Loneliness can stem from different places, yet the most harmful is that of social isolation. Humans are social creatures and require some sort of human interaction. Even the most introverted people will break under the deafening noise of silence. A 2018 Pew Research Center Survey “...found that 1 in 10 Americans feel lonely or isolated all or most of the time” (“Effects of Social Isolation on Mental Health”). Furthermore, the risks of being isolated socially “...are very similar in magnitude to that of obesity, smoking, [and] lack of access to care...” (Novotney). While isolation may not seem harmful on the surface, research shows the true effects it has on an individual. Shelley demonstrates this in Frankenstein with the creature, a science …show more content…
The creature specifically recounts the terror and hatred shown towards him by the people he encounters. Additionally, the creature begins to experience new feelings that he has never felt before and is frightened by them. As a result of his inability to process these newfound emotions and the unbridled terror from others, he isolates himself from society. He expresses how “[He] was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch; [he] knew, and could distinguish, nothing; but [felt] pain invade [him] on all sides, [he] sat down and wept” (Shelley 63). This perfectly encapsulates how social isolation affects one’s mental stability. When an individual lacks emotional interaction and support, especially at such a vulnerable moment, “...they can become emotionally numb...” (“Effects of Social Isolation on Mental Health”). This is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when an individual’s mind is unable to process emotions. This is exactly what happens to the creature as he is flooded by the overwhelming feeling of pain, and he can no longer feel anything else but that. The creature later begins to understand these feelings, but the damage has been
Frankenstein has been isolated from the world ever since he was created because of his looks. Social isolation is all around the world, and it has been proven to be the most challenging issue of the century. Emotional, social, physical, and psychological isolation leads human beings to self-destruction. Clearly, Frankenstein’s creature
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.
The Physical Harms of Mental Isolation in Frankenstein Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein explores how loneliness, mental isolation, and emotional seclusion affect the psyche and physical life aspects (Zavaleta 380). As Frankenstein and his Monster react to their internal isolation, they demonstrate mental and physical reactions regarding their experiences. The psychological isolation of Frankenstein and his Monster facilitates their antisocial behaviors, which causes them to harm themselves and their surroundings physically. These physical traumas in the novel vary from Frankenstein's self-inflicted illness to the Monster's battery, and finally, to the extreme case of death for Elizabeth and Frankenstein’s relatives. The psychological isolation Frankenstein
Perhaps the most important takeaway from Frankenstein is the causes of the evil actions of the characters, specifically Dr. Frankenstein and his creature. When isolated or rejected, each character resorts to violence and acts of ill-intention. Isolation and rejection are painful states of being, and even sub-human creations react to them poorly. Victor Frankenstein frequently projects his feelings as a result of the isolation he feels in quotes such as this: “…the shades of my murdered friends heard and approved my devotion; but the furies possessed me as I concluded, and rage choked my utterance.” (Shelley 218). He explains that his mind shifts to thought of evil when he ponders how he lost his friends and family, proving Shelley’s opinion on the harms of isolation. Victors creature falls victim to violence in response to isolation as well. Following William’s rejection of the monster, declaring him a “…monster! Ugly wretch!” and an “ogre,” the monster strangles him (150). Both Victor and his creation experience moments
Isolation plays an important role in “A Rose for Emily”, “Spring and Fall”, and Frankenstein. All of these works of literature have characters that have experienced some level of isolation. The monster that Frankenstein created was put into isolation with the knowledge of a new born child. In the poem “Spring and Fall” Margaret experiences the same emotional isolation just as every child does. Miss Emily Grierson subjected herself to isolation and stayed alone in her home for the final years of her life. Like Emily, Frankenstein ingrained himself into isolation for the sake of his studies. All of these characters have one thing in common, isolation. Everybody has a sense of isolation mentally or physically
Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” touches on isolation as the result of sin. Victor creates a “monster” and is disturbed by his final creation. Furthermore, he is forced to live with the consequences of his creation. But the scary part is that Victor and the creation become more similar as the book goes on. Both the creation and Victor are isolated. It took Victor two years to make the creation, during which time he isolated himself. And after the creation was done, Victor isolated him, which lead to the creation killing Victor’s family and friends. However, it is hard to pin down who the “monster” really was. The creation killed Elizabeth, but Victor left the creation abandoned. However, I don’t think either one of them can be called “monsters.”
Isolation has a negative effect on Frankenstein by making him fall ill. “But I was in reality very ill; and surely nothing but the unbounded and unremitting attentions of my friend could have restored me to life. The form of the monster on whom I had bestowed existence was forever before my eyes. By very slow degrees, and with frequent relapses that alarmed and grieved my friend, I recovered” (55). With Clerval by his side, Frankenstein recovered
Throughout the course of the novel, Shelley isolated Frankenstein countless times to develop his character. Isolation is the process “to be or remain alone or apart from others.” Due to seclusion, Frankenstein not only became socially isolated, but also quite lonely. The first moment we see Frankenstein being isolated is when he is engrossed in reading the past alchemists’ books, and wondering about the universe and the human mind; this small remoteness begins before he travels to Ingolstadt for university. This seclusion does not depress him, neither does it make him socially inept, it simply a start push to the journey. The second time Shelley detaches Frankenstein from society is when he is sent to university and is engrossed in his scientific
Victor experiences alienation regularly throughout the majority of his life. From an early age Victor Frankenstein isolated himself from the outside world. While not engaged in his studies of natural philosophy Victor could be found in the
Fearful of being rejected by the family, he observes them from afar. With time, he begins to understand somewhat how they communicate and what might affect another positively or negatively. As his intelligence prospers, the creature uses his knowledge towards beginning to understand himself. He floods with rage saying he “cannot describe to you the agony what these reflections inflicted upon me; I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge” (129). The creature cannot fathom why he is different than the rest of humanity.
All humans may experience isolation and loneliness at some point in their lives. However, loneliness that lasts for a long time or is very severe can cause several harmful effects and even increase the chance of an early death. Isolation is one of the themes present in “Frankenstein”, a classic novel written by Mary Shelley that explores human nature, science, and morality. Deep loneliness is felt through the tragic experiences of the main novel characters: Victor Frankenstein, Elizabeth Lavenza, and the creature Victor brought to life. These characters feel isolated in different ways, but their experiences of isolation have an extreme impact on their emotions, physical well-being, and general life.
Have you ever felt like you don’t fit in or your ambitions set you apart from others? How can we learn the importance of accepting others even if they are different and form connections with them? Frankenstein is an 18th century novel written by Mary Shelley that deals with themes of ambition, responsibility, alienation, and the consequences of scientific exploration. Alienation is the feeling of being an outsider, or never feeling accepted, then becoming isolated as a result of this. This theme is relevant to the story because we see alienation in the two main characters, Victor and the Creature.
Because of the creature’s actions, Victor Frankenstein goes into isolation. In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein Victor Frankenstein appears to be selfish, but when he is left alone as a result of his unthinkable actions, he finally accepts responsibility and attempts to atone for his actions Mary Shelley uses a lot of science, mainly with Victor Frankenstein’s
Isolation is connected to Frankenstein himself and also the monster. The monster was very lonely in the world while not having his creator around. “Social isolation affects how people behave as well as how their brains operate” (University Of Chicago, Web) . The creature had no social life due to the fact that he looked different and people were afraid of him. So the creature was socially isolating himself because he did fit in anywhere.
In her book Frankenstein, Mary Shelley depicts Victor Frankenstein, a scientist whose intense drive for discovery leads him to create a monster, ultimately resulting in destroying him. Although the desire for research and enlightenment is generally perceived as a positive idea, Victor’s unrelenting pursuit of knowledge ends up being detrimental, leading him and others to isolation. Shelley illustrates the connection between knowledge and isolation with her use of lightness and darkness through Victor and his creation, the monster.