How Does Isolation Affect Frankenstein

Affected by Isolation: Frankenstein and The Metamorphosis Throughout life many feel as though they have been victims to extreme isolation. Well, while that may be true for many, has it ever affected them mentally? The answer is most likely yes, in fact there are two novels that show this exact feeling. These novels are Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, and The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka. The idea of isolation and its effects are shown throughout the entirety of these texts. In The Metamorphosis Franz Kafka reveals how isolation has a big emotional effect on people. Similarly, in Frankenstien Mary Shelley also shows the emotional toll that isolation has. Many critics also discuss less obvious ways that isolation can affect someone throughout

The Creature is shown in this novel as a symbol of isolations effects. The Creature talks about himself in a very negative light showing how isolation has major affects on people. The Creature, facing extreme isolation, states, “all men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated, who am miserable beyond all living things” (68). Mary Shelley uses the monster as an example of isolations effects by revealing the Creatures self image. The monster feels like everyone hates him so he must then be the most miserable thing alive. Isolation can change the way someone thinks about themselves which in turn will cause self esteem to go down. Also, in an article by William Walling, “Frankenstein.” Nineteenth-Century Literature Criticism”, different examples of isolations effects are revealed. Walling talks about how the monster longs for someone to love him so that he will no longer feel isolated. Walling writes, “ his deepest need the desire for a human relationship. “But where were my friends and relations?’... “I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create”’(Walling). The monster longs for a companion so that he will no longer feel isolated. The Monster is so desperate to get rid of his negative feelings to a point that he will threaten his own creator. He would go as far as asking for a creature of the same species so that they can be isolated together. These examples reveal the way isolation can make someone feel extremely bad about themselves causing big emotional holes in their life. Overall, these two pieces of evidence repeatedly show the major negative effects that isolation