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Who Is Walton A Foil In Frankenstein

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Whenever an author tries to use character growth and personality traits to stress a point or emphasize a theme, a common literary device to use is a foil. This is normally done between a main character and an important side character. In the novel Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, such a device can be found and is used to its utmost potential. The two major characters that act as foils to the main character are Robert Walton and the monster. Each one adds a unique element to the story and truly help illustrate Victor Frankenstein as a character. However, between the two, Robert Walton acts the the better foil. He develops Frankenstein in a way the monster simply cannot. The characteristics range from their treatment of their family, dedication …show more content…

While working on the monster, Frankenstein knew his “silence disquieted [his family]...but could [he] could not [his] thoughts from [his] employment” (Frankenstein 41). His desire to complete the monster led him to ignoring his family even when he knew they cared greatly for him and were worried. The fame and glory he would of gained from creating the monster was too much for him to not dedicate himself to—even if it meant putting aside the ones who actually care about him. Walton on the other hand, treats his family is a different way. As far as the novel is concerned, Walton’s only known family member is his sister Margaret Saville. His connection with his sister is much stronger than any relationship Frankenstein shared while creating the monster. In fact, the entire novel is Walton writing to his sister. It starts off like a normal diary, however by the fourth letter, it shifts into more a novel by switching to a chapter format. At various points in the book, Victor talks back to Walton as he is telling the story to him with Walton then writing to his sister. If Walton can write an entire novel to his sister while journeying to the North Pole on an entirely selfish quest with the facade of it being for the greater good, then Frankenstein could of done the same by writing back to the various letters his family had given him. Family was a needless distraction for Victor, but an important factor in what helped Walton make it as far north as he

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Character Foils: Victor and The Monster Often in a literary work, authors use minor characters to emphasize specific traits and characteristics of a main character. In Mary Shelley’s best selling novel Frankenstein, the monster is a minor reflection of Victor Frankenstein. Victor’s personality traits from when he was a child, and as an adult, are carried over and placed into his creation unintentionally by Victor himself.

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6. The diction in the selected passage shows Walton’s determination. This was make clear when Walton said: “ Why not still proceed over the untamed yet obedient element? What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of a man?” When Walton says “why not” this shows determination and even being a little cocky.

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Mary Shelley’s horrifying tale of a monster and man of science is known far and wide for its captivating story, complex characters and surprising relatability. However this is where most knowledge commonly ends.. Frankenstein’s t underlying themes of isolation, human connection and balance of nature become evident through Shelley’s use of character foils throughout her infamous tale. In her 1818 novel, the monster serves as a foil to Victor Frankenstein, emphasizing Victor’s greed, poor judgement and lack of true understanding in regards to human emotion.

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In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, she tells the cautionary tale of Victor Frankenstein and the downfall he brought upon himself by creating a horrid creature. In literature, a foil is a minor character that possesses traits that emphasize the characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of a minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, supporting character Henry Clerval serves as a foil for lead character Victor Frankenstein. The foil between the two characters expresses their interests and desire to become famous, Frankenstein’s foolishness, and their passion in pursuits.

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Carmen Hua Ms. Lovelady AP Literature & Composition 15 November 2015 Frankenstein Essay Prewrite I. Main Idea: Foil characters are important because they can compare personalities within each person but has one specific difference. Frankenstein's actions is relatable to each character mentioned in the novel by having Shelley create close connections and bonds. II.

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Justine Apit Honors English 2 Mr. Sutton Victors downfall Victor’s downfall was caused by his failure of balancing his ego. The book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is about a young scientist named Victor Frankenstein who struggles to balance his ego which results to his downfall. Victor Frankenstein started as a normal kid from a noble and well off family. He gets interested in studying natural philosophy, alchemy and chemistry.

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Moments, when characters have a sudden change in attitude, can be found often throughout Frankenstein, but it is prominent during Walton’s last letter to his sister as he tells of meeting the monster. The monster mentions his past concerning Victor Frankenstein and that his feelings were “forever ardent and craving; still [it] desired love and fellowship, and [it] was spurned…” (Shelley 211). While the monster recognizes his desire for love, he then contradicts that desire by stating that “[Frankenstein’s] abhorrence cannot equal that with which [it regarded itself]” (Shelley 212). The monster’s growing internal conflict through the novel between his desire to be accepted and his knowledge of being different is what causes him to be a dynamic character.

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Victor has feelings toward the monster that Walton doesn’t have because Walton doesn’t have the past experiences with the creature like Victor does. Walton understands and agrees with Frankenstein about how ugly the creature once Frankenstein shows Walton what the creature looks like. Walton understands and agrees with Frankenstein that the monster is hideous. Walton is able to tell the story of Frankenstein and the monster while being removed from the drama of it all. Walton ultimately adds great amounts of suspense in the mysterious character known as Victor Frankenstein, and the outcome of the novel right away in the book.

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The novel Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley depicts certain ideas that can not be described or written within novels. For example, the telling of the story between three different narrators can teach the reader about putting together “pieces of a puzzle” in order to understand the plot of the story. The three narrators in Frankenstein are Victor, Walton, and the Creature, all with very distinct personalities and character traits. Of these storytellers, Victor could possibly be debated as the most extraordinary. The qualities that make Victor pictured as this unique character, that the fact that he is a dynamic character, and that he is an unreliable narrator.

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Duality is shown in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, a gothic tale of a scientist whom looks to advance the life-giving qualities of mother nature. Through this novel, Shelley proves that good and evil in human nature is not always simple to define, and that everyone has both of these qualities within them. The duality of human nature is shown through the characters of Victor Frankenstein and his monster, who are both heroes in the novel while simultaneously displaying anti-hero qualities. Shelley forces the reader to sympathize with them both but also creates gruesome ideas of the two. Frankenstein’s creature places himself in a submissive position when he begs his creator to have mercy on him and asking the creator to “create a female for [him] with whom [he] can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for [his] being.”

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From his earliest memories, Frankenstein recalls his family being there for him. He describes his parents by saying “My parents were possessed by the very spirit of kindness and indulgence”(Shelly __) Kindness and indulgence are two specific traits that one should inhabit when taking care of others. Another strong relationship in Frankenstein’s life is with his “sister” Elizabeth. As he was expected to marry her, he confided in her and grew up as one of her best

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In his second letter to his sister, Margaret Saville, he wishes for a friend he could bond with. “You may deem me romantic, my dear sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend. I have no one near me, gentle yet courageous, possessed of a cultivated as well as of a capacious mind, whose tastes are like my own, to approve or amend my plans.” Robert Walton was pleased to have Victor on board and connect with him. Frankenstein is intelligent and well educated, like Walton, and took Robert’s interest.

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The fictional horror novel of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is driven by the accentuation of humanity’s flaws. Even at the very mention of her work an archetypal monster fills one’s imagination, coupled with visions of a crazed scientist to boot. Opening her novel with Robert Walton, the conduit of the story, he also serves as a character to parallel the protagonist’s in many ways. As the ‘protagonist’ of the story, Victor Frankenstein, takes on the mantle of the deluded scientist, his nameless creation becomes the embodiment of a truly abandoned child – one left to fend for itself against the harsh reality posed by society. On the other hand, Walton also serves as a foil to Victor – he is not compulsive enough to risk what would be almost

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The gothic fiction novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley centralizes on humanity and the qualifications that make someone human. The content of the novel Frankenstein depicts a monster displaying human traits that his creator Victor does not possess: empathy, a need for companionship, and a will to learn and fit in. Throughout the novel Shelley emphasizes empathy as a critical humanistic trait. The monster displays his ability to empathize with people even though they are strangers. On the other hand Victor, fails to show empathy throughout the novel even when it relates to his own family and friends.

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In Frankenstein, Shelley presents two characters who represent the different sides of the same character. The monster was a clear reflection of his creator because; they had the same development, same pain and suffering, and were recluses. Victor and the monster did not physically resemble each other, but they had the same personality and traits, therefore,

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