ipl-logo

Isolation As A Theme In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

582 Words3 Pages

Isolation as a Theme in Frankenstein The monster is isolated from civilization because of his appearance, the doctor is isolated during the making of his monster and the making of the monster’s wife, and he is also isolated throughout the book because he feels that he can not tell anyone about the monster he has created. Frankenstein’s monster is isolated from the time of his creation. The monster begins his life unable to even differentiate between his senses. Hungry, thirsty, and knowing nothing of the world he has been thrown into, the monster wanders into the forest (Shelley 53). The first time that he experiences humanity in a positive light is when he sees a family in a cabin. The monster is still unable to speak, but watching the human family makes him realize how lonely he is and how much he wants companionship. As the monster The monster briefly feels …show more content…

Now educated and able to speak, he feels that the family he has been watching should accept him as a friend (Shelley 114). Isolation during the making of the monsters 53 and 162 Less evident and arguably more significant is Frankenstein’s isolation due to his guilt. Frankenstein feels that he can not tell anyone about the monster he has created because of the horrible things that the monster has done. The way that Frankenstein interacts with the people closest to him shows how he withdraws from them to isolate himself after the monster is created. One example of this is conveyed when Frankenstein and his friend, Henry Clerval, go on a trip. The doctor expresses that if he was traveling and visiting other scientists simply to learn as Clerval is, he would enjoy himself as much as his friend is (Shelley 157). However, Frankenstein is weighed down by the fact that he is gathering research to create another monster and states that Clerval should be able to enjoy the trip

Show More
Related

  • Frankenstein Isolation Essay

    629 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout Frankenstein, a novel by Mary Shelley set in the 1700s, the theme of isolation is carried on. Frankenstein is about an aspiring, brilliant, and innocent individual who is fascinated with the life of science and has a great knowledge of the philosophy and all aspects of it, ultimately leading to the

    Read More

  • Victor Frankenstein Foil Essay

    518 Words  | 3 Pages

    The result of his ambition, putting his wants and desires before others safety, results in him shutting himself out from the rest of the world so that he can satisfy himself. Those who are close to Frankenstein are the ones that end up getting hurt the most and Frankenstein is left with guilt. Frankenstein not only went too far in creating the monster, but he then went as far as leaving the monster to defend for himself in a world that was unknown to him. The monster’s confusion in the world foils and reflects Frankenstein’s poor judgement and selfishness. Frankenstein’s decision to create the monster and then leave him without any guidance, shows the worst part of Frankenstein’s desires and true colors.

    Read More

  • Isolation In Frankenstein Essay

    758 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Isolation In Frankenstein

    1458 Words  | 6 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Frankenstein Isolation Essay

    925 Words  | 4 Pages

    Frankenstein: The Damnation of Isolation Saint Mother Teresa once said, “Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty” (brainyquote.com). Being lonely or isolated is nothing to take lightly; loneliness has been proven to increase the risk of heart disease, dementia, and other health problems (Guner), but further, forced solitariness has massive psychological effects. It is not only a desire for most humans to be around others, but even a necessity. This fundamental concept of companionship is present throughout author Mary Shelley’s romantic novel Frankenstein, which tells the tale of a young, educated man named Victor Frankenstein who devotes himself completely to giving an artificial body life, which he does

    Read More

  • Pygmalion And Frankenstein Analysis

    1804 Words  | 8 Pages

    The monster depicts his otherness when he wonders: “Was I, then, a monster, a blot upon the earth, from which all men fled and whom all men disowned” (Shelley 85). The monster evidently remains in isolation and is dehumanized. The monster attempts to get integrated into his society but his appearance and lack of social skills hinder his success. The monster strives to be accepted but is incapable of acceptance. The monster reiterates this feeling of isolation as he says: “I felt as if I were placed under a ban- as if I had no right to claim their sympathies – as if never more might I enjoy companionship with them” (Shelley 108).

    Read More

  • Social Belonging In Frankenstein

    987 Words  | 4 Pages

    He is aware of his otherness and knows that he is “shut out from intercourse” (84) with the people he holds so dear. It can be argued that this is the point where the creature’s humanity is the strongest throughout the course of story. He has a basic understanding of human societies, he speaks and reads their language, shows compassion and, most importantly, seeks their company and friendship. In his knowledge that social belonging is the missing component to his own happiness, he confronts the people he secretly observed only to, once again, be met with fear and anger (94-95). He comes to realise that he

    Read More

  • The Theme Of Isolation In Frankenstein

    669 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mary Shelley, in her book, Frankenstein, has a reoccurring theme of isolation, in which she isolates the main character, Victor Frankenstein, from the rest of society in order to create a creature. Likewise, the creature that is created is also isolated from the rest of society as he is rejected from his creator as to his appearance. The theme is present throughout the novel as it reinforces Victor’s downfall from a normal boy to a grown man intrigued with creating life as he slowly becomes a madman that everyone soon fears. Isolation causes a loss of humanity as it affects the mind and body. Isolation from society does not teach social interaction, causes regret about oneself, provides one with negative feelings, and causes regretful actions.

    Read More

  • The Monster And Exile In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    672 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Monster and Exile Every person in life is created with a strong sense of belonging. Whether the belonging is to a person, a place, or a moment in time, they still feel connected and influenced by it. Exile is an action that separates a person from this connected belonging, and can suffer great consequences, but can also enrich their lifestyle. In Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the creature creaked by Victor Frankenstein is forced, from the very beginning of his existence, away from his creator and society as a whole. This type of exile turned the creature into what he is, shaping his ideas and mentalities.

    Read More

  • Outline For Frankenstein Research Paper

    516 Words  | 3 Pages

    Frankenstein’s Monster is not categorized as evil by his malicious behavior and is sympathized with due to his creator abandoning him and the role of nature versus nurture taken place II. Monster’s Nature and alienation A. Monster originally had an inquisitive nature yet gentle nature a. Information on the German family was “each interesting and wonderful to one so utterly inexperienced as [he] was” (105) B. With the rejection and alienation from society, the only interactions the monster experiences, he becomes full of hatred a. Rejected by De Lacey family by his looks and labeled a monster b. Tries to save a child but is shot by child’s father C. Reader may feel sympathy towards the Monster’s actions because the readers know that his true nature was not evil and he was misjudged III.

    Read More

  • The Monster And Frankenstein Comparison

    1113 Words  | 5 Pages

    Frankenstein and his monster begin with opposite lives: Frankenstein has everything and the monster has nothing. However, in creating the monster, Frankenstein’s life and feelings begin to parallel that of the monster’s life. Frankenstein is incredibly intelligent with a fascination for science, but ultimately his thirst for knowledge leads to his undoing. Similarly the monster is determined to understand the society around him. But once he does, he understands that he will never be able to find companionship, which leads him to pain and anger.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Isolation In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    1090 Words  | 5 Pages

    It is quite telling that the most severe punishment in our society other than the death penalty or torture is solitary confinement. Although, isolation is in itself a form of torture, it can drive someone to the brink of insanity. Although published nearly 200 years ago, Mary Shelley clearly understood the potential detrimental effects of isolation, as demonstrated in her famous novel, Frankenstein, where both main characters, Victor Frankenstein and his creation, suffer from and cause isolation for the other. Mary Shelley directs the reader to believe that isolation is the true evil, not the monster, Victor or any emotion inside of them. At the beginning of the novel, Victor is isolated from other people, causing to forget his scientific

    Read More

  • Theme Of Isolation In Frankenstein

    1724 Words  | 7 Pages

    They ways in which they are affected by this abandonment proves that isolation has grave effects on human interaction and social development. One way that the theme of isolation negatively affecting social development is presented in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is through the character’s separation from their creators. The creature is abandoned by Victor, his creator, as soon as he awakes.

    Read More

  • The Monster's Alienation In Frankenstein

    782 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although he comes with friendly intentions, the Monster is treated violently and with contempt, essentially being forced into his alienation to survive and becoming the “monster” he is already thought of as a result. The Monster’s actions are a response to the treatment he has received from others, everyday villagers and Victor alike. With little known about his origins and no way to explain himself, there is no hope for the Monster to assimilate himself. This is present in other characters of the novel as well, for example, Richard Walton, who has self-alienated in order to gain distinction and knowledge. The Monsters origins and appearance develop these themes of alienation throughout the novel, themes that are further developed by other characters and play an important role in delivering the message of

    Read More

  • Nature And Setting In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

    764 Words  | 4 Pages

    The novel Frankenstein has a unique way of expressing how the setting functions as a whole. Mary Shelley used an early 1800s setting in Switzerland and London to show how Victor made it through this extraordinary adventure. There were multiple themes that affected how the setting functioned in the novel. Nature, weather, and season all affect the mood of the characters. These things all have a great impact on the setting of the book.

    Read More

More about Isolation As A Theme In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Open Document