When invited to climb onto Captain Walton's ship, the man who is floating on the ice with a dog sled --who is none other than Victor Frankenstein-- asks about the destination of the ship. Captain Walton is surprised by this question, as by offering a place in the ship for this man, he is trying to save his life. When the Captain replies that he is headed for the North Pole, Frankenstein immediately accepts his invitation, for he is seeking to get away from his beloved Elizabeth and to die in that distant place.
