Theme Of Isolation In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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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
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