Frankenstein Letters

 Upon reading the introductory letters of the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the author has revealed the character of Robert Walton and later introduced an interesting stranger. Using characterization, readers have been given some insight into the characters thus far, and two of the characters (Robert and the stranger) have been compared and contrasted. This seems to be the most prominent literary technique implored, specifically in letter four. The suspense which grows from this letter, and the eventual revealing start to the stranger's story, have kept me interested, especially after learning a little about the mysterious stranger. After Robert and his vessel's crew saved and revived the stranger from his dogsled under icy conditions, the stranger is physically characterized as having eyes with an expression of "..wildness, and even madness,"(Shelley, 9). However, later in the letter, the supposed crazy man offers insight and wisdom to Robert. The two form a bond based on confiding in the other and relinquishing their thoughts and beliefs with each other. After Robert speaks of his desire for companionship, the stranger offers him his own thoughts. "We are unfashioned creatures, but half made up, if one wiser, better, dearer than ourselves- such a friend ought to be- do not lend his aid to perfectionate our weak and faulty natures,"(Shelley,12). I found this moment in the novel to be an intimate sharing of feelings and the start to a friendship, like Robert wishes so much to have. I find the stranger's eventual telling of his story to Walton to be interesting, even after the establishment of the two's differences, the stranger is comfortable telling his story. The stranger, feeling that while Walton has"hope and the world before you[him], and have no cause for despair," he "has lost everything and cannot begin life anew,"(Shelley,12). This feeling of hopelessness gives the impression that the stranger's story will be one of despair, but still the letter ends inviting Walton in on the story of the stranger himself's life.