(or just about as far north as I can place my dot)

The nineteenth century was a time of exploration and great discovery on a number of fronts.  One of the most prominent forms of exploration was geographical exploration of the arctic.  Those exploring the arctic in the nineteenth century typically had at least one of four major goals: (1) discovery of the Northwest Passage, (2) reaching the North Pole, (3) navigating across Greenland, (4) finding out what happened to the 1845 John Franklin Expedition (Benjamin).  This last goal would not have been one featured in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, as it was written prior to 1845.  However, the first two goals were aims of Robert Walton’s expedition party. 

The North Pole was not reached by an expedition until 1833, and the Northwest Passage was not navigated until 1906 (“Arctic Exploration Timeline”). 

By including Walton’s character as an explorer in a historical context, Shelley creates a point of comparison between Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein.  While Walton is on the verge of a physical, geographic discovery, Frankenstein is expecting a great scientific discovery.  Both are undertaking their endeavors for similar reasons.  Walton states in his letters to his sister that he wishes to make a discovery like this just to prove that he could and to satisfy his own curiosity, but he also mentions that he hopes to be remembered for this achievement.  Frankenstein, in satisfying his own curiosity surrounding the principles of life and death, hopes to make a significant scientific discovery for which he could be remembered (Shelley). 

Works Cited

"Arctic Exploration Timeline." American Polar Society, americanpolar.org/about/arctic-exploration-timeline/. Accessed 24 Apr. 2023.

Benjamin, Daniel. "Arctic Expeditions of the 19th Century." Property and Environment Research Center, 1 June 2001, perc.org/2001/06/01/arctic-expeditions-of-the-19th-century/. Accessed 24 Apr. 2023.

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus. 1818.