Frankenstein by Mary Shelley | Letters

Summary

In 'Frankenstein,' the narrative opens and closes with letters from explorer Robert Walton to his sister, detailing his Arctic expedition. Walton, ambitious and lonely, encounters Victor Frankenstein, who is in pursuit of the monstrous creation he's made. As Walton's ship becomes trapped, he finds a companion in the reticent Victor, who agrees to share his tragic tale. The letters serve as a narrative frame, introduce themes of ambition, loneliness, and the parallels between Walton and Victor.

Takeaways

• 📜 The story of *Frankenstein* is framed with letters from Robert Walton to his sister, Margaret Saville.
• ❄️ Walton is an English explorer leading a dangerous voyage to the North Pole, seeking scientific discoveries and fame.
• ⛵ In the first letter, Walton describes the preparations for his journey and his desire to achieve greatness.
• 🤝 The second letter reveals Walton’s loneliness and his yearning for friendship, despite securing a ship and crew.
• 🌪️ In the third letter, Walton’s ship nears the North Pole, surviving a storm, and he reassures his sister of his safety.
• 🧊 The fourth letter details the ship becoming stuck in ice, where Walton and his crew witness a gigantic figure traveling by dogsled.
• 🛶 A near-death man on a second dogsled is discovered, who reveals he is chasing the giant figure but refuses to board the ship unless it is headed for the North Pole.
• 🗣️ Walton is excited to have a companion, even though the stranger is reclusive and miserable, and agrees to share his story.
• 📚 The letters include biblical references to places like St. Petersburg and Archangel, adding depth and symbolism.
• 🤔 The letters introduce key themes of ambition, imagination, and companionship, highlighting Walton's loneliness and connection to Victor Frankenstein.

Q & A

Who is Robert Walton and what role does he play in the story?

Robert Walton is an English explorer and the captain of a ship heading to the North Pole. He plays a framing role in the narrative, as the story begins and ends with his letters to his sister, Margaret Saville.

What motivates Robert Walton to embark on his journey to the North Pole?

Robert Walton is motivated by his desire for scientific discovery and his ambition to become a famous explorer.

How does Walton describe his emotional state during the expedition?

Walton expresses feelings of loneliness and a longing for friendship, particularly in his second letter where he admits his need for companionship.

What unusual event does Walton and his crew witness during their journey?

Walton and his crew see a gigantic figure of a man traveling by dogsled, which is followed by the discovery of another man, who turns out to be Victor Frankenstein, also on a dogsled.

Why does the second man, later revealed as Victor Frankenstein, refuse to board Walton's ship initially?

Victor Frankenstein initially refuses to board the ship because it is not bound for the North Pole, which was his destination as he was chasing the gigantic figure.

What is the significance of the letters Walton writes to his sister?

The letters serve multiple purposes: they provide a frame for the narrative, add a veneer of realism, and introduce Walton as a character who parallels Victor Frankenstein in terms of ambition and imagination.

How does Walton react to meeting Victor Frankenstein?

Walton is thrilled to finally have a friend to talk to, despite Victor being reclusive and miserable. Walton becomes eager to hear Victor's story and record it.

What literary references are noted in Walton's letters?

Walton's letters contain biblical references, including the mention of St. Petersburg and Archangel, which critics have linked to the themes of 'Paradise Lost.'

How does Walton’s character resemble Victor Frankenstein?

Walton resembles Victor Frankenstein in his ambition, imagination, and desire to accomplish something extraordinary, which are key traits of both characters.

What theme is introduced through Walton’s letters?

One of the novel's primary themes introduced through Walton's letters is companionship. Walton feels bitterly lonely, and despite Victor being reclusive, Walton quickly forms a bond with him.