Alienation and Isolation-Tyler H, J.D W, Rylan G, America L, Beatrice F, Annie by America Lara

Volume I, Chapter V

jwest118 — 2023-12-06 21:50:18 UTC

"We cannot help imagining that your friend Clerval conceals the extent of your disorder: for it is now several months since we have seen your hand-writing; and all this time you have been obliged to dictate your letters to Henry." (Shelley 52) -Elizabeth in a letter to Frankenstein

This passage shows how Frankenstein's peers are concerned about his period of isolation, as they have not heard from him in months. This is, of course, because he is sick, a result of his absolute disgust in creating the monster.

Letter II Page 11

bfoz1 — 2023-12-06 21:59:52 UTC

"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 endeavour to sustain me in dejection" (Shelley 11).

This portion of the second letter reflects the isolation felt by Robert Walton. Under his isolation, Robert feels the need to have a companion with him, as being alone isn't as satisfying if he can't share happiness with anyone, or have additional comfort when he is feeling down.

VIII Ch 1

bfoz1 — 2023-12-08 06:24:51 UTC

“At these moments I took refuge in the most perfect solitude. I passed whole days on the lake alone in a little boat, watching the clouds, and listening to the rippling of the waves, silent and listless. But the fresh air and bright sun seldom failed to restore me to some degree of composure; and, on my return, I met the salutations of my friends with a readier smile and a more cheerful heart” (Shelley 145).

This quote reflects the isolation Victor faces. Under isolation, he is unhappy until he hears from his friends.

VIII CH II

bfoz1 — 2023-12-08 06:33:04 UTC

“Company was irksome to me; when alone, I could fill my mind with the sights of heaven and earth; the voice of Henty soothed me, and I could thus cheat myself into a transitory peace. But busy uninteresting joyous faces brought back despair to my heart. I saw an insurmountable barrier placed between me and my fellow-men; this barrier was sealed with the blood of William and Justine; and to reflect on the events connected with those names filled my soul with anguish” (Shelley 153).

This portion of the story reflects Victor's mental state from feeling lonely. Although he admires the peace isolation can provide, he is feeling distraught from his own mistake of creating the creature, as he now carries the burden of two innocent deaths that he can't voice out to anybody but himself. As a result, Victor secludes others from what's really been going on.

Volume II Chapter V

rgabbard1 — 2023-12-11 22:11:43 UTC

"but I knew that i possessed no money, no friends, no kind of property. I was, besides, endowed with a figure hideously deformed and loathsome; I was not even of the same nature as man."(Shelley, 111)

This passage shows how the creature feels alienated from the rest of society. His figure was different and revolting compared to that of man. As a result, he feels isolated in his differences and doesn't think he can connect with mankind.

"But where were my friends and relations?

No father had watched my infant days, no mother had blessed me with smiles and caresses; or if they had, all my past life was now a blot, a blind vacancy in which I distinguished nothing. From my earliest remembrance, I had been as I then was in height and proportion. I had never yet seen a being resembling me, or who claimed any intercourse with me, What was I?"(Shelley 112)

This passage shows how the creature grew up without parents and thus feels alienated from how the rest of society was brought up. He had also noticed that no one was the same as him.

Volume III Chapter II

2023-12-12 05:18:51 UTC

"I told Clerval that I wished to make the tour of Scotland alone. 'Do you,' said I, 'enjoy yourself, and let this be our rendezvous. I may be absent a month or two; but do not interfere with my motions, I entreat you: leave me to peace and solitude for a short time; and when I return, I hope it will be with a lighter heart, more congenial to your own temper'" (Shelley 157).

In this section of the novel, Victor suggests to Clerval that they should split ways in their travels. Victor does this so that he can focus on the female creation in solitude without the notice of Henry and others.

Volume III Chapter III

2023-12-12 06:14:36 UTC

"I have endured toil and misery: I left Switzerland with you; I crept along the shores of the Rhine, among its willow islands, and over the summits of its hills. I have dwelt many months in the heaths of England, and among the deserts of Scotland. I have endured incalculable fatigue, and cold, and hunger; do you dare destroy my hopes?" (Shelley 162).

This passage exemplifies the creatures alienation from human society as he must hide himself in heaths and deserts to avoid being seen by people. He does this because all his previous encounters with humans have resulted in beatings, scorn, and ultimately rejection.

Volume III Chapter II

2023-12-12 06:16:10 UTC

"Thus situated, employed in the most detestable occupation, immersed in solitude where nothing could for an instant call my attention from the actual scene in which I was engaged, my spirits became unequal; I grew restless and nervous. Every moment I feared to meet my persecutor" (Shelley 159).

Here, Victor is creating the female creation in a remote island hut in Scotland, where he hopes to quicken the completion process and rid himself of this gruesome task. The island he chose to work on is significant as it is the farthest from the mainland, consisting of rocky shores and a few impoverished inhabitants who are too focused on survival to care about Victor's doings and motives for coming here.

VI Chapter III

jwest118 — 2023-12-13 20:22:02 UTC

"I beheld the wretch- the miserable monster whom I had created. He held up the curtain of the bed; and his eyes, if eyes they may be called, were fixed on me. His jaws opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks. He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped, and rushed down stairs." (Shelley 46)

This passage shows how the minute that the creature was born, he was isolated. Frankenstein abandoned him immediately and was disgusted by the innocent creation. This crushed the creature and he lived an isolated life for several years after that, trying to find a place in society.

VII CH 4

thook11 — 2023-12-15 21:59:58 UTC

"I lay on my straw, but I could not sleep. I thought of the occurrences of the day. What chiefly struck me was the gentle manners of these people, and I longed to join them, but dared not. I remembered too well the treatment I had suffered the night before from the barbarous villagers, and resolved, whatever course of conduct I might hereafter think it right to pursue, that for the present I would remain quietly in my hovel, watching and endeavoring to discover the motives which influenced their actions" (Shelley, 101)

This passage is a clear example of the isolationism and alienism that Frankenstein's creature experienced. He explains his desperation to build a connection with the cottages and gain acceptance. Because of his experiences with the villagers, he is not confident that the cottages will have a different reaction. This influences him to remain distant for the time being.

Volume I Chapter III

jwest118 — 2023-12-15 22:05:50 UTC

"Two years passed in this manner, during which I paid no visit to Geneva, but was engaged, heart and soul, in the pursuit of some discoveries, which I hoped to make." (Shelley 38)

This passage shows how Victor isolated himself while he attempted to discover the secret to creating life. He studied in his laboratory for two years, while never returning home or seeing his family. Victor was determined to discover how to create life, so he isolated himself from civilization in order to accomplish his goal, which he soon discovered later this chapter.

Volume II Ch 1

alara418 — 2023-12-15 22:06:28 UTC

Chapter 1: "This state of mind preyed upon my health, which had entirely recovered from the first shock it had sustained. I shunned the face of man; all sound of joy or complacency was torture to me; solitude was my only consolation-deep, dark, death-like solitude" (Shelley 81)

This quote shows that the creature is extremely depressed. He has been shunned by many societies and even by his creator, and all of this is creating pain and suffering. He says that pain is his only consolation, which means that him being so lonely is extremely dark for him and he is trying to say that he has no life because of this betrayal.

VI CH 4

thook11 — 2023-12-15 22:09:47 UTC

"I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I deprived myself of rest and health. 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" (Shelley, 45).

This short excerpt from chapter four demonstrates the extreme isolation of Victor Frankenstein experienced while learning how to create life. It exposed his unfathomable focus on his science which resulted in mental and physical consequences. The damage done to Victor's mental state as a result is evident throughout the rest of the novel.

Volume III Chapter III

ayang119 — 2023-12-15 22:10:49 UTC

"I walked about the isle like a restless spectre, separated from all it loved, and miserable in the separation. When it became noon, and the sun rose higher, I lay down on the grass, and was overpowered by a deep sleep" (Shelley 164).

In this section of the book, the creature has just left Frankenstein on the island after threatening him. Victor, overwhelmed and despairing of the future, walks about the island in isolation, before falling into a deep sleep. His isolation is both beneficial and detrimental in that it allows him time to reflect on his actions, but at the same time, he has no one to support or help him.

Volume II ChapterVII

rgabbard1 — 2023-12-15 22:15:15 UTC

"They did not appear rich, but they were contented and happy; their feelings were serene and peaceful, while mine became every day more tumultuous. Increase of knowledge only discovered to me more clearly what a wretched outcast I was"(shelley 122)

This shows how Safie and her family were able to grow out of their poverty and isolation while the creature is stuck in his alienation from society.

"Who can describe their horror and consternation on beholding me? Agatha fainted; and Safie, unable to attend to her friend, rushed out of the cottage. Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore me from his father, to whose knees I clung: in a transport of fury, he dashed me to the ground, and struck me violently with a stick. I could have torn him limb from limb, as the lion rends the antelope. But my heart sunk within me as with bitter sickness, and I refrained. I saw him on the point of repeating his blow, when, overcome by pain and anguish, I quitted the cottage, and in the general tumult escaped unperceived to my hovel"(Shelley 126-127).

This passage shows the alienation of the creature as he is looked at with the disgust of the people he regards with the highest respect.

VII Chapter 8 pg 131

bfoz1 — 2023-12-15 22:16:36 UTC

"But how was I to direct myself? I knew that I must travel in a southwesterly direction to reach my destination; but the sun was my only guide. I did not know the names of the towns that I was to pass through, nor could I ask information from a single human being..." (Shelley 131).

This quote reflects how throughout his life, the creature is self reliant as he could not depend on anyone for help. He could only look out for himself as he feels there's nobody in the world who would like to help him.

VII CH 9

thook11 — 2023-12-15 22:22:33 UTC

"I am malicious because I am miserable; am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces, and triumph; remember that..." (Shelley, 136).

Victor's creation begs Victor to help him. He asks for Victor to create another creature like him, so that he won't be lonely. This is a clear demonstration of the isolation and alien-ism that is a consistent theme of the novel. In a broader context, it supports the idea that connections and relationships are a necessity for any individual.

alara418 — 2023-12-18 21:42:18 UTC

Volume II Chapter VIII

rgabbard1 — 2023-12-18 21:42:25 UTC

“My travels were long, and the sufferings I endured intense. It was late in autumn when I quitted the district where I had so long resided. I travelled only at night, fearful of encountering the visage of a human being. Nature decayed around me, and the sun became heatless; rain and snow poured around me; mighty rivers were frozen; the surface of the earth was hard, and chill, and bare, and I found no shelter. Oh, earth! how often did I imprecate curses on the cause of my being"(shelley 131)

This shows the isolation of the creature after being shunned by Felix and his family. He is lonely in his travels and isolated from society and humanity as he fears further rejection.

“This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human being from destruction, and, as a recompence, I now writhed under the miserable pain of a wound, which shattered the flesh and bone. The feelings of kindness and gentleness, which I had entertained but a few moments before, gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind. But the agony of my wound overcame me; my pulses paused, and I fainted"(shelley 133)

the creature showed compassion to the humans and was treated with harsh intentions. this shows the alienation of the creature based on his appearance

rgabbard1 — 2023-12-18 21:43:11 UTC

alara418 — 2023-12-18 21:43:11 UTC

alara418 — 2023-12-18 21:43:43 UTC

What is Alienation and Isolation

rgabbard1 — 2023-12-18 21:45:59 UTC

Alienation is when someone is excluded from a group that they should be a part of based on external opinions about said person.

isolation is when someone is sent to be alone and is completely alone from society and those around them.