Isolation In Frankenstein Essay

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.

In chapter 5, as Victor Frankenstein nears the end of his project, Victor begins showing symptoms of long term isolation “for this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardor that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of

My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create.’” (Shelley 129) To victor, in return he will spare victor, and his loved ones lives. This hypothesizes that the monster is now using destruction to get what he wants, the long term isolation and rejection drove the creature into madness, which cost various lives before the end of the novel, and therefore characterizing the effects that it has on the mind. This also builds on the creatures’ desire of interaction with another lifeform that is of his similar character. Victor and his assistant decide that “’If he has no ties and no affections, hatred and vice must be his portion…his vices are the children of forced solitude that he abhors, and his virtues will necessarily arise when he lives in communion with an equal.’” (Shelley 132-3) in agreement with the creature. When there seems to be a turning point in the novel, Victor decides to drop the entire experiment , and break his agreement with the creature by throwing “the bride” overboard, on the way back to his beloved Elizabeth, who he decides he wants to marry in the middle of all of this. This shows that the creature was not the only one deprived of love, and human