Loneliness In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Robert Zemeckis once said “We don’t function well as human beings when we are in isolation,” (“Robert”). When humans are alone, they lose their humanity. Frankenstein does a great job of exploring this topic, as the creature who was created by a human in order to replicate humans, instead becomes a monster with no humanity left. In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Shelley explores the effects of loneliness, of neglect and of a parent failing to do their duties on the creature that Frankenstein creates.

When the creature first experiences life, with it comes alienation almost immediately. One source says “The creature begins isolated from mankind,” (Frankenstein). When Montweiler talks about the similarities between the creature and Heathcliff,

Collings states: “What defines the human mind is its capacity to transform phenomena into internal representations and thus into the elements of human consciousness, processes that the creature describes in the first pages of his narrative.” Because of the rejection the creature experienced, he internalizes the reactions of others as the image he has of himself. Reisner says that through his self-reflection “...he looks at himself with horror.” The creature naturally “reaches toward connection intuitively, but is left in the empty space of non-response,” (Reisner). In this empty space, “the Creature responds to silence with murder,” (Reisner). 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

“Victor Frankenstein’s passion for scientific research is a displacement of normal emotions and healthy affections,” (Mellor 83). Even after fulfilling his goal and creating life, Victor cannot accept the responsibility of a parent, and instead neglects his creation. Bissonette states that “Although he (Victor) eulogizes his own childhood home as the ideal of the patriarchal family, Victor creates his monster without one…” (113). Victor abandons his creation without a father, without someone to guide him and lead him, since he won’t have to worry about him and can instead continue on with his human life (Collings). As Bissonette bluntly states, “...the monster is an abandoned child who needs his father’s love,” (109). As Montweiler says, the creature “...suffer rejection from those who ought to care for them,” and this changes the creature in ways that will end up having dire consequences