Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and the two poems by Claude McKay, "The Harlem Dancer" and "Outcast," explore the themes of isolation and loneliness. The three works reveal the devastating consequences of being disconnected from society and the desperate need for acceptance and companionship. This essay will examine the similarities in the portrayal of isolation and loneliness in Frankenstein and the poems by McKay. In Frankenstein, the creature experiences profound loneliness and isolation, which lead to his resentment and bitterness towards his creator. He longs for someone to sympathize with his feelings and cheer him up, but his hideous appearance repels people. "I was alone. I remembered Adam's supplication to his Creator. But where was mine? …show more content…
Despite her talent, she is not accepted by society and is ultimately abandoned by her lover. "And now she turns away, and, looking back, / Somehow I see her twisted like a knot, / Her face distorted with a sudden thought, / Her hair ungainly in its brutish knot" (McKay). The woman's isolation leads to her mental anguish, which is portrayed in her twisted facial expression and ungainly hair. Furthermore, in "Outcast," McKay portrays a speaker who is shunned by society because of his appearance. He is aware of his isolation and acknowledges the importance of companionship. "I am lonely, lonely. / I was born to be lonely, / I am best so!" (McKay). The speaker's loneliness leads to his hostility towards society, which isolates him even further. In conclusion, Frankenstein and the two poems by Claude McKay all convey the theme of isolation and loneliness. The works reveal that being disconnected from society can have devastating consequences on one's mental and emotional wellbeing. The characters in these works are all isolated in different ways, but they all share a desperate need for companionship and acceptance. As the creature in Frankenstein puts it, "I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?" (Shelley 15). This statement illustrates how loneliness can lead to a cycle of hostility and further isolation. The works remind us of the importance of empathy and understanding towards those who are different from
Despite the creature's attempts to do good deeds and help those in need, he is consistently met with hostility and violence. The creature is subjected to ridicule and scorn, further exacerbating his feelings of isolation and alienation. As the creature notes, "I had no one to guide me or to direct me. I was alone. I remembered Adam's supplication to his Creator.
Noah Lenz Mrs. Schroeder English IV 10 January 2022 Themes of Isolation in Frankenstein Throughout the story of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, we see many important and realistic themes shown throughout the story. With many different characters we see the themes of isolation and what causes it, as well as what are the results of isolation and its effects on people who experience it. Isolation in “Frankenstein” is a result of someone being ostracized or outcasted from society as a result of being different or against the norm.
Throughout the entire story of Frankenstein, the reader can observe clues through direct quotes from characters or the use of Shelley’s style and literary devices. Society, however, can cause someone’s human nature to change. Society plays a big role on human nature. If someone is shunned by society they have left only two options, to take revenge, or die. This is evident throughout the creature’s strive for affection and acceptance.
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.
There is a pre-found power of loneliness that roots within us as individuals. Whether it’s any situational variable such as physical isolation or closed doors to a companion. Each character in John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men goes through a phase of cultivating themselves into a decree of loneliness. While Candy’s companion was destined to be murdered, Crooks never felt the presence of one. And there’s Curley’s wife - has a husband who craves the admiration of his marriage more than his wife.
His self isolation affects his relationship with both friends and family and his self-perception and attitude towards life. Frankenstein begins to realize what he is doing and quotes, “I, who had ever been surrounded by amiable companions, continually engaged in endeavoring to bestow mutual please - I was now alone.” Not only Frankenstein, but many others also isolate themselves. People in today’s society isolate themselves for many reasons; including depression, feeling misunderstood, and illness. Whether one purposely self-isolates or not, self-isolation is still an issue found in today’s
In “The Metamorphosis”, Kafka conveys Gregor’s loneliness by showing the audience how he is not leaving his room and spending his life in the dark. With Gregor being excluded. from his family, and then making him stay in his room, caused Gregaor to be lonely because he felt his family didn't want him. Correspondingly through the actions rendered by Victor in the story “Frankenstein”, Shelly highlights a strong sense of loneliness when all his family died, and he had a sense of guilt. Ultimately, both texts demonstrate how loneliness and alienation can be dangerous to people in society.
We can learn from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley that isolation and rejection are strong factors in your everyday life that leave a lasting impression. In this book the monster was angry with everyone around him. First, his master had rejected him and left him, second,
His social deficiency causes him to become sad and lonely. Alas aboard Walton’s vessel appears Victor Frankenstein and Walton finds the companion that he longed for. Walton and Frankenstein are immediate companions when they meet aboard the vessel because they are both very lonely. They had common experiences and virtues that strengthened their unanticipated bond. From this, one can see that social poverty connects characters to each other and creates a need for people that causes loneliness and despair.
Robert is surrounded by the crew of his boat and a valued member of the expedition struggles with being able to fit in and find someone he can call a friend. Robert writes to his sister often as a way to stave off loneliness but even in his letter he can not deny he is alone, “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” (p. 5). Robert’s
By denying both main characters the sensation of domestic affection, or any other kind of social belonging, Mary Shelley highlights the importance thereof. The resulting isolation became the driving force behind both Frankenstein and his creation’s abominable actions which, in turn, shows that trying to avoid isolation and seeking the feeling of social belonging is the primary message of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and of
In Mary Shelley 's Frankenstein, Victor, the creature, and Walton all incorporate lessons about isolation in their storytelling: don 't run from your problems and fears everyone needs love and companionship is a privilege. Throughout the story, Victor Frankenstein runs away from all of his problems, teaching us not to do the same. Frankenstein irresponsibly created his own life from without thinking of the consequences. When piecing together the body parts of dead individuals, he deludes himself with the belief that he is creating something fantastic and beautiful, until he sees it alive.
The Novel “Frankenstein” is a devastating story of events of a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who gave life to the dead. There are a multitude of themes taught in this story, but one of the recurring ones is loneliness. Not only do the main protagonist and antagonist, Victor Frankenstein and the creation, face loneliness, but minor characters like Robert Walton, William Frankenstein, and Justine Moritz experience this emotion as well. In Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”, the novel starts with a series of letters written by Robert Walton to his sister.
The main character, Frankenstein, is especially shown to have strong companions in his family, fiancé, and close friend. In contrast, since coming into existence Frankenstein’s monster is rejected by all who come in contact with him. After some time the monster seeks out Frankenstein and tells him, “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.” (p. 103-104) By this plea the monster shows that he thinks if only he could have a fellow companion he could be relieve of his suffering.
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.