The concept of isolation permeates Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein", lending itself to a wealth of insightful quotes that delve into the psychological, emotional, and physical solitudes of its characters. Shelley's novel, published in 1818, remains a staple in literature due to its profound exploration of themes such as creation, accountability, and, indeed, isolation.
Shelley's masterpiece, set in the Romantic era, is replete with metaphors reflecting the societal norms and intellectual stirrings of her time. The isolation of the central character, Victor Frankenstein, and his creature, are paramount to the narrative and provide a springboard for analysing the human condition and societal structures.
Isolation Through Creation
The isolation of Victor Frankenstein begins the moment he successfully creates life in his Laboratory. The new life he forges, however, elicits horror rather than joy. This solitude is reflected in his words: "I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but, now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart."
Frankenstein's solitude is further exacerbated by his obsession with his creation, which consumes his life, leading him to neglect his family and friends. Shelley portrays isolation not merely as a physical state, but as a mental and emotional one as well.
The Creature's Isolation
Meanwhile, the creature, shunned by society and subjected to violence and rejection, exists in a state of profound isolation. Upon awakening, he finds himself alone and confused: "I was moved by sentiments of wonder and admiration, but I felt too that it was an animated being." The creature's initial exploration of the world is marked by loneliness, as he hides from people, observing them from a distance.
The creature's isolation escalates as he encounters more instances of rejection, fuelling his bitterness and desperation. He laments, "I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on." Shelley's characterization of the creature's solitude is a poignant reflection on the destructive power of societal isolation.
Isolation and Communion
The novel presents a paradoxical picture of isolation and communion. Victor's obsession with his creation leads to his own isolation, but it also draws him into a dark communion with his creature. Shelley demonstrates that despite their physical and emotional isolation, the two characters are bound together by a dark connection, a bond that cannot be severed.
The novel also explores the duality of isolation and connectedness through the theme of deferral. Victor's communication with Henry Clerval, his close friend, is an example. His letters, which should facilitate connection, instead introduce an element of delay, a deferral of closeness. Thus, while letters serve as a means of communication, they also emphasize the disconnection and the ongoing isolation of the characters.
Isolation and Moral Accountability
Shelley's "Frankenstein" also addresses the notion of isolation in relation to moral accountability. Victor's self-imposed isolation, coupled with his obsessive pursuit of knowledge, leads him toînIgnore the potential consequences of his actions. This lack of responsibility results in the creation of a sentient being that Victor despairingly describes as a "demoniacal drive" he is powerless to control.
The creature, too, grapples with isolation and responsibility. His inability to form meaningful connections with humans evolves into a gruesome reckoning with his own nascent morality. He muses, "I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?" Shelley suggests that isolation, here, fuels a destructive cycle of self-loathing, resentment, and violence.
The Isolation of Lunacy
The final stages of Victor's life are spent in a state of near-madness, further emphasizing the isolation that accompanies his guilt-ridden obsession. He is increasingly detached from reality, tormented by visions of his creation, and screened off from the world by his own mind. His final words, "I am by}\,\/).," encapsulate his descent into lunacy, a final, grotesque manifestation of his self-imposed isolation.
Victor's tragic fate serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of isolation and obsession, underscoring Shelley's assertion that humans need connection and confrontation with reality to maintain their sanity and moral bearings.