Loneliness In Frankenstein

Becoming isolated with today’s society is usually a frightful thought. However, with video games, television, and cell phones, isolation from society does actually happen. But, what about when there was hardly any technology: could someone still become an outcast? One example would be Victor Frankenstein during the 1700’s, isolating himself due to his pursuit of knowledge, as he creates a monster, and consequently is punished by attempting to act as God. Mary Shelley, in the book Frankenstein, describes of how a person could inevitably become isolated due to the valuable, yet dangerous, pursuit of knowledge, and furthermore, one’s appearance. Shelley successfully describes these ideas through the clever use of allusion, symbolism, and various

Right at the beginning of the story, Shelley alluded to the book, “Rime of Ancient Mariner”, where Victor played the role of the Mariner, where he felt compelled to share his story with anyone who would listen, became the true murderer of his family, and also brought an unavoidable curse upon himself, and therefore, the remainder of his family. This first allusion foreshadowed the future events of Victor’s wretched story, as the Mariner in the story stumbled upon an unfortunate curse by killing others. Another allusion was where the creature expressed his loneliness to Victor, as he miserably continued his petty life. He compared himself to Adam, being the only one of his kind, and had no real connections or links to humans and their society. “Remember that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel." (70 ). The creature had attempted to appeal to Frankenstein’s sympathy by comparing himself to Adam, as there were no others of his kind. By referring himself to Adam, Victor’s guilt had increased, and he then felt obligated to at least hear the creature’s story. One final allusion was where the monster had dreamed the most happiest dream of his life, where he had another just like him, and all was well; until the creature woke up. "But it was all a dream; no Eve soothed my sorrows nor shared my thoughts; I was alone” (95).

Many different tones were utilized in this story, which all portrayed the overall message of this book. One major theme depicted in Frankenstein is the consequence of irresponsibility in the pursuit of knowledge. This theme was carried out by Victor, as he pursued his path of knowledge to create life in death. This irresponsibility therefore led to his miserable destiny, where his life will be cursed by the creature he had created. Another major theme illustrated through the monster’s point of view is the consequence of society’s rejection due to unattractiveness. The creature was harshly judged of his appearance through every encounter of the human race he had. Victor, his creator, even fled from his horrid complexion, which after reading Victor’s journal entries throughout his creation, led the monster into Shelley’s next theme about the destructive power of revenge. Soon after gaining the knowledge of speaking and reading, he discovers notes over his creation by Victor, leading him into swearing vengeance on Victor’s entire family and friends, hoping that he will be as miserable as the creature was when discovering everyone’s hatred toward him. However, the monster’s act of revenge not only harms Victor, but also himself, and many others in his