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

Waltons Letters in Mary Shelleys FrankensteinFrankenstein is a gothic, science fiction novel pen by MaryWollstonecraft Shelley. It was written in Switzerland in 1816 andLondon in 1816-1817.The novel begins with a series of letters from the explorer RobertWalton to his child, Margaret Saville. The entirety of Frankensteinis contained indoors Robert Waltons letters, which record thenarratives of both Frankenstein and the monster. Waltons letters act care a framing device for Victors narrative. Shelleys mapping of lettersenables the shift of narrative from one character to another, while static remaining like a standard novel. Waltons is only the original ofmany voices in Frankenstein. His letters set up a pull up 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 he is refuge and islooking 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 virtually great purpose-exploring and impinge oning uncharted territory in the North Pole. there are also many routines which Waltons letters undertake in MaryShelleys Frankenstein. Each letter has a different role and move intos new ideas.One of the main functions of the letters is to set the scene for the singing 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 injurious knowledge is developed and predominatesthroughout the novel as the tragic consequences of Frankensteinssearch for knowledge are revealed. Walton, like Frankenstein also inthe followers 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 realimportant. 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 pose the novel in a creative and interesting way.