Walton’s Letters in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Walton’s Letters in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

‘Frankenstein’ is a gothic, science fiction novel written by Mary

Wollstonecraft Shelley. It was written in Switzerland in 1816 and

London in 1816-1817.

The novel begins with a series of letters from the explorer Robert

Walton to his sister, Margaret Saville. The entirety of ‘Frankenstein’

is contained within Robert Walton’s letters, which record the

narratives of both Frankenstein and the monster. Walton’s letters act

like a framing device for Victor’s narrative. Shelley’s use of letters

enables the shift of narrative from one character to another, while

still remaining like a standard novel. Walton’s is only the first of

many voices in ‘Frankenstein’. His letters set up a frame which

encloses the main narrative (Frankenstein’s), and provides the context

in which it’s told.

The letters from Walton, a well-to-do Englishman with a passion for

exploring, start when he’s in St.Petersburg. He is writing to his

sister Margaret in England. He assures her that he is safe and is

looking forward to his voyage which has been his dream for many years.

He tells his sister of his preparations leading up to his departure,

and of the desire burning in him to accomplish “some great purpose”-

exploring and discovering uncharted territory in the North Pole.

There are also many roles which Walton’s letters undertake in Mary

Shelley’s Frankenstein’. Each letter has a different role and

introduces new ideas.

One of the main functions of the letters is to set the scene for the

telling of the stranger’s narrative. In addition to this, Walton’s

letters introduce an important character, Walton himself, whose story

parallels Frankenstein’s.

Walton parallels Victor in ...

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wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently wish that the gratification of

your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.”

The theme of destructive knowledge is developed and predominates

throughout the novel as the tragic consequences of Frankenstein’s

search for knowledge are revealed. Walton, like Frankenstein also in

the pursuit of knowledge attempts to surpass previous human

explorations in order to discover the secrets of the unknown.

Overall the role of Walton’s letters in ‘Frankenstein’ are very

important. Not only do they introduce important characters such as

Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein and the monster. But they also

establish the period and place in which the novel is set, introduce

important ideas and themes which prevail throughout the novel, and

introduce and frame the novel in a creative and interesting way.