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A Little Bit of Context
Frankenstein is Gothic fiction novel written by an author of the name Mary Shelley.
Frankenstein is about a young scientist who conducts an experiment, resulting in the creation of an abnormal creature.
Frankenstein isn't like a typical book. It starts with a preface, and follows along with a series of letters. These letters are important to the story because they are the first real context we are given. The letters are being sent from Robert Walton to his sister, and are of course written in first person point of view from Walton's perspective.
Romanticism and Nature:
In the first part of this letter, Walton really shows how much he likes nature and how much he wants to travel. He even referred to the North Pole as an "unparalleled beauty". Walton also describes nature with such passion, and it really shows how important nature is to him and how much he appreciates it.
Just by the way Walton words things, you can tell he has ambition and motivation, however, he hasn't comprehended the fact that it isn't just butterflies and rainbows, he will actually find himself in lots of difficult situations. He has no real idea of what he is doing, in other words, he's going into this blindly.
As I mentioned, soon enough Walton will find out that this won't be as easy of a journey that he thinks it will be. He has no real experience, and will have trouble when he faces any type of hardships.
Walton has now basically made it his biggest duty to travel to the North Pole. He said he is willing to give up even his life to achieve his goal, and tells his sister that she may not see him again for a very long time.
A Brief Analysis
Walton is fond of nature and describes it romanticly
Walton is going to the North Pole without an actual goal, he is going simply because he can.
He isn't very aware of the things he will encounter, and he is motivated by innocence.
Walton is willing to sacrafice everything for this mission of his.
Letter 2 begins with us finding out Walton hasn't left for his journey yet. He felt lonely and concerned, wondering how he would survive at sea without a friend. He attributes his love for the mission through poetry.
Analysis
Walton doesn't portray himself as an introvert, and expresses his loneliness.
Walton is fueled by poems and romantic thoughts, rather than solid and real information.
His lack of reliable knowledge will lead him to make mistakes in the future.
Walton has no idea what he's in for.
Family, Society, Isolation:
Walton thinking more about this journey makes him think that he might experience, loneliness missing society, family, and friends.
You would think that one wouldn't like the thought of danger, but Walton recites that he thinks danger is romantic, and I think it gives him sort of a thrill.
Again, Walton is naive and isn't thinking properly, and in the future all this innocence that motivates him will be suddenly taken from him when he experiences struggles that he wasn't expecting.
Walton immediately starts off by saying he has departed and is now on his journey. He says the crew he hired is doing great and the weather isn't as harsh as he thought it would be. At the end of the letter, he again mentions how determined he is.
Ambition and Fallibility:
Walton clearly hasn't given up yet, he constantly reminds his sister that he is very motivated, and doesn't plan on throwing in the towel just yet.
Walton is admiring and appreciating the weather as well as the things around him. Nothing seems to bother him much, he is just worried that the ice can cause issues in the future.
Analysis
Walton is rather confident about a lot of things. Confident the mission will be a success, as well as confident in himself.
At the end of the letter Walton says "Nature cannot stop a determined heart" further proof of his confidence that he will succeed simply because he is determined.
Prejudice:
Walton and the men describe the figure as "savage". They didn't interact with the figure, so how would they know? They are judging by appearance.
Walton is now cured of his loneliness since hes met Victor. He likes Victor very much, and considers him good company.
Walton accepts Victor right away. He has no suspicions of him and welcomes him with open arms. Although that's polite of him, his quick acceptance shows how truly innocent he is.
Victor tells Walton how he has lost a lost while trying to seek for some sort of knowledge. Victor said he became isolated and knows the feeling of loss, and he doesn't want Walton going towards the same path.
Despite hearing Victor's warnings and story, Walton hangs on to his innocence tightly, and doesn't plan on ending his journey anytime soon.
Walton is still stubborn as ever and says his destiny has already been determined. Victor constantly warns him but the warnings fly right over Walton's head. His stubbornness will possibly lead to his demise.
Analysis
Walton judged a person based off their looks, calling the figure "savage".
Walton seems sort of desperate, and accepts Victor very quickly, showing how wreck less he can be sometimes.
Walton's stubbornness causes him to not listen to warnings or red flags.
Victor just wants to help Walton come to his senses.
Walton really just makes himself look like a stubborn fool, he trusts fate over facts.