The Expendables IV, A Case Study of Familial Ties in Frankenstein
“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley is a novel with a frame structure storyline strung between two characters. It begins with Walton’s letters to his sister, describing both his own journey and the story belonging to a stranded stranger he meets on the ice. The stranger’s name is Victor Frankenstein, and Walton’s letters quickly evolve into a narration of Frankenstein’s journey around the world chasing a demon which the scientist gave life to. The novel closes shortly after Frankenstein’s death, when a visit from the man’s beastly creation shakes Walton to the core. The story of Walton, friend to Frankenstein and witness to the fall of Frankenstein’s monster, is one which indicates that barrier made between friends and family exists in the world of human connections as a survival precaution. This is because the unwritten laws of friendship demand open …show more content…
Frankenstein implores Walton to slay the demon should he ever have the unfortunate experience of meeting it. This acts as a different example in which Frankenstein distances himself, not as a self-preserving mechanism, but rather takes Walton on as an heir to the demon-killing quest so that he may complete Frankenstein’s mission. Where an apprenticeship is necessary, a brotherhood is again out of the question. The cyclical pattern of creator/creation occurs again when Walton agrees to take on the quest. Shortly after Frankenstein’s death, the demon appears and cries out in fury, however, does not hurt Walton and Walton does not make any attempt to honor his promise to Frankenstein. Because both Walton and the Creature identify as relative products of the experiences of Frankenstein, they cannot hurt each other as their familial ties polarize them. In a way, the two share a bond which cannot be broken as it’s creator has
“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley is a novel with a frame structure storyline strung between two characters. It begins with Walton’s letters to his sister, describing both his own journey and the story belonging to a stranded stranger he meets on the ice. The stranger’s name is Victor Frankenstein, and Walton’s letters quickly evolve into a narration of Frankenstein’s journey around the world chasing a demon which the scientist gave life to. The novel closes shortly after Frankenstein’s death, when a visit from the man’s beastly creation shakes Walton to the core. The story of Walton, friend to Frankenstein and witness to the fall of Frankenstein’s monster, is one which indicates that barrier made between friends and family exists in the world of human connections as a survival precaution. This is because the unwritten laws of friendship demand open …show more content…
Frankenstein implores Walton to slay the demon should he ever have the unfortunate experience of meeting it. This acts as a different example in which Frankenstein distances himself, not as a self-preserving mechanism, but rather takes Walton on as an heir to the demon-killing quest so that he may complete Frankenstein’s mission. Where an apprenticeship is necessary, a brotherhood is again out of the question. The cyclical pattern of creator/creation occurs again when Walton agrees to take on the quest. Shortly after Frankenstein’s death, the demon appears and cries out in fury, however, does not hurt Walton and Walton does not make any attempt to honor his promise to Frankenstein. Because both Walton and the Creature identify as relative products of the experiences of Frankenstein, they cannot hurt each other as their familial ties polarize them. In a way, the two share a bond which cannot be broken as it’s creator has