Robert Walton

Walton can be described as a foil within Shelley’s text. His story more or less parallels Victor’s – like Victor, Walton is egotistic, and aspires to personal glory through exceeding human ability and sailing where no one had been before. However, his letters to Margaret help to articulate that, unlike Victor, Walton recognises the importance of companionship and constantly agonises over the isolation that his endeavour imposes. Such an understanding ultimately ensures that Walton maintains his moral compass and is able to rationally turn the ship around when faced with the prospect of the death of his crew members.