Introduction
In Mary Shelley’s *Frankenstein*, amidst the chilling landscapes of the Arctic and the unsettling creation of a monstrous being, a seemingly insignificant name surfaces repeatedly: Mrs. Saville. But who *is* Mrs. Saville, this woman who receives the letters from the explorer Robert Walton, and why should we consider her role in a novel so preoccupied with ambition, isolation, and the dangers of unchecked scientific progress? While physically absent from the primary narrative action, Mrs. Saville functions as a crucial, though largely passive, confidante and a symbolic representation of domestic normalcy, which serves as a poignant counterpoint to the turbulent and often destructive pursuits of both Walton and Victor Frankenstein. This article will explore the significance of Mrs. Saville, examining her role as the recipient of Walton’s epistolary narrative, analyzing her symbolic weight within the novel’s thematic framework, and considering the implications of her pervasive absence.
Mrs. Saville: The Recipient of Walton’s Letters
The entirety of Robert Walton’s narrative, which frames the story of Victor Frankenstein, is presented as a series of letters addressed to Mrs. Saville. Walton, an ambitious and somewhat reckless explorer, seeks fame and discovery in the Arctic. He is driven by a desire to achieve greatness, mirroring, in many ways, the hubris that ultimately consumes Victor Frankenstein. The letters to Mrs. Saville serve as Walton’s journal, a means of documenting his experiences and reflecting on his aspirations.
What is most striking about Walton’s correspondence is the intimacy and vulnerability he displays towards Mrs. Saville. He shares his hopes and dreams, his fears and frustrations, and his profound sense of isolation. He laments the absence of a true friend, someone with whom he can share his intellectual and emotional burdens. This is where Mrs. Saville’s presence, even through her silence, becomes significant. Walton confides in her, revealing a depth of feeling that he seems unable to express to anyone else in his immediate environment.
The letters suggest a pre-existing bond between Walton and Mrs. Saville, though the precise nature of their relationship remains ambiguous. Is she a sister, a cousin, a close family friend, or perhaps a former love interest? Mary Shelley deliberately leaves this undefined, allowing the reader to project their own assumptions and interpretations onto the relationship. The lack of specific information about Mrs. Saville allows her to function more as a symbolic figure rather than a fully realized character.
Walton’s letters are carefully constructed, shaped by his perception of Mrs. Saville and his desire to present himself in a favorable light. He is aware of her potential judgment and adjusts his narrative accordingly. For example, he likely downplays the more reckless aspects of his ambition, emphasizing instead the noble pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of mankind. The awareness of an audience, even a silent one, influences the way Walton frames his experiences. He seeks her approval and understanding, highlighting the importance of her perspective, even though she never directly responds. This creates a subtle tension between Walton’s self-presentation and the reader’s own evaluation of his character. We see him through the lens of how he wishes Mrs. Saville to perceive him, adding a layer of complexity to his narrative.
Mrs. Saville as a Symbol of Domesticity and Societal Expectations
While Mrs. Saville’s physical presence is absent, her symbolic significance permeates the novel. She can be interpreted as representing the domestic sphere, the realm of family, home, and traditional societal expectations for women in the nineteenth century. This is in stark contrast to the world of male ambition and scientific exploration that dominates the lives of Walton and Victor Frankenstein. They are driven by a desire for knowledge, fame, and the transgression of natural boundaries, while Mrs. Saville seemingly occupies a space of quiet domesticity.
Mary Shelley subtly juxtaposes the destructive consequences of unchecked male ambition with the stability and nurturing qualities associated with the domestic sphere. Victor’s obsessive pursuit of scientific knowledge leads to the creation of a monster and ultimately to the tragic deaths of his loved ones. Walton’s relentless pursuit of Arctic exploration risks his own life and the lives of his crew. In contrast, Mrs. Saville embodies a sense of order, stability, and connection to family and community.
Furthermore, Mrs. Saville can be seen as representing the limited opportunities and expectations placed upon women during this era. Her role as a recipient of letters, a passive listener and confidante, reflects the constraints imposed on women’s lives. They were often confined to the domestic sphere, denied access to education and professional opportunities, and expected to prioritize family and home above all else. Mary Shelley, through the deliberate absence of a more active role for Mrs. Saville, subtly critiques these societal limitations.
The very fact that Mrs. Saville is not given a voice within the narrative reinforces this point. She is defined by her relationship to Walton, by her role as a recipient of his thoughts and experiences, rather than by her own agency and independent identity. This reinforces the historical power imbalance between men and women and highlights the societal expectations that confined women to subordinate roles.
The Significance of Her Absence
The question then arises: why does Mary Shelley choose to keep Mrs. Saville silent and physically absent from the central narrative? Several interpretations are possible. One perspective is that it reflects the limited agency afforded to women in the nineteenth century. Mrs. Saville’s silence mirrors the silencing of women’s voices in a patriarchal society. She is present in the narrative only as a recipient, a passive observer, never an active participant.
Another interpretation is that her absence serves a specific narrative purpose. By keeping Mrs. Saville at a distance, Mary Shelley creates a sense of isolation and detachment. The reader is forced to rely solely on the perspectives of Walton and Victor, both of whom are flawed and unreliable narrators. Mrs. Saville’s absence prevents the reader from gaining an alternative viewpoint, further immersing them in the subjective and often distorted worldviews of the male protagonists.
From a feminist perspective, Mrs. Saville’s role, or rather her lack of a defined role, can be viewed as a critique of patriarchal structures. She represents the marginalized position of women in a society dominated by male ambition and intellectual pursuits. Her absence underscores the limited power and agency available to women and raises questions about the societal forces that confine them to the domestic sphere. It prompts the reader to consider the perspectives and experiences that are deliberately excluded from the dominant narrative. It makes one question why a intelligent women is only used as a vessel to receive mail, and not as an opinionated voice of reason.
Conclusion
While Mrs. Saville may appear as a peripheral figure in Mary Shelley’s *Frankenstein*, her presence, or rather her notable absence, is far from insignificant. She serves as a crucial confidante for Robert Walton, a symbolic representation of domestic normalcy, and a subtle critique of the societal limitations imposed on women in the nineteenth century. Her absence creates a void in the narrative, prompting the reader to consider the perspectives and experiences that are deliberately excluded and to question the patriarchal structures that shape the characters’ actions and destinies. Therefore, understanding who Mrs. Saville *isn’t* – an active participant in the central drama – becomes just as important as understanding who she *is*: a silent witness to the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition and a reminder of the enduring power of the domestic sphere in a world consumed by monstrous pursuits. Mary Shelley, through the careful construction of her epistolary framework, ensures that Mrs. Saville’s unseen presence resonates throughout the novel, inviting us to reconsider the story’s themes of ambition, isolation, and the complex roles assigned to men and women in a rapidly changing world. Further exploration into Mary Shelley’s own life experiences may provide even more context for the construction of Mrs. Saville’s character and her contribution to the overall narrative. Mrs. Saville’s importance lies in her very lack of active involvement; she serves as a constant reminder of the traditional expectations women faced during that period, contrasting with the ambition and drive of the male characters in *Frankenstein*.
