Captain Walton In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

decides to go on this journey to find his meaning of life that he believes to be fame. Captain Walton is determined to do whatever it takes to gain the fame, which is why he hires a crew, and ships sail to the North Pole. During this journey they stumble upon an obstacle in which puts them in a situation of life and death. “They insisted, therefore, that I should engage with a solemn promise that if the vessel should be freed I would instantly direct my course southwards. This speech troubled me.” (Shelley 265). This shows how he has disregards for his crew’s logical suggestions and demonstrates his psychological attributions of narcissistic personality disorder. Narcissistic personality disorder is, “a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others” (“Mayo”). Captain Walton’s disorder causes his corruption to encourage him to continue to try to find his purpose in life rather than the safety of everyone’s life in the voyage. He also sets sail with a crew and gives himself the role of captain because of his wealth even though he has no knowledge of where the voyage will lead them or what they’ll discover. Captain
Victor tells Captain Walton the story of the creature, which affects makes him rethink the situation that they’re stuck in. Victor compares himself to Captain Walton as he states, “had determined at one time that the memory of these evils should die with me, but you have won me to alter my determination”(Shelley). Captain Walton becomes astonished after hearing Victor’s story and witnessing the last breath of his new companion that in a way symbolizes Captain Walton’s future if he continues to obsess over the attainment of knowledge. Captain Walton seems to learn from Victor’s mistakes and says “I am surrounded by mountains of ice which admit of