Isolation in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essays - 1399 Words

Isolation in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Mary Shelleys novel, Frankenstein, has several themes imbedded in the text. One major theme is of isolation. Many of the characters experience some time of isolation. The decisions and actions of some of these characters are the root cause of their isolation. They make choices that isolate themselves from everyone else. However, other characters are forced into isolation for reasons that are not in their control. The actions of another cause them to experience loneliness. The story begins with Robert Walton writing to his sister, Margaret, about his voyage to an undiscovered place. In these letters, as the voyage gets underway, he writes of his loneliness. Letter II states, ?I have†¦show more content†¦Upon hearing Frankenstein?s story, Walton understands that he is heading in the same direction that led Frankenstein to where he is at. He states, ?I cannot lead them unwillingly to danger (Hunter 151; ch. 7). He recognizes that Frankenstein had put many people in harms way without them even knowing. He chooses to step away from this isolation and allow his crew to return from danger. Victor Frankenstein also chooses his isolation. He becomes so caught up in his studies and in the creation of this monster (or ?human being?) that he becomes ill from the confinement. He first initiated this isolation with the desire to be the only one to create life. He desires to be set apart from other scientists and to be called ?father.? He relates to Walton that he ?seemed to have lost all soul or sensation but for this one pursuit? (Hunter 32; ch.3). He admits to neglecting his family saying that he was ?caused ? to forget those friends who were so many miles absent (Hunter 33; ch.3). While doing so, he rationalizes these feeling by saying ?[his] father would be unjust if he ascribed [Frankenstein?s] neglect to vice or faultiness? (Hunter 33; ch.3). Frankenstein pushes the blame of disregarding his own family onto his father and the pursuit of knowledge. He chooses to not accept responsibility for ignoring those closest to him. He chooses to be apart from all of them. 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