Introduction
Mary Shelley’s *Frankenstein* (1818) is a seminal Gothic novel that explores profound themes of human emotion, societal norms, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Among its most poignant themes are loneliness and rejection, which permeate the narratives of both Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation. This essay examines how Shelley uses these themes to critique societal exclusion and the human need for connection, while also reflecting on the psychological toll of isolation. Through a detailed analysis of key characters and textual evidence, the essay will argue that loneliness and rejection are central drivers of the tragic outcomes in the novel. Furthermore, it will consider how these themes resonate with broader Romantic ideals of individualism and alienation, situating Shelley’s work within its historical and literary context.
The Monster’s Isolation and Yearning for Belonging
The creature in *Frankenstein* embodies the profound pain of rejection and the desperate longing for acceptance. Created by Victor Frankenstein in an act of scientific hubris, the monster is immediately abandoned by his creator due to his grotesque appearance. Victor’s visceral reaction—“the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” (Shelley, 1818, p. 56)—sets the tone for the creature’s life of isolation. This initial rejection is not merely personal but symbolic of a broader societal tendency to exclude those deemed ‘other’. The creature’s subsequent encounters with humans, such as the villagers who attack him and the De Lacey family who ultimately reject him, reinforce his status as an outcast.
Arguably, the monster’s loneliness is most poignantly expressed in his plea to Victor for a companion: “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, 1818, p. 146). This request reveals a deep-seated need for connection, a universal human desire that transcends his monstrous exterior. Scholars such as Small (1973) have noted that the creature’s isolation mirrors the Romantic fascination with the alienated individual, a trope that reflects anxieties about modernity and industrial progress. Thus, Shelley uses the monster to critique a society that prioritises outward appearance over inner worth, driving the marginalised to despair.
Victor Frankenstein’s Self-Imposed Exile
While the creature suffers from external rejection, Victor Frankenstein experiences a form of self-inflicted loneliness through his obsessive pursuit of knowledge and power. Victor’s ambition to transcend human limitations isolates him from family and friends, as he admits, “I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body… I had deprived myself of rest and health” (Shelley, 1818, p. 55). His withdrawal from social bonds is a deliberate choice, yet it leads to profound emotional consequences. Indeed, Victor’s inability to seek solace in relationships contributes to his mental anguish, particularly after the deaths of William and Justine, which he indirectly causes.
Critically, Victor’s loneliness is compounded by guilt and paranoia, as he refuses to confide in others about the creature’s existence. Mellor (1988) argues that Victor’s isolation reflects a gendered critique of patriarchal ambition, where the male pursuit of dominance over nature results in emotional and moral bankruptcy. Unlike the creature, whose loneliness stems from external forces, Victor’s alienation is a product of internal conflict, highlighting the destructive potential of unchecked individualism—a key concern of the Romantic era.
The Interplay of Loneliness and Revenge
Loneliness and rejection are not merely emotional states in *Frankenstein*; they are catalysts for violence and revenge. The creature, denied companionship and acceptance, turns to destruction as a means of expressing his anguish and asserting agency. His murder of William, Victor’s younger brother, is a direct response to the pain of exclusion, as he declares, “I gazed on my victim, and my heart swelled with exultation and hellish triumph” (Shelley, 1818, p. 144). This act, while horrific, is framed as a tragic consequence of societal rejection rather than innate evil. As Baldick (1987) suggests, Shelley challenges readers to consider whether monstrosity lies in appearance or in the treatment of the marginalised.
Similarly, Victor’s solitude fuels his obsession with destroying the creature, blinding him to the moral implications of his actions. His refusal to create a companion for the monster, though motivated by fear of further havoc, perpetuates the cycle of loneliness and retribution. Therefore, Shelley illustrates how isolation breeds hostility, a commentary perhaps on the human condition itself, where the absence of empathy can transform pain into violence. This cyclical relationship between loneliness and revenge underscores the novel’s tragic arc, suggesting that connection and understanding might have averted disaster.
Romantic Ideals and Societal Critique
Situating *Frankenstein* within its Romantic context, loneliness and rejection can be seen as reflections of broader cultural anxieties about individualism and the alienation wrought by industrialisation. The Romantic movement valorised the solitary genius, yet Shelley complicates this ideal by showing its destructive potential in Victor’s case. Similarly, the creature’s plight critiques the Enlightenment emphasis on reason over emotion, as his rational pleas for companionship are met with irrational fear and prejudice.
Moreover, Shelley’s exploration of these themes serves as a critique of societal structures that perpetuate exclusion. The creature’s rejection by the De Lacey family, despite his attempts to demonstrate kindness, mirrors real-world prejudices based on difference. As Levine (1973) notes, Shelley’s novel questions the moral responsibility of communities to integrate rather than ostracise. Thus, loneliness and rejection in Frankenstein are not merely personal tragedies but indictments of a society that fails to accommodate diversity, a concern that remains relevant today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, loneliness and rejection are central to the thematic fabric of *Frankenstein*, shaping the tragic destinies of both Victor and his creature. Through the monster’s enforced isolation and Victor’s self-imposed exile, Shelley explores the devastating consequences of alienation, both personal and societal. The interplay between loneliness and revenge further illustrates how the absence of connection can breed destruction, while the novel’s Romantic context underscores its critique of individualism and societal prejudice. Ultimately, *Frankenstein* challenges readers to consider the human cost of exclusion and the necessity of empathy in mitigating isolation. These themes resonate beyond the novel’s historical setting, offering a timeless reflection on the importance of belonging in an often unforgiving world.
References
- Baldick, C. (1987) In Frankenstein’s Shadow: Myth, Monstrosity, and Nineteenth-Century Writing. Oxford University Press.
- Levine, G. (1973) The Realistic Imagination: English Fiction from Frankenstein to Lady Chatterley. University of Chicago Press.
- Mellor, A. K. (1988) Mary Shelley: Her Life, Her Fiction, Her Monsters. Routledge.
- Shelley, M. (1818) Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones.
- Small, C. (1973) Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: Tracing the Myth. University of Pittsburgh Press.
