Robert Walton’s Letters

The opening of Mary Shelley’s novel ‘Frankenstein’

By the end of the lesson you will all be able to

Write about the fictional character of Robert Walton showing understanding of Shelley’s creation and use of this character; and show understanding of aspects of narrative form, style and structure Shelley uses to open the novel.

AO1, AO2 and AO4

Frankenstein

• Shelley opens ‘Frankenstein’ with letters from ‘an explorer’, Robert Walton, sent to his sister.

• Walton is stuck on his ship in the ice of the North Pole.

Can we draw a potential theme from Shelley’s use of this setting,

character and action? That is, what thoughts and ideas about real life

might Shelley be using her fictional narrative to persuade us to

consider? What would such a character likely be feeling in this

situation?

After reading Walton’s letters

Letter Key character points Evidence

1

2

3

4

In groups you will be given one of Walton’s letters and you are asked to read it through and identify what kind of

character Shelley is creating (finding textual evidence to support your ideas)

Writing about Walton

The character of Robert Walton is presented in the opening of Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ as...

Using the notes you

have made complete a

short paragraph

individually on Walton’s character

‘Epistolary’ form

A ‘genre’ of novel presented as a series of documents:

• Letters• Diaries• Blogs• Emails• Newspaper articles

What are the effects of writing in this style? What purpose might an author have for

adopting such a style?

‘Frame’ Narrative

Functions of a frame narrative: • Gives an improbable fictional tale a sense of

verisimilitude, i.e. it creates a convincing sense of reality.Other texts to use this style

• The Tale of the Ancient Mariner• Ozymandias• Dracula Add to your paragraph about Walton

with points you have learnt about the narrative structure and style

Now update your status based on what you have learnt

You also have the opportunity to ask a question if you are unsure of anything