Ok so we were told to blog on our impressions of Robert Walton, who is the sort of primary narrator for the story of Frankenstein, seeing as he recounts the story which he was told by Frankenstein.
Having read his first three letters I have many first impressions about Walton. He seems a very enthusiastic person, who is thirsty for knowledge and exploration. For example in his first letter he tells his sister how the his fortune has made his "day dreams become more fervent and vivid". He is obviously anticipating reaching his destination, as he is evidently on sea voyage. He displays quite a Romantic view to nature, with "the sun is for ever visible; its broad disk just skirting the horizon, and diffusing the perpetual splendour". He is quite elaborate in his descriptions, similar to Romantics writing near the time such as Coleridge. Indeed the 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner' is alluded to, and this Romantic view may have been a reflection of Shelley's husband's style of writing.
The writer's will for knowledge is also evident with "I may there discover the wondrous power which attracts the needle", it appears he is travelling to the North Pole. He has a clear goal and has a youthful excitement about him when he is talking of his adventures, e.g. "I feel my heart glow with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven". He also seems to have come from humble beginnings, for instance he shows he "My education was neglected yet I was passionately fond of reading", again showing his wish for information.
However, the writer also seems intimidated by the voyage that lies ahead, "heaven shower down blessings on you, and save me, that I may again testify my gratitude for all your love and kindness". At the end of his first three letters he always bids his sister farewell in case he should never see her again. The fact that such an apparently enthusiastic character even fears the voyage ahead of him shows a sense of foreboding.
In his second letter he seems less happy and talks of time going slowly and of the heavy "frost and snow" he also expresses his loneliness to his sister and he want for a friend. For example he feels he is too sophisticated in his ideas to befriend his fellow sailors and yet too uneducated, describing himself as "more illiterate than many school-boys of fifteen". He also confirms his Romantic outlook, declaring his "love for the marvelous".
His third letter is short and appears rushed, and hastily fills his sister in on his safety and to think of him and hope for the continuation of their good fortune.
So the writers appears intellectual, a Romantic, anxious to discover new things and he wants a mate...
Enter Frankenstein.
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