Frankenstein

Isolated is defined by dictionary.com as anything from “to set or place apart” to “alone” (Collins). It has a range of different meanings, all meaning something so different, yet so similar. Victor Frankenstein and his monster isolate themselves from society for one reason or another, whether by force or by choice. They also isolate themselves from each other. Neither wants to see the others face, hear the others voice. Isolation has driven both to do unspeakable things, but in the end, all turns out well as the monster finds a friend and Frankenstein dies knowing someone else knows the whole story. But how does isolation really affect Victor Frankenstein and his monster?
“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” (Shelley 128). Frankenstein’s monster is isolated from society because of his ugly appearance. He craves companionship due to this unjust isolation, but no one will give him that. He believes that if another monster, one just as repulsive, is made, she will have no choice but to become his companion because society would shun her as well. Isolation has also affected Frankenstein’s monster by driving him to revenge. He says “You can blast my other passions, but revenge remains- revenge, henceforth dearer than light of food! I may die, but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery” (Shelley 146). He has become so consumed with getting revenge for what society has done that it is consuming his life. “I possessed no money, no friends, no kinds of property” (Shelley ). The monster is learning language, and the importance of words. He realizes that he doesn’t know many words of which describe him, due to the isolation of him from society, making him even more hell-bent on revenge.
“It was dark, when I awoke, I felt cold also, and half frightened as it were instinctive finding myself so desolate” (Shelley 96).