Theme Of Isolation In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Words: 626

Pages: 3

Open Document

The prime driving force of the natural world within Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is abandonment caused by the creator Victor Frankenstein. While it is healthy to have a certain fondness for various objects, it is not in society’s best interest to let these obsessions lead to isolation like it does in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein, who are main characters in the novel, share a common obsession with ambition—knowledge. The main characters of Frankenstein obsess over purpose, knowledge, and revenge, which in turn lead to isolation.
At the beginning of the novel, the audience learns of Robert Walton’s reasoning behind him taking a voyage to the North Pole. While writing to his sister, Walton states that he is seeking “some great purpose.” Robert writes, “I am required not only to raise the spirits of others, but sometimes to sustain my own, when theirs are failing.” From this quote, the audience notes that Robert believes the voyage will help him seek more knowledge about spirituality. Regardless of distance traveled, societal …show more content…
Victor becomes fascinated with electricity and later leaves for the University of Ingolstadt to study science and alchemists. Professor Krempe tells Victor that his previous studies have been a waste of time. Victor begs to differ after listening to Professor Waldman’s lecture on Chemistry. Victor feels abandoned in his studies and attempts to prove Krempe wrong. In his laboratory, Victor attempts to find out the secret of life after studying anatomy and the decay of the human body. He creates a creature that physically displeases him, leaving Victor sick and haunted. His thirst for the pursuit of knowledge drives him further away from society and towards isolation. In the span of two years, Victor becomes detached from everyone because he obsesses to find the secret of life and his creation of the monster at

Isolation In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Throughout the seminar, almost every theme and aspect of Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, is fully examined. The seminar began with the topic of Victor Frankenstein’s responsibility of his creation and his motives for creating such a creature. The discussion switched focus to the monster and the question of whether the monster’s surroundings shaped his character or if he was created evil. Human attributes of the monster was also discussed briefly before the class came to realize parallels between…

Words 744 - Pages 3

Alienation In Frankenstein

“One man's life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought, for the dominion I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes of our race” (Shelley 23). Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein follows the path of a young scientist, Victor Frankenstein, before and after the dramatic event which forever alters his life--his creation of life. His failure to maintain relationships and support his creation mirrors the failures of his own father. The beast’s carnage…

Words 2249 - Pages 9

Frankenstein Nature Vs Nurture Research Paper

Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, has a nature vs nurture theme. Nature vs nurture is when certain aspects of behavior are made up of either genetic or learned characteristics. Nature would be the genetic inherited characteristic and nurture would be the learned characteristic. The nature vs nurture theme in Frankenstein debates whether the development of the Creature I’d affected more by nature or by nurture. The Creature is affected by nature when he is first created. Victor Frankenstein…

Words 326 - Pages 2

Theme Of Isolation In Frankenstein

you see, brings, you see, isolation. Result: loneliness, fear, anger. The extreme self-centered attitude is the source of suffering” said Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama of the Gelug School. Throughout Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, there is the ever present theme of isolation, whether it be forced upon a character or chosen by him or her. During the book, the reader sees as Frankenstein and his monster both become isolated from society. However, while Frankenstein and his monster choose to…

Words 823 - Pages 4

Frankenstein Book Vs Movie

In 1994, Kenneth Branagh created the phenomenal film of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The book and movie both convey Victor Frankenstein’s insane knowledge, the creation of life, and the dreaded consequences that are undoubtedly sure to follow. Shelley and Branagh both use similar themes such as isolation and power of knowledge to portray a story of a man trying to discover the creation of life. Most of the themes portrayed in Shelley’s book were conveyed in Branagh’s film. However, in the film, the…

Words 90 - Pages 1

Isolation In Frankenstein Research Paper

The topic of isolation is heavily explored in Frankenstein. The book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is about isolation and reveals that humans are social creatures that inherently seek other human interaction. Isolation is detrimental to humans and it is clearly expressed in Frankenstein through the characters of both Frankenstein and his creature as well as several other minor characters. Isolation comes hand in hand with Shelley’s beliefs of anti-enlightenment and the importance of nature. Victor…

Words 706 - Pages 3

Examples Of Anxiety In Frankenstein

Anxiety and the Monster In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein (the main character) creates a creature known as, the Monster. As life begins for the Monster, he realizes that he is not normal. Continuously throughout the story, he questions himself by saying, “What did this mean? Who was I? What was I? Whence did I come? What was my destination?” (Shelley 115) Although Victor may think otherwise, the Monster felt isolated, desperate for Victor, and was judged constantly by his…

Words 428 - Pages 2

Frankenstein and Victor Essay

Forever Outsiders Isolation is a common human tendency that society uses to deal with a stressful situation. In the horror novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelly, Victor Frankenstein is a scientist who is obsessed in discovering a secret of giving life. He creates a monster that seeks revenge against Victor for isolating him from society which results in the deaths of Victor’s brother, his best friend and his wife. Throughout Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, rejection and seclusion are recurring elements…

Words 1470 - Pages 6

Reflective Essay On Frankenstein

Frankenstein Reflection Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley began Frankenstein in 1816 with a simple horror story in mind; nevertheless, her tale emerged as a renowned piece of literature due to it’s contemplative and introspective nature. While Frankenstein encompasses such themes as empowerment, gender struggle, and fear, her novel heavily examines the effects and consequences of loneliness— of feeling detached from society. Shelley explores this theme through three main vessel: Captain Walton, Victor…

Words 660 - Pages 3

Frankenstein Paper

Susanna Barnes Lessons learned form Frankenstein Every story has a moral, or sometimes if you look hard enough, there are many different morals within one story. In Mary Shelley's “Frankenstein”, we follow the life of Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation of a man. The novel deals with themes and lessons that are universal and relevant to today’s society. Although there are numerous lessons and morals throughout the story, the most significant themes involve the risks of tampering with nature's…

Words 681 - Pages 3