The Journey of Robert Walton
In these letters, Walton is writing to his sister Margaret. He begins his journey in St Petersburg and plans to sail to an undiscovered land. He has spent years planning and preparing for this journey, spending time studying mathematics, medicine and physical science. He has “voluntarily endured cold, famine, thirst and want of sleep”. He believes he will either succeed or die trying and thinks that leaving behind a great legacy is worth the risk.
Quotes: Letter 1 &2
- “Inspirited by this wind of promise, my daydreams became more fervent and vivid”
- —>
- “I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited”
- “With the joy a child feels when he embarks in a little boat… on an expedition of discovery up this native river”
- “…Elevates me to heaven… do I not deserve to accomplish some great purpose?”
Letter 3:
Letter 4:
Best Quotes:
- I am fearless and therefore powerful VF
- I had begun life with benevolent intentions C
- Graves of William and Justine, the first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts V.F
- By degrees, the calm and heavenly scene restored me V.F
- “The palaces of nature” V.F
- I was capable of a more intense application, and was more deeply smitten with the thirst for knowledge V.F
- It was the secrets of heaven and earth I desired to learn – V.F
- Destiny was too potent, and her immutable laws had decreed my utter and terrible destruction VF
- Learn from me, and if not by my precept, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow VF
- Before the children shrieked, and one of the women fainted. The whole village was roused; some fled, some attacked me, until, grievously bruised by stones and many other kinds of missile weapons, I escaped to the open country” C
- “My tale as not one to announce publicly; its astounding horror would be looked upon and madness by the vulgar” VF
- One mans life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge of which I sought. RW