How Does Mary Shelley Present Walton's Struggles In Frankenstein
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Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein explores the inner workings of the determined minds of both Walton and Victor as they work towards long-term goals that they hope will bring a substantial change in the world. Their emotions and thought processes as they experience the effects of their work are vital to their development as characters as they face conflict between what is morally right and what is necessary to progress. In Walton’s case, when his ship gets trapped in ice flow, he is presented with a choice that pressures him to reevaluate his priorities going forward with his endeavors. Ultimately, Walton’s decision to return to England once his ship is freed from the polar ice, despite Victor’s persistence to continue on his expedition, reflects the ways in which guilt is capable of overriding the negative effects of personal ambition.
Personal…show more content… As soon as the previously deemed innocuous ice entraps the ship, he is thrust into a situation where it is not only his needs that need to be attended to, but the needs of others. The crew freely expresses their trepidation in continuing the voyage, contradictory to the resolute way they began, which then prompts Walton to take into account the consequences of embarking on this journey with no prior recognition of preconceived dangers that not only affect him, but those aboard the ship. Though he would much rather die than return home with no progress to show for all his work, Walton fears that, even with his tenacity, his men will never be willing to face the hardships of imminent death or injury they are presented with. The awareness that, as a leader, he is held accountable for any misfortune befalls his crew overpowers his need to succeed just enough that he chooses morality over desire in order to preserve the lives of those with him on this