Frankenstein- Can Comfort Be F :: essays research papers

In the Romantic period of literature, character was often associated with isolation in a positive way. Throughout the novel, Frankenstein The juvenile Prometheus, by Mary Shelley, there is a strong symbolic relationship between loneliness and nature. How constantly, Shelley uses the relationship to show the negativity of being 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 decisions. They seek refuge in nature, and try to use its beauty 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 (S helley, 19). His early aliveness 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 gratification 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 company 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 dainty 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 bespeak to possess Nature, &8220horror and disgust fill his heart upon viewing his new creation (qtd. in Renfroe, 2). He sought companionship by capturing Nature and creating someone to value him for giving them life but it backfired and he sealed his fate to the wrath of his creature.When Victor Frankenstein is again separated from his beloved family and friends, this time by their deaths, he feels the tenor of isolation.