Robert Walton is an ambitious sea captain who dreams of making a great discovery at the edge of the world. He writes tender, thoughtful letters to his sister, which show a man who is brave but also lonely. He longs for a true friend—someone who understands his hunger for glory and his need to be seen as more than just a sailor chasing ice.
When Walton meets Victor Frankenstein, he finds the companion he has wished for and a warning he did not expect. Through their conversations, Walton learns how bold ideas can turn dangerous when they ignore care and responsibility. He remains sympathetic and decent, trying to balance his own hopes with the safety of his crew. In the end, Walton’s role frames the whole story: he is the listener, the witness, and the measure of what ambition can cost if it goes too far.