Frankenstein - Characterization

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

"You seek the knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been" (Shelley, 13).

The bond between Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein shows how both characters are similar. Through the similarity, both Walton and Frankenstein are characterized. Walton's early characterizing of wanting adventure and to discover something no other human has discovered parallels with Frankenstein's later explanation of his want and desired to do something no other human or scientist has done, understand the connection of life and death to conquer disease. Furthermore, both Walton and Frankenstein are characterized by their relationships to their families. Clearly, both distanced themselves from their families in order to reach their lifetime aspirations. Their "sisters" also showed how even their closest relationship was strained by their want and desire to leave their mark on the planet. Even though not every detail of Walton and Frankenstein is subsequently mentioned to characterize them, because of the understanding of their parallel, many assumptions can be made about both when either one of them has an experience. Through this, the understanding of both having loving families can be understood yet their father's did not approve of their yearning to follow their dreams. As Walton's father did not want him to read the books about the voyagers, Frankenstein's father did not want him to read the books about the varying scientists.