Isolation In Frankenstein

The monster once states, “I am an outcast in the world forever,” (Shelley 66). This describes how the monster feels in an unaccepting world where he was left to fend for himself. In addition, the monster realizes he is perceived as an ugly, unsolicited creature who doesn’t deserve to have a nurturing lifestyle. However, the monster yearns for someone to care for him. The loving qualities he seeks makes him more human than his creator, who is turning into a complete monster trying to create life and seek success. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the ideology of the monster being isolated, not cared for, and being created for someone else’s legacy in scientific advancement is prominent and shapes who he is as a character, and in addition affects

Victor is extremely secluded while creating the creature; he rarely sees the light of day. He “does not see his family or correspond with them for six years,” and “even when his father and Elizabeth try to keep in touch with him he doesn’t respond to them” (“Frankenstein”, Novels). This extreme isolation contributes to “Victor's physical and mental health decline to the point of total self destruction because of his obsession” (“Frankenstein, Gale”). His childhood friend, Henry, nurses him back to health, which allows him to return to his family, “his illness and the disappearance of the monster mark the end of Victor’s physical isolation. He is still isolated emotionally” (“Frankenstein”, KnowledgeNotes). He has to live with the knowledge that the creature has entered the world and the guilt continues to overwhelm him. Victor realizes he must destroy the creature before he causes more destruction. He feels less isolated physically when he is marrying his wife, yet the monster continuously haunts him. The monster then kills Victor’s wife, opening his eyes to how isolated the monster is and how badly he wants a mate. Victor is now experiencing how the monster feels being without someone to

The monster is neglected by his creator, Victor, from the moment he awakes. Victor abandons the monster “after working for two years in order to give him life”, leaving him on his own to navigate the ways of the world; “He is left to fend for himself” (“Frankenstein”, Novels). The monster, living alone in nature, is fascinated with the De Lacey family whom he observes from afar. Not only does he learn how to speak and read but more importantly he learns kindness and how families interact with each other. He feels compelled to help the family. As the monster is watching the family and “realizes that they have been affected by poverty, he stops stealing the food and helps them find firewood” which they need to survive (“Themes”). This experience begins to help him heal from the neglect and sadness he feels. He develops into a sensitive creature instead of a heartless monster.

The De Lacey family nurtures the monster without realizing it, compared to Victor’s lack of nurturing, which is deliberate. The “De Lacey’s nurturing home becomes a model for the creature” (“Themes”) . On the other hand, Victor doesn’t believe he has any responsibility in nurturing the monster he created and he “never takes the time to search beneath the creature’s ugliness to discover the human qualities that the creature possesses,'' (''Frankenstein”,