Isolation In Frankenstein Essay

The innate nature of society is ironic; socialisation is acknowledged as necessary to the mind, yet any being that does not conform to societal standards is shunned and denied that essential interaction. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, it is revealed that isolation is dangerous in its ability to transform one with the capacity to be sensible and righteous into a monstrous being as a consequence of vile acts, cowardice and wrath. Victor Frankenstein, the eponymous main character of the novel, is raised in a loving and respectable family. His upbringing was peaceful until the tragic death of his mother. Following these traumatic events, Victor isolates himself from his virtuous family in ardent pursuit of knowledge and glory. During his separation

Victor fondly recollects his early childhood and the period of time he was an only child and dubbed on: “I was their plaything and their idol, and something better - their child, the innocent and helpless creature bestowed on them by Heaven, whom to bring up to good, and whose future lot it was in their hands to direct to happiness or misery, according as they fulfilled their duties towards me. With this deep consciousness of what they owed towards the being to which they had given life, added to the active spirit of tenderness that animated both, it may be imagined that while, during every hour of my infant life, I received a lesson of patience, of charity and of self-control, I was so guided by a silken cord that all seemed but one train of enjoyment to me.” (Shelley 27) Victor’s childhood was one of warmth and affection, he was cherished greatly by his parents, Alphonse and Caroline. They were aware of their parental responsibilities when they brought life into the world and took all measures to fulfil them. They endeavoured to teach Victor the qualities that were necessary in order to be a respectable and virtuous

Victor’s descent into a path of immorality is documented when he cruelly abandons his creation. Victor narrates his immediate reaction to seeing his creation become imbued with life: “his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes that seemed almost of the same colour as the dark white sockets in which they were set; his shrivelled complexion and straight black eyes. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. 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. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room,” (46) Victor finally succeeds in the objective of his enterprise, however his first reaction to his creation’s birth is one of utter disgust. His thoughts, when staring into the face of the life that he, of his own volition, created, are awash with repulsion. He verbally abuses a being that was brought into the world involuntarily and did not have any choice in its appearance. He laboured for months on end and gave up his entire being, his health and sense of morality, in order for it to be born. The creature is innocent with absolutely no knowledge of