How does Walton respond to the stranger in Frankenstein?
The background to Walton's character is established in his early letters, in which he describes to his sister, Margaret, his feelings that he was set upon earth to "accomplish some great purpose," and that "success shall crown [his] endeavours," despite his flagging spirits. This foreshadows what the reader will later learn about Victor, himself, and establishes a similarity between their characters.
When Walton's crew finds Victor, Walton's initial response is surprise that a man so emaciated and apparently close to death should first inquire as to "whither you are bound." He is interested further when the stranger appears satisfied with the answer that the crew is bound on a voyage of discovery.
Victor's initial silence worries Walton, but he swiftly becomes impressed by the "interesting creature" he has picked up and becomes protective of him, restraining his own curiosity and that of his men, who would all...
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like to interrogate him about his purpose in the ice. Very swiftly, Walton forms an intense attachment to Victor, whose gentle manner and "deep grief" draws out Walton's compassion until he "begin[s] to love him like a brother." This is before Walton even knows Victor's story, but he is extremely moved by the broken spirit he perceives in Victor——perhaps conscious that he, too, can imagine his own spirit becoming broken as a result of his endeavors——and sees in him a potential "brother of my heart."
What is the relationship between Walton and the stranger in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein?
Frankenstein begins with Walton writing letters to his sister, Margaret. His first two letters describe his plan to travel to the North Pole to investigate the magnet. They also detail how he is lonely and wishes that he had a friend. While he's excited at the opportunity for adventure and to learn something new, he knows if he succeeds, or fails, no one will be there to celebrate or commiserate with him.
But I have one want which I have never yet been able to satisfy; and the absence of the object of which I now feel as a most severe evil. I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavour to sustain me in dejection.
In his fourth letter, Walton informs his sister that his crew found a stranger. The man was found on the ice nearly frozen to death. Walton's tone has changed. While he does worry about the stranger, he's excited that he may have found his equal: a friend.
I said in one of my letters, my dear Margaret, that I should find no friend on the wide ocean; yet I have found a man who, before his spirit had been broken by misery, I should have been happy to have possessed as the brother of my heart.
As the stranger gains strength, his begins to tell Walton his story of what has brought him to the ship. The stranger hopes that by telling Walton his story, he will prevent him from making the same mistake.
“Unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also of the intoxicating draught? Hear me—let me reveal my tale, and you will dash the cup from your lips!”