Frankenstein Loneliness Essay

Loneliness can cause one to suffer. This is depicted in Mary Shelley’s 1831 novel Frankenstein. Robert Walton is writing to his sister about his voyage to the North Pole, where he was going to learn about magnetic pull. While he and his crew were on ice-infested waters they find Victor Frankenstein. Upon his boarding, he tells his tale about the creation of an artificial man. Victor explains how he created life through electricity, and how his creature murdered several people and claimed vengeance on mankind. Eventually, the creature finds its way onto Walton’s boat and finds Victor’s dead body. The novel shows how the creation of another man led to destruction. Mary Shelley is commenting on how the need for a companion in man’s life relates

It can be used as a time to think about things that they have done, why they have done them, and to find out more about themselves. This is true for Henry Clerval. He wanted to be alone because he liked peace and quiet. He found beauty in nature, and “among . . . mountains . . . [he] [would] scarcely regret Switzerland” (117), his old home. Vicor isolated himself in nature because it could “always interest . . . [his] heart, and communicate elasticity in . . . [his] spirits” (116). Although Victor isolated himself to help soothe his soul, he left for other reasons as well. Some people need time alone, so they separate themselves from others. Self-induced isolation can also be a cause of blind pursuit towards an aspiration. This is when someone wants to be in the driver’s seat of their life. They do not want distractions to get in their way of discovering new things. Victor knew that his family wanted to communicate with him, however, he “could not tear . . . [his] thoughts from . . . [his] employment” (33). When this happens, the results tend to not be so pretty. The effects of isolating oneself can sometimes be good, however, tend to be

Sometimes they are positive, however, other times they are not. Those who enjoy being left alone will tend to have positive effects over negative. This is because they can withstand minimum amounts of social interaction, and are content with who they are. Henry Clerval could feel “weight upon . . . [his] spirit . . . [become] sensibly lighter” (64) when left alone in nature. He felt freer than when he was with others. On the other hand, those who are isolated and do not fully understand themselves tend to have negative effects when alone. The lack of social interaction amongst humans can create problems for an individual. It can cause struggles with learning, memory, and negative feelings inside. Everything can create nervousness, and even “the fall of a leaf [can] startle” (34) someone after they have been alone for too long. When Victor locked himself away he “grew alarmed at the wreck . . . that . . . [he] had become” (34). Having the world shut away caused Victor to go mad. He was “oppressed by a low fever” (34), and his health was not great. Isolating oneself is a form of desolation, however, someone can also be isolated by