Walton's Ambition In Frankenstein

The second edition of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, published in 1831, recalls the ambition of Victor Frankenstein, an ardent lover of natural sciences and the creator of the creation, to reanimate life. In the novel, Shelley includes three male narrators telling their perspectives on the events that occur. Initially, Robert Walton, a man who has the desire to discover a quick route to the North Pole, explains his goal through a series of letters to his sister, Margaret Saville. It is through Walton’s letters that the readers are able to know that during his journey to the North Pole, he meets and befriends Victor Frankenstein, and even confides in him regarding his aspirations. The narration shifts as the novel transitions to Frankenstein’s explanation of how his ambition leads to his downfall, for he does not buttress Walton’s desire. The third and final narrator in this novel is Frankenstein’s creation. When Frankenstein and his creation have their first conversation, the narration transitions from Frankenstein to his creation, as …show more content…
Through Frankenstein’s account, it is shown that he initiates the first component of his downfall. Frankenstein finds himself abhorring his creation at first sight due to his hideous features, and ultimately abandoning the creation because of his appearance. Frankenstein’s downfall includes losing his loved ones, and the first victim of his family is his younger brother, William. William dies at the creation’s hands, where the creation strangles him to death because William is a part of Frankenstein’s family. The creation has the need to commit revenge against Frankenstein for deserting him from the moment he is brought to life. Frankenstein’s narration reinforces the idea of one’s downfall occurring due to unrealistic