Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is an attempt at connection—a narrative woven by its three principal narrators that attempts to share their legacies, dreams, and destructive secrets. The novel begins with the sea captain Walton writing to his sister about his longing for a companion, a wish paralleled by the other characters in the story: namely Victor Frankenstein and the monster he creates. The whole narrative, therefore, is an effort to connect with others and alleviate loneliness and seclusion. It is fitting then, that this very notion of isolation is the greatest destructive force in the novel, as it facilitates and prompts monstrous behaviors. Emotional isolation from both family and society drives Frankenstein and his creation to dangerous …show more content…
Victor initially aspires to take on the role of a caretaker to his creature, claiming that as its “creator and source” he shall take on the role of a father who “should deserve…[to] claim the gratitude of his child” (36). Although Victor imagines himself in the role of a father, the use of biblical references in the connotations of “creator” and “father” suggest that he is incapable the relationship of a domestic family but rather desires that of a god to his worshiper. This incapacity for domestic affection can be traced to Victor’s emotional isolation and detachment from his own family relationships. Hence, Frankenstein refuses to make emotional connections with the monster after its creation. When the monster first comes to Victor, “he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks. He might have spoken, but I did not hear…I escaped and ran downstairs” (40). In this passage, the monster’s mannerisms recall those of newborn babies; though inexperienced, his babbling represents an attempt at connection with Victor. However, Victor does not listen to the monster, and instead runs away, denying both himself and his creation human …show more content…
After being abandoned by Frankenstein, the monster wanders the countryside seeking connection in society and nature. After being rejected from society because of his physical appearance, the monster becomes fascinated with the De Lacey family while observing them from afar, inside a hovel. The monster regards the family as “superior beings” and wishes to “restore happiness” to them, so that he could “win their favour and…love” (91). The monster’s professions of feeling towards the family demonstrate his empathy, which is kindled by the presence of their domestic affection and his hope to one day be a part of this union. Though he is physically separate from the De Lacey’s (he makes no direct interactions with them), he is still able to make an emotional attachment to them, and is therefore not isolated. However, the monster becomes truly “alone” when the De Lacey family rejects him, causing in the monster emotional isolation that fuels a destructive and vengeful rage. This is exemplified best in his burning of the De Laceys cottage soon after their departure. The monster describes how he “lighted the dry branch of a tree” and set fire to the cottage, watching as it “was quickly enveloped by the flames” (113). In setting fire to the cottage, the monster destroys not just a reminder of the De Lacey family, but a symbol of domestic
In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the author’s view concerning the role that human connections play is that humans need others in their lives in order to function correctly. As conveyed by Shelley, isolation and separation from any other beings leads to misery. Not having companions around also leads to a lack of the ability to behave constructively. Shelley’s views are conveyed throughout the novel through the decaying well being of certain characters.
In Volume 2 of Frankenstein, the Creature’s repeated experiences of rejection unleash the “monster” in him and lead to the destruction of the De Laceys cottage. Through the portrayal of the “monster” inside the Creature, Shelley argues that loneliness caused by lack of human relationships will drive an individual to do harmful actions. Throughout volume 2, the Creature had been secretly living alongside the De Lacey family. He grew attached to them the more he spied. The creature finally decides to reveal himself to the De Laceys. As he does that, the family runs away in fear. After all that happens the creature says “My protectors had departed and had broken the only link that held me to the world. For the first time, the feeling of revenge
Solitude is one of the most significant elements in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Throughout the novel, it is clear how alienation has consequences on nearly all the characters of the novel, in one way or another. Shelley’s personal solitude is reflected in her writing of the novel. Whether it is a chosen or forced solitude, it’s the common link between three characters: Victor Frankenstein, the creature, and Robert Walton. The author’s personal life was coloured by solitude.
As a tragic hero, Victor’s tragedies begin with his overly obsessive thirst for knowledge. Throughout his life, Victor has always been looking for new things to learn in the areas of science and philosophy. He goes so far with his knowledge that he ends up creating a living creature. Victor has extremely high expectations for his creation but is highly disappointed with the outcome. He says, “I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” (Shelley 35). Frankenstein neglects the creature because of his horrifying looks, which spark the beginning of numerous conflicts and tragedies. At this point, the creature becomes a monster because of Victor’s neglect and irresponsibility. The monster is forced to learn to survive on his own, without anyone or anything to guide him along the way. Plus, the monster’s ugly looks cause society to turn against him, ad...
In Frankenstein, Victor’s monster suffers much loneliness and pain at the hands of every human he meets, as he tries to be human like them. First, he is abandoned by his creator, the one person that should have accepted, helped, and guided him through the confusing world he found himself in. Next, he is shunned wherever he goes, often attacked and injured. Still, throughout these trials, the creature remains hopeful that he can eventually be accepted, and entertains virtuous and moral thoughts. However, when the creature takes another crushing blow, as a family he had thought to be very noble and honorable abandons him as well, his hopes are dashed. The monster then takes revenge on Victor, killing many of his loved ones, and on the humans who have hurt him. While exacting his revenge, the monster often feels guilty for his actions and tries to be better, but is then angered and provoked into committing more wrongdoings, feeling self-pity all the while. Finally, after Victor’s death, the monster returns to mourn the death of his creator, a death he directly caused, and speaks about his misery and shame. During his soliloquy, the monster shows that he has become a human being because he suffers from an inner conflict, in his case, between guilt and a need for sympathy and pity, as all humans do.
Although there are many themes in Frankenstein, the most dominant and easily seen is that of isolation which is evident all through the book. Isolation can best be described as “a state of which the person is or wants to be secluded from companions and is either abandoned or rejected from taking part of everyday society” (erikagsimon.com) or to be “quarantined” ( google dictionary). Most of the characters in this book are suffering from a state of being isolated, which results in the destruction of their lives. Not only can this theme be seen in the characters’ lives, but Mary Shelly also methodically uses it in some of her settings throughout the book.
A monster is a relentless force that has no regard for life, and that is exactly who Victor Frankenstein is. During the novel Frankenstein there is much debate on the topic of who is the true monster, however, Victor Frankenstein is the true monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. As a result of being isolated from the one’s he loved, this lead to Victor being hostile, selfish, and full of ambition.
As previously mentioned, Victor’s childhood was full of parental support, and even included his parents “adopting” another child into their home (Shelley 35). The creature’s “parent” Victor, abandons him, leaves him to fend for himself, which results in the creature feeling angry toward Victor. The creature had a resentful, distant relationship with his creator, while Victor’s upbringing could not have been more different. Shelley uses the story of Victor’s childhood; the adoption of Elizabeth, the stories of the De Lacey children to compare to the creature and the “upbringing” Victor is denying him. The opposition in parenthood is displayed between Victor and the creature are displayed by the way Shelley writes the creature’s last quotes after Victor’s death “Once I had falsely hoped to meet with beings who, pardoning my outward form, would love me for the excellent qualities I was capable of unfolding” (Shelley 239). The opposition lies in the monumental difference in parenting between Alphonse and Caroline Frankenstein, and Victor Frankenstein. Perhaps if the creature had been cared for more adequately, the story would’ve ended much
Many events influence the main antagonist’s actions throughout Mary Shelly’s novel Frankenstein, but the creature is fundamentally driven by the absence of love. Victor neglected to provide the creature with this luxury, so he sought it from the De Lacy’s family affections. “They loved, and sympathized with one another; and their joys depending on each other, were not interrupted by the casualties that took place around them” (146). The creature became a victim of his desire, because he reasoned himself to be worthy of their admiration, but failed to expect any disappointment. Finding the courage to confront the old man, conflict arose and he once again received rejection. “Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live?” Since the creature
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.
Once said by Neil Hilborn, “Isolation is not safety, it is death. If no one knows you’re alive, you aren’t. If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around to hear it, it does make a sound; but then that sound is gone. I’m not saying you’ll find the meaning of life in other people. I’m saying other people are the life to which you provide the meaning to.” In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley takes us into the life of a scientist whose commitment of creating life through science overtake him and forces him into isolation from his family and society. As well as a creature who tries to interact with others but is shunned by all who see him since he isn’t attractive. Eventually, the creature becomes a killer having a desire for revenge
Frankenstein is a book about a person creating a monster. Within the book, Frankenstein, the creator of the creature, had isolated himself to the point where he becomes more anxious until he reaches a point of relief as he watches nature. Due to his appearance, the creature was forced into isolation. Being unloved and disowned triggered his need for acceptance and love. The surroundings caused both characters to be obsessive to one’s attention once it’s given. Because of the isolated setting, the surroundings caused both characters to be obsessive to one’s attention once it’s given. The surroundings cause both characters to be obsessive to one’s attention once it’s given, so it caused them to be destructive when that attention is lost.
Within Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: Or the Modern Prometheus, both the Creature and Victor experience isolation in various ways that send them on very different paths. Although considered a monstrous figure, the Creature’s isolation derives from his inability to have any kind of relationship with his creator leading to his destructive and murderous actions.
Victor Frankenstein is the protagonist and the narrator of the main story in Frankenstein. Raised by doting parents, Victor confesses: “I was their plaything and their idol, and something better-their child, the innocent and helpless creature bestowed on them by Heaven, whom to bring up to good, and whose future lot it was in their hands to direct to happiness or misery, according as they fulfilled their duties towards me.” (35) This statement condemns his later reckless and arrogant behavior. Victor was obsessed from an early age with natural philosophy and the ultimate knowledge of life. He sought answers to the many questions that puzzled great minds before him. Motivated by ambition and an insatiable quest to be God like and create life, Victor dedicated himself to this one pursuit for nearly two years. The creature, which was made out of old body parts stolen from the cemetery, strange chemicals, and a mysterious spark, convulsed to life. In this moment, Victor becomes a creator of a human life, the “God” to a being that was deserving of the attention and love of its creator.
Frankenstein is novel where a single man condemns himself, his family, and creation to complete misery. Family is the first significant theme we are introduced. From the beginning of the novel, Alphonse Frankenstein, shows his loyalty and appreciation to family as he adopts a child that may not be very fortunate. This action becomes very important as the adop...