Image
An English explorer sailing for the North Pole, whose letters to his sister frame the whole story.
Books
Story role
Narrator (frame story)
Background
An English explorer writing to his sister, Margaret Saville, in England. "I am self-educated" (Letter 2).
Wants and fears
Wants to reach the unexplored north: "I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited" (Letter 1). Longs for a friend (Letter 2).
Relationships
Brother of Margaret Saville. Takes Victor aboard from the ice and befriends him (Letter 4).
Character arc
When his crew will not sail further north, he agrees to turn back (Chapter 24).
Key quotes
"I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy" (Letter 2)
Source note
Quotes and chapter numbers are from the 1831 edition of Frankenstein. Fields left empty where the novel does not say.