The man is desolate and for a while will not talk about what he is doing alone, traversing the Arctic. He has a story that he has kept for a long time. After becoming more comfortable with Walton, he decides to tell him the tale. The speaker is Victor Frankenstein, for whom the book is named. He shifts into the role of narrator for the majority of the story.
Victor grows up in an idyllic, peaceful childhood.
He is born into a well-off Italian family. His parents are kind, wonderful people, shining examples of the goodness of the human spirit. His father, Alphonse, came to care for his wife, Caroline, when her father, a dear friend of his, passed away. Alphonse placed her under his care and protection, and as time passed they fell in love. He provides for his wife in grand style.