Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Loneliness and isolation are feelings characterized by a deep yearning for companionship and solitary remoteness from others. Throughout the novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, it is clear that these feelings greatly affect both Victor Frankenstein as well as his creation. The tribulation that they mutually share is certainly caused by their unique and hostile relationship, which contributes to their loneliness and isolation. From the beginning of the story, Victor Frankenstein and the monster he has created, conflict due to specific reasons and certain demands of each other. This conflict continues for the entirety of the story and essentially fuels their lonesome and desolate feelings. Although different beings, it is evident that Victor Frankenstein and his monster share the same isolation and loneliness due their detrimental actions which are caused by the spiteful relationship they have with each other.

The start of the undying conflict between the two adversaries began when Victor uses his vast scientific knowledge to produce and instill life within the monster. Victor later realizes what a horrid being he has created and falls ill. The monster, confused about his ‘birth’ and feeling shunned by Victor departs into the wilderness, isolated and lonely. Later, Victor’s younger brother William is murdered, and he has good reason to believe it was the monsters responsibility. Later encountering each other in the wilderness, the monster explains that the emotions caused by Victor provoked the monster to kill his brother out of spite. Feeling like an outsider and spurn by society, he requests that Victor create a female counterpart for him, equally as repugnant in appearance to supply him with companion ship. Like Victor, the monster is somewhat personable and his request for Victor to fill the lonely void within his life confirms this.

These few stages of events in the novel are fundamental in displaying how the volatile relationship of Victor and the monster continues to develop and feed their individual isolation and loneliness. Soon after, Victor’s close friend Justine is accused of the murder, and although innocent, she is eventually executed. Victor feels tremendous grief and isolation due to being the creator the the monster, who was in fact the murderer in truth. “I shunned the face of man; all sound of joy or complacency was torture to me; solitude was my only consolation-deep, dark, death-like solitude” (pg. 151) said Victor in response to Justine’s death. The harm that is constantly instilled back and forth upon each other causing isolation is evident within these dreadful chains of events.

Although, he has a good conscious, the monster holds Victor responsible for grotesque appearance, abandonment, and constant rejection that contribute to his extreme isolation and loneliness. The monster explains, “Believe me, Frankenstein, I was benevolent. My soul glowed with love and humanity, but I am not alone, miserably alone? You, my creator, abhor me; what hope can I gather from your fellow creatures who owe me nothing? They spurn and hate me” (pg. 171). The monster experiences a considerable amount of loneliness due to his hideous appearance. Often before he can even speak or exhibit his good intentions, he is attacked in fear or fled from with great haste. Such an example is when he attempts to enter the blind old man’s cottage, in which he had been observing for a considerable time, with intentions of being of service to him.

He knows that because the old man cannot see, he will be judge on his character, not his appearance. Much to his misfortune, the old mans family enters shortly after and their reaction of fainting, fleeing and violently attacking him with a stick proves that people cannot bear his gruesome and formidable appearance. “Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? I know not; despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and revenge” (pg. 245) expressed the monster. This unfortunate incident demonstrates the intentions of the monster to be good. However, he is often overcome with frustration due to the reactions of every human he encounters, sending him back into isolation, lonely and discouraged.

Victor Frankenstein experiences isolation and loneliness in significantly different way than his monster does. While the monster is isolated by other people, Victor frequently isolates himself due to carrying the burden of being responsible for creating the monster who has killed so many of his loved ones. Although Victor did begin to construct a female counterpart for the monster, he realizes what horrific actions could follow and destroys it. This results in the monster murdering, Henry Clerval, another close friend of Victors. Victor falls ill and descends into a deep state of grief and isolation, feeling accountable for the murders of his innocent friends. “My ravings, as I afterwards hear, were frightful; I called myself the murdered of William, of Justine and of Clerval” (pg. 332) Victor sorrowfully expressed. To add to Victor’s immense misery and loneliness, Elizabeth, his new wife is murdered by the monster. The monster performed this hideous act due his profound anger, loneliness and yearning for a companion, in which Victor refused to create. “Know that, one by one, my friends were snatched away; I was left desolate” (pg. 375) Victor said. The loneliness and isolation that Victor had to endure is directly related to the damaging actions of the monster in which he created.

The capricious and damaging actions of Victor and the monster contribute to one another’s desolation and distinct isolation from the rest of society. Together, they form a unique relationship of volatility that is characterized by each others desires from one another. Victor wishes for his monster to depart and cease to cause him any further tragedy and loneliness, while the monster simply seeks acceptance from society and a departure from his solitary isolation. Although, they were never able to come to a formal agreement their hostile affiliation was the foundation their mutual otherness. The theme of isolation and loneliness is particularly prominent in Frankenstein, and it is logical to believe that it was the link between Victor and the monster in terms of their similarity and relationship throughout the story. The isolation and loneliness that is shared by Victor Frankenstein and his monster is certainly a product of their harmful relationship and detrimental consequences that come with it.