Role of Letters and Communication in Frankenstein
The role of letters and communication in the novel “Frankenstein”.
Within the novel, the character Victor Frankenstein is known to want glory and recognition for making the greatest contribution to science, and the letters provided in the novel are part of Frankenstein’s legacy because they share the personal point of view of Robert Walton as he comes into contact with the scientist. Walton's letters play an important role for the reader may find many foreshadowed themes. As the novel progresses, the reader will realize how Walton and Victor Frankenstein share similar views on their life's roles. Both men are driven by an excessive ambition, as they desire to accomplish great things for the humankind. In ancient times, written communication was a technological way to share a story, and since the same person is not always there to tell their story, other people who know the story share it in their own interpretation while maintaining the important information to pass on from generation to generation. These letters can even be compared to today’s technological forms of communication such as text messaging and instant messaging via a variety of different websites and phone calls. As Frankenstein tells his story of how he uses technology to create this scientific being, Robert Walton uses this form of technology to share Frankenstein’s legacy with the world for years to come.
The beginning letters give us Walton’s point of view as he first meets Frankenstein and this change in perspective has a different effect than if it were in Frankenstein’s own perspective, which also means Walton is an unreliable narrator. Once Walton comes into contact with Frankenstein, we can see why he wants to help carry on the legacy as he describes this new stranger as gentle, wise, intelligent, and “happy to have possessed as the brother of [his] heart.” He also states that the story will provide pleasure to readers, but “with what interest and sympathy [he shall read] in some future
Within the novel, the character Victor Frankenstein is known to want glory and recognition for making the greatest contribution to science, and the letters provided in the novel are part of Frankenstein’s legacy because they share the personal point of view of Robert Walton as he comes into contact with the scientist. Walton's letters play an important role for the reader may find many foreshadowed themes. As the novel progresses, the reader will realize how Walton and Victor Frankenstein share similar views on their life's roles. Both men are driven by an excessive ambition, as they desire to accomplish great things for the humankind. In ancient times, written communication was a technological way to share a story, and since the same person is not always there to tell their story, other people who know the story share it in their own interpretation while maintaining the important information to pass on from generation to generation. These letters can even be compared to today’s technological forms of communication such as text messaging and instant messaging via a variety of different websites and phone calls. As Frankenstein tells his story of how he uses technology to create this scientific being, Robert Walton uses this form of technology to share Frankenstein’s legacy with the world for years to come.
The beginning letters give us Walton’s point of view as he first meets Frankenstein and this change in perspective has a different effect than if it were in Frankenstein’s own perspective, which also means Walton is an unreliable narrator. Once Walton comes into contact with Frankenstein, we can see why he wants to help carry on the legacy as he describes this new stranger as gentle, wise, intelligent, and “happy to have possessed as the brother of [his] heart.” He also states that the story will provide pleasure to readers, but “with what interest and sympathy [he shall read] in some future