consistent or confused? (Vol. 1)
As I read Walton’s letters, which frame Mary Shelley’s novel, I wonder about who he is? He seems to have conflicting characteristics. Although we all have multiple facets, I can’t yet make sense of Walton’s various personality traits. Is he confused, or am I? Has Shelley created a credible character? How deeply does she need to develop someone whose main role is to establish the novel’s verisimilitude? In other words, am I applying inappropriate standards to the effectiveness of his character?
readingcolors 
Walton is not a credible narrator because he lets his emotions get the best of him and he is biased in his opinions so he can not tell the full truth of the story.
I agree that these aspects would harm a narrator’s credibility. Where do you see his emotions overtake his other capacities, or when do you find bias in his opinions?
I agree with your statement that Walton’s letters exhibit him as a man of many different traits and moods. He presents himself with many different qualities, such as a romantic and a self-taught scholar, and writes expressing a variety of changing moods. I don’t believe that you, or I for that matter, are the one confused in this situation, or at least not in a harmful way. However, I do believe that this confusion is for the betterment of the book. It starts the reader curious when they dive into the first set of pages and gets them thinking about what is to come. With this, I believe that Shelley has created Walton to be an effective character in beginning the reader on the journey that is to be reading her novel. R.Walton may write in contradicting characteristics or moods, but he is a lonely poet out at sea. I too believe I would be going through a rollercoaster of emotions in that situation. This inconsistency also sets the stage for the stranger to come on board. It shows how much the stranger quickly impacted Walton’s life and leaves you wanting to know even more.
Roller coaster is a helpful image. If nothing else, it mirrors the ups and downs of a ship at sea. It also, however, makes more understandable his emotional and intellectual swings. Your comment reminds us that many of Shakespeare, like our universe, begins in chaos. The art of story-telling involves making sense of the early confusion.
Walton is shown as many things. At first he is lonely. He complains about all the things that me him lonely and sad. He even turns to a stranger to create a sense of friendship which in a way ends up as his master. Telling Walton his knowledge of what Walton seeks.
The third sentence needs proofreading. The last sentence is not a sentence, which makes your idea unclear. How does the stranger and that friendship end up as Victor’s master?
Shelly has created a character in Walton, too add a perspective that not a lot of books do. Walton becomes a great character idea because that he can share and experience Frankenstein’s story with us. Through Walton’s point of view the reader can either have contrasting or similar opinions of Frankenstein’s story which can create discussion.
Contrasting or similar opinions to whose? I do not follow your last sentence. Incidentally, I suggest proofreading the first two sentences.
I see where the confusion is in my answer. Walton is created for the reader to be able to see a view point of Victor Frankenstein’s story and work not just his or her own. The reader can be enlightened by Walton’s opinions or completely disagree with Walton.
OK, now I see. Thank you for clarifying.
Shelly has created a credible character in Walton. His moods and messages seem conflicted and relatable. While characters usually have set motives, Walton’s mind seem to change as the number of letters he writes increases. This makes the character relatable. His ever-changing thoughts can be translated to everyday life. While many of us have goals for accomplishments we often change our minds and alter our paths. Shelly’s creation of Walton makes a relatable and rounded character that is not one dimensional because its opinions change so often. Because of his conflicting characteristics he is an effective character.
OK, I take your point hat we all embody contradictions and change our minds. You have effectively invited me to re-consider my early impressions of this man. Maybe your own name plays a role in your interpretation of this man?
Yes, automatically as a Walton he is a great character.
I agree with Max’s comment in the sense that Shelley’s character in Walton can easily relate to us by being almost uncertain in his stories and frequently changing his mind. He initially creates a story about himself that is parallel to that of Frankenstein’s. Furthermore, I do not think that Walton is confused, I think he is exceptionally curious of what’s to come, something that makes us question what is about to happen.
IN what sense does Walton “create” a story about himself? And how is this story parallel to Victor Frankenstein’s? Good final point about Walton’s curiosity rubbing off on us, the readers.
In both Walton and Frankenstein’s story’s, Walton introduces himself as very lonely, since he is on the ship by himself. He initially leaves his family and friends to find something new and different, a place in which he can spend most of his time working on his studies. Similarly, Frankenstein explains that he is very lonely since both his mom and Elizabeth died. In this sense, these deaths and generally the fear of death itself drives Frankenstein to his work, making both of their stories parallel.
Alone and lonely, both of them are both. I see what you mean about the parallels. Some people can be alone without feeling lonely, but maybe in extreme cases like these that idea does not apply.
I agree with Sara’s comment that Walton is curious of what’s to come and that Shelly has created a reliable and relatable character. Many of us present ourselves in different ways depending on what part of ourselves fits the situation or what events are taking place in our lives. As time passes and events take place in Walton’s life he demonstrates the different layers to himself, creating a very real character and guide. Since he is able to see things from many sides, the character is relatable and intriguing rather than a character who can only view the world one way and cannot lead the readers to think differently.
Yes, good points all. I especially like the idea that Walton can see the world from many angles, whereas the stranger he meets (Victor) has a history of blinders and single-mindedness. As an added bonus, you remind us that we have many sides and show some of them at one time or another.
I agree with Hailey about the confusion being for the betterment of the book. When out at sea there is an incredible amount of time to think about everything, I think that the confusion that Walton presents is relatable. If I had all of the time in the world to sit and ponder about every aspect in life, I might wonder who I am and I’m sure Walton has wondered the same as well. I believe Shelley did a great job in creating a character deeply enough for us to be intrigued but not deeply enough for us to be bored because we know all the facts.
OK, so she (Shelley) leaves some mystery for us. That mystery is increased, it seems to me, when the stranger appears from out of the cold. Who is this person, and how much confusion has he experienced–Walton, and we, may be asking ourselves.
Shelly has created a credible character in Walton. He is a very lonely man who is very devoted to his work. When he crosses paths with Victor Frankenstein and the novel begins, we learn that the traits of Walton are paralleled within Victor, who has devoted all of his time to create his monster in isolation. Furthermore, Walton is used to foreshadow the mental characteristics of Victor. His character is effective in setting the stage for the main character.
I agree. In some ways, he seems more credible than his parallel partner.
I think that he is a very important character to the beginning of the book and Mary Shelley does a really excellent job of grabbing the readers attention with Walton’s character and his story. I found him very interesting to read about and thought that as a person he struggled with identity. He didn’t seem to sure in himself and seemed to be looking for someone or something that was going to tell him who he needs to be or who he should be. I believe this is where the confusion comes from when talking about his character, he makes the reader feel confused when really he is the one confused which is an interesting writing tactic by Shelley. I think that Walton not knowing who he is draws the reader in for more and allows them to attach to the book and identify with the character.
Intriguing interpretation of Walton as confused about his identity. I had not thought of it quite that way–as an effective strategy for pulling us into his problem. Thank you for this idea.