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Theme Of Alienation In Frankenstein

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“Solitude is impractical and yet society is fatal,” – Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a profound wordsmith and theorist from the 1800s, proposed that a mixture of solitude and interactions with society is necessary for human beings. However, he makes it clear that since humans display contrasting features, this combination must be adjusted accordingly to suit the personal needs of individuals. Some persons need equal amounts of both factors to cater to their specific desires; others might require more of one element than the other. This all depends on the environment, goals, and personalities of specific souls. Although the terms solitude and alienation are generally used interchangeably, the latter is more suited to define situations where one is estranged or detached from a group in society to which they should belong. Conversely, the description of the former is a state being alone. Hence, it can be concluded that alienation is a category of such a state. The novel Frankenstein, also known as The Modern Prometheus, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley explores the theme of solitude. This theme, along with its aforementioned category, plays an integral role in the creation and construction of Shelley’s fictional characters. That is, it is a strange link between Victor Frankenstein, an overambitious scientist, and his “monster-like” creation (the Creature). Both individuals experience some form of the present motif, whether it is self-imposed or originates from the

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