Isolation: A Comparative Analysis in "Frankenstein" and "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde are both iconic works of literature that explore themes of isolation in profound ways. Through the experiences of their respective protagonists, Victor Frankenstein and Dr. Henry Jekyll, these novels examine the psychological and moral consequences of isolation, highlighting similarities and differences in their portrayal of this theme. Similarities in Portrayal of Isolation Both Frankenstein and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde depict isolation as a transformative and destructive force on their protagonists. In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein's ambitious quest for scientific discovery leads him to isolate himself from society …show more content…
I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart." (Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, Chapter 5) Similarly, in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dr. Jekyll isolates himself in his pursuit of separating his good and evil selves. His experiments lead him to create the monstrous alter ego, Mr. Hyde, who embodies the darker impulses that Jekyll suppresses. Jekyll's isolation from societal norms and his attempt to conceal his dual identity contribute to his psychological deterioration and eventual demise. The novella explores the consequences of isolating oneself from moral accountability and the disintegration of one's identity: "Many a man would have even blazoned such irregularities as I was guilty of; but from the high views that I had set before me, I regarded and hid them with an almost morbid sense of shame." (Robert Louis Stevenson, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Chapter 10) Differences in Portrayal of Isolation Despite these similarities, the nature and causes of isolation differ between the two