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Comparing Poems 'Harlem Dancer And Outcast'

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Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and the two poems by Claude McKay, "The Harlem Dancer" and "Outcast," explore the themes of isolation and loneliness. The three works reveal the devastating consequences of being disconnected from society and the desperate need for acceptance and companionship. This essay will examine the similarities in the portrayal of isolation and loneliness in Frankenstein and the poems by McKay. In Frankenstein, the creature experiences profound loneliness and isolation, which lead to his resentment and bitterness towards his creator. He longs for someone to sympathize with his feelings and cheer him up, but his hideous appearance repels people. "I was alone. I remembered Adam's supplication to his Creator. But where was mine? …show more content…

Despite her talent, she is not accepted by society and is ultimately abandoned by her lover. "And now she turns away, and, looking back, / Somehow I see her twisted like a knot, / Her face distorted with a sudden thought, / Her hair ungainly in its brutish knot" (McKay). The woman's isolation leads to her mental anguish, which is portrayed in her twisted facial expression and ungainly hair. Furthermore, in "Outcast," McKay portrays a speaker who is shunned by society because of his appearance. He is aware of his isolation and acknowledges the importance of companionship. "I am lonely, lonely. / I was born to be lonely, / I am best so!" (McKay). The speaker's loneliness leads to his hostility towards society, which isolates him even further. In conclusion, Frankenstein and the two poems by Claude McKay all convey the theme of isolation and loneliness. The works reveal that being disconnected from society can have devastating consequences on one's mental and emotional wellbeing. The characters in these works are all isolated in different ways, but they all share a desperate need for companionship and acceptance. As the creature in Frankenstein puts it, "I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?" (Shelley 15). This statement illustrates how loneliness can lead to a cycle of hostility and further isolation. The works remind us of the importance of empathy and understanding towards those who are different from

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