Frankenstein - Letters

Letter I 
Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus

Prometheus: Mary Shelley subtitles her novel this because of Victor's thirst for forbidden knowledge. He is able to attain the knowledge necessary to bring life to inanimate objects, but this information that is not meant for humans to learn. The consequences of attaining knowledge lead to Victor's agony.

*Epistolary Writing - using letters as information and background

- Letter To: Mrs. Margaret Saville - England
- From: Robert Walton - St. Petersburg
- Date: Dec. 11, 17--

- Saville - Walton's sister
- Walton is on a ship and plans to go all the way North to:

• Understand magnetism 
• Faster route to the Orient through the Arctic Ocean

" I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man." (10, Shelley)

- Walton seems hopeful about his trip
- He talks about his education<-- neglected but he was very fond of reading = Uncle Thomas' library

*Injunction: command, order

- It was his father's injunction that he never have a seafaring life
- He took up poetry for a year = failed at it
- Inherited his cousin's fortune
- It has been 6 years since then 
- Walton voluntarily endured cold, famine, thirst, and want of sleep = Wale fishers on several expeditions to the North Sea
- Studied - math, medicine, physical science
- Became 2nd on the ship to the Captain
- Believes in glory over wealth
- Might be months to years before he returns from his voyage
- Next stop --> Archangel: depart in a fortnight (2weeks)

Letter II
Date: March 28, 17-- (Archangel)

- Walton = 28 years old and has no friends, yet wants one
- Tells a story about his Lieutenant (wants glory too)
- Lt. is an Englishman who was aboard a whale vessel and unemployed - Walton took him in
- Dreadfully severe winter

Letter III
Date: July 7, 17--

- Safe and well advanced into the voyage
- In good spirits
- Summertime
- No incidents
- Just some leaks which are common to ships

Letter IV
Date: August 5-19, 17--

- July 31st they had an accident that had them surrounded by ice
- Saw a carriage fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs headed North

" A being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature, sat in the sledge and guided the dogs." (19, Shelley) 

- The sledge disappears
- The ice finally breaks up at night
- The next morning Walton goes on deck and sees his men talking to someone in the sea
- Another sledge has drifted and inside is a human whom the sailors are trying to persuade onto the ship
- The man on the sledge is European: Victor Frankenstein

" Before I come on board your vessel,' said he,'will you have the kindness to inform me whither you are bound?" (20, Shelley)

- Walton tells him they are due North - the man consents to come aboard the ship
- His limbs were nearly frozen and his body dreadfully emaciated by fatigue and suffering
- 2 days pass before he was able to speak
- Finds that Victor is benevolent and kind
- He is chasing someone
- Calls who he pursues a "daemon"
- Walton has grown to love him as a brother
- Victor is getting healthier and better - goes on deck to watch for the other sledge
- They talk about Walton's expedition and he tells Victor that:

"One man's life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which i sought; for the dominance I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes of our race." (22, Shelley)

-  Victor tells him he will tell him his story so he will change his mind -- they are much alike
- He is a very passionate man
- Victor warns him

"You seek for 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." (23, Shelley)

- Foreshadowing the story to come
- Victor begins his story
- Multiple frame narrative RW-->VF-->MS