Anyone's response can differ, but I would say that we have been so immersed in Victor's account of his story of creating, regretting, and pursuing his creature that it is jarring when Walton breaks off his narrative to return to the present moment. It is startling to be reminded that the whole story is in media res, or in the midst of the action: Victor is on board Walton's ship, still in pursuit of the elusive monster he hopes to destroy.
Suddenly, we are swept up in present concerns, most specifically the demand from the crew, which is close to mutiny, that Walton head the ship back home. Victor hears the request and tries to rouse the men with a stirring speech about heroism, saying:
"Be steady to your purposes and firm as a rock. This ice is not made of such stuff as your hearts may be; it...
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is mutable and cannot withstand you if you say that it shall not. Do not return to your families with the stigma of disgrace marked on your brows."
Victor may have learned nothing from his experiences, but Walton has, and though feeling disappointed and a coward, he agrees to their demands.
By returning us to present and this incident, Walton shows that Victor's story was not told in vain. Walton will not repeat Victor's mistake of overreach in a quest for glory.
Walton hopes that he can convince Victor to return to the real world, give up his hunt for the monster, and try to enjoy living again. Unfortunately, Victor is unable to live for anything but revenge. He has not learned any lesson from his terrible ordeal. When Walton's men want to break through the ice and return home, Victor encourages Walton to complete his journey,even though it might mean the death of every man on the ship. Walton, learning from Victor's experience, decides to return home. Victor tries to leave the ship so he can continue the hunt for the monster. However, Victor is too weak and finally succumbs to death. Walton, then meets the monster, but decides not to follow him and to continue to return home. He has learned from Victor how harmful being obsessed with science and exploration can be.