Isolation In Frankenstein Essay

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Shelley explores the idea of forced isolation, as opposed to Victor’s chosen isolation, through the creature himself. The creature’s torment throughout the novel stems from being one who desperately wishes to join the realm of humanity, but is constantly blocked from doing so. He pleads with Victor to reverse the curse of isolation that his creator has imparted on him: “I am alone, and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me… This being you must create…” (Shelley, 101). However, Victor refuses to trust the creature with the capacity of forming a new species, realizing only after seeing the creature’s interactions with his society that he cannot be the ruler of a new …show more content…
Victor has the privilege of choosing whether he wants to engage with society, using this privilege to escape from his society and begin experiments without the knowledge or consent of the greater scientific community. The creature, on the other hand, is trapped by the confines of his appearance, despite being a more positive influence on society than Victor ever was. As Josephine Johnston writes, “[Shelley] introduces a protagonist who appears capable of being held morally responsible for his actions and an antagonist (the creature) who does not. But as the story develops, she raises questions about which of the two is the truly rational actor…” (Johnston, 202). Expanding on this point, there seems to be a connection between rationality and social acceptance— Victor acts irrationally when his actions are not monitored, while the creature behaves as a model citizen when his hopes of assimilation were still present. Likewise, there is a correlation between desiring isolation and ignoring the wishes of society. Going off to work on his own gave Victor the opportunity to neglect his impact on society, while wanting acceptance led the creature to become hyper-aware of how his actions influence those around him. Victor became selfish and narcissistic in his quest, while the creature became a gratifying presence to the De Lacey
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