What Is The Theme Of Alienation In Frankenstein

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Victor’s Validation of Alienation
Throughout Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, human alienation manifests itself through Victor’s inability to put other’s first and focus on his relationships. In Frankenstein, Victor demonstrates a constant need to appear knowledgeable and gain glory and fame from his scientific discoveries—which causes Victor to overlook the importance of company. In order to validate his alienation, his personal desire for fame encouraged him to act selfishly, corroborating his decision to focus only upon himself. Furthermore, Victor himself creates the monster and abandons him with selfish intent. Although selfish desires do not always isolate an individual, selfishness is often a cause of human alienation. Frankenstein exposes, through Victor Frankenstein’s actions, that acting in one’s own self interest, and focusing only upon oneself, is the most profound source of human alienation.
While Frankenstein claims that his actions and his scientific discovery are for the purpose of improving the scientific community, Frankenstein appears to truly seek glory and fame. Frankenstein states “A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many… would owe their being to me” (Shelley 36). Through this statement, Frankenstein exposes his true cause for creating a new species—a cause that has no intent of improving scientific discovery but rather an intent that focuses just on oneself. Further, Frankenstein specifically states because of his creation a