Examine “Letter 1,” and explain Robert Walton’s feelings about and motivations for going beyond the boundaries of what is known. Please use at least two text references in the course of your answer. Do you believe humans should risk their lives and those of others for exploration?
Robert Walton's feelings about motivations for going beyond the boundaries of what is known are quite childish. Though I mean this in a non negative manner but more of the way children see heroes and things that fascinate them. For example, in the book he compares his joy to that of a child, stating "to induce to commence this laborious voyage with the joy a child feels when he embarks in a little boat with his holiday mates." This has a deeper meaning since it is stated in letter one that he had no education, stating "My education was neglected." Moreover you can now see how his interest about going beyond the boundaries of what is known can be seen as normal. He isn't just acting abnormally but simply put he is trying to fill in the hole within himself since he was never taught. Though in my own opinion humans should not risk their lives and those of others for exploration. Sure the thrill of going to a place unknown to us seems like an exciting tale, however no one should go through various troubles to do so unless said trip was someone's long awaited dream such as Robert Walton. In this case Walton has been waiting for this opportunity and in the way he has deprived himself of rest, food, and sleep. If anything I would be interested to go in a great exploration with some good friends but I would not put someone's life before my own for it.
