Frankenstein- Can Comfort Be F :: essays research papers

In the Romantic period of literature, nature was often associated with isolation in a positive way. Throughout the novel, Frankenstein The Modern Prometheus, by Mary Shelley, there is a strong symbolic alliance between loneliness and nature. However, Shelley uses the relationship to show the negativity of macrocosm alone. The relationship of nature and loneliness is displayed through three characters in the story Victor Frankenstein, his creature, and Robert Walton. At the times when the characters are alone and in need of companionship, they feel depressed, confused, and angry they do not think clearly, and, consequently, they make wrong conclusions. They seek refuge in nature, and try to use its stunner to find answers and to fill their void of friendship. Yet, none of the characters ever overcomes their bouts with loneliness because they never find true comfort in nature.Victor Frankenstein claims, &8220No human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself (Shell ey, 19). His early life was filled with love and nurturing from his parents, his beautiful and adored companion Elizabeth, and his best friend Henry Clerval. However, after he leaves his home to continue his education at Ingolstadt, he remarks, &8220I, who had ever been surrounded by amiable companions, continually engaged in endeavoring to bestow mutual pleasure, I was now alone (Shelley, 25). Frankenstein no longer feels all the happiness he once felt when he was united with his family and friends. He alienates himself from others because he thinks he is &8220totally unfitted for the guild of strangers (Shelley, 25). When Frankenstein is at Ingolstadt, he &8220has a void of the soul so profound that he subverts Nature to fill it (qtd. in Renfroe, 2). He conceives, &8220A new species would bless me as its creator and source many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me (Shelley, 32). Frankenstein decides to make a creature, to defy the powers of Nature and God -- a poor decision that ruins the rest of his life. When Victor finally succeeds in his quest to possess Nature, &8220horror and disgust fill his heart upon viewing his new creation (qtd. in Renfroe, 2). He desire companionship by capturing Nature and creating someone to honor him for giving them life but it backfired and he sealed his fate to the wrath of his creature.When Victor Frankenstein is again free from his beloved family and friends, this time by their deaths, he feels the pains of isolation.