In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the themes of isolation and alienation are highly prevalent through the characters of Victor Frankenstein and his monster creation. Both characters experience self-isolation, loneliness, and separation from society. Isolation acts as a motif, and whether it is forced or chosen isolation, both victims suffer from the negative consequences which ultimately leads them to their unruly demise.
To begin, the most obvious form of isolation is seen in Frankenstein’s grotesque monster creation. This form of isolation is forced upon the benevolent being, and is a result of the abandonment from his own creator. The monster’s realization of his lonely existence and abandonment is evident when he cries, “No distinct
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The monster was very confused by the world around him and knew nothing in terms of survival and humanity thus leaving him completely vulnerable. The monster’s abandonment fuels his rage for revenge towards his creator for leaving him desolate and isolated. In addition, the monster was further isolated from humanity and society when he got shot by a villager, trying to save a drowning girl in a lake. The monster truly believes that humanity is evil when he claims, “This was then the reward of my benevolence. I had saved a human being from destruction, and as a recompense I now writhed under the miserable pain of a wound” (143). The monster’s benevolent nature quickly turns into a hatred for humanity when his good deed leaves him in miserable pain by a gunshot wound. The monster is convinced that humans are purely evil and malevolent beings who abandon and hurt the innocent. The monster’s pain is literal and metaphorical, it is metaphorical because he is emotionally hurting from his decision and good intentions of saving a human life, which has turned into a hatred and corruption in his heart towards humanity. Ultimately, the monster kills many people because of his self-realization of humanity’s corruption
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
Human companionship is one of the most basic needs of humans that can be seen in the Creation story. It is tricky for any human to find the perfect companion especially if one is one of a kind. In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein two characters exemplify this need. Dr. Victor Frankenstein and The Creature are in search of companionship, and they will go to great lengths to achieve it.
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.
In the Romantic period of literature, nature was often associated with isolation in a positive way. Throughout the novel, Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus, by Mary Shelley, there is a strong symbolic relationship between loneliness and nature. However, Shelley uses the relationship to show the negativity of being alone. The relationship of nature and loneliness is displayed through three characters in the story: Victor Frankenstein, his creature, and Robert Walton. At the times when the characters are alone and in need of companionship, they feel depressed, confused, and angry; they do not think clearly, and, consequently, they make wrong decisions. They seek refuge in nature, and try to use its beauty to find answers and to fill their void of friendship. Yet, none of the characters ever overcomes their bouts with loneliness because they never find true comfort in nature.
This is especially seen in the main protagonist and antagonist Victor Frankenstein and his creature, respectively. The lack of exposure to the world early on in life led to Frankenstein’s isolationism. The monster’s absorption of this trait from Frankenstein due to its abandonment and emotional scarring led it as well to be rejected by society. The repercussions of their chase of each other ended with their exclusion from being considered sociable and humane. Loneliness and isolation are important to Frankenstein’s plot, making for the advancement of the story itself. Ultimately, Frankenstein’s obsession with the acquirement of knowledge, the creation of a monster so absurd that it was outcast from society, and the dissension between the two led to their solitude from humanity an untimely
In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the main theme revolves around the internal and external consequences of being isolated from others. Being isolated from the world could result in a character losing his/her mental state and eventually causing harm to themselves or others. Because both Victor Frankenstein and the creature are isolated from family and society, they experienced depression, prejudice, and revenge.
Isolation is one of the major motifs that resonates throughout Frankenstein. Tying into the romantic style of the novel, Shelley uses this element all the way through the work to show a repetition of isolation, an aspect that is present in almost every character in the novel and expressed primarily in Victor and the monster. But even some other minor characters such as Justine, Caroline, and Walton deal with isolation in one way or another.
In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the main theme of the story was isolation. Both internal and external consequences were the cause of being isolated from society. Frankenstein began to feel depressed after the creation of the monster and decided to isolate himself from his friends and family. Frankenstein kept his creation a secret from everyone because he was afraid of the consequences. Ironically, Frankenstein was the main problem for all of his sufferings. He thought that he could keep everyone safe if he were to not tell them about the monster, however, everyone died because he wanted to keep everyone from the truth. The creature also suffered many consequences from being isolated. He wanted to be part of a family, and feel
In Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the Creature executes extreme and irreversible acts due to his isolation from society. Although the Creature displays kindness, his isolation drives him to act inhumanely.
Friendship is one of the most common human desires found all over the world in every different type of people. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, this deep-seeded need is explored, especially as it manifests itself in the hearts of three great men. Captain Walden writes to his sister about the loneliness that he is experiencing on his journey at the very start of the book. Then, as the story progresses, a similar want can be found in Victor despite his tightly woven relationship with Henry Clerval. The Creature is constantly denied his lust for companionship demonstrates the horrible consequences of incessant loneliness. His amiable nature combined with his grotesque appearance proves to be a horrific collaboration that serves only in gaining rejection as he is shunned, quite irrationally, over and over again by all living beings. The Creature's suffering could only be abandoned if he were able to encounter an unprejudiced and completely tolerant friend. Shelley masterfully conveys the importance of a kindred spirit and the overall necessity of loyalty between people.
The tone and attitude toward the subject of the speaker is sorrowful, depressed and poignant because this creation was so gentle and tried to win the affection of humans, but could not. People hated the way he looked and could not get passed his appearance. He was upset that he was not accepted by society, and his creator, whom he loved even though was abandoned by him, died. The speakers tone was poignant because he was also discussing how he was going to commit suicide. The monster’s perspective influences the reader’s interpretation of the text because the audience sees the feelings and emotions of the creature more clearly. One can see that even though the monster did terrible things, it pained him to do so which switches the reader’s interpretation of the text. The audience, at first, felt bad for the monster because his creator abandoned him, then hated the monster for killing everybody, but at the end the reader can see how pained he was. It is seen that it was not the monster’s fault that he turned evil, it was his creator’s because the creature never got the love he deserved. This quote is extremely important because it shows how the monster felt, and it opened up the eyes of the reader in seeing how every living thing needs to be treated
In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, values of society are clearly expressed. In this particular society and culture, a great value is placed on ideologies of individuals and their contribution to society. In order to highlight these values, Shelley utilizes the character of Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein is the main character of the novel, and with his alienation, he plays a significant role that reveals the surrounding society’s assumptions and moral values of individualism and use in society. This is done through Victor’s actions of self-inflicted isolation.
An idea becomes a vision, the vision develops a plan, and this plan becomes an ambition. Unfortunately for Victor Frankenstein, his ambitions and accomplishments drowned him in sorrow from the result of many unfortunate events. These events caused Victors family and his creation to suffer. Rejection and isolation are two of the most vital themes in which many dreadful consequences derive from. Victor isolates himself from his family, friends, and meant-to-be wife. His ambitions are what isolate him and brought to life a creature whose suffering was unfairly conveyed into his life. The creature is isolated by everyone including his creator. He had no choice, unlike Victor. Finally, as the story starts to change, the creature begins to take control of the situation. It is now Victor being isolated by the creature as a form of revenge. All the events and misfortunes encountered in Frankenstein have been linked to one another as a chain of actions and reactions. Of course the first action and link in the chain is started by Victor Frankenstein.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein tackles the hard-hitting topic of alienation and its source of origination. Alienation is being isolated from a group that you should belong to, which in Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein’s creation is excommunicated from society. The novel from 1818 divulges the strain of involuntary seclusion on the creature and its subsequent effects in the creature’s actions. The struggles between appearance and social acceptance are the profound source of alienation because society has superficial prejudices against appearances that make it impossible for someone that does not fit the standard to be accepted.
Arguably, alienation and exile of The Monster in Mary W. Shelley 's Frankenstein begins from the moment of his creation. Developed by a process which is unknown to the reader, Doctor Victor Frankenstein pieces together the anatomical features of a man with what can be concluded as the scraps and remains of body parts and rare chemicals to produce The Monster. Doctor Victor Frankenstein rejects his own creation by failing to give it a name. Throughout the entirety of the novel, The Monster is incessantly referred to by severely degrading, dehumanizing terms resulting from a lack of identity. References to a character such as “monster”, “demon”, “it”, “wretch”, and “creature” further support the notion that The Monster is living as a social outcast. At an unbelievable eight feet tall, he enters the world as an anomaly. Inexperienced, unaware and frightened he undoubtedly attempts to integrate into society. Nevertheless, The Monster develops a harsh reputation due not only to his unappealing physical appearance, but also due to others unwillingness to look past his