey to the North Pole; because Walton is more educated than his crew, he is lonely and longs for a friendship. The letters between him and his sister Margaret pull you into the story by making you sympathize with him and his desire for friendship. Walton at one point writes, “I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavor to sustain me in dejection" (30). This personal confession from Walton to his sister makes the reader feel sorry for him. Later we realize that both Frankenstein and his creature share the same desire as Walton for wanting companionship. The letters throughout the novel serve as a framework and emotional guide for the story by mirroring the primary motivations of the protagonists.

It has been said on many occasions, by many individuals, that truth is stranger than fiction. Mary Shelley’s life, saturated as it was by sorrow and coincidence, serves as very strong evidence of this statement’s veracity. From the circumstances of her birth to her passionate life and the end of her days, Mary Shelley led a life far more interesting than any work of fiction could hope to imitate.