Comparing Frankenstein And Robert Walton In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

In Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, she portrays two characters that share the same characteristics and personalities. These two characters are Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. Both Victor Frankenstein and the Arctic explorer Robert Walton, whose letters open the novel, hold a greedy thirst for privileged knowledge of those things that are unknown to the common person. Each character has dreams of greatness, and a plan to bring it about.

Furthermore, Robert Walton is an experienced navigator. He serves as a link between the reader and Victor Frankenstein’s story. Frankenstein, the protagonist, is introduced through Walton, and most of the novel’s action is actually a story related to Walton by Frankenstein himself.

Walton is the reason the book’s plot makes sense. Walton’s existence is also a way to ensure that the action of the book isn’t suspenseful, for the most part- the reader knows that Frankenstein is alive to tell his story up to a point. Therefore, the story is set up in a way to make the reader heed to it, understand the valuable lessons within it.

The parallel between Walton and Frankenstein is obvious from the beginning: they are both well-educated, refined scientists who pursue nature's darkest secrets. The other thing that unites them, this time only Frankenstein and Walton is their common

role as animators: while Frankenstein creates new life, intending to make a replica of himself, Walton rescues and reanimates Frankenstein, who is also a replica of himself.
Although Walton and Frankenstein have many similarities, they also have differences that are evidently shown throughout the novel.

By introducing Walton first, Shelley shows the reader a scientist desiring of fame whose aim is to improve life. We begin to like Walton and wish for his success. The introduction of Victor shows us a scientist also desiring of fame, but whose ultimate aim is to create new life- life that would pay homage to him as its creator. By contrast, Victor becomes a terrifying character that the reader becomes afraid to trust. Through Victor’s story, we believe that Walton will not make the same choices, and he will end up

happier.
Additionally, Frankenstein’s story helps Walton become a better person and leader. Because Walton has heard the history of Victor Frankenstein, he amends his statement in his fourth letter that his venture is important enough that a few lives are worth the cost, "a small price to pay for the acquirement of knowledge." Instead, he now tells his sister that “it is terrible to reflect that the lives of all these men are endangered through me. If we are lost, my mad schemes are the cause.” Thus, it is because of his warm relationship with Victor Frankenstein that Walton becomes more prudent regarding his venture, listens to his crew, and turns back, heading home.
In conclusion, Victor Frankenstein and Robert Walton do have many similarities in the motives for their work, but Shelley makes sure to show the differences between the two men in their motives as she makes her point. Walton is concerned with improving existing life and achieving fame. While the same motivations push Victor, he lets his imagination take him beyond the realm of reasonable thought.