Mary Shelley did a exceptional job with this book Frankenstein. Her writing style can be described as very creative by some, and slow by others. One might say that she started the book off in a slow manner with all the letters and details. However one might also say that this is the only way the book could be started, and the character, Walton, to be introduced properly. I believe it was important to give a background of Walton to show what he had been through.
Once Walton's voyage begins, it is clear that he has been waiting for it for quite some time. He is very eager. He is also shown to be a hard worker. Others on the ship look up to him, after all he is the captain. This leadership role he has taken on becomes apparent when the master said, "Here is our captain, and he will not allow you to perish on the open sea." (Shelley 13).
This open sea voyage shows a lot about Walton's personality and character. Not only is he the "captain" but he is the captain of a difficult, tricky voyage. The ship is at one point there was ice "stretched out in every direction, vast and irregular plains of ice, which seemed to have no end." (Shelley 13). One might say under conditions like that, that it would be a daring voyage and shy away, but Walton stays in control. Walton is clearly adventurous and is not afraid of much.
Walton also has a softer side. During the voyage it becomes apparent that he is lonely. Then they pick up a stranger, later to be identified as Frankenstein. Walton longs for a best friend on his voyage, and he finds a friend in Frankenstein.
I have to admit, I did not think about this angle of the story at all. And I was one person that thought Shelly's style was slow. In the beginning of the book, while I was reading the letters, I thought they were pointless. And when I got to the letters at the end of the book, I was not excited to read those. But now, after finishing the book, I can understand why Shelly put them there. It does add a little interest to the book. If the book was simply Frankenstein's narrative, it would have been hard to track the monster's death. “I shall ascend my funeral pile triumphantly, and exult in the agony of torturing flames.” (Shelly 156)
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