After Victor's death, Walton:
* Remains haunted by Victor's story: He continues to be consumed by the tragedy and the implications of the events he witnessed. The story leaves him with a sense of fear and awe about the power of human ambition and the dangers of unchecked scientific progress.
* Resolves to return home: He realizes that the quest for knowledge and exploration has taken a heavy toll on him and his crew. He abandons his ambition to reach the North Pole and sets course for home.
* Carries Victor's story with him: He becomes the ultimate bearer of the tale, determined to share it with the world as a cautionary lesson.
While the novel ends with Walton setting sail for home, the story leaves the reader with a sense that he will never be the same again. He will forever be marked by his encounter with Victor and the creature, and the story they shared will continue to haunt him.