Walton’s Letters in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Essay -- Mary Shelley

Waltons Letters in Mary Shelleys FrankensteinFrankenstein is a gothic, science simile novel written by MaryWollstonecraft Shelley. It was written in Switzerland in 1816 andLondon in 1816-1817.The novel begins with a series of earn from the explorer RobertWalton to his sister, Margaret Saville. The integrality of Frankensteinis contained within Robert Waltons letters, which record thenarratives of both Frankenstein and the monster. Waltons letters actlike a framing device for Victors narrative. Shelleys exercising of lettersenables the shift of narrative from one character to another, whilestill remaining like a standard novel. Waltons is only the first of umpteen voices in Frankenstein. His letters set up a frame whichencloses the main narrative (Frankensteins), and provides the contextin which its told.The letters from Walton, a well-to-do Englishman with a passion forexploring, start when hes in St.Petersburg. He is writing to hissister Margaret in England. He assures her that h e is safe and islooking forward to his excursion 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 grunge in the North Pole.There are in like manner many functions which Waltons letters undertake in MaryShelleys Frankenstein. Each letter has a different role andintroduces new ideas.One of the main functions of the letters is to set the scene for thetelling of the strangers narrative. In addition to this, Waltonsletters introduce an important character, Walton himself, whose storyparallels Frankensteins.Walton parallels Victor in ... ...ledge andwisdom, as I once did and I ardently wish that the gratification ofyour wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.The theme of destructive knowledge is developed and predominatesthroughout the novel as the tragic consequences of Frankensteins inquisition for knowl edge are revealed. Walton, like Frankenstein also inthe pursuit of knowledge attempts to surpass previous humanexplorations in order to discover the secrets of the unknown.Overall the role of Waltons letters in Frankenstein are veryimportant. Not only do they introduce important characters such asRobert Walton, Victor Frankenstein and the monster. But they alsoestablish the period and place in which the novel is set, introduceimportant ideas and themes which prevail throughout the novel, andintroduce and frame the novel in a fanciful and interesting way.