Friday, August 2, 2019
Waltonââ¬â¢s Letters in Mary Shelleyââ¬â¢s Frankenstein Essay -- Mary Shelley
Waltonââ¬â¢s Letters in Mary Shelleyââ¬â¢s Frankenstein ââ¬ËFrankensteinââ¬â¢ 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 ââ¬ËFrankensteinââ¬â¢ is contained within Robert Waltonââ¬â¢s letters, which record the narratives of both Frankenstein and the monster. Waltonââ¬â¢s letters act like a framing device for Victorââ¬â¢s narrative. Shelleyââ¬â¢s use of letters enables the shift of narrative from one character to another, while still remaining like a standard novel. Waltonââ¬â¢s is only the first of many voices in ââ¬ËFrankensteinââ¬â¢. His letters set up a frame which encloses the main narrative (Frankensteinââ¬â¢s), and provides the context in which itââ¬â¢s told. The letters from Walton, a well-to-do Englishman with a passion for exploring, start when heââ¬â¢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 ââ¬Å"some great purposeâ⬠- exploring and discovering uncharted territory in the North Pole. There are also many roles which Waltonââ¬â¢s letters undertake in Mary Shelleyââ¬â¢s Frankensteinââ¬â¢. 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 strangerââ¬â¢s narrative. In addition to this, Waltonââ¬â¢s letters introduce an important character, Walton himself, whose story parallels Frankensteinââ¬â¢s. Walton parallels Victor in ... ...ledge and 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.â⬠The theme of destructive knowledge is developed and predominates throughout the novel as the tragic consequences of Frankensteinââ¬â¢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 Waltonââ¬â¢s letters in ââ¬ËFrankensteinââ¬â¢ 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.
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