Introduction
The icy winds of the Arctic. The lonely, echoing sounds of a ship frozen in place. These are the settings that evoke the haunting narrative of Mary Shelley’s *Frankenstein*. Yet, before the creation of the Creature and the tragic pursuit across frozen wastes, there exists a more intimate framing device: a series of letters penned from Robert Walton to his sister, Margaret Saville, affectionately known as Mrs. Saville. But who *is* Mrs. Saville? While often overshadowed by the more dramatic events of Victor Frankenstein’s life and the monstrous being he brings into existence, Mrs. Saville plays a crucial, albeit subtle, role. This article will delve into the character of Mrs. Saville, exploring her role in the narrative, her relationship with her brother, and her contribution to the enduring power of *Frankenstein*.
Framing the Narrative: The Epistolary Form
The very structure of *Frankenstein* is unique. The tale is not simply told through one narrator; it utilizes a layered narrative, a series of interwoven stories. The novel begins with Robert Walton’s letters to Mrs. Saville, which frame the larger story of Victor Frankenstein and his monster. This epistolary format, with its emphasis on correspondence and private thoughts, immediately establishes a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. We, the readers, are privy to Walton’s innermost feelings, his ambitions, and his encounters. This allows us, subtly but powerfully, to learn who is Mrs. Saville. Her presence, though indirect, is instrumental in shaping the reader’s experience.
Setting the Stage: The Arctic Landscape
The setting for Walton’s letters—a ship trapped in the Arctic ice—immediately establishes a sense of isolation and foreboding. Walton, driven by a thirst for exploration and discovery, is attempting to find a passage to the North Pole. But his ambition is balanced by a profound sense of loneliness. He yearns for companionship and understanding. And it is to his sister, Mrs. Saville, that he turns for both. Through his letters, Walton reveals his character, his hopes, and his fears, and the reader begins to assemble the unseen character of his sister.
The Foundation of Storytelling
Walton’s letters serve as a crucial introduction to the themes of *Frankenstein*: ambition, isolation, the dangers of unchecked scientific inquiry, and the importance of human connection. His initial letters chronicle his journey, his aspirations, and the growing sense of unease that permeates his voyage. These letters, carefully composed and sent across vast distances, tell us a lot about *who is* Mrs. Saville.
The Bonds of Family
The nature of Walton’s relationship with his sister reveals a great deal about both of them. It highlights the values of empathy, familial love, and emotional support. Walton trusts Mrs. Saville implicitly. He shares his innermost thoughts and feelings with her, seeking her understanding and approval. There’s a level of intimacy in these letters that makes it clear Mrs. Saville must be a person of warmth, wisdom, and remarkable patience.
Trust and Intimacy
The fact that Walton continually writes to his sister shows us much about *who is* Mrs. Saville. She is his confidante, his emotional anchor. She is the recipient of his dreams and his anxieties. This detail suggests a woman who is not only understanding but perhaps a very practical person. She is someone to whom Walton can communicate, not only his successes and struggles, but to whom he can safely reveal vulnerability. This trust is a testament to the strong bond they share, even across the geographical barrier of an ocean of ice.
The Unseen Influence
The character of Mrs. Saville exists only through Walton’s narration. We never see her, nor do we hear her perspective directly. Yet, she is far from a passive recipient. Her presence is felt throughout the novel. She acts as a moral compass for Walton, offering him a sense of perspective and a grounding influence. Every letter is in response to a perceived event or emotional state in their correspondence. The very act of writing to her suggests a respect for her opinion and an understanding that she will listen, absorb, and respond with empathy.
The Subtle Insights: Tone and Affection
The tone of Walton’s letters to Mrs. Saville also reveals much about her. He frequently expresses a desire for her well-being and asks about her health, her surroundings, and her life. These are not merely perfunctory greetings; they demonstrate genuine affection and concern. These personal and affectionate details help shape the reader’s idea of who is Mrs. Saville. This emphasizes the importance of their connection in the novel, and highlights that the letters have deep meaning.
Indirect Portrayal: Filling the Gaps
The absence of Mrs. Saville’s direct voice is significant. It leaves us to infer her personality based on Walton’s words and actions. This allows Shelley to establish a more powerful and indirect narrative, and to subtly reveal the kind of person she is. We understand her through how Walton perceives and values her. This approach not only builds a sense of mystery around the character but also reflects the patriarchal norms of the time. Women often existed on the periphery of narratives, their influence felt indirectly through the men who surrounded them.
Themes and Interpretations
Creating Narrative Layers
This indirect portrayal of Mrs. Saville adds a layer of complexity to the story. Her absence reinforces the novel’s themes of isolation and the longing for connection, themes explored later as the story of Victor Frankenstein and his creation unfolds. Furthermore, Mrs. Saville’s absence forces the reader to engage actively with the narrative, drawing our own conclusions about her character and importance. We, the readers, become detectives of sorts, gathering clues from Walton’s words. The question, “Who is Mrs. Saville?” becomes more than a simple question of character, it becomes a way of exploring the theme of human connection.
A Framework for Tragedy
The letters to Mrs. Saville provide the framework for the central narrative of *Frankenstein*. They establish the setting, introduce the key themes, and introduce Walton, who in turn encounters Victor Frankenstein and hears his tragic story. This storytelling method also reinforces the theme of storytelling and the power of narratives, which are core features in understanding who is Mrs. Saville.
Framing the Story: A Deeper Dive
The letters serve a literary function by creating a sense of framing. The story is told through Walton’s perspective, which is further filtered through the story of Victor Frankenstein. This layered storytelling keeps the reader at a slight distance from the immediate events. We are always aware that the story is being told, and that our understanding is filtered through multiple narrators. This can also remind the reader about who is Mrs. Saville, and the importance of the person to whom Walton is relating his experiences.
Moral Compass in the Arctic
Mrs. Saville is not just a passive recipient; she is the intended audience for Walton’s exploration. She is his audience and the reader’s first point of entry into the narrative. Her presence serves as an internal compass for the story, as Walton consistently reflects on the consequences of ambition. The effect of her presence offers a moral anchor to the story.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Connection
Examining the importance of Mrs. Saville in *Frankenstein* unveils a complex character who, though unseen, is an essential part of the story’s fabric. While the dramatic elements of the novel often overshadow her presence, her role is vital to the novel’s overarching themes. Her presence sets up the themes that permeate the novel: isolation, the search for connection, and the dangers of unchecked ambition. We gain insight into who is Mrs. Saville through her brother’s admiration, and the trust and affection he places in her.
Ultimately, *Frankenstein* is a story about the human condition, about the search for meaning and connection in a world often marked by isolation and loss. The character of Mrs. Saville, despite her limited presence, embodies these fundamental human needs, and the very fact that Walton writes to her reinforces the message of the importance of human connection, and therefore, the importance of considering who is Mrs. Saville.
Mrs. Saville’s role is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, in the face of scientific hubris and monstrous creations, the need for human connection and empathy persists. She represents the comforting presence of compassion, and her presence in the narrative makes the reader constantly consider, “Who is Mrs. Saville?” and why does her presence matter so much?
The unanswered questions about Mrs. Saville allow the reader to complete the picture of her personality through analysis of her interactions and impact on the story. The author of *Frankenstein* made it a point to give a very nuanced perspective to the readers. This ultimately creates the image of a caring, intelligent, thoughtful person.
Mrs. Saville is a constant reminder of the humanity that can be found even in the depths of despair, a crucial understanding of what it is to be human. She is a beacon of hope, a reminder of the enduring power of love and connection, and a silent but vital force in the icy world of *Frankenstein*. In this way, the question “Who is Mrs. Saville?” is answered through her enduring impact on the reader, the themes of the book, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
