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Frankenstein Wiki. in: Frankenstein. Characters. Category page. These characters are from Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus and/or one of its many adaptations. *. Category:Comic characters. A. Category:Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein Characters.
- Robert Walton
Robert Walton is a fictional character in Mary Shelley's...
- Robert Walton
- Overview
- Walton in the novel
- Walton in other media
Robert Walton is a fictional character in Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus, and one of the novel's three principal narrators, the other being the title character Victor Frankenstein, and the creature which Victor built and brought to life. Walton's role in the novel is a frame story written in epistolary form, as lett...
In the late 18th century, Robert Walton is a failed writer who sets out to explore the North Pole in hopes of expanding scientific knowledge. During the voyage, the crew spots a dog sled driven by a gigantic figure. A few hours later, the crew rescues a nearly frozen and emaciated man named Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein has been in pursuit of the gigantic man observed by Walton's crew. Frankenstein starts to recover from his exertion; he sees in Walton the same obsession that has destroyed him and recounts a story of his life's miseries to Walton as a warning. The recounted story serves as the frame for Frankenstein's narrative.
After Victor has finished telling his tale, Captain Walton's ship becomes trapped in pack ice, and several crewmen die in the cold before the rest of Walton's crew insists on returning south once it is freed. Upon hearing the crew's demands, Victor is angered and, despite his condition, gives a powerful speech to them. He reminds them of why they chose to join the expedition and that it is hardship and danger, not comfort, that defines a glorious undertaking such as theirs. He urges them to be men, not cowards. However, although the speech makes an impression on the crew, it is not enough to change their minds and when the ship is freed, Walton regretfully decides to return South. Victor, even though he is in a very weak condition, states that he will go on by himself. He is adamant that the Creature must die.
Most film adapters of Frankenstein find Walton and his subplot to be unnecessary, and leave him out entirely. There are exceptions.
Get to know the Frankenstein characters with descriptions and analyses of their roles in Mary Shelley's classic Gothic novel.
Waldman (no first name given) is a fictional character who appears in Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus and in its subsequent film versions. He is a professor at Ingolstadt University who specializes in chemistry and is a mentor of Victor Frankenstein, who...
- Victor Frankenstein. The doomed protagonist and narrator of the main portion of the story. Studying in Ingolstadt, Victor discovers the secret of life and creates an intelligent but grotesque monster, from whom he recoils in horror.
- The Monster. The eight-foot-tall, hideously ugly creation of Victor Frankenstein. Intelligent and sensitive, the Monster attempts to integrate himself into human social patterns, but all who see him shun him.
- Robert Walton. The Arctic seafarer whose letters open and close Frankenstein. Walton picks the bedraggled Victor Frankenstein up off the ice, helps nurse him back to health, and hears Victor’s story.
- Alphonse Frankenstein. Victor’s father, very sympathetic toward his son. Alphonse consoles Victor in moments of pain and encourages him to remember the importance of family.
Need help on characters in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein? Check out our detailed character descriptions. From the creators of SparkNotes.
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Victor Frankenstein, the eldest child of his family, is the protagonist and primary narrator. Since his early years, Victor has been known for his thirst for knowledge and his powerful ambition. It is these two qualities that lead him to attend university at Ingolstadt.
