The novel Frankenstein themes review

The novel Frankenstein themes review

Isolation has always been a present occurrence throughout the existence of humankind. Isolation refers to the physical or emotional separation from others. Individuals frequently feel isolated based on their appearance, socio-economic status, or views about specific subjects. Individuals who deviate from the normality of society are seen as a threat to the welfare of the community leading to isolation. The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley explores several notable themes as they pertain to the day to day struggles that individuals experience, but isolation is the central theme. The idea is developed thoroughly throughout the novel since from the beginning, and someone feels isolated from everyone else. Shelley develops the theme of isolation through the characters, notably Victor Frankenstein, Elizabeth, and the Creature, who is emotionally and physically alienated from their families and society. Most of the decisions and actions of the characters are the real causes of isolation. However, the characters are forced to quarantine through separation for situations that are beyond their control, which explains their experience of solitude. Thus, with respect to Frankenstein, Shelley utilizes characterization to critically explore the theme of isolation as the source of self-destruction.

Isolation is a theme that is first presented through the character Victor. He experiences alienation throughout his life with regard to his childhood, family, society, and scientific work (Brännström 9). As a character in the novel Frankenstein, Victor is a scientific man, and his main aim is to commit to his goals in the bid to understand the miracles of the universe. He brings isolates himself from his family and society to create a monster. Victor was particularly deprived of both ”health and rest (Shelley 56). ” The phrase shows that he worked extremely hard for a long time away from the society in his chambers creating the monster. However, he is unaware of the resulting consequences since his main goal is to make use of his scientific skills. From physical isolation, he went to emotional isolation while trying to cope and embrace his own creation. Victor lives in his isolated world, and at this point, his family and friends no longer love him for creating a monster. In the end, he utilizes his remaining time to terminate a monster that he created. During his university period, where he engages in the experiments, he is isolated from society, and he devotes all his effort and time in exploring the concept of knowledge.

Victor being an only child, lives is brought up in a seamless family. His captivation for science and curiosity begin to inform him. He asserts that he taught himself to the highest degree most of his favorite subjects (Brännström 10). His dad was not well equipped with regard to science, and he was left struggling with child naivety and quest for knowledge. Victor leaves his family as a young man to study in a distant down, but the isolation does not in any way affect him. He barely has contact with his own family and friends, and he does not reply to their letters at all. Any interaction or communication with his own family is determined mainly by the conditions he sets (Vakili and Yousof 142). All his attention is dedicated to scientific investigations. Even though Victor has no friend in the new setting, he does not make any attempt to make some. He utilizes his free time locked up studying in his room, and the loneliness does not seem to bother him (Brännström 9). Shelley, therefore, demonstrates that Victor is the cause of his own isolation. Based on this behavior and choices, it is apparent to the reader that Victor has opted for separation from the real world. He has not been forced by anyone to embrace a solitude life. Victor’s only real friend is Clerval, but their friendship is grounded on Victor’s conditions, and he does not share his challenges or concerns with the experiments with his friend (Brännström 10).

Victor additionally chooses isolation by setting up a lab in a solitary cell placed at the top of the house to replace his school’s lab. In this case, this is self-imposed isolation, which he prefers over social interaction for the sake of the scientific experiments (Vakili and Yousof 142). Even though he has not seen his friends or family in the most extended period, he chooses to spend all his time in the solitary laboratory creating the monster. Despite the fact that his isolation results from his personal choices, he asserts that his only reason for isolation is due to the Creature. For instance, this is demonstrated by ” I must absent myself from all I loved while thus employed…once commenced, it would quickly be achieved, and I might be restored to my family in peace and happiness (Shelley 72).” Based on the phrase Victor is isolated from the world because he is engaged in the role of creating the Creature and later for keeping the secret about his creation. He, however, hopes that once everything is over, he will unite with his family again. The quest, however, results in a major downfall.

Consequently, Victor is forced to isolate himself from his family and the entire society as a way of guarding people against the monster. He recognizes the consequences of his actions and choices on completion of his creation and is forced to isolate himself entirely from the whole world as he tries to destroy the monster (Vakili and Yousof 143). He confesses about his creation to Walton, which is the only communication with other people that he makes throughout the story. Victor’s alienation is because of his choices and scientific views. He explores his fascination for science and blames his father for failing to explain the Agrippa concepts, which led him to catastrophes. He states it is even possible that the train of my ideas would never have received the fatal impulse that led to my ruin (Shelley 57).” The statement shows his remorse for the choices that he made, and he acknowledges that it was his own ideas that isolated and destroyed his well-being. It is apparent that Victor chooses to isolate himself from society, friends, and family in search of knowledge, which later ruined him.

On the other hand, Shelley also presents the theme of isolation through the character of the monster as Frankenstein’s creation (Brännström 11). Contrary to his creator, the Creature is subjected to isolation. In other words, it does not choose to be isolated but the society isolates it instead for lacking compassion for someone who is different from the rest. Based on its ugly appearance, the Creature is isolated by others. In fact, all the creature desires is to be accommodated and loved by others irrespective of its differences, however, post many attempts to be embraced and fit within the society, it comes to the realization that the natural acceptance from humans will never be achieved. The Creature first experiences isolation once it opens its eyes for the first time only to see the scared look on Victor. Victor escapes immediately after the experience. The Creature is therefore rejected by its own creator despite investing his effort and time in the creation. Victor is not able to bear the thought of having created the monster and he runs out and spends a long period of time trying to recall his deeds, which affect his ability to sleep (Vakili and Yousof 143). Thus, at this moment, the Creature is isolated since it is left on its own without any an idea of its location or identity. The situation is similar to leaving a newborn child in the gigantic world on its own.

The Creature experiences rejection for the second time when it comes to contact with humans in the village who throw stones to chase it away. ” I had hardly placed my foot within the door before the children shrieked, and one of the women fainted (Shelley 61).” People are afraid of the Creature based on its appearance, and they try to attack it to chase it away. To this extent, the Creature is away that it does not belong in society for being different. Its appearance does not fall under the social normality of other humans, which leads to its rejection.

The Creature is additionally rejected by DcLacey’s family in its third encounter with humans (Brännström 11). Being the first family that the Creature interacts with and desires to be a part of it, the rejection sets it to frustrations reminding it of its unfitness. Based on the past experiences with other humans, the Creature makes the decision to hide and have a secret observation of the family prior to approaching it. Based on its observation, the Creature noted that the family owned a unique technique for communicating their feelings and experiences to each other by coherent sounds (Boisvert 12). The Creature considers the language as a science and this would help it in being accepted by the family and from observation it learns the language. By approaching the blind father and narrating its story the Creature believes that it would be accepted. However, this is interrupted by the children who get into the house and to protect their father they respond by using violence to chase it away. The Creature is rejected once more based on its ugly appearance.

Shelley creates the blind character as the only person that is willing to listen to the Creature since he cannot see how it looks (Brännström 11). In this case, it is rather clear that people reject others who appear different from what society has set as a norm. The monster realizes that its only opportunity of being accepted is through the blind man since he can only judge him based on his background rather than looks (Vakili and Yousof 146). Shelley gives the Creature some persuasively human characteristics such as intelligence and particularly the ability to speak. The conventional view of monsters is that they should only be seen and never heard. Throughout his experiences with humans, the Creature is barely given an opportunity to express himself his he is rejected at first glance for being ugly. Shelley, ensure that the monster is well equipped in terms of emotional needs and human-like abilities.

Based on the characteristics of the DeLacey family, it is apparent to the Creature of its irregular nature since it has no friends, parents, or any close relations (Brännström 12). It is only longing for a loving family where it belongs and is accepted despite being different. The Creature, however, has its own uniqueness and without a lineage, since it is made of different body parts from different dead bodies. The nature of the Creature is a reflection of isolation since it lacks human features, and it desires to feel loved even though it does not fit within the human society. The family illustrates the first lesson that the Creature learns about human nature since it does not fit within the society (Boisvert 12). It is a reflection of society’s normal view with reference to other creatures. In this context, Shelley raises the argument that deviance is unaccepted in society today.

The effort of the Creature to be accepted by the society ultimately fails as it only gets humiliated and beaten for its appearance. The treatment by humans leads to deviance since the Creature feels that it should not be kind to those that treat it as an enemy. ”No; from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species, and more than all, against him who had formed me and sent me forth to this insupportable misery (Shelley 62).” As a result of the constant rejection, the Creature realization that acceptance from human society will never occur. Thus, the Creature makes the decision of retaliating through violence to make a human feel the misery it bore all through. Since humans have shown nothing but hatred for the Creature it decides to respond in the same manner. The experience is very devastating as the Creature evolves into a murderer. The Creature is not guilty, given that it never made the decision to be isolated from society, but people forced it to isolation. In turn, this results in the death of innocent people, such as Victor’s young brother William (Boisvert 11). Justine is accused of William’s death and is forcefully convicted for the murder. Men are presented as monsters themselves who longs for the blood of others (Boisvert 11).

Rather than the monster itself conducting the killings, humans begin to behave like monsters. Due to the cruel treatment subjected to the monster, humans are rewarded with the same treatment (Brännström 13). Actually, all that the Creature desires are escaping from isolation, to have a companion and be loved. The Creature demands that its creator should creator a female companion, which Victor first considers. However, prior to the completion of the female Creature, he regrets and destroys it (Boisvert 12). The Creature, therefore, becomes a monster based on its undesirable encounters and observations of humans. It is the discriminative society that isolates the Creature and drives it to become a savage.

Besides, Shelley presents isolation through Walton. Walton has an integrated personality that differs from that of Victor and his creation. He is nothing but a healthy individual, but he chooses to isolate himself with his tour even though he desires companionship (Brännström 14). He makes the choice of isolating himself from society but desires to be a part of it. Contrary to Victor and the Creature he has the ability to recognize the consequences of his choices. For instance, he is ready to let go of his tour when the crew of the ship expresses the desire to return home based on the perceived threats of the journey. Walton spent an isolated childhood since, similar to Victor, he educated himself. He chooses alienation in search of knowledge while exploring different regions (Boisvert 14). The view of the tough weather intensifies the understanding of Walton’s isolation, but for him, he is able to maintain constant communication with his sister.

Conclusion

To sum up, the theme of isolation is evidently one of the most vital themes in the novel Frankenstein. Isolation is mainly presented through the characterization of Victor, the Creature, and Walton. Victor makes the decision to isolates himself from society and his family in his quest for knowledge. Eventually, he is incarcerated by his own choices and creations. On the other hand, the monster does not choose to be alienated, but society rejects its which leads to alienation. Its experiences with human rejection intensify its isolation, and this leads to its decisions to retaliate against humans. Rather than trying to understand its story, the monster is received with violence and rejection despite trying to be friendly and desire for connections and love. Consequently, it is forced to live in isolation and develop into a murderer. Based on the human characteristics of the monster, the reader can relate to the suffering and pain that are experienced due to human actions. Walton is a healthy person who has both a positive and monstrous sides. He isolates himself for prioritizing his tours as a channel to expand his knowledge. The characters are, therefore, victims of isolation, and they are in those situations based on their decisions or those of others. Shelley asserts that society rejects the idea of deviation, which subjects individuals to isolation.