Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

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Recommended: Where in frankenstein does the author show character development

This story is told by the monster speaking through Victor Frankenstein, Victor then speaks through Walton, and Walton speaks through Shelley. The book starts with letters from Walton to his sister Margaret Saville. Walton begins telling his sister of his journeys and what he wants to accomplish. While on his voyage, Walton comes upon a stranger and rescues him from the cold. Once the stranger is in better health he begins telling Walton of his journeys. All the while, Walton is writing to his sister about the stranger and his stories. That is where the book begins and the story of Frankenstein is told.
Walton is an Englishman and a captain of a ship headed to the North Pole. He has no friends to share his discovery or his failures with, the idea of loss and loneliness makes him feel isolated, for he can’t bond with his shipmates. Walton feels he will achieve his goals. Walton studies at night to gain more knowledge. When a stranger boards their ship it is Walton who turns to this stranger as the friend he always wanted. This is like the desire for a friend for the monster. The stranger tells Walton, “You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.” (Kindle Locations 222-223). To know too much knowledge can be destructive and the stranger tries to tell Walton that he too was obsessed with the need for more knowledge.
How Victor makes you visualize his childhood as a pleasant childhood. Victor had a loving family. Victor longs for a happier time, he dwells on his happy childhood. He knows however, that with the happy times there are tragedies that he had to face. Victor seems to deny the responsibilities ...

... middle of paper ...

...but what Victor doesn’t realize is the monster has always felt what Victor is feeling because Victor abandoned him. The cold wasteland in which Victor pursues the monster is a strong reminder of his hatred of his creation. The only thing that Victor wants out of life anymore is revenge, he is obsessed with finding the monster and killing it.
Victor had a happy childhood and along the way his life got harder until he was lost and alone. His family died around him due to what he had created and only the guilt is what kept Victor from despairing. Victor’s only goal in life after his family died was to kill the monster. He made Walton promise that if he should die and the monster should come that Walton was to kill it. Victor knew that he would not live forever but he wanted the monster to die and not kill anymore.

Works Cited

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. EBook

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