It is made very clear in each letter that Walton is adventurous, eager to travel and hungry for knowledge. Through his descriptions of the beauty of his destination, the fervent manner in which he conveys his objective and the history that has led up to this decision, we can understand his ambition and the part of his character that leads to it. On a number of occasions, he explains his desire to 'satiate [his] ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited' and the 'trembling sensation, half pleasurable and half fearful' that describes his excitement warring with his anticipation at the prospect of his journey.
He appears very sensible and dedicated as he relates the experiences he undertook in order to prepare him for his big expedition. He professes twice that he will not act 'rashly' and once that he will be 'cool, persevering and prudent'. The implication of this is that Walton is not an thoughtlessly impulsive man but a meticulous and vigilant one. Though he tries to think positively and hopes to succeed, he does not delude himself, accepting the possibility that his venture may be unsuccessful and could even potentially end in his demise -which is evidence of his intelligence and prudence.
One thing suggested is that he is not ignorant, but perhaps covetous, of the glory a new discovery would bring him -so perhaps his motives are not entirely unselfish. He appears confident when he infers that himself and his crew are 'experienced navigators'.
In the second letter, we gather that along with his brave independence, Walton is afflicted with a mournful sense of lonliness as he expresses his want of a friend -a man to 'participate [his] joy', 'sustain [him] in dejection' and 'whose tastes are like [his] own'. He is so desperate for a friend that he repeatedly calls a man he has not known long, the master, his friend.
