FRANKENSTEIN:
ROBERT WALTON AND EPISTOLARY
WRITTEN BY JACK FISHER
(RESEARCH AND COVER WORK)
(Aiden Quinn as Robert Walton in Kenneth Branagh's movie adaption of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, 1994)
Context of Character - Purpose
Robert Walton’s letters which begin Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” are imperative to the structure and stance of the novel. The letters, written to his sister, Margaret Saville, follow Walton on his dangerous journey through the North Pacific Ocean to the North Pole. While his boat gets stuck amidst the ice, a large creature with the shape of a man is seen passing through the snow on a sledge hauled by dogs. Hours later a weak and sickly man passes and is taken aboard. Walton, with a desperate desire for a companion that is as passionate and intelligent as he, is taken by the man and develops an admiration for him. Walton befriends the man and cares for him. This man, of course, is Victor Frankenstein. It is because of the striking similarities between the two men that Frankenstein decides to tell Walton of his success and ultimate failure.
Presentation of Walton's Character
WRITTEN BY JACK FISHER
(RESEARCH AND COVER WORK)
Context of Character - Purpose
Robert Walton’s letters which begin Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” are imperative to the structure and stance of the novel. The letters, written to his sister, Margaret Saville, follow Walton on his dangerous journey through the North Pacific Ocean to the North Pole. While his boat gets stuck amidst the ice, a large creature with the shape of a man is seen passing through the snow on a sledge hauled by dogs. Hours later a weak and sickly man passes and is taken aboard. Walton, with a desperate desire for a companion that is as passionate and intelligent as he, is taken by the man and develops an admiration for him. Walton befriends the man and cares for him. This man, of course, is Victor Frankenstein. It is because of the striking similarities between the two men that Frankenstein decides to tell Walton of his success and ultimate failure.
Presentation of Walton's Character
Though Robert Walton's appearance within the novel is somewhat brief and short-lived, it shouldn't be undermined; Walton is quintessential to the telling of Frankenstein (particularly the preface) and preparing the reader for the forthcoming events seen within the novel. One could also argue that he is the introductory character who is a centre-piece for displaying Shelley's literary technique and the Gothic/Romantic nature of her works. It could also be suggested that Walton sets the story in motion, not only as a narrator, but to present the prolepsis within the plot - which is only recognised towards the end of the novel. In terms of characterisation, Walton is both altruistic and ambitious at first glance, yet through the subtleties of the epistolary, one would begin to realise that the once compassionate character is truly isolated on his explorations. The characters isolation is highlighted within his letters to his sister during his exploration through the North Sea; stating that he "desires the company of a man" and that he "shall commit my thoughts to paper, it is true; but that is a poor medium for the communication of feeling". Walton's longing for a companion is reflected in his behaviour towards the Creation and Frankenstein.
As Laertes is to Hamlet, it could be suggested that Walton is Frankenstein's potential foil, and the monster the foil of the two. Despite the fact that all three of these characters are isolated and driven for exploration, there are some integral differences. Like Frankenstein, Walton's ambition is to explore the known and the unknown; like the Creation, he's utterly alone. One could suggest that there is a metaphorical link between the two characters, which is appropriately suggested due to the literal link between them at the end. However, Robert isn't exactly like Victor either, otherwise the use of the term "foil" would be nullified: while Victor's explorative tendencies lead him to his own tragic demise, it's Walton's own choice to cut short his thirst for knowledge in favour for his and his crew's life. Victor is quite the contrary, sacrificing his entire circle of relatives for the greater good of human kind; first for science and later for humanity.
Victor’s influence on him is paradoxical: one moment he exhorts Walton’s almost-mutinous men to stay the path courageously, regardless of danger; the next, he serves as an abject example of the dangers of heedless scientific ambition. In his ultimate decision to terminate his treacherous pursuit, Walton serves as a foil (someone whose traits or actions contrast with, and thereby highlight, those of another character) to Victor, either not obsessive enough to risk almost-certain death or not courageous enough to allow his passion to drive him.
As Laertes is to Hamlet, it could be suggested that Walton is Frankenstein's potential foil, and the monster the foil of the two. Despite the fact that all three of these characters are isolated and driven for exploration, there are some integral differences. Like Frankenstein, Walton's ambition is to explore the known and the unknown; like the Creation, he's utterly alone. One could suggest that there is a metaphorical link between the two characters, which is appropriately suggested due to the literal link between them at the end. However, Robert isn't exactly like Victor either, otherwise the use of the term "foil" would be nullified: while Victor's explorative tendencies lead him to his own tragic demise, it's Walton's own choice to cut short his thirst for knowledge in favour for his and his crew's life. Victor is quite the contrary, sacrificing his entire circle of relatives for the greater good of human kind; first for science and later for humanity.
Victor’s influence on him is paradoxical: one moment he exhorts Walton’s almost-mutinous men to stay the path courageously, regardless of danger; the next, he serves as an abject example of the dangers of heedless scientific ambition. In his ultimate decision to terminate his treacherous pursuit, Walton serves as a foil (someone whose traits or actions contrast with, and thereby highlight, those of another character) to Victor, either not obsessive enough to risk almost-certain death or not courageous enough to allow his passion to drive him.
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