Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
As in most literary works, the beginning of Frankenstein serves to characterize directly and indirectly the main characters. As Robert Walton writes his sister in England, he reveals his character and that of the stranger saved from the arctic ice.
The reader soon realizes that Robert is insatiably ambitious. Even at this point in the novel, he has embarked to reach the north pole from Russia. This quest proves a certain disregard for family despite his deep affection for his sister; he decided to abandon his sister (perhaps forever) and pursuing this quest was a clear violation of his father's last wishes. Although he desires to be remembered in history as one of the greatest navigators, his true motivation is to learn the secrets of the universe. Discovering the forces behind the compass would grant him a sense of mastery over nature and a victory over uncertainty.
Once Robert recovers the stranger from the ice, he first notes his striking benevolence which allows the two to bond. Furthermore, the stranger's own desire to discover nature's hidden laws inspires him to recount his story to Robert. "You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been," (Shelley, 13).
The comparison between the characters of Robert and the stranger proves the power of human ambition and the necessity to learn from the mistakes of others' ambitions.
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