Isolation and separation from loved ones are commonplace in gothic fiction. The theme of desolated figures in the gothic forces characters to confront aspects of their life they would normally keep hidden from those around them, allowing us to see into the more isolated parts of the mind that we typically fear. Stephanie Craig asserts that a common theme in gothic literature is the theme of insanity, and that “occurrences of insanity may seem coincidental or unrelated, but a closer examination of the culture surrounding such literature tells a different story”. It is such insanity in The Bloody Chamber or Frankenstein that arguably derives from the isolation of characters. Shelley’s Frankenstein was written in the early nineteenth century when
In Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, Shelley conveys the pursuit of gaining knowledge and isolation and how it affects someone mentally by using similes, diction, contrast, and hyperbole. In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein is telling Walton how gaining knowledge has turned him into a different person. Walton is making a comment of what he knows of Victor's story and how he thinks Victor was like in his prosperity of knowledge. “He is thus noble and godlike in ruin!”
Emma Wales Mrs Schroder English III 13 January 23’ Frankenstein In the novel Frankenstein, the creature’s experiences with society cause feelings of isolation and loneliness which lead him to desire love and revenge. Once the creature is created by his master, he spends his time traveling trying to make connections with people. He feels a deep loneliness in his heart and is pushed away by everyone around him.
The former president of Indonesia, Sukarno, once said, “The worst cruelty that can be inflicted on a human being is isolation.” Humans are social creatures, who need social interaction in their lives; being forced into isolation is known to cause low self esteem and loneliness. Isolation, according to Sukarno, is the worst possible cruelty for a human being. In Frankenstein, isolation is a recurring theme in multiple characters throughout the novel. Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, suggests that isolation leads to dangerous behavior.
Take a moment to envision Frankenstein. Often those who are thinking of Frankenstein may attach him with Halloween or some joke about a monster. However, this was not the intention of Mary Shelley, the writer of Frankenstein. When reading the novel, it can be interpreted in several different ways. At the beginning of the novel, it starts out with Victor (the main character) being a boy with a strong passion for science.
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.
Frankenstein Essay Humans are social creatures because they live with families and work everyday. People have evolved the basic need for social connection because it is vital to our survival. Relationships determine who they are, where they belong, and what they will leave behind. Identity is based on our relationships and stories of our relationships. Humans seek companionship everyday to feel acceptance and love from others to feel loved and accepted.
Isolation is a theme commonly explored in written works as a way to further both characters and story development. The epic Beowulf, the dramatic Hamlet by William Shakespeare, and the classic Frankenstein by Mary Shelley are no exceptions to these themes. Characters in these tales are twisted and changed by the loneliness they endure, whether it be self-inflicted or caused by others. They all demonstrate the irreversible effects of solitude on the psyche; the most notable being a descent into madness.
Victor’s paltry parenting furthers his creation’s suffering since it is a minority. Also, Victor’s distant parenting instills wretchedness and helplessness in the alone creature. Consequently, because the majority (humans) ignores the minority (creature), this isolation is strengthened for the minority. Moreover, a female monster would aid the creature’s emotional state, as he states: “‘a [female] creature . . . shall content me’”
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).
In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the theme of exile and isolation closely mirrors the idea of education and scientific discovery. This romanticism, and renunciation of the Enlightenment, is most clearly witnessed in the dual characters of Victor Frankenstein and his monster. In her novel, Shelley, through the life of Victor Frankenstein (including the version of him that the audience sees in his monster) makes it clear that true scientific education and knowledge comes in tandem with isolation, as romantic education does with exile in nature. Each character’s pursuit of knowledge leads them to the ideals of romanticism, as well as to the arctic plains of ice.
The rejection of society is one of humanity’s deepest insecurities, as companionship is a fundamental aspect of the human experience. Fellowship has the magnitude to unite civilization, whereas isolation destroys human connection. An arctic explorer within the novel summarizes this ideology that being alone is, “the most severe evil,” and vouches for the necessity for one to “regulate [his] mind.” Throughout the novel Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, societal isolation produces a spectrum of harmful emotions; even though alienation can strengthen one’s character, isolation from humanity contributes to the deterioration of morals, thus highlighting the necessity of companionship. This novel examines the life of the protagonist, Victor
13 January 2023 Isolation Leading To Revenge In the book, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, many themes are portrayed throughout the novel. Two of these themes that had a strong presence and impact on the story were isolation and revenge. What makes these themes interesting throughout the book is they are somehow related to each other, meaning the characters having feelings of isolation and loneliness lead to the same characters wanting to seek revenge. The actions of others causing these lonely feelings eventually create such misery and anger they have no other way to express than harming or hurting the ones who caused their separation or their surroundings.
“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.
Isolation and abandonment can cause many different reactions from people. In the words of William A. Sadler Jr., a sociology professor, “We often do not know how to cope. It can make us confused, distraught, depressed, frightened, and even outraged” (Sadler 105). In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, several of these effects are presented in Victor Frankenstein and his creation. They both suffer from being isolated from their creator, society, and family units.
