Getting Back to the Frame Story

The frame story in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is forgotten for most of the story, but revisited at the end.  It appears that Victor is in dire condition, and shows no sign of wanting to recover.  Walton says, "Behold, on these desert seas I have found such a [friend]; but , I fear, I have gained him only to know his value, and lose him.  I would reconcile him to life, but he repulses the idea," (Shelley, 157).  Walton has longed for companionship for a long time, and he has it taken away nearly right after he found it.  After the crew threatens to mutiny, it becomes clear that Walton with not achieve his dream after all.  But Victor's tale has shown that there could possibly be some value in not pursuing dreams that will inevitably hurt the dreamer and anyone around them.  The ends with Victor's death, and the monster's reaction.  The creation reveals that he was a slave to his impulses, and he too no longer wishes to live.  He promises Walton that we will go into the arctic desert, and allow himself to die.  It is assumed that Walton will return home, to his sister and family, valuing there company and lives much more than he did when he left.