Isolation In Frankenstein Humans are one of the most sociable creatures on this planet. We need social interaction to live our daily lives, because without it are we really human? In the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley we see several examples of people isolating themselves from one another. Through this isolation we see what happens to their character both physically and mentally. Humans are not meant to be alone, we were meant to be with each other and to enjoy one's presence, but if we take away this social interaction what are the true consequences that lie down that path? In Frankenstein we first see evidence of isolation in the first four letters. In letter two Robert Walton is feeling as if he were alone, “I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate in my joy” (Shelley 4). Walton wants to share all his findings and successes with people, however he feels as though none of the people on the ship …show more content…
We all have the feeling where, “If for one instant I had thought what might be the hellish intention of my fiendish adversary, I would rather have banished myself forever from my native country, and wandered a friendless outcast over the earth, than have consented to this miserable marriage”(Shelley 178). Though Frankenstein is talking about his marriage in this quote, we can all relate to this. We have all been to the point where being alone and isolated is much better than being with people you hate to be around. Later on in the book we see Frankenstein actually depressed about being alone, “The fallen angel becomes the malignant devil. Yet even the enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone.”(Shelley 193). When it all comes down to it humans do not want to be alone, we want someone there to understand us, we want someone there just to simply be
In Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the creature has an unusual origin that affects his relationship with his creator and with society because he’s being isolated. The feeling of rejection is painful. The creature is unwanted by society. He wants to have
Emotional and physical isolation in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein are the most pertinent and prevailing themes throughout the novel. These themes are so important because everything the monster, Victor, and Robert Walton do or feel directly relates to their poignant seclusion. The effects of this terrible burden have progressively damaging results upon the three.
Victor Frankenstein: From Fascination Passion to Unwinding Isolation Madness is defined as “the quality or state of being mad: such as a state of severe mental illness” or “behavior or thinking that is very foolish or dangerous: extreme folly an idea that is pure/sheer madness” (Merriam-Webster). It is also believed that madness also has varying forms and can be caused by feelings of isolation from society. A main part of being human or even most species on earth live with community. This definition of madness fits the stereotype media has placed on scientists and Victor Frankenstein is a prime example.
In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, both of the main characters undergo physical and emotional isolation. This enforced or chosen solitude causes Frankenstein to become over-ambitious and harbor secrets from his family and friends, leading to his demise. In the monster, isolation turns to misery, which causes him to become vengeful against his creator and all the world. Through these examples of total isolation, Shelley shows that when people have no connection to others in the world, their worst characteristics and flaws are brought out. Victor Frankenstein was the first character to show a major flaw while in isolation.
Companionship is the closeness or familiarity, a true fellowship among people who for some reason have a connection. “I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me, whose eyes would reply to mine.” The quote is from Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. Robert Walton longs for a friend. The creature wanted a female companion.
People need authentic human interaction to be truly happy. This claim is supported by the novel, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, the film, Pleasantville directed by Gary Ross, and the article, Why Loneliness Is Bad for Your Health by Nancy Shute. In Fahrenheit 451, people need authentic human interaction to be truly happy. This is supported with Montag and Mildred’s relationship and how Mildred says the parlor walls are “really fun” (18), but she still tried to commit suicide.
In Frankenstein, the creature shows the importance on the need for friendship. The creature feels lonely because he has no friends. The creature states, “…no Eve soothed my sorrows nor shared my thoughts; I was alone,” (Shelley 93). The creature is clearly stating that he feels alone. Even Adam had Eve and his creator when Adam and Eve was on Earth to share conversations with (92).
In today’s society, a major recurring question involves the amount of emphasis that should be placed on ourselves compared to that we place and spend with others in our social life. In a society so fixated around human interaction, could humans possibly reach a un- describable capacity of internal happiness through living in a state of solitude? Humans can be described by many as social beings, therefore, the constant social interaction would seem necessary for one’s happiness but at many times, we seek a more pleasurable experience through solitude especially regarding interaction with strangers. A diagnosis of solitude’s effect on happiness is described in “Mistakenly Seeking Solitude” by Nicholas Epley and Juliana Schroeder, “The Measurement of Self-Sufficiency” by Robert Bernreuter and “Happy Like God” by Simon Critchley.
„I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me; whose eyes would reply to mine. You may deem me romantic, my dear sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend” (Shelley 163-164). This is the wish of the scientist Robert Walton whose letters start Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. Unlike the first thoughts coming to mind when hearing the title, friendship is one of the main topics in the story and the wish Walton expresses in the beginning stands for the desires of all the main characters. Not only Walton feels to be in need of companionship, the central character Victor Frankenstein does so too and even the Creature he brings into being expresses its strong wish to belong to someone.
The theme of longing and the thirst for companionship emerges near the beginning of the Frankenstein in Robert Walton’s second letter to his sister. He seeks the companionship of a friend to share his hopes, dreams, and disappointments with. Walton seeks the bond of other person “who could sympathize’ with him and “whose eyes would reply to mine” which parallels the desire of the monster (Shelley 10). Unlike Frankenstein and Walton, the monster is utterly alone and not tethered to the world by a single human connection after being abandoned by Frankenstein. Humanity also shuns him based solely on his appearance leading to misery and loneliness.
Whereas Frankenstein does not properly value the domestic affection he is given until it is violently taken from him, his creation learns that this is what values most in life and yet is not able to gain this affection from others. Francis Bacon says in his essay Of Friendship “I have given the rule, where a man cannot fitly play his own part; if he have not a friend, he may quit the stage”. Shelley highlights the need for a sense of belonging and companionship by letting both her main figures suffer the pain of not having this need fulfilled and, in consequence, they both “quit the stage” (Bacon) and turn their backs on humanity. Social isolation, although through different circumstances, was the predominant cause for both Frankenstein and his creature’s demise. Even Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Shelley’s husband, wrote in his preface to Frankenstein about the “amiableness of domestic affection” (Shelley 9).
In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, understanding the biblical allusion of Satan and how he relates to the monster will give the reader a deeper insight into the Romantic element, the Byronic hero, along with the theme of isolation. When the monster says “‘You, my creator, abhor me; what hope I can gather from your fellow creatures, you owe me nothing? They spurn and hate me’”(Shelley 87) it shows the theme of isolation. No human accepts him, which leaves him left in the dust alone. Even his own creator doesn't accept him.
A Human Monster Although humans are similar to other mammals around the world, the thing that most elevates them above these other creatures is human nature. Human nature is something that we all understand and experience, but is difficult to truly define. Our human nature is essentially centered around our want for social interaction, capacity for emotions, creative and higher level of thinking.
The whole village was roused; some fled, some attacked me,until, grievously bruised by stones and many other kinds of missile weapons, I escaped to the open country ad fearfully took refuge in a low hovel.” Some may find it easy to identify with the monster, because he is a misunderstood being, led to live in isolation. This is not necessarily the case for many of the antagonists in Gothic novels such as Count Dracula and Mr Hyde, as they choose to live in isolation, however similarly with the monster in Frankenstein they live in isolation because of their unique appearances and the mere fact that they are supernatural beings but also the fact that they are capable of committing a treachery in public.
Isolation and abandonment can cause many different reactions from people. In the words of William A. Sadler Jr., a sociology professor, “We often do not know how to cope. It can make us confused, distraught, depressed, frightened, and even outraged” (Sadler 105). In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, several of these effects are presented in Victor Frankenstein and his creation. They both suffer from being isolated from their creator, society, and family units.