The character of Robert Walton has many functions in the novel of Frankenstein. His role in the story, although relatively brief, is extremely important. It fulfills four roles. First, his own writings anticipate much of Frankenstein's behavior. Second, it sets the tone of the novel by introducing the themes that recur most frequently. Third, it creates a structure through which Victor Frankenstein can tell his story. Fourth, it adds more suspense and interest to the character of Frankenstein, and therefore to the outcome of the novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Primarily, Walton is almost a dead ringer for Frankenstein. Their characteristics are very similar. Walton, a traveler who at the beginning of the book goes to the North Pole, has rejected a relatively comfortable life in England in favor of a life of discovery and excitement. He wishes, like Frankenstein, to bring humanity "incalculable benefit" and, perhaps more importantly, to achieve great personal glory. Walton, like Frankenstein, also has an “ardent curiosity” to discover the unknown and perhaps this is what drives Walton to the North Pole and Frankenstein to create the monster. It may also be that the dreams of both men, and the fact that they have wanted to realize this dream since childhood, have clouded their judgment. Walton, who has read stories about the great voyages of explorers of the past, wishes to surpass all those he has read and reach the North Pole, a hitherto unexplored area, Frankenstein, for his part, has read about the pursuit of alchemy, the elixir of life and the philosopher's stone and dreams of creating life himself. Walton's idealistic approach to his adventure is illustrated in the text when he describes the North Pole as "a land of eternal light", unaware that the North Pole is only bright half the year, while the other half of the year it is shrouded. in the dark. Their chosen pursuits were also scorned by their fathers: Walton's "dying father's injunction had forbidden [Walton's] uncle from allowing him to embark on a seafaring life"; Frankenstein's father calls the books Frankenstein reads "sad trash." Walton also expresses his deep desire to have a sympathetic friend, with whom he can share his innermost thoughts. His feelings of isolation and loneliness are paralleled by Frankenstein's own feelings of isolation later in the novel: having been educated at home, he had no lasting friends outside of his family, which leads to rejection from society. Clerval, his only friend, is murdered by the monster created by Frankenstein. Both characters' quest for knowledge and discovery results in their isolation, either self-inflicted (Walton) or otherwise (Frankenstein). Second, the themes Walton introduces in his letters and the tone they set illustrate the spirit of the rest of the story. the novel. Walton asks, rhetorically (although the reader is not meant to take it that way): "What... can stay the determined heart and the resolute will of man?" This is a central theme of the novel. Both Frankenstein and Walton are equally determined to accomplish their task and could it be argued that they should continue to achieve their dreams, no matter the cost? The benefits of their achievements for humanity will last, as Walton says, until "the last generation": if they had not taken these risks by pursuing goals deemed too high by society, society would have- Was she better off? Pioneers, whatever the field, make sacrifices’.