Loss of Companionship in Frankenstein
Frankenstein
The story of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a British literature classic. It has become so famous because of how clearly its messages transcend through time and highlight problems that the reader has in their own life. The greatest theme from Frankenstein is the need for friends or companionship, and the loss of these necessities. Readers of the book will notice that this message stands out to them because everyone has had to deal with being an outcast at some point in their life. Several of the characters throughout the novel have overcome this outcast adversity, however they all revolve around Victor Frankenstein either entering or leaving their lives. The first example of the lack of friendship is portrayed when Robert Walton is writing a letter to his sister and he says "I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavor to sustain me in dejection" (4). Robert feels totally alone and while he is secluded in the northern oceans there are not many people that he can make friends with. However, like some sort of miracle a man floats up beside his ice-wedged vessel and inquires about their current destination. After he boards, they learn that he is Doctor Frankenstein and Robert proceeds to write down his life story, or his biography. During this writing process, which took several weeks, Robert becomes very intimate with Victor 's life and gains a friend. The actual loss of this friendship does not occur until much later in the story after Robert continues the narration. Shortly before Victors death, Robert questions "Must I lose this admirable being? I have longed for a friend... but, I fear, I have gained him only to know his value, and lose him" (157). This friendship is an excellent example because it covers the entirety of the book from the first chapter to the last and even though Robert only knew Victor for a few
The story of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a British literature classic. It has become so famous because of how clearly its messages transcend through time and highlight problems that the reader has in their own life. The greatest theme from Frankenstein is the need for friends or companionship, and the loss of these necessities. Readers of the book will notice that this message stands out to them because everyone has had to deal with being an outcast at some point in their life. Several of the characters throughout the novel have overcome this outcast adversity, however they all revolve around Victor Frankenstein either entering or leaving their lives. The first example of the lack of friendship is portrayed when Robert Walton is writing a letter to his sister and he says "I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavor to sustain me in dejection" (4). Robert feels totally alone and while he is secluded in the northern oceans there are not many people that he can make friends with. However, like some sort of miracle a man floats up beside his ice-wedged vessel and inquires about their current destination. After he boards, they learn that he is Doctor Frankenstein and Robert proceeds to write down his life story, or his biography. During this writing process, which took several weeks, Robert becomes very intimate with Victor 's life and gains a friend. The actual loss of this friendship does not occur until much later in the story after Robert continues the narration. Shortly before Victors death, Robert questions "Must I lose this admirable being? I have longed for a friend... but, I fear, I have gained him only to know his value, and lose him" (157). This friendship is an excellent example because it covers the entirety of the book from the first chapter to the last and even though Robert only knew Victor for a few