ipl-logo

Isolation And Loneliness In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein '

886 Words4 Pages

Bailee Small
Ms. Vertiz
9H1
04 September 2023
The Monster Within
In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the theme of isolation and loneliness is as pervasive as the chilling winds that haunt the novel's dark and eerie landscapes. From the isolated mountaintop laboratory where Victor Frankenstein brings his creature to life, to the creature's own desperate search for connection and companionship, Shelley's novel is a haunting exploration of the human need for connection and the destructive consequences of its absence. As we dive into the world of Frankenstein, we are forced to confront the deep, unsettling truths about the ways in which isolation and loneliness can warp the human psyche and drive us to the brink of madness. Venture into the dark heart …show more content…

These amiable people to whom I go have never seen me and know little of me. I am full of fears, for if I fail there, I am an outcast in the world forever" (Shelley 125). This quote shows the impact of social inclusion and the fear of failure. The use of the phrase "unfortunate and deserted creature" highlights the creature's powerlessness in the face of its circumstances. Despite its best efforts to connect with others, it is ultimately abandoned and rejected at every turn. This constant rejection fuels his anger and bitterness which leads to resentment and vengeance . The creature's growing anger ultimately leads it to lash out at its creator and commit acts of violence against innocent people, like Elizabeth. The use of the word “unfortunate” shows the monster's sense of victimization and the tragedy of his situation. He sees himself as a victim of circumstances beyond his control, including his own creation and abandonment by his creator. This victimization also entitles the creature to feeling unaccountable for his actions. Overall the more he is rejected, the more he becomes alienated from society and the more desperate he becomes in his search for companionship and …show more content…

CM
CM
CD "I saw the lifeless form of Clerval stretched before me... why did I not die then? More miserable than man ever was before, why did I not sink into forgetfulness and rest?
CM
CM
CD- electrionic source
CM
CM
CD-

Show More
Related

Comparing Poems 'Harlem Dancer And Outcast'

425 Words | 2 Pages

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

Read More

Frankenstein Close Reading Paper

3053 Words | 13 Pages

The creature's actions are motivated by a desire to make Victor suffer and to show him the consequences of his actions. The creature tells Victor: "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" (Shelley, 98). This statement reflects the creature's sense of isolation and loneliness and its belief that its actions are justified by the cruelty of its

Read More

Victor Frankenstein Rejection Quotes

462 Words | 2 Pages

The creature seeks acceptance from the De Lacey family but is violently rejected, fueling its hatred for mankind (Shelley, Chapter 16). The creature's genuine longing for connection and acceptance highlights its humanity, but Victor's failure to guide and protect his creation condemns it to a life of isolation and despair. The rejection it faces from society, symbolized by the De Lacey family's violent response, fuels the creature's feelings of bitterness and fuels its transformation into a monster. Victor's rejection further emphasizes the theme of alienation and its impact on the creature's psyche. The absence of nurturing relationships pushes the creature to seek companionship in desperate and often harmful ways, reinforcing the tragedy of its existence.

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

Frankenstein Abandonment Essay

854 Words | 4 Pages

The creature expresses his sadness to Victor as he abandons the creature, and the creature cannot make contact with other humans because of his deformities. He also conveys his anger toward Victor from the human's treatment of him. Shelley describes that: “I am the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on. Even now my blood boils at the recollection of this injustice” (Shelley 224). Victor’s negligence heavily influences the creature’s emotions.

Read More

Frankenstein Loss Of Knowledge Essay

1568 Words | 7 Pages

No matter the friendly deeds of the Creature, people are unable to overlook his appearance and assume he is inherently malicious. The repeated rejection, loneliness, and anger for his existence on earth makes the monster feel “for the first time the feelings of revenge and hatred” in which he “bent his mind towards injury and death” to his creator (Shelley 125). The monster understands that he has no purpose of existing as his own creator as well as other humans shun him from society. The monster never feels the love and bond he so desperately wants from his “father” that when he stumbles upon William

Read More

Loneliness And Irony In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

683 Words | 3 Pages

In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley tells a fictitious tale of the scientist Victor Frankenstein executing his dream of forming life. As soon as his creation awakens, Frankenstein sprints away full of disappointment and dread. Consequently, this sparks the beginning of the creature’s infamous attitude of anger. Despite him carrying around the stereotype of emitting evil, the creature counters it throughout the novel. Part of the novel examines his immense kindness and his unavoidable loneliness.

Read More

Response To Frankenstein Research Paper

555 Words | 3 Pages

Shelley’s use of the creature’s abandonment resembles the judgement society subjected orphans to. Shelley highlights the faults in society by using the creature as a paradigm for the innocence the orphans possess as children and the consequences that occur from their mistreatment. Abandonment begins the alienation process of the creature and orphans from society. For most of history those who were endowed with a low social status were forced to endure the censure of society for their entire life, even if a few managed to obtain a higher status, they were still scrutinized. This presents a conundrum for orphans since they can never escape society’s criticism, much like how the creature will never be accepted by mankind.

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

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

Social Belonging In Frankenstein

987 Words | 4 Pages

Frankenstein’s creature initially shows no signs of ill will or malice when first encountering human beings (Shelley 72-73). On the contrary, through careful observation he is able to learn more about human society and personal relationships. He begins to admire the close connection between the people he observes and respects their virtue. This, however, makes him realise what he is missing. Observing the love and affection between others only increases the effect his own solitude has on him.

Read More

Desire For Relationships In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

210 Words | 1 Pages

One of the greatest themes in Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is the intense human desire for relationships. The monster yearns to be wanted and loved by another and not be discriminated by who he pursues a relationship with. He wants friendship in the purest form. The monster explains that “to be friendless is indeed to be unfortunate” (95). During his time in the hovel observing the De Lacy’s, the readers learn a myriad about the monster’s thought process and why he acts the way he does.

Read More

Loneliness In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

1251 Words | 6 Pages

The creature, in his solitude and loneliness, becomes so vengeful and hateful, the only thing it knows to do to cause others pain is what they have done to him. Bissonette states that, “... Shelley’s monster is a clear minded serial killer and that with the debatable exception of William, his murders are premeditated and intentional,” (108). Because of the loneliness, alienation, and rejection the creature experiences, the creature begins to re-evaluate himself, and through this, the creature becomes vengeful and

Read More

Solitude In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

1109 Words | 5 Pages

“Whosoever is delighted in solitude, is either a wild beast or a god” (Aristotle). Romantic period writer and author, Mary Shelley, depicts two characters in her soft science fiction novel, Frankenstein, that is exquisitely similar to those who “would find delight in solitude” as quoted by Aristotle in his Politics. In Shelley’s Frankenstein, the parallel of Aristotle’s two presented personas consists as Victor Frankenstein as a god and his horrific creation, the Monster, as a wild beast. Unambiguously, Victor is indeed the god of the Monster because he created him, consequently bringing the Monster into existence. The Monster too is merely a wild beast from the perception that he appears to be a frightening and violent creature.

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

More about Isolation And Loneliness In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein '

Related Topics

Open Document