# Letter I explained — Frankenstein

> Chapter companion for Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.

## What happens

Robert Walton writes to his sister Margaret Saville from St. Petersburgh, describing his preparations and enthusiasm for an Arctic expedition. He recounts his early dreams of discovery, his self-imposed hardships to prepare for the voyage, and his hope to find a passage near the pole or discover the secret of the magnet, despite his sister's forebodings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ambition and Pride

Walton's relentless pursuit of glory and discovery, preferring 'glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path,' exemplifies the theme of ambition.

### Dangerous Knowledge

Walton's desire to 'discover the wondrous power which attracts the needle' and explore unknown lands reflects the pursuit of knowledge that may lead to peril.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Walton

Walton writes to his sister, expressing his excitement and determination for his Arctic expedition, detailing his preparations and dreams of glory.

### Margaret Saville

The recipient of Walton's letter, his sister, who has regarded his enterprise with 'evil forebodings.'

## Key lines

> I may there discover the wondrous power which attracts the needle; and may regulate a thousand celestial observations, that require only this voyage to render their seeming eccentricities consistent forever.

Walton hopes to uncover the magnetic force that guides compasses and to make astronomical observations that will explain celestial anomalies.

_Walton's scientific aspirations for the voyage._

> My courage and my resolution is firm; but my hopes fluctuate, and my spirits are often depressed.

Walton is determined but admits to moments of doubt and low spirits.

_Walton's emotional state as he prepares for the expedition._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/frankenstein_se/chapters/letter-i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/frankenstein_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/frankenstein_se/chapters