Walton

Walton is an extra-diegetic/framing narrator within the novel. As our first narrator, he prepares the reader for the character of Frankenstein.

The pursuit of knowledge

Walton, as our first narrator, prepares the reader for the character of Frankenstein.
Walton, like Victor, is singularly obsessed with the pursuit of knowledge.

Letter II

"I am practically industrious-painstaking-a workman to execute with perseverance and labour… A belief in the marvellous, intertwined in all my projects, which hurries me out of the common pathways of man even to the wild sea and on visited regions I’m about to explore."

Narcissism

Walton, like Victor, has a narcissistic personality. He focuses purely on his own achievements and needs.
When he meets Victor, he finds a kindred spirit who believes that nature is there to be exposed and conquered by man.

Letter III

"The very stars themselves being witnesses and testimonies of my triumph. Why not still proceed over the untamed yet obedient element? What can stop the determined heart and resolve the will of man?"

Control

Both appear to display a masculine desire to conquer, explore and control, not only for humanity to stake claim over nature but for them both to achieve a sense of fame and acclaim.

Letter III/ Chapter 4

Walton: "But success shall crown mine endeavours. Wherefore not?" (Letter III)
Victor: "A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me." (Chapter 4)

What do we Know About Walton?

Walton has a number of characteristics in common with Frankenstein:

Similarities with Frankenstein

Walton has a number of characteristics in common with Frankenstein:
- He exhibits a masculine desire to explore, discover, conquer and control which means that he distances himself from his family.

Voyage to the North Pole

He pitches himself against nature in his search for a new passage to the North Pole.
By discovering this, he hopes to enable humanity to have greater control over nature and to acquire fame.

Companionship

He has a desire for companionship (perhaps linking him to the creature too.)

Didactic purpose

He doesn’t learn from Victor’s story:
- He overlooks the didactic purpose of his tale.
  - He states that he "had rather die then return shamefully-my purpose unfulfilled" even after Victor warns him that "the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been."

Position in the novel

He is an extra-diegetic/ framing narrator within the novel.

1Narrative Structure

1.1Narrative Structure

1.1.1Narrative Structure

1.1.2Narrative Distancing

1.1.3End of Topic Test - Narrative Structure

2Character Summaries

2.1Walton & Frankenstein

2.1.1Walton

2.1.2Victor Frankenstein

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Walton & Frankenstein

2.2The Monster

2.2.1The Monster

2.2.2The Monster 2

2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster

2.3Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.3.1Elizabeth Lavenza

2.3.2Justine Moritz

2.3.3Henry Clerval

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.4Families & Other Characters

2.4.1The Frankenstein Family

2.4.2The De Lacey Family

2.4.3Other Characters

2.4.4End of Topic Test - Families & Other Characters

3Intertextuality & Allusions

3.1Intertextual References

3.1.1The Modern Prometheus

3.1.2The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

3.1.3The Bible

3.1.4Mutability & Tintern Abbey

3.1.5End of Topic Test - Intertextual References

3.2Philosophical & Scientific Theories

3.2.1Edmund Burke

3.2.2Thomas Paine

3.2.3John Locke

3.2.4Jean-Jacques Rousseau

3.2.5Historical Figures

3.2.6End of Topic Test - Philosophy & Science Theories

4Biographic Context

4.1Biographic Context

4.1.1Shelley's Parents

4.1.2Loss & Maternal Anxiety

4.1.3Literary Legend

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Biographical Context

5Chapter Summaries

5.1Letters

5.1.1Letters 1 & 2

5.1.2Letters 3 & 4

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Letters

5.2Chapters

5.2.1Chapters 1-2

5.2.2Chapters 3-4

5.2.3Chapters 5-6

5.2.4Chapters 7-9

5.2.5Chapters 10-11

5.2.6Chapters 12-15

5.2.7Chapters 16-19

5.2.8Chapters 20-23

5.2.9Chapter 24 & Walton’s Last Letters

5.2.10End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6

5.2.11End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-15

5.2.12End of Topic Test - Chapters 16-23

5.2.13End of Topic Test - Chapter 24 & Walton's Letters

6Key Themes

6.1Key Themes

6.1.1Curiosity & Knowledge

6.1.2Science & Society

6.1.3Loss & Companionship

6.1.4Connection to Nature

6.1.5Injustice

6.2Key Locations

6.2.1Extreme Landscapes

6.2.2Industrialised University Cities

6.2.3End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Locations

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