Robert Walton In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

671 Words2 Pages

How did you react to the two characters introduced in this section? Explain.
The two characters introduced during the letters section in the book are Robert Walton and the stranger who came onto his crew. Robert Walton is sending letters to his sister, which indicate he is on a voyage to the North Pole and how ambitious he is to be the first to sail there. During his journey, an unknown man boards his ship. My initial reaction to Walton was that he seemed to be very ambitious, but also a clear example of a romantic character. Additionally, he searches for someone who is in able to share his ambitions and romantic characteristics. My reaction to the stranger who boards the ship was that he seemed helpless at first until he was in a less fragile …show more content…

What is he searching for? What is his attitude toward his quest? What do these details suggest to you about his character?
Robert Walton is the narrator of letters 1-4 located at the beginning of the novel. He describes himself as a very ambitious, courageous, and sensitive man who is searching for the North Pole. Walton appears to be very excited and motivated to embarking on his voyage which suggests how he is a very committed and ambitious character who is hopeful, excited, confident and an adventurous explorer.
In his letter to his sister, what does Walton say he longs for? Why do you think Walton feels lonely even though he is on board a ship with a full crew? In his letters to his sister, Walton stresses how he wants and longs for a companion to share his need for a friendship that would also be a romantic interest, who could help elaborate his thoughts and his opinions. Throughout the letters, he describes to his sister how although a full crew, he feels too sophisticated to find comfort in his shipmates and too uneducated to find a sensitive …show more content…

Why do you think Walton is attracted to the stranger? Walton responds to the stranger in a welcoming and friendly way, and after inviting him aboard his ship, they develop a blossoming friendship. Walton appears to be attracted to the stranger because he is interesting and is filled with stories of adventure that interest Walton. Walton and the stranger bond because they both find similarities in their personalities. Both individuals appear to be outcasts, but Walton sees this individual as a possible companion.

Why is the poem The Ancient Mariner important to Walton? How is the stranger similar to the ancient mariner? What mood does Shelley create by alluding to this poem?
The poem The Ancient Mariner is important to Walton because the sailor in the poem is going to polar regions and not respecting nature during its journey. The stranger is similar to the ancient mariner because they both have suffered tragedy, and now have a story as a result. The wedding guests in the poem can be related to Walton, while the unknown man represents the mariner. The author, Shelley, creates an enchanted and mysterious

Open Document