Frankenstein: The Letters and Chapters 1 & 2

Frankenstein: The Letters and Chapters 1 & 2

A first impression of Walton would be to say that he is extremely ambitious. He desires to go to the North Pole to "accomplish some great purpose". He has his own theories on what should be there, and will not rest until he has proved them. This is somewhat a 'Godlike' ambition, in that he wishes to be praised for discovering something new which will benefit everyone else in the world. The language used is also very much like Old Testament, Biblical; "Heaven shower down blessings on you". The image of Walton being 'Godlike' is enhanced by this. However, he is disrespectful of his family, as he goes against his fathers "dying injunction", which had "forbidden" him from embarking on a "seafaring life". He seems to be very egocentric, and not aware of anyone else or their feelings. He is deliberately disobeying his father to pursue a personal ambition. He is leaving his sister in England, and at the end of each letter he writes that he may not see her again, "Farewell my dear, excellent Margaret", "Remember me with affection, should you never hear from me again". Each time she receives a letter from him, she will be hopeful of his return and safety, and then he writes "Shall I meet you again?” This is selfish of him, as it will worry her even more about his expedition. Again this 'Godlike' theme reoccurs as he is doing what he wants to do. Having only been educated about this passion through his own reading, he cannot really be sure of what he will discover once he reaches his destination. His beliefs that "snow and frost are banished" from the North Pole seem as eccentric as believing that the earth is flat. But of course he doesn't see it this way; he needs to prove his own theory. After failing at being a poet he doesn't want to fail as a scientist and explorer either. He is confident in his beliefs and will stop at nothing, not even employment as an "under-mate in a Greenland Whaler", to get where he wants to be, and hopefully find what he wants to discover. In the second letter, Walton writes about his desire for a friend. As he has left all his acquaintances in England, he no longer has anyone to convey theories and ideas to, "participate" in his "joy", or comfort him in times of despair. He is alone, and will be for the next few years; and due to this he "bitterly" feels the "want of a friend". As he is so far from home, he is isolated from the society which he now finds himself in. As a key gothic theme, isolation is something that is continued throughout Walton's letters. But he will not settle for just anyone as a friend and companion. They need to be someone "who could sympathize with" him, and "whose eyes would reply to mine". He finds himself in solitude with no one to turn to for advice or comfort. But usually, solitude is something you seek for yourself; here Walton is partially isolating himself, as he will not become a friend to those around him. However he is not alone, which is what solitude refers to. There are many people around him, and many good people who are easily liked, but Walton is impartial to them. He refers to the scenery of the places he visits with admiration. He writes about the "beauty in every region" and appreciates its magnificence. When he meets Frankenstein, they almost immediately understand each other, and form a firm friendship. Frankenstein is the friend that Walton was writing about in the second letter. His 'soul mate', someone who understands his mad ambitions and shares his views. Walton protects him from the other sailors who are on the boat and their prying questions. He refers to him as "the brother of my heart" when writing to Margaret. Walton shares his future ambitions with Frankenstein, who in turn tells him the story of how he came to be found on the ice, so far from home, or anywhere. He hopes that his own story will discourage Walton from continuing his voyage. In chapter one we almost immediately see the typical gothic plot device of a deathbed scene. Frankenstein's mother is caring for her sick father, a friend of Frankenstein's father, and he dies in her arms. She becomes a stereotypical heroine by being brave and trying to continue with her life. She is found by Frankenstein's