Similarities Between Walton And Victor Frankenstein

“Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow” (Shelley 64). Knowledge is power and when a person has too much power they can become a force of destruction as seen in Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus written by Mary Shelley. The pursuit of knowledge is prominent through many of the significant characters in the novel. The desire to explore is primarily in Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein, this trait allows readers to see the similarities and differences that both men hold, making Walton a foil for Dr. Frankenstein. Even though

Walton shows care for his family, is welcoming, and takes responsibility for his actions while Victor isolates himself and does not claim his creation, both men are adventurous and test the limits on how far could be considered “too far”.

At the beginning of the novel, the first impression of Walton is how he cares for his family, specifically his sister. The novel begins with Walton writing a letter to a woman whom he assures “I arrived here yesterday, and my first task is to assure my dear sister of my welfare” (Shelley 17). The first letter provides enough evidence that Walton is somewhat of a ‘family-man’. Walton takes the time to write to his sister, Margaret, and let her know that he is safe and how he is without allowing her to worry. However, Victor goes years without talking to his family. The obsession he has with his scientific exploration makes him isolate himself from anybody that

cares about him. Victor becomes very ill after seeing his creation and that is when Elizabeth writes to him. Elizabeth tells him “yet one word from you, dear Victor, is necessary to calm our apprehensions” (Shelley 78), and it is as if she is reassuring him that they do not need much from him but only anything to tell him that he is getting better after being so ill. Elizabeth wants him to return home and tries persuading him by reminding him of his home and the friends who love him (Shelley 78). Elizabeth is not who persuades Victor to come home. The reason for his return is his brother William’s passing. During his voyage home, Victor is filled with sadness for his brother but Victor’s mind is soon on the Creature again after making the assumption that his creation killed William. Walton’s attitude towards his family makes him seem much more loving and caring than Victor is. Walton seems to surpass Victor when it comes to family once Victor’s distance from his family is revealed.
When Walton and Victor meet, both of them are feeling lonely and stranded.

Walton has people around him, but he feels that he cannot relate to the crew members. He feels the need to have someone with him to share “the enthusiasm of success” (Shelley 22) or to “endeavor to sustain [him] in dejection” (Shelley 22). Walton is desperate for a friend and after he and his crew members pick up a weak and sick Victor Frankenstein, Walton almost becomes protective over him. Walton welcomes him in and takes care of him. Even after Victor wakes up, Walton “would not allow him to be him to be tormented by their idle curiosity” (Shelley 32). Near the end Victor even thanks Walton “for [his] kind intentions towards so miserable a wretch” (Shelley 257). After Victor reveals his entire story to Walton, Walton still accepts Victor and his mistakes and then thinks “Must I then lose this admirable being? I have sought one who would sympathise with and love me” (Shelley 257). Robert Walton was very accepting of Victor and what Victor has caused by creating this Creature, but when Victor sees the Creature, a being that he intentionally made, he runs away in fear and disgust. Victor is disappointed because “dreams that had been [his] food and pleasant rest for so long a space were now become a hell to [him]” (Shelley 72). Victor abandons this new Creature that has no idea of how the world works to fend for himself. Although he meets the Creature many times after leaving, he never apologizes for

leaving him in a touch position or making him the way he did. Victor is quick to place blame on the Creature and on himself but he never speaks out about it. Victor could have taken care of the Creature up until a certain point and the situation might have turned out differently. The Creature would not want revenge and would be grateful for his life, but because of Victor’s abandonment, he leaves the Creature with nobody.
When Robert Walton is first introduced to the readers, he is just embarking on his journey. Walton’s ultimate goal is to be the first crew to set sail to the North Pole. Walton expects a lot from his expedition and writes to his sister, “What may not be expected in a country of eternal light?” (Shelley 18). Walton seeks ultimate knowledge that nobody has yet experienced. Victor is doing something similar by succeeding to give his Creature life. The point where Victor becomes interested with life and death is after seeing a tree obliterated by lightening when he was a young boy. “[He] never beheld anything so utterly destroyed” (Shelley 49) and Victor starts to think a lot about power. Both Walton and Victor are stretching the limits of knowledge to new levels. Walton is going to a place nobody has ever seen before and Victor has created something that people are terrified of seeing. Walton writes to his sister, “I shall kill no albatross; therefore do not be alarmed for my safety” (Shelley 25) and his allusion to Rime of the Ancient Mariner is humorous at the beginning of the story but as the plot is developed the difference between Walton and Victor becomes evident. Walton plans on being careful with his expedition while, Victor does what he wants because he has the ability to and he does not think of the consequences.
Though Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein are both ambitious and strive for adventure, Victor is reckless and abandons the Creature and Walton is careful about his decisions and welcomes Victor with open arms. There are many foils in this story and although Walton is not a very large character, the similarities and differences between he and Victor help develop both of their characters. Walton’s attitude and personality makes Victor seem capricious and callous.