Frankenstein Essay

Throughout the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelly, there is a distinct correlation between isolation and ambition. This novel was written in 1818, which is significant as women did not have many rights and yet this book is a great hit. The protagonists Victor, Walton, and the Creation all play an important part in this novel which attaches them to the main theme. Walton is an adventurous sailor trying to achieve an unrealistic goal, but stumbles upon Victor who is close to death. Victor tells the story which led him to this moment and, left his untamed Creation out into the vast world. Mary Shelley portrays isolation, which takes over these characters and leaves some with an empty feeling inside, while others are motivated and remain in a constant search for glory. Seclusion can often motivate people to construct unrealistic goals, without the help of a companion to open their eyes to reality. Since childhood, Victor Frankenstein has always been fascinated with alchemy and life through the works of Cornelius Agrippa. Discouraged by his professors from the university, Victor had his mind set to play the role of god and defy the laws of science by creating life. In Victor’s mind he was, “still urged on by an eagerness which perpetually increased,”(Shelley 75) but, “caused me also to forget those friends who were so many miles absent, and whom I had not seen for so long a time.”(Shelley 75) Victor has kept himself in isolation surrounded by none who care for him, causing him to lose touch with reality. The moment it opens it yellow eyes, Victor was confronted with his horror and escaped the laboratory before anything else happened. Victor’s ambition had been fired up through rejection and loneliness, which is exactly how it ended up for him, living in constant fear from his Creation and having no one left as the Creation had murdered all of Victor’s close family members. People set goals as a way to feel accomplished, but some people might just go a little too far. Robert Walton wandered towards the north setting a goal to solve the mystery behind the magnetic North Pole. Walton is constantly addressing his loneliness on the boat during this expedition through his letters to his sister. Walton endures the opposite conflict that Victor exhibits, as Walton’s ambition has lead him to isolation and loneliness, while Victor’s isolation from friends and family had contributed to the goal of creating life. As his ambition grew, Walton expresses how he, “preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path,”(Shelley 7) even though he could have, “passed in ease and luxury.”(Shelley 7) After boarding the Victor onto his vessel, Walton said that, “One day I mentioned to him the desire I had always felt of finding a friend who might sympathize with me,”(Shelley 29) as he expresses his anguish and gloominess to someone who he believes shares similar emotions. Walton was left with his sister to sympathize towards, but as Victor entered his life, the truth he has seen the foolishness in his actions

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