Isolation can be a physical and emotional struggle. There are many people who feel isolated from the world because of their emotions. Some feel isolated and alienated because of the way they look or maybe because of their social status in society. In the novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, it is ironic that the creature that Victor Frankenstein creates as a companion is the driving force behind Victor’s alienation and isolation. The isolation that Victor feels is created by pursuing his interests of bringing the dead to life. He chooses to be alone “in a solitary chamber, or rather cell, at the top of the house” (Shelley 49). When Victor completes his masterpiece and the creature comes to life, he still feels alone. According to Diane Telgen, “Victor’s inquisitive nature causes his emotional and physical peril because he cannot balance his intellectual and social interactions” (188). He is not a very social person and he cannot be a scientist and a friendly person at the same time. Juggling a social life with an intellectual life becomes too much for him to bear so he chooses one: the scientific world. Victor appears to be more interested in himself, thus the chosen isolation in his room. However, he does have a family: his brother, William, his fiancée/sister, Elizabeth, his father, and best friend Henry Clerval. Paul Sherwin expresses that “[Victor severs] all contact with his family, other beings, and familiar nature [.] [H]e is intent on hollowing out a zone in reality where he can be utterly alone” (894). He chooses to push away everyone who cares for him so he can work on his masterpiece. Nothing in the world is more important to Victor than bringing this creation to life. He puts himself in confinement and ... ... middle of paper ... ...his creator. The creature has such a feeling of loneliness and abandonment that his sad feelings grow and mutate into feeling of revenge, anger, and hatred for Victor. In conclusion, Victor’s reason for revenge on the creature is for destroying all of his happiness, killing his family, and all things good in his life. Although Victor blames the creature for his life falling apart, it is Victor’s fault ultimately because he created the problem. Without the creation of this being, there would be no death in Victor’s life other than his own happiness that he created for himself in solitude. Both Victor and the creature create an isolated world for each other. The story begins with Victor in his isolated room, progressing to the abandonment and alienation of the creature, and finally ending with the creature now creating a world of isolation for Victor in return.
Three of the main characters in Mary Shelley 's 1818 novel Frankenstein have commonalities that may not be immediately recognized but are significant in terms of theme. Robert Walton, a man who sets out to seek new land, Victor Frankenstein, a man who sets out to create new life, and the Creature, who sets out to become accepted, are all different in their own ways but tragically the same. Though the first use of the word "isolation" did not occur until 1833 (Merriam-Webster), Frankenstein is replete with instances in which the three central characters must confront their alienation from others. Understanding a mariner, a mad man, and a monster may seem like a difficult task to accomplish, yet with Shelley’s use of isolation as a theme it
After abandoning the Creature, it vows “eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind” which ends up being in direct correlation with Victor’s life (Shelley 143). The Creature is able to carry out this deed by not directly attacking his creator and abandoner, but the one’s of his creator’s affections. The Creature not only makes Victor feel pain through the killings, but also through the guilt that Victor experiences since he knows that he (Victor) is the reason that all the people are now dead. After all the killings had happened, “yet one duty” remained for Victor, to silence the Creature and all feelings of sorrow rooted from death (Shelley 176). This was Victor’s act of revenge in which only one of the two could live while the other was dead. Victor was so influenced by all the death he had experienced, that his revenge took him to his deathbed. The ending years of Victor’s life had been spent focusing and caring for the matters concerning the Creature and himself, which differs of how Zeus felt about his revenge, as it was only of current importance and had no impact on his
At the beginning or the story, Victor lives in ecstasy, reveling in life’s every joy. Desolation and darkness no doubt had minor roles in his life, but these were glanced over in an instant, as Victor was remembering the times as good and perfect. The harsh dichotomy of this perspective and the perspective he maintained for the majority of the novel after the creation of the creature is stunning. After, he saw the world as always filled with darkness and loneliness. He even stated that he almost caught himself feeling happiness at one point and stopped himself. This distortion that the world became a fruitless wasteland is simply untrue, but it sheds light on how totally our feeling twist our perception of the world. By shoeing the polar opposites, the novel further emphasizes how our outlook on life shapes what we see in the world around us, for better or for
Isolation in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, has several themes imbedded in the text. One major theme is of isolation. Many of the characters experience some time of isolation. The decisions and actions of some of these characters are the root cause of their isolation. They make choices that isolate themselves from everyone else.
Victor could have easily betrayed the monster he created out of pure fear and horror, but it doesn’t make a difference to the matter of him betraying something that has no one else to depend on but its own creator. This act of betrayal shows a lot about Victor’s personal characteristics; it reveals the true monster inside of him. The Creature himself is also innocent: deserted by his fickle creator, he must fight for his survival in a hateful world. In classic tragic style, the novel ends with the tortured protagonist’s downfall and an ominous, unknown future for the remaining
Victor’s relationship with the creature is one that is negatively affected by Victor’s anticipation. This is because Victor expects his creation to look beautiful. The reader can see this by examining the creature’s features. Victor gave his creation pearl white teeth and flowing black hair. However, upon first sight, Victor describes his monster as ugly using words like “horrid” and “hideous” and then he runs away from it. The reader can see how disappointed Victor is at the result of his work. “I had worked hard for nearly two years… [B]ut now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” (Shelley, 50). Shelley reveals to the reader the disappointment of Victor and how long he was looking forward to the birth of his creation, telling the reader that he got his hopes up. However, Victor fears the face of his creation and abandons it, negatively affecting their personal relationship. Because of this, the creature goes on a path of his own and later vows to take revenge on the human species. He kills some of Victor’s friends and family members. This not only affects his relationship with Victor, but Victor’s relationship with his friends and family. Victor’s anticipation of the creation of his creature negatively affects their personal relationship with each
As a romantic, archetype and gothic novel, Victor is responsible for the monsters actions because Victor abandons his creation meaning the creature is dejected and ends up hideous and fiendish. It is unfair to create someone into this world and then just abandon it and not teach it how to survive. The quote from the creature “Why did you make such a hideous creature like me just to leave me in disgust” demonstrates how much agony the creature is in. He is neglected because of his creator. The monster says “The hateful day when I received life! I accurse my creator. Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?” Victor is wholly at fault for his actions, image and evil.
In Mary Shelley’s gothic romantic novel, Frankenstein, there are many instances where you can see the negative effects on people and their mental status. Even though having time alone can be beneficial, complete isolation is not good for humans because interacting with others, such as loved ones, is needed to keep everyone’s mental status in a pleasant state. Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein and his creature suffer from the many effects of isolation.
Human beings are a social animal, naturally forming bonds with each other, through friendship, family, language, politics, or any other unifying force. They crave social interaction, and when they fail to get it, they suffer psychologically and emotionally. They no longer act like they would if they maintained social interaction; they instead act inhuman. In Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, isolation, and its negative effects are represented. Shelley first introduces isolation through Robert Walton. As a balance between the self-imposed isolation of Victor and the involuntary alienation of the monster, Walton also seeks out information and is willing to isolate himself to attain it, but like the monster he craves human interaction and is hesitant
Isolation is often a result of choosing to seek refuge in solitude, however, in many cases, it is a result of brutality from a surrounding environment. In Mary Shelley’s Gothic novel, Frankenstein, a gruesome and painful story is told as a cautionary tale to prevent another from a similar downfall. Although Victor Frankenstein is the narrator for the majority of the novel, the audience learns of the destruction that has followed his decisions as well as the forced estrangement upon those he has encountered. In Frankenstein, Shelley uses relatable characters that reflect the harsh superficial aspects of society.
In the book Frankenstein, by Mery Shelley, we find isolation to be a key factor in both of the main characters whose roles seem to be extremely dynamic because of its effects. Isolation effects the mind emotionally especially when it is because of rejection, it can change a person over time due to the gradual decline of social interactions with others, and contributes to anger, violence, and sometimes death when not carefully looked at, understood, and treated properly.
The monster is reaching out to the only thing he knows thus far, his creator, and is met with disgust. Victor, being merely human, cannot offer this creature the unconditional love and guidance that God bestows on His creatures. This, in turn, leads to the imminent immoral actions of the creature.
When the Creature is telling his tale to Victor, he recounts his vast feelings of loneliness. “These were the reflections of my hours of despondency and solitude”(Shelley 102). It is from this loneliness that he develops the desire of revenge. He curses Victor and swears that he will make Victor similar to him; alone. The Creature succeeds in murdering those close to Victor, achieving part of his long goal.
In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, there are many themes present. One prominent and reoccurring theme in the novel is isolation and the effect it has on the characters. Through the thoughts and feelings of both Victor and his monster, Frankenstein reveals the negative effects of isolation from society. The negative effects that Victor faces are becoming obsessed with building a monster and becoming sick. The monster faces effects such as confusion about life and his identity, wanting companionship, and wanting to seek revenge on Victor. Victor and the monster are both negatively affected by the isolation they face.
One of the most significant themes in Frankenstein is loneliness. Several characters in Frankenstein show traits of loneliness significantly. Mary Shelley, the writer of this book, connects loneliness to the character of Victor, and shows how it affects the surroundings and the characters. Victor isolates himself from his surroundings and the society around him, mainly due to his self obsession and an obsession to make and give life. This eventually leads him into creating a creature, and regretting his actions later on. As Victor chooses his path into loneliness and isolation, he leads himself into avoiding and leaving situations, focusing on only his work, the state of mind of being an introvert, as in choosing not to express feelings or