Robert Walton
The Arctic explorer who rescues Victor and records his story.
Core Belief
"The pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor, but it must be balanced by a sense of responsibility and a recognition of the potential dangers involved. Human ambition can be both a source of progress and a cause of destruction."
Worldview
Walton initially sees the world as a place of boundless opportunity and scientific discovery. However, Victor's story challenges this optimism, leading him to question the value of ambition and the pursuit of knowledge at any cost. He comes to believe that true happiness lies in human connection and domestic tranquility.
Personality
Walton is an ambitious and idealistic explorer, driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire for glory. He is initially optimistic and confident, but becomes increasingly disillusioned by the dangers and hardships of his voyage. He is also deeply empathetic and compassionate, forming a strong bond with Victor and offering him solace in his final days.
In Their Own Words
"I may there discover the wondrous power which attracts the needle and may regulate a thousand celestial observations that require only this voyage to render their seeming eccentricities consistent for ever. I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man."
"I said in one of my letters, my dear Margaret, that I should find no friend on the wide ocean; yet I have found a man who, before his spirit had been broken by misery, I should have been happy to have possessed as the brother of my heart."
"How can I see so noble a creature destroyed by misery without feeling the most poignant grief? He is so gentle, yet so wise; his mind is so cultivated, and when he speaks, although his words are culled with the choicest art, yet they flow with rapidity and unparalleled eloquence."
Discussions with Robert Walton
Other Characters from Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus
Ready to talk with Robert Walton?
Join a discussion or make Robert Walton your personal mentor for advice anytime.