Introduction
In literature, certain characters exist just on the periphery, offering hints of larger worlds. They are not the protagonists who drive the action, nor the antagonists who create conflict. Instead, they reside in the background, their presence felt more than explicitly shown, yet they remain essential to the overall narrative. Mrs. Saville is one of these enigmas. In Mary Shelley’s *Frankenstein*, she never appears on the page as a speaking, acting character. Yet her presence, as the recipient of Robert Walton’s letters, is undeniably significant.
Mrs. Saville, as the devoted sister of Robert Walton, acts as both a confidante and an audience. While Mrs. Saville’s physical presence is minimal, her role as the recipient of Robert Walton’s letters is crucial for understanding the themes of ambition, isolation, and the longing for connection that permeate *Frankenstein*. Despite her limited direct involvement, Mrs. Saville provides a valuable lens through which to examine the narrative complexities and emotional core of Shelley’s masterpiece. Through her absence, her presence is more greatly felt, and with her as Robert Walton’s muse, we as readers are allowed to gain a better understanding of a tragic tale.
Mrs. Saville’s Bond to Robert Walton
The fundamental aspect of understanding Mrs. Saville lies in recognizing her relationship to Robert Walton. She is his sister, a fact established at the very beginning of Walton’s epistolary narrative. More than just a familial connection, the bond between them is one of deep affection and trust. This is evident in the intimate and confiding tone of Walton’s letters. He clearly values her opinion, seeks her understanding, and relies on her for emotional support, even as he embarks on his ambitious and perilous voyage to the North Pole.
Walton’s letters are filled with expressions of longing for her company and concern for her well-being. He often reflects on the sacrifices he is making and the risks he is taking, framing them within the context of his desire to achieve something great, something that would make her proud. This constant consideration of her feelings reveals a level of emotional dependence and a yearning for validation that speaks to the depth of their sibling relationship. “I am already far north of London; and as I enter this land of snows and frost, I feel a cold northern breeze play upon my cheeks, which braces my nerves and fills me with delight. Do you understand this feeling? This breeze, which has travelled from the regions towards which I am advancing, gives me a foretaste of those icy climes. Inspirited by this wind of promise, my daydreams become more fervent and vivid. I try in vain to be persuaded that the pole is the seat of frost and desolation; it ever presents itself to my imagination as the region of beauty and delight. There, Margaret, my dear sister, the sun is for ever visible; its broad disk just skirting the horizon and diffusing a perpetual splendour.”
The way in which Walton portrays Mrs. Saville in his letters is also revealing. He depicts her as a woman of sensibility, intelligence, and compassion. He assumes she will understand his ambitions, even if she might also worry about his safety. He shares his doubts and fears with her, trusting in her ability to offer comfort and encouragement. This idealized image of Mrs. Saville reflects Walton’s own needs and desires. He seeks in her a source of unconditional love and unwavering support, a safe harbor in the midst of his turbulent journey. This is demonstrated by the fact that he begins and ends the letters with affectionate statements toward her.
A Pivotal Audience and Conduit for the Narrative
Mrs. Saville’s role extends beyond being a mere recipient of letters; she acts as the primary audience for Walton’s narrative and, subsequently, a conduit for the story to reach the reader. Walton is not simply writing in a journal; he is consciously addressing his sister, tailoring his account to her understanding and sensibilities. This has a profound impact on the way the story is told.
The fact that Walton is writing to someone he knows and loves influences his tone, his choice of details, and his overall presentation of events. He is likely to be more candid and vulnerable with his sister than he would be with a stranger. He is also likely to be more concerned with presenting himself in a favorable light, perhaps exaggerating his accomplishments or downplaying his failures. This inherent bias must be taken into account when evaluating Walton’s reliability as a narrator.
More significantly, Mrs. Saville’s position as the initial audience transforms her into a conduit through which the reader experiences the story. We, as readers, only gain access to the events through Walton’s filtered account *to her*. We are essentially eavesdropping on a private correspondence, relying on Walton’s interpretation and Mrs. Saville’s assumed understanding to make sense of the unfolding drama. This creates a layer of narrative distance and introduces the possibility of distortion or manipulation. As such we never get her direct input, and only know of the other characters in the story through Robert Walton’s narration.
The question of Walton’s reliability is further complicated by the possibility that he is trying to impress or protect his sister. He might be tempted to embellish the truth in order to appear more heroic or to shield her from the full horror of his experiences. He may also be unconsciously shaping his narrative to conform to her expectations or to elicit a particular response from her. Considering all of these factors, the choice of Mrs. Saville as the recipient of his correspondence is a pivotal tool for plot by Mary Shelley, used to give Robert Walton’s narration a sense of truth and reliability, when he in reality could easily be mistaken.
Thematic Significance of Mrs. Saville’s Prescence
The seemingly minor role of Mrs. Saville actually holds significant thematic weight within *Frankenstein*. Her presence, or rather her absence, reinforces several key themes that run throughout the novel.
The theme of isolation is powerfully emphasized by Walton’s constant longing for his sister’s companionship. He is surrounded by a crew of sailors, but he feels profoundly alone in his ambition. His letters to Mrs. Saville become his lifeline, a means of connecting with the world he has left behind and reaffirming his own humanity. The vast and desolate landscape of the Arctic mirrors Walton’s own internal state of isolation, and his letters to his sister serve as a desperate attempt to bridge the gap between himself and the warmth of human connection. His constant writing allows for the reader to understand the extent of loneliness he feels during his voyage.
Mrs. Saville also embodies the theme of family and domesticity, which is sharply contrasted with Walton’s and Frankenstein’s relentless pursuit of ambition and knowledge. She represents the comforts of home, the warmth of human relationships, and the stability of a settled life. Walton’s letters to her serve as a reminder of what he is sacrificing in his quest for glory, and they highlight the potential dangers of prioritizing ambition over personal connection. He is a reminder to Walton, and to us as readers, of the world he is missing as he pursues his passions.
Furthermore, Mrs. Saville’s position as a concerned sister underscores the importance of humanity and empathy. Walton’s concern for her well-being reveals his own capacity for compassion, even as he engages in potentially reckless and self-serving behavior. Her existence serves as a moral compass, reminding him (and the reader) of the ethical implications of his actions. She serves as a constant reminder of the dangers of ignoring our moral compass in the name of ambition.
One might also consider whether Mrs. Saville offers a subtle, albeit indirect, feminine perspective within the novel. While we only see her through Walton’s eyes, her presence raises questions about the role of women in a society that often marginalizes their voices and experiences. What might she think of Walton’s dangerous adventure? How would she react to Frankenstein’s monstrous creation? While these questions remain unanswered, they invite us to consider the limitations of Walton’s perspective and the potential for alternative interpretations of the story.
Mrs. Saville In Context
While there may be no indication that Mrs. Saville is related or an allusion to any other characters or people that existed at the time the original work was written. There is a possibility, however, that it is an ode to the author, Mary Shelley’s, real life sister. Shelley herself struggled with isolation and often spoke to her sister through letters to cope with it. If this were the case, her intentional choice to create a connection to her own life through a character named Mrs. Saville can be seen as an important motif throughout the novel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Mrs. Saville remains a shadowy figure on the periphery of *Frankenstein*, her role as the recipient of Robert Walton’s letters is far from insignificant. She is more than just a passive listener; she is a confidante, a moral compass, and a conduit through which the reader experiences the story.
By understanding Mrs. Saville, we can better appreciate the novel’s exploration of the complexities of human connection and the dangers of unchecked ambition. Her presence highlights the importance of family, empathy, and the warmth of human relationships in a world that is often cold and isolating. Despite her limited direct involvement in the plot, Mrs. Saville’s influence permeates the narrative, shaping our understanding of the characters and themes at play. She becomes an integral figure to the overall themes and the tragedy of the novel.
What would Mrs. Saville *really* think if she knew the full story? What judgements and perceptions would she make that would contrast with her brother’s ideas? This question lingers in the reader’s mind, reminding us of the power of perspective and the enduring mystery of the human heart. Through her, we see that we all must value empathy and strive to avoid isolation in our own lives.
