Frankenstein Volume 1 Letter 1
Plot summary (brief – characters that appear and what happens)
Frankenstein begins as a series of written letters from Walton to his sister Margaret Saville. In the first of these letters,
Walton is writing from St. Petersburg at some time in the 18th century. He tells his sister about his plans to travel to the
North pole, and reminisces about how he has gotten to this point so far. Walton is an adventurer who aims to discover
both the Northern passage to other countries, but also where the magnetism of the North Pole originates. He is optimistic
and enthusiastic, and yet is aware that he will spend a long time away from home. His plan is to hire a ship and crew,
aiming to depart from Russia in June. He makes it seem as though he is unsure whether or not he will return.
Themes and Quotes Links to HT
Loneliness and isolation- ‘If I succeed , many, many months, This chapter introduces a theme which is prominent
perhaps years, will pass before you and I may meet’ Walton throughout both ‘The handmaid’s tale’ and ‘Frankenstein’,
acknowledges the fact that his expedition will isolate him which is the idea of improving society. Furthermore,
from his family. He emphasises the extensiveness of this Walton’s ambitions to make great scientific advancements
time apart from his family, with the repetitive use of the for the good of ‘all mankind’ could be paralleled with
determiner ‘many’. Gilead’s attempts to scientifically improve society by
increasing birth rates, and therefore population. However,
Language and power- ‘those poets whose effusions, in both cases there is a sense of selfishness, which poses the
entranced my soul, and lifted it to heaven.’ We can see question of who gets to decide what needs to be discovered
Percy’s influence on the novel, as Shelley refers to the effect or improved in our society. Walton simply assumes that he
of romantic writers, such as him and his friend Lord Byron. is doing society a favour, with his true intentions being that
Walton is uplifted and emotionally affected by the works of of glory and wealth. Equally, the leaders of Gilead decide
romantic poets. that forcing women to become handmaids is for the good of
all the people, without first asking the opinions of the
Relationships and family- ‘Farewell, my dear, excellent citizens.
Margaret. Heaven shower down blessings on you’ It is clear
here that Walton has a great amount of affection for his In this chapter, Walton’s views of nature are reflective of his
sister, who he regards as ‘dear’ and ‘excellent’. However own mood; optimistic, and therefore he seems to easily find
Walton is also introducing the notion of spending long beauty in his surroundings. This is similar to the way in
periods of time distanced from your family. Equally, he which Offred’s pessimism towards fertility in her
never once enquires to how she and her family are, which circumstance is taken out on the flowers in Serena Joy’s
suggests an element of selfishness in his seemingly garden; their vivid natural colours could be seen as
affectionate letter. beautiful, however Offred simply depicts them as the
‘genital organs of plants’. Therefore, characters in both
Treatment of women- ‘my first task is to assure my dear novels convey their feelings and attitudes through the way
sister of my welfare’ Though women are mentioned that they describe the nature around them.
frequently by the men in this novel, they are never given a
true voice or narrative; a concept which is established in this Walton also introduces the theme of loneliness and
first chapter. isolation, which, in the context of his location, is physical
isolation from people. However, the fact that he will be
Science- ‘devoted my nights to the study of mathematics, forced to spend a large amount of time away from his family
the theory of medicine, and those branches of physical makes him seem distant both physically and emotionally.
science’ Walton chooses to educate himself in his pursuit for This is similar to the way in which Offred feels constantly
knowledge, something that was particularly relevant within alone, despite having other people physically around her.
this period of enlightenment, where many had a great thirst She is unable to make significant human connection with
for knowledge. However, this devotion to knowledge and anyone, due to the nature of the regime; thereby her
discovery also has an adverse effect on Walton’s health ‘I isolation is much less physical and yet in some ways has a
voluntarily endured cold, famine, thirst, and want of sleep’. more significant impact on the novel as a whole.
Plot summary (brief – characters that appear and what happens)
Frankenstein begins as a series of written letters from Walton to his sister Margaret Saville. In the first of these letters,
Walton is writing from St. Petersburg at some time in the 18th century. He tells his sister about his plans to travel to the
North pole, and reminisces about how he has gotten to this point so far. Walton is an adventurer who aims to discover
both the Northern passage to other countries, but also where the magnetism of the North Pole originates. He is optimistic
and enthusiastic, and yet is aware that he will spend a long time away from home. His plan is to hire a ship and crew,
aiming to depart from Russia in June. He makes it seem as though he is unsure whether or not he will return.
Themes and Quotes Links to HT
Loneliness and isolation- ‘If I succeed , many, many months, This chapter introduces a theme which is prominent
perhaps years, will pass before you and I may meet’ Walton throughout both ‘The handmaid’s tale’ and ‘Frankenstein’,
acknowledges the fact that his expedition will isolate him which is the idea of improving society. Furthermore,
from his family. He emphasises the extensiveness of this Walton’s ambitions to make great scientific advancements
time apart from his family, with the repetitive use of the for the good of ‘all mankind’ could be paralleled with
determiner ‘many’. Gilead’s attempts to scientifically improve society by
increasing birth rates, and therefore population. However,
Language and power- ‘those poets whose effusions, in both cases there is a sense of selfishness, which poses the
entranced my soul, and lifted it to heaven.’ We can see question of who gets to decide what needs to be discovered
Percy’s influence on the novel, as Shelley refers to the effect or improved in our society. Walton simply assumes that he
of romantic writers, such as him and his friend Lord Byron. is doing society a favour, with his true intentions being that
Walton is uplifted and emotionally affected by the works of of glory and wealth. Equally, the leaders of Gilead decide
romantic poets. that forcing women to become handmaids is for the good of
all the people, without first asking the opinions of the
Relationships and family- ‘Farewell, my dear, excellent citizens.
Margaret. Heaven shower down blessings on you’ It is clear
here that Walton has a great amount of affection for his In this chapter, Walton’s views of nature are reflective of his
sister, who he regards as ‘dear’ and ‘excellent’. However own mood; optimistic, and therefore he seems to easily find
Walton is also introducing the notion of spending long beauty in his surroundings. This is similar to the way in
periods of time distanced from your family. Equally, he which Offred’s pessimism towards fertility in her
never once enquires to how she and her family are, which circumstance is taken out on the flowers in Serena Joy’s
suggests an element of selfishness in his seemingly garden; their vivid natural colours could be seen as
affectionate letter. beautiful, however Offred simply depicts them as the
‘genital organs of plants’. Therefore, characters in both
Treatment of women- ‘my first task is to assure my dear novels convey their feelings and attitudes through the way
sister of my welfare’ Though women are mentioned that they describe the nature around them.
frequently by the men in this novel, they are never given a
true voice or narrative; a concept which is established in this Walton also introduces the theme of loneliness and
first chapter. isolation, which, in the context of his location, is physical
isolation from people. However, the fact that he will be
Science- ‘devoted my nights to the study of mathematics, forced to spend a large amount of time away from his family
the theory of medicine, and those branches of physical makes him seem distant both physically and emotionally.
science’ Walton chooses to educate himself in his pursuit for This is similar to the way in which Offred feels constantly
knowledge, something that was particularly relevant within alone, despite having other people physically around her.
this period of enlightenment, where many had a great thirst She is unable to make significant human connection with
for knowledge. However, this devotion to knowledge and anyone, due to the nature of the regime; thereby her
discovery also has an adverse effect on Walton’s health ‘I isolation is much less physical and yet in some ways has a
voluntarily endured cold, famine, thirst, and want of sleep’. more significant impact on the novel as a whole.
