Victor Frankenstein and Robert Walton share several similarities and differences that highlight their respective journeys and the themes of ambition and isolation in Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’.
Similarities:
- Both characters are driven by ambition: Victor is consumed by the desire to uncover the secrets of life, while Walton is determined to achieve fame through his explorations.
- Isolation plays a significant role in their lives: Victor isolates himself in his quest for knowledge, leading to tragic consequences, and Walton, similarly, embarks on a dangerous journey in pursuit of personal glory and prestige, isolating himself from humanity.
- Both serve as narrators: Their stories are told through letters and personal reflections, providing insight into their thoughts and motivations.
Differences:
- Victor’s obsession leads to his downfall: While Victor’s relentless pursuit of scientific achievement ultimately results in misery and destruction, Walton shows a degree of caution, eventually reconsidering the risks associated with his ambition.
- Their encounters with the creature: Victor directly creates and confronts the creature he brings to life, while Walton, though he meets Victor, does not create anything of his own, representing a different form of ambition.
- Walton’s openness to companionship: Unlike Victor, who isolates himself and distances from his loved ones, Walton values friendship and seeks to connect with others, as seen in his desire to return to his crew after meeting Victor.
In summary, while Victor Frankenstein and Robert Walton share common themes of ambition and isolation, their approaches to these themes and their eventual outcomes contrast sharply, highlighting different aspects of human desire and its consequences.