isolation in frankenstein essay

Frankenstein

Mary shelley, everything you need for every book you read..

In its preface, Frankenstein claims to be a novel that gives a flattering depiction of "domestic affection." That seems a strange claim in a novel full of murder, tragedy, and despair. But, in fact, all that tragedy, murder, and despair occur because of a lack of connection to either family or society. Put another way, the true evil in Frankenstein is not Victor or the monster , but isolation. When Victor becomes lost in his studies he removes himself from human society, and therefore loses sight of his responsibilities and the consequences of his actions. The monster turns vengeful not because it's evil, but because its isolation fills it with overwhelming hate and anger. And what is the monster's vengeance? To make Victor as isolated as it. Add it all up, and it becomes clear that Frankenstein sees isolation from family and society as the worst imaginable fate, and the cause of hatred, violence, and revenge.

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Frankenstein: Theme of Isolation by Mary Shelley

Author: arsalan
Posted on: 24 May 2018
Paper Type: Free Essay
Subject: English
Wordcount: 1378 words
Published: 24th May 2018

This is a novel written by Mary Shelley. The novel title refers to a scientist known as Victor Frankenstein, who learns to treat life and creates a being in the image and likeness of man but more powerful and average (Fleck 250). However, the idea of depicting man as God is wrong. This novel starts with Robert Walton, who sought for a new way through Russia to the Pacific Ocean via the Arctic Ocean. Shelly defines several themes in the novel which are tied to actions performed by characters associated with them.

The themes in the Frankenstein novel are developed through the characters’ actions and personalities, which help in giving insight into the full understanding of the concepts anticipated by Shelley. The novel is full of terror and agony which has made it qualify as science fiction. The book story is written in a concise manner where Shelley allows the main characters to speak as the narrator to pass the main themes to her audience. The theme of isolation is outlined and carried on throughout the context, mainly through Victor.

In Shelley’s gothic novel, isolation is a significant theme attributed to Victor. Family bonding is essential for breaking emotional isolation, and since Victor lacks that family bond, he ends up being alone and devastated. Victor lived in “his world” with no people to bond with; as his father stated, “once Victor accepts himself and considers them as a family, he will think about the affection of the family and hear from him regularly.” Victor excluded himself from his family while also ignoring their letters, and he rarely responded since he was only focused on his project as he once said: “ he could not tear my thought from my employment.” Victor’s mind was only concentrated on creating another being and did not focus on interactions with family or forming bonds with friends.

In the novel, the theme of isolation is developed around the main character in which victor is portrayed as isolated (Pollin and Burton 100). He has no one to tell about his inventions and creations because he has no one to express his emotions to. This is due to the loss of his lover, friends, and family. Isolation in this context is far more described by portraying characters’ loneliness and the acts that are attributed to the isolated nature of the specific character developed in the setting of the book. The inability to express emotions leads to the growth of hatred, which is channeled and expressed in inappropriate ways and results in harming society, as described in the book.

In the preface, Frankenstein is a novel that provides a clear depiction of isolation. Cases of murder, despair, and tragedy occur due to a lack of connection to society or family. In the novel, Shelley tries to define isolation as being the separation from other people, whether physically or emotionally, leading to the self-destruction of Victor and the creature he had created. This shows that the real evil in Frankenstein is not the monster nor Victor but isolation. The novel is characterized by passion and a tale of deep sorrow as well as misfortunes. Shelley explores the theme of loneliness in different ways and presents it to the readers, accompanied by its reputation. Shelley effectively describes this theme through Victor by examining his actions and how depressed he is.

Victor experiences isolation from society and his family during his studies. He, therefore, faces the worst imaginable fate, and where he views violence, revenge, and hatred as caused by isolation. According to Victor, the monster turns vengeful not because he is evil but because isolation fills it with anger and hatred. The devastation experienced by Victor leads to imprecise and poor judgment and thus ends up with unbearable decisions. As described by Victor, isolation from society leads to emotional disorder, which is implicated through social evils committed by him. The message portrayed by Shelley that isolation is considerably associated with the way people live their lives and also how people interact with each other in society of not limited only to emotional relationships and bonds.

In the Frankenstein novel, the victor is described as the one who brings isolation to himself. Throughout most of his life, Victor had isolated and grounded himself in his chambers trying to solve the math and create a creature (Cole and David 69). Victor had excluded himself from society, and that resulted in implicit implications for the community since, by creating the creature, he unleashed a monster. The misfortune brought about by isolation keeps the book’s ideas alive by making the readers want to know what each action resulted in. To cope with loneliness, Victor finds a way of expressing his emotions through the creature he created. Although isolation is viewed to have negative impacts, Victor found it as an essential factor in his work since he did not experience disruption during his project. This implies that isolation can result in something good if used in the right manner since, through it, the victor was able to achieve his dream and create a powerful being as he had anticipated.

In conclusion, isolation, as portrayed by Shelley, is a dangerous factor in one’s life. Isolation is destructive and makes the affected characters suffer adverse consequences from it. As observed, Victor was aspired by isolation to create a monster whom he could not take responsibility for and whom he could not control and hence led to the self-destruction of Victor’s life. Additionally, by Victor excluding himself from everyone, he ended up losing family affection and bond, and also, the love for his work cost him a family relationship.

Cole, David. “Teaching Frankenstein and Wide Sargasso Sea Using Affective Literacy.” English in Australia 42.2 (2007): 69.

Fleck, P. D. “Mary Shelley’s Notes to Shelley’s Poems and” Frankenstein.” Studies in Romanticism (1967): 226-254.

Pollin, Burton R. “Philosophical and Literary Sources of Frankenstein.” Comparative Literature 17.2 (1965): 97-108.

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Isolation and Loneliness in Shelley’s “Frankenstein”

The feeling of loneliness is one of the worst inner states. It makes people weak and helpless. Everyone tries to spend most of his time in communication and movement. The novel Frankenstein reflects the characters who got used to living in loneliness during their whole life. Their life is constant resistance to isolation and fights with abandonment and loneliness. The novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley combines different elements from various periods of art development; it reflects features from the Romantic Movement and Gothic period.

The author managed to illustrate the deepest feelings and emotions reflected in the main characters. It is important to stress that the basic theme of the novel is considered to be the illustration of loneliness and desolation following the main characters’ lives during the whole story. Mary Shelley wanted to highlight the atmosphere of complete isolation from society, the pain of loneliness living in the hearts of the main characters.

The author provides the reader with the complete description of every character and allows sympathizing with them to evaluate their behavior and actions. Mary Shelly describes the inner state of every character underlining all the details of their worrying and despair. It should be stressed that the main idea of the novel was to show the theme of loneliness and the problem of a real friendship observed in the text. Walton, Victor, and the Creature wanted to make a real friendship. Walton strived to make a friend from Victor’s body while Victor wanted to create a friend from dead parts.

“Begone!… There can be no community between you and me; we are enemies” (Shelly, 1995)

This shows the isolation of the Creature from society, his loneliness, and social misunderstanding. The author wanted to underline the fact that the Monster has never felt like belonging to anyone in the whole world.

Mary Shelly managed to show the gradation from loneliness to violence; the contradiction of these two feelings inside the main characters of the novel. She illustrated how relations between Victor and the Monster resulted in destruction and violence in their mutual interrelations. The Monster’s desire to destroy everything and bring only harm to society helped the doctor to understand his mistake of creation. His desire to avoid loneliness and make a real friend resulted in a huge mistake created by Victor. It should be noted that the novel reflects the feeling of isolation throughout the whole story. Thus at the very beginning, the author showed Robert Walton who had no one in the world; only letters from his sister helped him to resist the cruelty of the world, the painful feeling of loneliness and abandonment.

Robert Walton is a typical embodiment of a lonely person who has no one in the world, whose life runs in vain, and does not belong to anyone.

“ I have no friend. Even when I am glowing with the enthusiasm

of success, there will be none to participate my joy;

if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavor

to sustain to me dejection.” (Shelly, 1995)

The author illustrates that this character is not abundant by society and has a lot of people to communicate with, but his soul feels lonely. Walton realizes that he has no real friend and cannot share his troubles and happiness with anyone. He strives to see this only friend in Victor but failed… (Bennett, 2000)

Isolation is also demonstrated in the description of the Monster’s life and that of Victor. These two characters contradict each other. The Monster who was created to fight loneliness brings more troubles and misunderstandings. Victor created one more personality that was destroyed by loneliness. The author managed to stress the fact that very often people strive to belong to someone and depend on a real friend. Thus, Victor wanted to create a person for the real friendship but instead of this, he made the Monster who felt isolated as Victor did.

The analysis of the novel provides the idea that the story is completely associated with the author’s life. Three narrators who felt loneliness and lived in their small worlds are the embodiment of the writer’s heritage, personality, and future. The novel Frankenstein is based on the author’s vision of the society and interrelation between the people. She tried to depict all the life mistakes resulting in isolation, destruction, and loneliness. The author wanted to avoid such actions in her own life; she always wanted to save herself and her family from the state of being lonely whatever the cost and this novel is the reflection of her mind and fear of isolation and abandonment. (King, 1999)

The novel Frankenstein is considered to be autobiographical by many critics. The theme of loneliness was the central one not only in the novel but in the life of the author. Mary Shelly contributed to her work all the efforts, feelings, and emotions; she managed to transfer her family life episodes and sufferings in the story underlining the pain of abandonment.

The character of the Monster is very often compared with the biblical first man Adam. It should be noted that the creature made by Victor reflected the same features as one can observe in Adam. The Monster was individual, unique, and alone. One can see a certain level of biblical parallelism between these two characters though there are some differences. Adam was not created to be alone, he was provided with a companion and was supported by God, his creator, and farther. Speaking about the novel Frankenstein, the Monster was to be lonely from the very beginning and the feeling of isolation followed him from the day he was created. Attitude towards Adam and the Monster is quite different.

“ Abhorred monster! Fiend that thou art.” (Shelly, 1995)

Victor shouted at his creature developing feelings of oddness and isolation. But the Monster was not responsible for his loneliness while Adam was punished for his actions and behavior. Victor never took any responsibility for his creature and the Monster felt that he had no place in the heart of his creator. In the case of Adam, God was completely aware of the responsibility he took for his creature; he wanted to make the embodiment of love and respect in the character to avoid selfishness and unfairness of the world.

The creation of the “monster” can be compared with the image of Eve who was aware of the consequences of her actions as well as Victor did. Knowledge of the dangerous events that resulted from the committed actions was underlined in the description of both characters, Eve and Victor. They were the creator of their fate and of those who surrounded them suffering the consequences. (Davidson, 2007)

The author illustrated the cruelty of the world in which her characters lived. She demonstrated that all the three narrators made the atmosphere of loneliness by themselves and only they were responsible for their isolation. The characters of Mary Shelly never gave love and care to each other; they lived in their morality but strived to get usual friendship and somebody’s attention and understanding. The theme of loneliness is closely associated with human moral values in society.

The author wanted to underline the fact that interrelations within any social group should be regarded as something important, as a kind of treasure. Mary Shelly managed to show how ignorance can influence our life and what it can lead to. Three different fates were interwoven by one common problem – the problem of being lonely and abandoned.

It is important to underline the fact that the novel Frankenstein sponged a lot of ideas from different biblical literature works and real acts of life; it can explain why the story is so involving and quite close to life. It allows examining the life of the author and feel her emotions reflected in the story. The narrators strive for happiness during the whole story and are eager to find this happiness in each other. But they only alienate each other by their attitude and moral make-up.

Thus, as it was shown from the analysis of the novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelly the central problem of her narrators’ lives was the problem of loneliness. Robert Walton, Victor, and the Monster were considered to be strong characters but having a weak inner state. All the three males wanted to reach the only thing in the world – they strived not to be lonely, isolated from the whole world. Mary Shelly drew a line between biblical images of Adam and Eve and her characters underlining vivid similarities between them. The author managed to show that moral values of the society should be concentrated on mutual respect and friendship; otherwise it can lead to violence and cruelty among people.

Bennett, Betty T. and Stuart Curran, eds. Marry Shelly in Her Times. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000.

Davidson, Chris. Frankenstein’s Monster and Milton’s Satan. Frankenstein. 2007.

King, Linda. Mary Shelly’s Career Decision in Frankenstein. University of British Columbia. 1999.

Shelly, Mary. Frankenstein. Norton Critical Edition. pp. 352. 1995.

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The Effects of Isolation in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

by Bo Jullpho

HON 350 - Fall 2021

Introduction

Aristotle, a famous Greek philosopher, once wrote in his book, Politics, Man is by nature a social animal . . . Anyone who either cannot lead the common life or is so self-sufficient as not to need to, and therefore does not partake of society, is either a beast or a god (Aristotle). This implies that human beings by themselves, unlike god, are not self-sufficient. In social psychology, psychologists study how individual feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others. By investigating how people function as a group in the society, psychologists found that humans need social interaction with one another and need the company of other people in order to learn, grow and thrive. In Frankenstein, isolation is one of the major themes portrayed throughout the story. The author, Mary Shelley uses the two main characters, Victor Frankenstein and the Monster, to explore the ways in which isolation can affect the human psyche and behaviors, whether self-inflicted or not. The effects of isolation on these two characters are closely related to and can be compared with contemporary studies in psychology as well as in Greek mythological tales.

Self-inflicted Isolation and Victor Frankenstein

While Victor Frankenstein's isolation may, at first, appear to help him with his experiment in creating life, a closer look at the ways isolation impacts his work shows that it in fact results in the flaws and poor ethics that occurred as result of not collaborating with others. While beginning his experiment during his time at university, Victor states that, "I wished, as it were, to procrastinate all that related to my feelings of affection until the great object, which swallowed up every habit of my nature, should be completed" (Shelley 34). Here, Victor expressed that his obsession with his studies had taken control of all the aspects of his life. He has no desire to do anything else until his experiment is complete. At that point, nothing, not even his family, friends, or his social life, were as important as the experiment Victor was conducting. Victor believes that by putting everything else in his life aside and isolating himself in a solitary chamber (Shelley 52), he could get rid of all the distraction that will prevent him from completing his creation. Victor believes that being alone by himself will allow him to fully concentrate on his experiment and complete his task; however, the effect of isolation Victor forced upon himself took a large toll on him. According to the article, Perceived Social Isolation and Cognition, social isolation can result in poorer overall cognitive performance, faster cognitive decline, poorer executive functioning, increased negativity and depressive cognition (Cacioppo & Hawkly 1) . When a person is in isolation, it means that they are being cut off from contact with other human beings in the society. The person has no one to talk to, influence or support them with their actions or decisions. As a result, the person's decisions and actions would be solely based on their own judgement. In the case of Victor Frankenstein, it is clear that when Victor was alone in solitude and transfixed with his work, he had no one to talk to or ask for advice on his experiment. All his decisions and actions were based on his own judgement. Victor believes that he could go against nature and attempt to create life. Victor lost his sense of self identity and rationality believing that he could play god and achieve things any human has never done before. Without support, a second opinion, or guidance from anyone, Victor does not consider what could happen if his experiment did not go as planned, nor did he consider what the worst possible outcome could be. As a result, he made bad ethical choices and his creation, which he thought would be his greatest life achievement, turns out to be one of his deepest regrets. From all the evidence, it appears that the effect of isolation on Victor Frankenstein was not positive. Rather than helping him to achieve his goals, it results in irrationality and poor decision making. Had Victor not isolated himself from society and collaborated his ideas with other scientists or professors, his creation might not have turned out the way it did.

Forced Isolation and The Monster

The Monster experienced isolation as a victim of paternal abandonment. He developed aggression and hate for his creator as a result of the mental instability he went through following his abandonment. After completing his creation and as soon as the monster comes to life, Victor realizes that ...now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart (Shelley 35). After finishing his lifelong experiment, Victor instantly regrets what he has done, and is absolutely terrified by the appearance of his creation. Victor quickly rushed out of the chamber and left the Monster by himself. He does not want anything to do with the monster and wishes to forget what he has done. Upon coming to life, the Monster was immediately rejected by his creator and left to figure out his life on his own, and as a result, this drives him into isolation and to distance himself from humans and an unfamiliar society. The article The Role of Parental Acceptance‐Rejection in Emotional Instability During Adolescence supports the idea that, the lack of affection and communication . . . and a negative view of children . . . may bring about negative effects in the personal and socio‐emotional development of adolescents (Mendo‐Lázaro et al. 2) . Parents are characters who play one of the most important roles in the growth and development of children. In order for children to flourish later in life, it is very important that their childhood is filled with unconditional love and affection from their parents. With communication, love and affection, children tend to develop a strong sense of belonging and acceptance. On the other hand, according to Dennis Balcom in the article Absent Fathers: Effects on Abandoned Sons, children who are abandoned, rejected, and do not receive love and affection may sustain damage to their sense of worthiness throughout their lives (Balcom 4) . Being abandoned by parents can cause children to question their own values, and to develop a poor sense of self. These children do not know what love feels like and as a result, have difficulty comforting and loving themselves when no one else would. This weakened sense of self could manifest itself in emotional instability such as through anger and aggression, which, according to the article, The Role of Parental Acceptance‐Rejection in Emotional Instability during Adolescence, contributes towards a child's vulnerability . . . and exteriorization of emotional overreaction, together with certain lack of self—control (Mendo‐Lázaro et al. 2) . The Monster in Frankenstein is like a newborn child who has been abandoned and isolated by his parents. Instead of nurturing the Monster and providing unconditional love and affection, Victor despises his creation. His abandonment and failure to provide love and affection makes the Monster question his values; he is ashamed and scared to reveal himself to society. Due to the fact that the Monster never receives any love and affection from his creator, he tries his best to gain those feelings from strangers; however, his efforts turn out to be in vain, after getting rejected by everyone time after time. By not knowing how to cope with rejection, comfort or love, the Monster develops a sense of resentment toward those who make him feel that way. After being rejected by the cottagers who were horrified by his appearance, the Monster declares that, There was none among the myriads of men who existed who would pity or assist me; and should I feel kindness towards my enemies? No: from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species, and, more than all, against him who had formed me, and sent me forth to this insupportable misery (Shelley 84). The Monster blames Victor for creating him and bringing him to a miserable life. The feeling of rejection and inability to receive love and affection led the monster into an intense fit of rage within him. His emotional overreaction results in him declaring a war against the whole human species. His rage later drives him out of control, turning him from a compassionate being to an actual monster with the desire to seek revenge, cause harm, and murder. The isolation Monster experienced following his abandonment negatively impacted his mental state. Without paternal support, the Monster developed violent and destructive behaviors. Had the Monster been raised with love and not abandoned, he might have not acted out the way he did.

The Concept of Isolation and Abandonment in Frankenstein and Greek Mythology

The author of Frankenstein explores the effects and consequences of isolation and abandonment in a similar way as seen in Greek Mythology. According to Clyde Kluckhohn in Recurrent Themes in Myths and Mythmaking, the theme of father-seekers and father-slayers appears again and again (Kluckhohn 268) throughout Greek mythology in various instances. Sons are often rejected and abandoned by their fathers at birth or at a very early age. They are left to figure out a way of life on their own or die. In the story of Hercules by Euripides, for example, baby Hercules was kidnapped by Hades and not allowed to return to the kingdom of the heavens. He had to grow up in the common world away from the gods of paradise, and as a common mortal. In this story, Hercules was able to succeed in life despite the rejection from the gods and abandonment from his place of birth. He was offered to return back to Mount Olympus when he proved that he had what it took to be a god. The story of Oedipus by Sophocles; however, had a different setting and outcome. In this story, a prophet foresees that in the future, Oedipus is bound to kill his own father and marry his mother. His father sends him away and orders him to be killed, but the prophet takes pity on the baby, and lets him live. After growing up, Oedipus finds out about this prophecy, and flees to a distant land in hopes of preventing the prophecy from coming true. On his journey, he inadvertently kills a man that he enters an argument with and ends up marrying this man's wife. The man was his father, and the woman he married ended up being his mother, fulfilling the prophecy. This story has a similar outcome to that of Frankenstein. Oedipus only killed his father because he was abandoned and isolated. According to Hamish Canham, [Oedipus] does not have any models of truthfulness to help him in his plight (Canham 11) . Being isolated and abandoned, Oedipus was deprived from the truth. If he had been raised with his father, Oedipus would have known who to actually run away from. Similarly, had Victor Frankenstein actually cared for and raised the monster, the murder of Victor's wife and loved ones might have been prevented. By abandoning and forcing their child in isolation, both Frankenstein and Oedipus' fathers failed to provide what their son needed in their life. In the case of Oedipus, it was the truth, and for the Monster, it was love and affection. The isolation and abandonment from his parents that Oedipus had since a young age was what eventually led to his father's fate and the prophecy's fulfillment. Similarly, the Monster's isolation and abandonment from his creator was what eventually brought forth the destruction of Victor Frankenstein and the Monster.

Humans were inherently created to live with one another. It can be argued that no human that has lived was able to thrive alone while in complete solitude. Being with others is what drives self-love, confidence, decision making and cognitive rational abilities. On the other hand, isolation and abandonment have; in multiple instances, been a major cause for destructive behavior, impaired cognitive abilities, mental instability, and in more severe cases, murders or mass killings. Mary Shelley explores how the concept of isolation eventually led Victor Frankenstein to lose his way of life (secluded from others), his loved ones, and eventually the lives of his loved ones. The monster suffered from abandonment since his creation, and this led him from being a kind and compassionate being to losing self-esteem and sanity, which eventually caused the monster to kill Victor's wife and his loved ones. While abandonment and isolation are likely to lead to destruction, love, care, support and acceptance are fundamental aspects of a healthy upbringing.

Works Cited

Aristotle, Benjamin Jowett, and H W. C. Davis. Aristotle's Politics. Oxford: At the Clarendon Press, 1920. Print.

Balcom, Dennis A. "Absent Fathers: Effects on Abandoned Sons." Journal of Men's Studies, vol. 6, no. 3, 1998, pp. 283. ProQuest

Cacioppo, John T., and Louise C. Hawkley. "Perceived Social Isolation and Cognition." Trends in Cognitive Sciences, vol. 13, no. 10, 2009, pp. 447-454., doi:10.1016/j.tics.2009.06.005.

Canham, Hamish. "The Relevance of the Oedipus Myth to Fostered and Adopted Children." Journal of Child Psychotherapy, vol. 29, no. 1, 2003, pp. 5-19., doi:10.1080/0075417031000083623.

Kluckhohn, Clyde. "Recurrent Themes in Myths and Mythmaking." Daedalus, vol. 88, no. 2, The MIT Press, 1959, pp. 268-79, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20026495.

Mendo-Lázaro, Santiago, et al. "The Role of Parental Acceptance‐Rejection in Emotional Instability during Adolescence." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 16, no. 7, 2019, p. 1194., doi:10.3390/ijerph16071194.

Shelley, Mary W., Frankenstein. Global Grey, 1831.

Essay On The Theme Of Isolation In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Can isolation destroy the wellbeing of one’s mental health, or turn you into ? In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Shelley develops them of isolation, a dangerous yet accommodating act. The reader sees the downside of isolation when Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist, Robert Walton, a lonesome seafarer, and the creature endeavor mental breakdowns that are direst results of their isolation. Each character has either inflicted their own isolation or has been forced into isolation by societal standards. Each character has approached isolation differently, and with those attempts to seclude the amount of isolation they face, Shelly implies that isolation will ultimately lead to self-destruction of the mind soul and body. Furthermore, the dangers of isolation are prevalent in the novel. Mary Shelley reveals the dangerous effects of different forms of isolation through the characters of Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the creature.

Robert Walton is a seafarer who is on an expedition to the North pole. He travels alone while writing various letters to his sister Margaret that expresses, he is yearning for a companion, that will not only accompany him, but share emotions as well. Robert Walton has inflicted himself with isolation, with similar reasons to Victor Frankenstein. Walton initially secludes himself to discover more knowledge found in nature. As Walton is on his journey to acquire more knowledge, he yearns to have an intellectual connection with an induvial, particularly Victor Frankenstein. Walton suffers from loneliness while he is on an expedition by himself. He chooses to stay in solitude, but beings to feel physically and mentally isolated. “"But I have one want which I have never yet been able to satisfy, and the absence of the object of which I now feel as a most severe evil, I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavour to sustain me in dejection." ( Frankenstein Letter 2 ). The author uses Robert Walton as an example of self-inflicted isolation, and although Walton has done it to himself, he experiences dejection from the world because he does not have anyone to share intellectual knowledge with.

Victor Frankenstein embodies the idea of isolation by inflicting it unto himself. He does so by allowing himself to physically isolate himself from his friends and family, which ultimately lead to a decline in his mental health. He makes the decision to leave his family to further execute his studies on creation. Victor studies elsewhere in Ingolstadt, but fears being alone, and later realizes that eventually, loneliness will overtake his life. Because he understands what his decisions may hate in store for him, he also realizes that he must do whatever is necessary to “become his own” to survive alone. “I, who had ever been surrounded by amiable companions, continually engaged in endeavouring to bestow mutual pleasure, I was now alone. In the university, whither I was going, I must form my own friends, and be my own protector” ( Frankenstein Chapter 3 ). Mary Shelley implies the first instance of isolation Victor must endure while studying abroad. During this point in the novel, Victor imposes isolation on himself, but has not built the strength to tackle it on his own, which is why he struggles with himself throughout the novel. As he struggles he becomes more of a monster than the one he intended to create .Because Victor has imposed his own form of isolation, he must make it up for himself.

The creature in which Victor Frankenstein has created has been isolated form the world, but not by choice. He suffers with isolation, but what makes the creature different is the mere fact that he never asked to be alone, he is not the same as Robert Walton or Victor. As the monster begins to grow more isolated and forced out of society, he expresses how through isolation his hate for himself has worsened, also questioning why Satan is accepted by his “angels” but no one stands by the creature’s side. Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him, but I am solitary and abhorred.’ ( Frankenstein Chapter 15). Mary Shelly introduces isolation through different characters, in this case, the creature also experiences isolation, but it was not intended. The creature feels completely separated from the world, simply because of the way he is looked at by society. Isolation has led the creature to so many pains, that he often asks himself questions, as well as questioning his identity and what he has to offer to a world that does not even accept him. If a form of evil can have an army behind it, why can't the creature have one as well?

Self-inflicted isolation and being rejected from the world are one of many aspects of isolation which is detrimental to the characters Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the creature. Mary Shelley exemplifies the themes of isolation by portraying it through Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the Creature. Each character has gone through some form of isolation that has either been self-inflicted or brought by rejection. Although there are many aspects of isolation, they are equally detrimental to an individual's wellbeing, as seen in the novel. Each character has suffered, due to isolation. This provides solid information about how isolation can do much damage to someone's mental health and even drive them crazy. In the novel Mary Shelley reveals that isolation is the true evil behind self-destruction.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Frankenstein — Juxtaposition in Frankenstein

Juxtaposition in Frankenstein

Categories: Frankenstein Mary Shelley

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Frankenstein: Essay Samples

Welcome to Frankenstein Essay Samples page prepared by our editorial team! Here you’ll find a number of great ideas for your Frankenstein essay! Absolutely free essays & research papers on Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Examples of all topics and paper genres.

📝 Frankenstein: Essay Samples List

Frankenstein , by Mary Shelley , is famous all over the world. School and college students are often asked to write about the novel. On this page, you can find a collection of free sample essays and research papers that focus on Frankenstein . Literary analysis , compare & contrast essays, papers devoted to Frankenstein ’s characters & themes, and much more. You are welcome to use these texts for inspiration while you work on your own Frankenstein essay.

Feminism in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Genre: Critical Analysis Essay Words: 2280 Focused on: Frankenstein ’s Themes Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Elizabeth Lavenza , Justine Moritz
Frankenstein’s Historical Context: Review of “In Frankenstein’s Shadow” by Chris Baldrick Genre: Critical Writing Words: 1114 Focused on: Historical Context of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: the Monster
Science & Nature in Frankenstein & Blade Runner Genre: Essay Words: Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein , Compare & Contrast Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
Romanticism in Frankenstein: the Use of Poetry in the Novel’s Narrative Genre: Essay Words: 1655 Focused on: Literary analysis of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, Henry Clerval
The Dangers of Science in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Genre: Essay Words: 1098 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein as a Tragedy Genre: Essay Words: 540 Focused on: Literary analysis of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein
Frankenstein: a Deconstructive Reading Genre: Essay Words: 2445 Focused on: Literary analysis of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
Ethics as a Theme in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Genre: Essay Words: 901 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’: Chapter 18 Analysis Genre: Essay Words: 567 Focused on: Literary analysis of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Elisabeth Lavenza
The Role of Women in Frankenstein Genre: Essay Words: 883 Focused on: Frankenstein Characters Characters mentioned: Caroline Beaufort, Elizabeth Lavenza, Justine Moritz
On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer vs. Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus: Compare & Contrast Genre: Essay Words: 739 Focused on: Compare & Contrast Characters mentioned: the Monster
Macbeth & Frankenstein: Compare & Contrast Genre: Essay Words: 2327 Focused on: Compare & Contrast Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
Dr. Frankenstein & His Monster: Compare & Contrast Genre: Research Paper Words: 1365 Focused on: Compare & Contrast, Frankenstein Characters Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
Education vs. Family in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Genre: Essay Words: 1652 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein
Victor Frankenstein vs. the Creature: Compare & Contrast Genre: Research Paper Words: 1104 Focused on: Compare & Contrast, Frankenstein Characters Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
Frankenstein: Monster’s Appearance & Visual Interpretations Genre: Essay Words: 812 Focused on: Frankenstein Characters Characters mentioned: the Monster
Doctor Frankenstein: Hero, Villain, or Something in Between? Genre: Essay Words: 897 Focused on: Frankenstein Characters Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: 1994 Movie Analysis Genre: Essay Words: 1084 Focused on: Compare & Contrast Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Elizabeth Lavenza
Frankenstein vs. Great Expectations: Compare & Contrast Genre: Essay Words: 2540 Focused on: Compare & Contrast, Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Robert Walton
Innocence of Frankenstein’s Monster Genre: Term Paper Words: 2777 Focused on: Frankenstein Characters Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Robert Walton
Knowledge as the Main Theme in Frankenstein Genre: Term Paper Words: 2934 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Robert Walton, Henry Clerval, Elisabeth Lavenza, Willian Frankenstein
Responsibility as a Theme in Frankenstein Genre: Essay Words: 619 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein
Homosexuality in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Genre: Research Paper Words: 2340 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Henry Clerval
Frankenstein & the Context of Enlightenment Genre: Historical Context of Frankenstein Words: 1458 Focused on: Compare & Contrast Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
Frankenstein: the Theme of Birth Genre: Essay Words: 1743 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
Frankenstein: Critical Reflections by Ginn & Hetherington Genre: Essay Words: 677 Focused on: Compare & Contrast Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
Loneliness & Isolation in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Genre: Essay Words: 609 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein
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