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Frankenstein, first published in 1819, republished in 1831 (class version)
Robert Walton, the ship captain, wants to find a passage to the north pole. This was a lifelong goal, due to his desire for fame. Walton wants to become king of elemental forces, elevating himself to a godly level. Along the way by boat, the crew encounters heavy ice and is unable to continue. While sitting, they find Frankenstein, and bring him on board. He's very sick - looks like he is about to die. Victor Frankenstein begins to tell them his story, to try to teach Walton a lesson. "Do you share my madness?" Frankenstein wants to save Walton from his mad quest for greatness, and has a desire for change.

Preface: written by husband Percy Bysshe Shelley (great poet). There is a theory that he wrote the entire novel: Dr. Mandell says that the man trying to prove this theory is insane, probably sexist. What would Percy's motivation be to do this? This scenario seems entirely ridiculous to me, a male attempt to discredit something great created by a female.