Theme of Isolation in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Essay Sample

Being a common theme in Frankenstein, isolation is also common in society which increases with technological advancement. Both the creature and Victor experience isolation and just like them, society experiences it in similar ways. Isolation can be very negative, affecting Victor and the monster pretty bad as it is shown in the novel.

Isolation is implemented in Frankenstein throughout the story. The book starts with Robert Walton stating “I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate in my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavor to sustain me in dejection.” giving an initial view of how he is in lack of social interaction and feels isolation happening. Victor on the other hand experiences isolation because of his knowledge. As he mentions "No one can conceive the anguish I suffered during the remainder of the night, which I spent, cold and wet, in the open air. But I did not feel the inconvenience of the weather; my imagination was busy in scenes of evil and despair. (Chapter 7, Page 74)" His isolation is chosen, he decides to isolate himself when he begins obsessing over his study which makes him lose social connection with his family and friends. During that isolation he starts to think about everything he has created and feels the guilt but instead of fixing it, he isolates himself even more which takes a toll on his mental health. The monster's isolation in the book is involuntary. This type of isolation for the monster comes from his appearance. He is viewed as nonhuman, being feared which makes him feel that he should have no social connection.

The Internet and advancement in technology has caused more isolation in today's society in numerous ways. Throughout the years Americans have become more dependent on technology as it keeps improving. The advancement has improved social media that almost 90% of teens ages 13 to 17 are on every day. According to the article How Technology and Isolation May Affect Mental Health “A 2017 study of young adults ages 19 to 32 found that individuals with higher social media usage are more than three times as likely to feel socially isolated, compared with those who use social media less frequently”. Social media creates stereotypes which teens tend to follow and because of that many may feel like they are not enough, they may get bullied and then eventually leads to them isolating themselves from others. 

The novel Frankenstein and today’s society relate in the aspect of isolation because many people relate to both Victor and Frankenstein. With Victor, as mentioned above he had chosen to isolate himself because he was busy focusing on his research that he ignored everyone around him. He was led into depression and did not reach out for help. People in today's society do the same, with it being due to work, school, family problems, or social media they choose to isolate themselves to avoid people for their cause, depression is a big factor of isolation and the more they feel alone and isolated their depression worsens. Others may relate to the monster because he was forced to isolate because of the way he looked. Bullying is a big influence in society that is the main cause of isolation. The stereotype society creates is unrealistic, and when it is not met those get bullied because of it and are afraid to socialize, they are scared of people making fun of them and judging them so they feel as if they should isolate themselves.

On a final note, Isolation connects Victor and the monster with society. Improvement of technology increases the likelihood of people feeling isolated. Just the way Victor felt and resulted with his depression. Social Media has caused today's society to fall into a vast of stereotypes the way that happened to the monster.