Volume 1
Letter 1
Walton says, '' I am already far north of London" (Shelley 7). Walton is writing his sister to keep her in form of his where abouts. He trys to explain his weird sense of feeling, regarding his mysterious adventure. He says every thing seems some what mystical, and gives him a spooky taste. Like spirits flowing along with him with his every move. He feels very visited, but he is determine to pursue his destination to some strange place out beyond the sea. There he knows he'll find the answers to his puzzling probes, about discovering some thing thats lives in a inhabiting existince. Walton goes on to say, "These reflections have dispelled the agitation with which i began my letter, and i feel my heart glow with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven; for nothing contributes so much to tranquillize the mind as a steady purpose,- a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye"(Shelley 8). Walton is trying to explian his trip, relating it to his life. Walton further says, "These visions faded when he persued, for the first time, those poets whose effusions entranced my soul, and lifted it to heaven" (Shelley 8). Walton is really into his dream, and i think will eventually come upon something like he is saying. He is headed north of the sea. Trying to live out his dream, which i think he will very soon. Lets keep our seat i think this is getting very interesting, sail on .
I agree that the letters do show foreshadowing that also sets the mood for the entire text. Such as, the way he describes his ambition and how he will let nothing get in the way by saying “these are my enticements, and they are sufficient to conquer all fear of danger or death…” (Shelley 7) and this could possibly hinder him in the end. Also, there seems to be small indications of the enlightenment in the text such as when Walton says ‘ What may not be expected in a country of eternal light?”(Shelley 7) there are many different things that could be taken into account by “eternal light” but what I gather from it is knowledge, possibly religion, and being liberated.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if Walton sends his letters to Margaret because he is lonely with himself. So he finds a way for comfort and reason for his travels. He is very peptimistic of what will come out of this journey and what he is actually doing or going. His life is chaos, so he is trying to put things together but is overtaken by his own self. He tries to find an out and put in order for himself in the world away by writing letters; I think to show him there is meaning for his adventure to society. He writes to Margarete knowing the letters are unlikely to reach them. When he writes, "So strange an accident has happened to us, that I cannot forbear recording it, although it is very probable that you will see me before these papers can come into your possession" (Shelley 13). His own self has over taking him for the passion he has to come of power through immense knowledge, seeing the unimaginable, and being rational of what is to come through his own eyes.
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