Robert Walton is an explorer in the Arctic journeying towards the North Pole, even though his men urge him to turn back. He finds Victor Frankenstein nearly frozen and brings him on board to care for him, and that is how they meet. But why is it important that they have met?

The story begins as Victor recounts his life to Walton and Walton recounts Victor's stories to his sister through a series of letters. What we find from their meeting and their short lived friendship by the end of the novel is that Walton is very similar to Victor, and even to the monster as well. Like Victor, Walton is looking to achieve great feats and severely pushing the limits to do so. However, like the monster, he is lonely and longs for a friend. What better friend than Victor Frankenstein, a man who can really teach him a thing or two about pushing the limits? Walton learns from Victor's story and from his short encounter with the monster. He learns that severe consequences that can come from pushing the limits of exploration or acquiring certain knowledge and ultimately decides to turn back and abandon his suicide mission.