Frankenstein: The Letters

Letter 1

Written on 11th December 17-, the first letter is written by Robert Walton (in Russia) to his sister, Mrs. Saville (in England). Walton is a sea captain, about to embark on a journey to the North Pole for two main reasons: to find a passage linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and to find the origin of the North Pole's magnetism. Walton hopes to accomplish 'some great purpose', and fulfil his childhood dream of reaching the North Pole, a place he describes as having 'eternal light'. This provides the basis for the key theme of sublime nature which is vital and central to the novel. Walton is determined to succeed in reaching the North Pole because his dreams of becoming a poet have not worked out. Many romantic writers at this time had very little formal education and, to make up for this, undertook expeditions to widen their knowledge, often to Europe. Shelley also went on expeditions to Europe, perhaps inspiring Walton's expedition. Walton is almost obsessed with knowledge and learning, and feel that the journey will satisfy an 'ardent curiosity' to visit unknown territory.  He plans to travel to Archangel to hire a ship and crew and depart from Russia in June, but is unsure if he will ever return. This is striking as it becomes apparent that Walton is willing to risk his life to achieve his ambitions.

What makes it gothic?

• The sublime - Walton's description of the North Pole
• Mystery - Will Walton achieve his ambition? What will happen on the trip? Will he reach the North Pole? Will he return?
• Justice - Walton has failed in becoming a poet/playwright, but now has a chance to expand his knowledge and leave his mark on the World/make history 
• Mentality - Walton seems almost obsessed with proving his worth and gaining knowledge

Letter 2

After reaching Archangel, Walton is worried that he has no friend that could console him if the trip does not work out, admitting that it is a romantic and emotional need. He is lonely and blames his upbringing for sensitising him to the 'brutality' of life at sea.  He doesn't have a connection with the other men on board the ship as he feels too sophisticated for them but is still excited about the forthcoming journey and writes that the journey is 'fixed as fate'. He confesses his passions for the 'marvellous' and 'mysterious' dangers of the sea, which he attributes to his admiration of 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'. The influence of Romanticism is key in this letter in describing Walton's want for a companion, and his opinion that the sea is 'marvellous' and 'mysterious'. Also, the fact that Walton's view of the sea is based on 'The Rime of the Ancient Ancient Mariner' shows not only romanticism, but a sense of ignorance.

What makes it gothic?

• The sublime - Walton refers to the North Pole as 'marvellous' and 'mysterious'
• Isolation - Walton is lonely and wants a companion
• Mentality - Will the isolation drive him to insanity?

Letter 3

Written on July 7th, Walton states that he has set sail. He describes his journey so far as a 'triumph'. Walton continues his romantic sentiments by writing that the stars will witness his success. The crew have been loyal and the weather fine, though sheets of ice in the sea suggest bad weather may be ahead, and perhaps could foreshadow a change in luck too.

What makes it gothic?

• Weather - the good weather creates good feelings within Walton, though there is potential for a change in weather and therefore also in emotion
• Mystery/dread - the potential bad weather could lead to problems on the ship or with the expedition

Letter 4

The letter is written in 3 parts, the first part beginning with Walton writing that his ship has become stuck in ice. Walton and his men spot a sledge guided by a man 'of gigantic stature' and 'savage'. This monster-like description begins the theme of prejudice in the story. The next morning, the crew find another man and a sledge stranded on an ice flow. All but one of the dogs are dead and the man is weak and starving. Despite his condition, the man refuses to board the ship until told where the ship is heading. The man comes on board the ship and shows, according to Walton, a 'benevolence and sweetness' that he has never seen before. The man spends two days recovering and Walton begins to love him as a brother and the companion he thought he would never meet, appearing to be the end of Walton's isolation. Walton tells the stranger that he is on a quest for knowledge, and this upsets the stranger who says he has lost everything and is at the end of his life. The man decided to tell Walton his story in the hope that Walton may 'deduce an apt moral' after hearing it, suggesting that the man is well-experienced. Walton tells the man that his fate has already been determined, making Walton appear ignorant, and writes to his sister that he will write down the man's story.

What makes it gothic?

• Weather - the ship is trapped in ice and there is a sense of entrapment and isolation
• The supernatural - the 'savage', 'gigantic stature' sounds like a supernatural being
• Mystery - the unknown 'figure' on the sledge
• Ambiguity - Why was the man determined to go North? Who was the figure on the sledge?