2.1.1

Walton

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Companionship

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

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

Position in the novel

  • He is an extra-diegetic/ framing narrator within the novel.
Jump to other topics
1

Narrative Structure

1.1

Narrative Structure

1.1.1Narrative Structure1.1.2Narrative Distancing1.1.3End of Topic Test - Narrative Structure
2

Character Summaries

2.1

Walton & Frankenstein

2.1.1Walton2.1.2Victor Frankenstein2.1.3End of Topic Test - Walton & Frankenstein
2.2

The Monster

2.2.1The Monster2.2.2The Monster 22.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster
2.3

Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.3.1Elizabeth Lavenza2.3.2Justine Moritz2.3.3Henry Clerval2.3.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth, Justine & Henry
2.4

Families & Other Characters

2.4.1The Frankenstein Family2.4.2The De Lacey Family2.4.3Other Characters2.4.4End of Topic Test - Families & Other Characters
3

Intertextuality & Allusions

3.1

Intertextual References

3.1.1The Modern Prometheus3.1.2The Rime of the Ancient Mariner3.1.3The Bible3.1.4Mutability & Tintern Abbey3.1.5End of Topic Test - Intertextual References
3.2

Philosophical & Scientific Theories

3.2.1Edmund Burke3.2.2Thomas Paine3.2.3John Locke3.2.4Jean-Jacques Rousseau3.2.5Historical Figures3.2.6End of Topic Test - Philosophy & Science Theories
4

Biographic Context

4.1

Biographic Context

4.1.1Shelley's Parents4.1.2Loss & Maternal Anxiety4.1.3Literary Legend4.1.4End of Topic Test - Biographical Context
5

Chapter Summaries

5.1

Letters

5.1.1Letters 1 & 25.1.2Letters 3 & 45.1.3End of Topic Test - Letters
5.2

Chapters

5.2.1Chapters 1-25.2.2Chapters 3-45.2.3Chapters 5-65.2.4Chapters 7-95.2.5Chapters 10-115.2.6Chapters 12-155.2.7Chapters 16-195.2.8Chapters 20-235.2.9Chapter 24 & Walton’s Last Letters5.2.10End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-65.2.11End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-155.2.12End of Topic Test - Chapters 16-235.2.13End of Topic Test - Chapter 24 & Walton's Letters
6

Key Themes

6.1

Key Themes

6.1.1Curiosity & Knowledge6.1.2Science & Society6.1.3Loss & Companionship6.1.4Connection to Nature6.1.5Injustice
6.2

Key Locations

6.2.1Extreme Landscapes6.2.2Industrialised University Cities6.2.3End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Locations
7

Recap: Main Quotes

7.1

Characters Quotes

7.1.1Walton - Quotations7.1.2Victor Frankenstein - Quotations7.1.3The Monster - Quotations7.1.4The Educational Texts - Quotations7.1.5Elizabeth Lavenza - Quotations7.1.6Justine Moritz - Quotations7.1.7Henry Clerval - Quotations7.1.8Alphonse Frankenstein - Quotations7.1.9The De Lacey Family - Quotations
7.2

Quotes by Chapters

7.2.1Letters 1 & 2 - Quotations7.2.2Letters 3 & 4 - Quotations7.2.3Chapters 1-6 - Quotations7.2.4Chapters 7-13 - Quotations7.2.5Chapters 14-20 - Quotations7.2.6Chapters 21-24 & Waton's Last Letters - Quotations

Practice questions on Walton

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  1. 1
    What are Walton and Victor similarly obsessed with?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What do Walton and Victor believe about nature?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Who does Walton distance himself from because of his desire to explore?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What does Walton desire?Multiple choice
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End of Topic Test - Narrative Structure

Victor Frankenstein