Theme Of Ambition In Frankenstein
Ambition is usually seen as the primary tool to promote achievement. In the novel Frankenstein, there are three outstanding examples of people with ambitions, and each person achieves their goal in a different way. Mary Shelley uses the journeys of Robert Walton, Frankenstein, and the creature to warn against ambition for the purposes of self-gratification, as they ultimately lead to the detriment of the lives of others.
In his letters to his sister, Walton is clearly aware that his ambition travel to the North Pole is mostly for his own personal fulfillment. He writes, "And now, dear Margaret, do I not deserve to accomplish some purpose? My life might have been passed in ease and luxury, but I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path" (12). When he and his crew encounter danger, Walton hesitantly decides to abandon his mission, and he and his crew are able to safely return home, unlike Frankenstein who dies before he is able to see his creature again and exact his revenge. Although Walton never realizes his ambition, he is able to learn from the story Frankenstein and his creature about what is truly important in life. He understands …show more content…
Both Walton and Frankenstein wish to establish themselves in the scientific world, and the creature desires to have a companion to fulfill the lack of meaningful relationships in his life. Frankenstein is the only one who truly achieves his ambition, but his achievement has the most devastating consequences. Although Walton never achieves his scientific ambition, he is able to protect his own life and the lives of his crew. The creature’s failure to achieve his goal of companionship causes him to ruin the lives of others, destroying their abilities to achieve their own ambitions. The novel does not serve as a warning against ambition, but as a reminder to think about how the ambition is achieved, and who it may
In his letters to his sister, Walton is clearly aware that his ambition travel to the North Pole is mostly for his own personal fulfillment. He writes, "And now, dear Margaret, do I not deserve to accomplish some purpose? My life might have been passed in ease and luxury, but I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path" (12). When he and his crew encounter danger, Walton hesitantly decides to abandon his mission, and he and his crew are able to safely return home, unlike Frankenstein who dies before he is able to see his creature again and exact his revenge. Although Walton never realizes his ambition, he is able to learn from the story Frankenstein and his creature about what is truly important in life. He understands …show more content…
Both Walton and Frankenstein wish to establish themselves in the scientific world, and the creature desires to have a companion to fulfill the lack of meaningful relationships in his life. Frankenstein is the only one who truly achieves his ambition, but his achievement has the most devastating consequences. Although Walton never achieves his scientific ambition, he is able to protect his own life and the lives of his crew. The creature’s failure to achieve his goal of companionship causes him to ruin the lives of others, destroying their abilities to achieve their own ambitions. The novel does not serve as a warning against ambition, but as a reminder to think about how the ambition is achieved, and who it may