Society is continually evolving. The driving force behind the evolution of society is a quest for knowledge. While a certain amount of curiosity and a desire to learn are both good qualities to possess; in Shelley’s novel it is shown when this becomes a misguided obsession the results can be ruinous. The quest for knowledge can sometimes be so powerful it becomes an obsession.When the knowledge or goal is finally obtained, or even in the pursuit of it there may be unforeseen consequences or disastrous results.In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein both consumed by their thirst for knowledge. The monster also partakes in a desire to gain knowledge as he studies his “protectors”. The novel starts by showing us letters written by Robert Walton to his sister. The letters show us Walton’s thirst to explore the unknown.Walton discloses he is primarily self-educated. In one of the letters Walton describes to his sister his vision of what he will discover and what the quest to the North Pole means to him,“as the phenomena of the heavenly bodies undoubtedly are in those undiscovered solitudes I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited” (13).This statement shows he has convinced himself this uncharted territory holds answers to the unknown. He talks of his passionate curiosity for this territory unexplored by man. So in his quest for answers Walton sets to sea, propelled by this urgent desire to gain knowledge of the unknown. He travels into dangerous waters trying to reach his goal putting himself and his crew in danger. In the ending letters Walton tells of an incident which occurs after being stuck in the ice for many days, where crew members approach him asking if a break in the ice does happen will he turn and return back to safety. Walton states, “This speech troubled me. I had not despaired; nor had I yet conceived the idea of return