Frankenstein Isolation Essay

Mary Shelley's 1831 gothic novel Frankenstein demonstrates the negative impact of isolation through her depiction of its protaganist/antagonist Victor Frankenstein and The Creature, whose isolation is a byproduct of their nature. For Victor, his isolation is self-inflicted because he is unable to share his secrets with even his loved ones. For The Creature, his isolation is caused by who/what he is and his inability to ever be accepted by society.

Victor's isolation is, more or less, self-inflicted. In the beginning of the plot, Victor spirits himself away from his loved ones in pursuit of his ambition: conquering nature and creating a new lifeform. It's only after the creation of this new lifeform that Victor's isolation begins to reveal

the Creature's isolation takes form as being the only lifeform to exist with no other like him, which harms him emotionally because he desires some form of companionship and yet those needs are not satisfied. He illustrates said pain by comparing himself to Satan. "Accursed creator! 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)" Throughout the novel, the Creature is convinced that because Victor is his creator/father, that he should be Adam by proxy. However, upon being rejected by the very man who had gave him life, he begins to see himself as Satan. However, even that comparison is ironic because whereas Satan is accepted and revered, The Creature is alone and abhhorred. The Creature comparing himself to Satan highlights the negative impact that isolation has on him through irony because although the Creature is like Satan, he's more alone and rejected than Satan because there isn't any companion or community of "man-made grotesque lifeforms" that the Creature can feel like he belongs

This is most evident in the afttermath of the burning of the DeLacey cottage. The Creature had a shred of compassion and saved a drowning girl. "This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human being from destruction, and as a recompense I now writhed under the miserable pain of a wound which shattered the flesh and bone. The feelings of kindness and gentleness which I had entertained but a few moments before gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind. But the agony of my wound overcame me; my pulses paused, and I fainted. (Frankenstein)" The Creature, after experiencing pain and suffering at the hands of the very being that had gave him life, decided what little compassion he had to save an innocent child. However, even that gesture of good will was not satisfactory for humankind, for they had gave the Creature more pain and suffering in return. Society's rejection of the Creature illustrates the negative impact that isolation has on the Creature because although the Creature wants to integrate into society and be accepted by them, mankind's constant rejection of him prevents him from ever feeling loved or accepted, and it only continues to drive the Creature both physically and emotionally from the very people he wishes to be loved and accepted