Walton's Reaction

Something that I found interesting about the end of the book is Walton's initial reaction when he sees the creature grieving over Frankenstein's body. He is disturbed by the creature's appearance but admits, "His voice seemed suffocated; and my first impulses, which had suggested to me the duty of obeying the dying request of my friend, in destroying his enemy, were now suspended by a mixture of curiosity and compassion" (158). He tells the creature that his grief and guilt are useless now, then listens as the creature talks about his intense loneliness and self-hatred. After hearing the creature describe his torment, Walton again says, "I was at first touched by the expressions of his misery; yet when I called to mind what Frankenstein had said of his powers of eloquence and persuasion, and when I again cast my eyes on the lifeless form of my friend, indignation was re-kindled within me" (159). Walton's reaction to the creature is much different than any other reaction to him throughout the book, including Frankenstein's. He ends up describing the creature in terms reminiscent of how Satan is described in the Bible. Its not his grotesque appearance that causes him to recoil (although he does think he is hideous), but seems to be the fact that the creature's words have tempted him into feeling sympathetic towards him despite everything that Frankenstein has said. Walton might have been able to interact with the creature on a more human level and shown him more kindness and sympathy, but chooses to believe everything Frankenstein has said about the creature being nothing more than a persuasive monster.