The Theme Of Alienation In Mar Essay — страница 2

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never loved ones (Frankenstein Comments, 2). Mary Shelley shows how a creature commences innocent, but rejection drives it into evil, when its only recourse is to commit murder and extortion (Lewis, 24). The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even the enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone is spoken by the monster in Frankenstein and shows the monsters isolation and the influence of Milton s Paradise Lost (Literary Sources, 5). Victor Frankenstein also suffers from isolation and alienation. One of Frankenstein s major causes of his isolation is his inability to accept his own mistakes, his flawed creation, which forces him to flee out of fear for his life (Frankenstein, 2). Frankenstein to whom life and death appeared ideal bounds

to be broken through, succeeds in his intellectual pursuit but at great cost. Through the intellectual pursuit, he loses all contact with the human community. Another factor that causes Frankenstein to lose contact with society is his ambition to conquer the unknown, which moves him closer to feelings of isolation and depression. Throughout the novel, Frankenstein becomes increasingly like his creation. Both of them live in relative isolation from society, both hate their own lives, and both know suffering. Shelley, through this theme, paints a very bleak portrait of man and his relationship with outsiders, as well as the cruel vengeance of society (Frankenstein by Mary, 195). The influence of Faust can also be seen in the novel Frankenstein. While voluntarily excommunicating

themselves from society, Faust and Frankenstein accomplish a portion of their goal, yet remain unhappy because they never control the “perfect” life they have built for themselves. Frankenstein becomes so wrapped up in his curiosity of creation, that he utterly ignores the outside world. Frankenstein, desires to create life and become a motherly figure which supersedes any other emotion or need. Even after successfully creating his creature, he is still unhappy and now further alienated from the world. This alienation causes Frankenstein to commit acts far more evil than before (Faust and Frankenstein, 1). Throughout Frankenstein, the theme of alienation and loneliness develops in the monster and Frankenstein. Through this alienation, the characters increased their

viciousness. This theme was influenced by the Faust legend, Milton s Paradise Lost, and the life experiences of Shelley. These life experiences were based on her father s beliefs, however, she added that viciousness was a product of parental neglect. An unloved Creation is driven to wreck revenge on an indifferent Creator. Herein is the warning: love what you create or be utterly destroyed by it (Literary Sources, 7). Works Cited Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Vol 1. Ed. Diane Telgen. Detroit, MI: Simon, 1997. Frankenstein Comments. Planet Papers 24 November 2000 . Faust and Frankenstein. Planet Papers 24 November 2000 . Frankenstein. VIC Papers 24 November 2000 . Lewis, Manly. Ladies of Horror: Two Centuries of Supernatural Stories by the Gentile Sex. New York: Lothrop, Lee and

Shepard Company. 1971. Literary Sources of Frankenstein. Studyabroad Online 17 November 2000 . Novel Analysis: Frankenstein. Online Novelguide 17 November 2000 . Thematic Analysis of Frankenstein. The Literary Magazine 17 November 2000 . What is the Central Theme of Frankenstein? Watershed 17 November 2000 .