isolation essay themes

Theme of Loneliness, Isolation, & Alienation in Literature with Examples

Humans are social creatures. Most of us enjoy communication and try to build relationships with others. It’s no wonder that the inability to be a part of society often leads to emotional turmoil.

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World literature has numerous examples of characters who are disconnected from their loved ones or don’t fit into the social norms. Stories featuring themes of isolation and loneliness often describe a quest for happiness or explore the reasons behind these feelings.

In this article by Custom-Writing.org , we will:

• discuss isolation and loneliness in literary works;
• cite many excellent examples;
• provide relevant quotations.

🏝️ Isolation Theme in Literature

• 🏠 Theme of Loneliness
• 👽 Theme of Alienation
• Frankenstein
• The Metamorphosis
• Of Mice and Men
• ✍️ Essay Topics

🔍 References

Isolation is a state of being detached from other people, either physically or emotionally. It may have positive and negative connotations:

• In a positive sense, isolation can be a powerful source of creativity and independence.
• In negative terms , it can cause mental suffering and difficulties with interpersonal relationships.

Theme of Isolation and Loneliness: Difference

As you can see, isolation can be enjoyable in certain situations. That’s how it differs from loneliness : a negative state in which a person feels uncomfortable and emotionally down because of a lack of social interactions . In other words, isolated people are not necessarily lonely.

Isolation Theme Characteristics with Examples

Now, let’s examine isolation as a literary theme. It often appears in stories of different genres and has various shades of meaning. We’ll explain the different uses of this theme and provide examples from literature.

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Forced vs. Voluntary Isolation in Literature

Isolation can be voluntary or happen for external reasons beyond the person’s control. The main difference lies in the agent who imposes isolation on the person:

• If someone decides to be alone and enjoys this state of solitude, it’s voluntary isolation . The poetry of Emily Dickinson is a prominent example.
• Forced isolation often acts as punishment and leads to detrimental emotional consequences. This form of isolation doesn’t depend on the character’s will, such as in Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter .

Physical vs. Emotional Isolation in Literature

Aside from forced and voluntary, isolation can be physical or emotional:

• Isolation at the physical level makes the character unable to reach out to other people, such as Robinson Crusoe being stranded on an island.
• Emotional isolation is an inner state of separation from other people. It also involves unwillingness or inability to build quality relationships. A great example is Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye .

These two forms are often interlinked, like in A Rose for Emily . The story’s titular character is isolated from the others both physically and emotionally .

Symbols of Isolation in Literature

In literary works dedicated to emotional isolation, authors often use physical artifacts as symbols. For example, the moors in Wuthering Heights or the room in The Yellow Wallpaper are means of the characters’ physical isolation. They also symbolize a much deeper divide between the protagonists and the people around them.

🏠 Theme of Loneliness in Literature

Loneliness is often used as a theme in stories of people unable to build relationships with others. Their state of mind always comes with sadness and a low self-esteem. Naturally, it causes profound emotional suffering.

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We will examine how the theme of loneliness functions in literature. But first, let’s see how it differs from its positive counterpart: solitude.

Solitude vs. Loneliness: The Difference

Loneliness theme: history & examples.

The modern concept of loneliness is relatively new. It first emerged in the 16 th century and has undergone many transformations since then.

• The first formal mention of loneliness appeared in George Milton’s Paradise Lost in the 17 th century. There are also many references to loneliness in Shakespeare’s works.
• Later on, after the Industrial Revolution , the theme got more popular. During that time, people started moving to large cities. As a result, they were losing bonds with their families and hometowns. Illustrative examples of that period are Gothic novels and the works of Charles Dickens .
• According to The New Yorker , the 20 th century witnessed a broad spread of loneliness due to the rise of Capitalism. Philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus explored existential loneliness, influencing numerous authors. The absurdist writings of Kafka and Beckett also played an essential role in reflecting the isolation felt by people in Capitalist societies. Sylvia Plath has masterfully explored mental health struggles related to this condition in The Bell Jar (you can learn more about it in our The Bell Jar analysis .)

👽 Theme of Alienation in Literature

Another facet of being alone that is often explored in literature is alienation . Let’s see how this concept differs from those we discussed previously.

Alienation vs. Loneliness: Difference

While loneliness is more about being on your own and lacking connection, alienation means involuntary estrangement and a lack of sympathy from society. In other words, alienated people don’t fit their community, thus lacking a sense of belonging.

Isolation vs. Alienation: The Difference

Theme of alienation vs. identity in literature.

There is a prominent connection between alienation and a loss of identity. It often results from a character’s self-search in a hostile society with alien ideas and values. These characters often differ from the dominant majority, so the community treats them negatively. Such is the case with Mrs. Dalloway from Woolf’s eponymous novel.

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Writers with unique, non-conforming identity are often alienated during their lifetime. Their distinct mindset sets them apart from their social circle. Naturally, it creates discomfort and relationship problems. These experiences are often reflected in their works, such as in James Joyce’s semi-autobiographical A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man .

Alienation in Modernism

Alienation as a theme is mainly associated with Modernism . It’s not surprising, considering that the 20 th century witnessed fundamental changes in people’s lifestyle. Capitalism and the Industrial Revolution couldn’t help eroding the quality of human bonding and the depth of relationships.

It’s also vital to mention that the two World Wars introduced even greater changes in human relationships. People got more locked up emotionally in order to withstand the war trauma and avoid further turmoil. Consequently, the theme of alienation and comradeship found reflection in the works of Ernest Hemingway , Erich Maria Remarque , Norman Mailer, and Rebecca West, among others.

📚 Books about Loneliness and Isolation: Quotes & Examples

Loneliness and isolation themes are featured prominently in many of the world’s greatest literary works. Here we’ll analyze several well-known examples: Frankenstein, Of Mice and Men, and The Metamorphosis.

Theme of Isolation & Alienation in Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein is among the earliest depictions of loneliness in modern literature. It shows the depth of emotional suffering that alienation can impose.

Victor Frankenstein , a talented scientist, creates a monster from the human body parts. The monster becomes the loneliest creature in the world. Seeing that his master hates him and wouldn’t become his friend, he ruined everything Victor held dear. He was driven by revenge, trying to drive him into the same despair.

The novel contains many references to emotional and physical alienation. It also explores the distinction between voluntary and involuntary isolation:

• The monster is involuntarily driven into an emotionally devastating state of alienation.
• Victor imposes voluntary isolation on himself after witnessing the crimes of his creature.

To learn more about the representation of loneliness and isolation in the novel, check out our article on themes in Frankenstein .

Frankenstein Quotes about Isolation

Here are a couple of quotes from Frankenstein directly related to the theme of isolation and loneliness:

How slowly the time passes here, encompassed as I am by frost and snow…I have one want which I have never yet been able to satisfy and the absence of the object of which I now feel as a most severe evil. I have no friend. Frankenstein , Letter 2

In this quote, Walton expresses his loneliness and desire for company. He uses frost and snow as symbols to refer to his isolation. Perhaps a heart-warming relationship could melt the ice surrounding him.

I believed myself totally unfitted for the company of strangers. Frankenstein , Chapter 3

This quote is related to Victor’s inability to make friends and function as a regular member of society. He also misses his friends and relatives in Ingolstadt, which causes him further discomfort.

I, who had ever been surrounded by amiable companions, continually engaged in endeavouring to bestow mutual pleasure—I was now alone. Frankenstein , Chapter 3

In this quote, Victor shares his fear of loneliness. As a person who used to spend most of his time in social activity among people, Victor feared the solitude that awaited him in Ingolstadt.

Isolation & Alienation in The Metamorphosis

The Metamorphosis is an enigmatic masterpiece by Franz Kafka, telling a story of a young man Gregor. He is alienated at work and home by his demanding, disrespectful family. He lacks deep, rewarding relationships in his life. As a result, he feels profound loneliness.

Gregor’s family isolates him both as a human and an insect, refusing to recognize his personhood. Gregor’s stay in confinement is also a reflection of his broader alienation from society, resulting from his self-perception as a parasite.  To learn more about it, feel free to read our article on themes in The Metamorphosis .

The Metamorphosis: Isolation Quotes

Let’s analyze several quotes from The Metamorphosis to see how Kafka approached the theme of isolation.

The upset of doing business is much worse than the actual business in the home office, and, besides, I’ve got the torture of traveling, worrying about changing trains, eating miserable food at all hours, constantly seeing new faces, no relationships that last or get more intimate. The Metamorphosis , Part 1

In this fragment, Gregor’s lifestyle is described with a couple of strokes. It shows that he lived an empty, superficial life without meaningful relationships.

Well, leaving out the fact that the doors were locked, should he really call for help? In spite of all his miseries, he could not repress a smile at this thought. The Metamorphosis , Part 1

This quote shows how Gregor feels isolated even before anyone else can see him as an insect. He knows that being different will inevitably affect his life and his relationships with his family. So, he prefers to confine himself to voluntary isolation instead of seeking help.

He thought back on his family with deep emotion and love. His conviction that he would have to disappear was, if possible, even firmer than his sister’s. The Metamorphosis , Part 3

This final paragraph of Kafka’s story reveals the human nature of Gregor. It also shows the depth of his suffering in isolation after turning into a vermin. He reconciles with his metamorphosis and agrees to disappear from this world. Eventually, he vanishes from his family’s troubled memories.

Theme of Loneliness in Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men is a touching novella by John Steinbeck examining the intricacies of laborers’ relationships on a ranch. It’s a snapshot of class and race relations that delves into the depths of human loneliness. Steinbeck shows how this feeling makes people mean, reckless, and cold.

Many characters in this story suffer from being alienated from the community:

• Crooks is ostracized because of his race, living in a separate shabby house as a misfit.
• George also suffers from forced alienation because he takes care of the mentally disabled Lennie.
• Curley’s wife is another character suffering from loneliness. This feeling drives her to despair. She seeks the warmth of human relationships in the hands of Lennie, which causes her accidental death.

Isolation Quotes: Of Mice and Men

Now, let’s analyze a couple of quotes from Of Mice and Men to see how the author approached the theme of loneliness.

Guys like us who work on ranches are the loneliest guys in the world, they ain’t got no family, they don’t belong no place. Of Mice and Men , Section 1

In this quote, Steinbeck describes several dimensions of isolation suffered by his characters:

• They are physically isolated , working on large farms where they may not meet a single person for weeks.
• They have no chances for social communication and relationship building, thus remaining emotionally isolated without a life partner.
• They can’t develop a sense of belonging to the place where they work; it’s another person’s property.

Candy looked for help from face to face. Of Mice and Men , Section 3

Candy’s loneliness on the ranch becomes highly pronounced during his conflict with Carlson. The reason is that he is an old man afraid of being “disposed of.” The episode is an in-depth look into a society that doesn’t cherish human relationships, focusing only on a person’s practical utility. 

I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely. Of Mice and Men , Chapter 5

This quote expresses the depth of Curley’s wife’s loneliness. She doesn’t have anyone with whom she would be able to talk, aside from her husband. Curley is also not an appropriate companion, as he treats his wife rudely and carelessly. As a result of her loneliness, she falls into deeper frustration.

✍️ Essay on Loneliness and Isolation: Topics & Ideas

If you’ve got a task to write an essay about loneliness and isolation, it’s vital to pick the right topic. You can explore how these feelings are covered in literature or focus on their real-life manifestations. Here are some excellent topic suggestions for your inspiration:

• Cross-national comparisons of people’s experience of loneliness and isolation.
• Social isolation, loneliness, and all-cause mortality among the elderly.
• Public health consequences of extended social isolation .
• Impact of social isolation on young people’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Connections between social isolation and depression.
• Interventions for reducing social isolation and loneliness among older people.
• Loneliness and social isolation among rural area residents.
• The effect of social distancing rules on perceived loneliness.
• How does social isolation affect older people’s functional status?
• Video calls as a measure for reducing social isolation.
• Isolation, loneliness, and otherness in Frankenstein .
• The unique combination of addiction and isolation in Frankenstein .
• Exploration of solitude in Hernan Diaz’ In the Distance .
•  Artificial isolation and voluntary seclusion in Against Nature .
• Different layers of isolation in George Eliot’s Silas Marner .
• Celebration of self-imposed solitude in Emily Dickinson’s works.
• Buddhist aesthetics of solitude in Stephen Batchelor’s The Art of Solitude .
• Loneliness of childhood in Charles Dickens’s works.
• Moby-Dick : Loneliness in the struggle.
• Medieval literature about loneliness and social isolation.

Now you know everything about the themes of isolation, loneliness, and alienation in fiction and can correctly identify and interpret them. What is your favorite literary work focusing on any of these themes? Tell us in the comments!

❓ Themes of Loneliness and Isolation FAQs

Isolation is a popular theme in poetry. The speakers in such poems often reflect on their separation from others or being away from their loved ones. Metaphorically, isolation may mean hiding unshared emotions. The magnitude of the feeling can vary from light blues to depression.

In his masterpiece Of Mice and Men , John Steinbeck presents loneliness in many tragic ways. The most alienated characters in the book are Candy, Crooks, and Curley’s wife. Most of them were eventually destroyed by the negative consequences of their loneliness.

The Catcher in the Rye uses many symbols as manifestations of Holden’s loneliness. One prominent example is an image of his dead brother Allie. He’s the person Holden wants to bond with but can’t because he is gone. Holden also perceives other people as phony or corny, thus separating himself from his peers.

Beloved is a work about the deeply entrenched trauma of slavery that finds its manifestation in later generations. Characters of Beloved prefer self-isolation and alienation from others to avoid emotional pain.

In Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World , all people must conform to society’s rules to be accepted. Those who don’t fit in that established order and feel their individuality are erased from society.

• What Is Solitude?: Psychology Today
• Loneliness in Literature: Springer Link
• What Literature and Language Tell Us about the History of Loneliness: Scroll.in
• On Isolation and Literature: The Millions
• 10 Books About Loneliness: Publishers Weekly
• Alienation: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• Isolation and Revenge: Where Victor Frankenstein Went Wrong: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• On Isolation: Gale
• Top 10 Books About Loneliness: The Guardian
• Emily Dickinson and the Creative “Solitude of Space:” Psyche
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The Metamorphosis Themes: from Isolation to Alienation

Gregor’s transformation and inability to communicate dehumanize him in the eyes of his family. The Metamorphosis’ themes explore this problem in detail, thus becoming crucial for understanding Kafka’s mind.

In this article, IvyPanda writers prepared a thorough analysis of the story’s themes.

• 👽 Theme of Isolation
• 🐛 Transformation Theme
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Theme
• 💎 Deeper Meaning

🎓 References

👽 isolation in the metamorphosis.

The Metamorphosis themes are undoubtedly worthy of a separate discussion. Among them, the theme of alienation and isolation plays a significant role in the novel.

The literal isolation started when Gregor woke up one morning only to find himself turned into a monstrous vermin-like creature. He gained a new body, which made him an alien to the human world. He lost his ability to speak the human language, making screeching sounds instead. His new routine came to staying in his room day and night, where he explored his condition, contemplated anxieties, and occasionally watched his family through a crack in the bedroom door. Slowly but surely, the family grew tired of this new version of Gregor.

The inability to communicate heavily impacted Gregor’s relationship with his parents and his sister Grete in particular as she tried to understand him the most. Despite his metamorphosis, he remained conscious but couldn’t explain all his emotional and psychological conflicts, which added to his loneliness and desperation. This mutism constrained Gregor from communicating not only with his family but with the whole of humankind.

Yet, there is a reason why Franz Kafka is considered a genius of psychological literature. The irony of Gregor’s alienation in Metamorphosis stretches way beyond his initial transformation and its consequences. Gregor Samsa was lonely and desperate before the events of the book. He worked as a traveling salesman, a job synonymous with constant moving and personal isolation. It restrained him from having any close relationships outside of his family circle.

Even nowadays, people who travel a lot due to the nature of their jobs experience general feelings of loneliness and, sometimes, even depression. The reader has to imagine how hard it was to travel and work in the past with limited means of communication. As Kafka mentions in The Metamorphosis , the only contact between Gregor and his family occurred through letters. This type of correspondence takes a greater amount of time to reach its addressee than modern-day instant texting and calling through the mobile network.

Moreover, Gregor was doomed with emotional isolation from the start, as his family members always took his existence for granted. Gregor’s altruism played a twisted joke on him, making the poor soul a simple “ money bag ” for the Samsas. This type of alienation has been consistent since the beginning of the Modern Age, when capitalist ideas started to influence people’s minds and hearts . Pragmatism and efficiency took over spiritualism.

Returning to the book, throughout most of the story, Gregor still cares for his family and wishes to help them. He ignores his dire circumstances. Nevertheless, in the last chapter, Gregor realizes that he does not miss anyone from the outside world. In the end, Gregor’s remains are thrown out like some trash by the charwoman.

To sum up all of the above, in the greater context, Gregor’s character has always been condemned to be lonely, as Kafka made sure of that. The transformation only amplified Gregor’s separation from the world. By bringing the alienation theme, Kafka offers his views on the troubles of the Modern Age.

💬 Alienation Quotes

“Oh God, he thought, what an exhausting job I’ve picked on! Traveling about day in, day out. It’s much more irritating work than doing the actual business in the office, and on top of that there’s the trouble of constant traveling, of worrying about train connections, the bed and irregular meals, casual acquaintances that are always new and never become intimate friends.” (Chapter 1)

“On hearing these words from his mother Gregor realized that the lack of all direct human speech for the past two months together with the monotony of family life must have confused his mind [..].” (Chapter 2)

“[…] once more, after this long interval, there appeared in his thoughts the figures of the chief and the chief clerk, the commercial travelers and the apprentices, the porter who was so dull-witted, two or three friends in other firms, a chambermaid in one of the rural hotels, a sweet and fleeting memory, a cashier in a milliner’s shop, whom he had wooed earnestly but too slowly-they all appeared, together with strangers or people he had quite forgotten, but instead of helping him and his family they were one and all unapproachable and he was glad when they vanished.” (Chapter 3)

🐛 The Metamorphosis: Theme of Transformation

Transformation is one of the key themes in The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. The story starts with Gregor waking up and discovering that he turned into an insect-like creature. Although his body has undergone irreversible changes, his mind still remains human, undergoing changes over the course of the story. A symbolic conflict occurs between his mind and body: Gregor human vs. Gregor insect.

The first example presents itself at the very beginning of the book. Despite suspecting that something is wrong, Gregor does not fully grasp the horrid situation he is in. He thinks of it as some sort of temporal “illness.” As time progresses, Gregor keeps worrying about his job duties and inability to work. Throughout the story, it seems as if Gregor never completely realized how monstrous and shocking he looked.

With Gregor’s further development, the new body adjusts to new realities. He tries to walk upright but quickly realizes that the horizontal position is more convenient. Gregor experiments with his numerous legs and climbs onto the walls around the room. He creeps under the sofa by a “half-unconscious action” where he feels more comfortable. The initial boredom and isolation contribute to the reshaping of his consciousness.

Gradually, Gregor’s metamorphosis alters his mindset. He tries to eat the food he used to love, but his strange instincts oppose it. Gregor does not understand who he could refuse his favorite dish. He automatically gorges into rotten chunks left by Grete the second time.

Even when Gregor thinks like a human, his capability to make logical conclusions and decisions slowly fades. The way he acts every time someone comes into his room supports this fact.

Gregor starts to feel disconnected from Grete every time she enters his room and opens the windows. It does not appease his insect senses. “The very way she came in distressed him,” Kafka states. During Grete’s cleaning, Gregor “would crouch trembling under the sofa all the time.”

Another great example of Gregor’s inner conflict occurs when Grete and her mother decide to move furniture from his bedroom. His insect part is, at first, glad about that change, as it would allow him to crawl around the room with more freedom. But then his mother vocalizes her concerns about the possible negative effect of the furniture’s absence on her son’s mind. What if the familiar objects can help him to remain his mind and return to his original body? The question triggers Gregor’s human part of consciousness, forcing him to climb onto the print of the lady in the muff to show protest.

Still, over the rest of the story, the insect side of Gregor slowly but surely overtakes his human side. He hisses and shrieks at every disturbance. As he almost loses his self-identity, the last and most powerful reminder of his consciousness appears at Grete’s violin concert . Gregor feels uplifted and inspired by the music, which makes him feel human again.

For a moment, his human dreams and desires return, but the reader sees that he cannot view himself as a person anymore. He imagines himself as a vermin, communicating with his sister in that form. In a sense, it confirms that he can no longer physically turn into a person, reversing the transformation.

Finally, on his deathbed, Gregor is thinking about his family. His last thoughts are filled with love and tenderness towards the people who abandoned him. Gregor was able to become human again. Thus, The Metamorphosis ’ theme of Gregor’s mental transformation made a coherent circle in the book.

💬 Quotes on Transformation

“Pitilessly Gregor’s father drove him back, hissing and crying “Shoo!” like a savage. […] If only he would have stopped making that unbearable hissing noise! It made Gregor quite lose his head. He had turned almost completely round when the hissing noise so distracted him that he even turned a little the wrong way again.” (Chapter 1)

“This made him realize how repulsive the sight of him still was to her, and that it was bound to go on being repulsive, and what an effort it must cost her not to run away even from the sight of the small portion of his body that stuck out from under the sofa.” (Chapter 2)

“He especially enjoyed hanging suspended from the ceiling; it was much better than lying on the floor; one could breathe more freely; one’s body swung and rocked lightly; and in the almost blissful absorption induced by this suspension it could happen to his own surprise that he let go and fell plump on the floor. Yet he now had his body much better under control than formerly, and even such a big fall did him no harm.” (Chapter 2)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Theme in The Metamorphosis

One of The Metamorphosis’ key themes is the subject of family and sympathy. Gregor’s close kin are his parents and sister Grete. Their reactions to his metamorphosis affect him significantly, just like his transformation influences their behavior and development.

Mr. Samsa is the authority in the family. Concerning his attitude, the question arises:

How does Gregor’s father react to his transformation?

His first reaction to Gregor was a mixture of anger and great sorrow. After realizing what happened, he “wept till his great chest heaved.” His hostility could have occurred because Mr. Samsa initially acted as the defender of the household, seeing a giant bug in his son’s room.

Soon after, he might have understood that this very bug could be his son, and it caused him great distress. His only son will not be able to provide for the family anymore. So, Mr. Samsa’s initial reaction is double-edged.

For the rest of the novella, the father treats Gregor as an insect, scaring him and hurting him physically. The hostility reaches its boiling point when Mr. Samsa throws apples at Gregor after returning from the tiring job in Chapter 2.

Mrs. Samsa is horrified by Gregor’s new appearance. She experiences a panic attack the first time she sees her son and cannot bear looking at him again.

Throughout the novella , the mother feels sympathy towards Gregor and tries to think of his condition as some sort of “temporary illness.” She wishes to visit her son’s room from time to time to be close to him, even though she is afraid of looking at him. Her humanity in The Metamorphosis is evident. Mrs. Samsa even begs her husband not to hurt Gregor when he starts throwing apples at the poor soul.

However, this sympathy is not genuine. She also understands that the insect, Gregor or not, cannot support the family anymore. She subconsciously does not wish to deal with Gregor’s new shape. Her exhaustion from her new job and lack of comfort makes her accept Grete’s demand to “get rid of it” (Gregor) in the last chapter.

The sister’s relationship with Gregor is complicated as her attitude changes and develops in the book.

At first, Grete is sympathetic towards Gregor, as her brother always loved and supported her. She tries to think that Gregor is still there in an insect body, though she is terrified by his presence from the beginning. Grete starts looking after Gregor by bringing him food and cleaning his room. However, this sympathy gradually becomes twisted and untrue, as she looks after him less and less. She cares about being the only one who takes care of Gregor rather than about his well-being.

Why does Grete’s attitude change?

There are two ways to answer this question. Firstly, the exhausting days of working as a salesgirl take a toll on her, making her neglect her nursing duties. Secondly, her relationship with Gregor deteriorates. His inability to communicate and his behavior force Grete to perceive him more as an insect.

At the violin concert , Gregor embarrasses the family in front of their lodgers that leads to a minor scandal. This event makes Grete lose the remaining sympathy for him. She is convinced that if there were her brother in the insect’s body, he would not have made so much trouble for the family. With ease, she persuades the mother and father to agree with her.

The readers see the story from Gregor’s point of view. The second chapter describes Gregor’s initial attitude towards his family. So, there is the following question:

How does Gregor treat his family during part II?

Gregor recalls his initial pride at being able to support his family. He also contemplates how they will manage without his help now. These thoughts give him much anxiety as he wants to help and support his parents and sister even after the transformation.

Gregor misses his mother, feels proud and terrified of his father’s growing authority.

The only human that visits him throughout chapter 2 is his sister, and Gregor is grateful that she looks after him. He wishes to thank her but cannot produce human speech.

Soon, Gregor’s relationship with everyone starts to decline as he becomes less human.

How has Gregor’s attitude towards his family changed?

His humanity slowly fades, and by the end of the novella, he acts like an insect. He gets frustrated with both Grete’s negligence towards him and her presence. He starts to hide from her every time she enters the room to terrify her less and escape the noise and disturbance.

Gregor doesn’t strive for communication with the family members and views them from the corner of his room like an outsider. He reflects less on his connection with people, thinking more about food and his worsening physical state.

💬 Quotes about Family

“His parents did not understand this so well; they had convinced themselves in the course of years that Gregor was settled for life in this firm, and besides they were so preoccupied with their immediate troubles that all foresight had forsaken them.” (Chapter 1)

“These had been fine times, and they had never recurred, at least not with the same sense of glory, although later on Gregor had earned so much money that he was able to meet the expenses of the whole household and did so. They had simply got used to it, both the family and Gregor; the money was gratefully accepted and gladly given, but there was no special uprush of warm feeling.” (Chapter 2)

“He must go,” cried Gregor’s sister, “that’s the only solution, Father. You must just try to get rid of the idea that this is Gregor. The fact that we’ve believed it for so long is the root of all our trouble. But how can it be Gregor? If this were Gregor, he would have realized long ago that human beings can’t live with such a creature, and he’d have gone away on his own accord. Then we wouldn’t have any brother, but we’d be able to go on living and keep his memory in honor. As it is, this creature persecutes us, drives away our lodgers, obviously wants the whole apartment to himself and would have us all sleep in the gutter.” (Chapter 3)

💎 The Metamorphosis’ Deeper Meaning

The essential question of the story is whether it is possible to feel sympathy and kindness towards a horrifying creature who cannot be helpful or likable. Does such a being deserve the same sympathy as a human?

As everyone in the family starts working, they realize that they are becoming independent from Gregor. They grow tired and enraged due to all the responsibilities towards him. Yet, the biggest block to their sympathy is the loss of his human shape and inability to communicate. He does not act like a human being, cannot speak or express his thoughts and emotions. From his family’s viewpoint, this monstrous creature lacks every trait that Gregor once had.

Gregor faced inhumanity when he turned into a vermin, and the reader sees how materialism influences people’s relationships. Even though the story suggests that Gregor deserves sympathy and love in his new form, it also demonstrates how that’s impossible through his family. They were able to regain positive emotions for him only after his death.

Thanks for reading the article! To examine the short story even more, read our article about symbolism in The Metamorphosis .

• The Rise of Capitalism — Mises Institute
• Themes in The Metamorphosis with Analysis — Literary Devices
• ‘Metamorphosis’ Book Review: Kafka and Capitalism — Patty Inglish, ThoughtCo
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IvyPanda. (2023, August 12). The Metamorphosis Themes: from Isolation to Alienation. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-the-metamorphosis/themes-from-isolation-to-alienation/

"The Metamorphosis Themes: from Isolation to Alienation." IvyPanda , 12 Aug. 2023, ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-the-metamorphosis/themes-from-isolation-to-alienation/.

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IvyPanda . "The Metamorphosis Themes: from Isolation to Alienation." August 12, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-the-metamorphosis/themes-from-isolation-to-alienation/.

The Shining

Stephen king, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Isolation is a major factor in Stephen King’s The Shining . The Overlook Hotel is situated deep in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, miles from the nearest town. Winter storms block roadways and cripple phone lines, cutting the Torrance family off from the rest of the world. The expansive vistas outside the Overlook’s massive windows are beautiful, but they are a constant reminder of how alone the Torrances are at the hotel. Wendy is acutely aware of the dangers of their isolation—getting help at the hotel in the dead of winter will be nearly impossible—and this feeling only intensifies when the hotel begins to show its sinister side. In addition to the isolating effects of the hotel’s physical location, Jack is struggling with his alcoholism and Danny is trying to understand his ability to “shine,” both of which are isolating in their own right. When Jack accepts the job at the Overlook, the hotel’s manager, Mr. Ullman , warns him that “solitude can be damaging,” and this indeed proves to be the case. Isolation is particularly damaging to both Jack and Danny, and they both begin to display signs of insanity. King draws a clear parallel between isolation and insanity within The Shining , and in doing so he effectively argues that isolation can have a profound and transformative effect on the human mind.

Danny, who is already psychologically isolated by his psychic abilities, is further secluded by the remote nature of the hotel. This isolation compounds Danny’s fear in the evil hotel, which has serious effects on his mental health. Before Danny meets the chef, Dick Hallorann , who can also “shine,” he has no one to talk to about his psychic abilities, which, to a five-year-old boy, is particularly isolating. Danny worries that his father will call “THE MEN IN THE WHITE COATS to take him to the SANNY-TARIUM.” Alone in his thoughts, Danny constantly worries that he is insane. As Danny plays alone in the hotel, he in a constant state of fear. Between the ghost of room 217 , the evil topiaries guarding the hotel entrance, and the aggressive dogman at the elevator, Danny is sure the hotel is out to get him—and with no one to confirm his experiences, he thinks he is going crazy. He even regresses back to thumb-sucking and demands a night-light, which are evidence of Danny’s building mental stress. After Danny goes into room 217 alone and is chased by the bloated corpse of Mrs. Massey, who died in that room, Danny is reduced to a catatonic state. Wendy and Jack grow increasingly worried about Danny’s mental health and take him to see Dr. Edmond , a doctor in the nearby town of Sidewinder, before the snow closes in. While Dr. Edmond finds nothing definitively wrong with Danny, the young boy’s mental health continues to deteriorate at the secluded hotel.

Jack, too, is isolated, both by his alcoholism and the secluded nature of the Overlook Hotel. He begins to show signs of insanity as well, which again suggests that seclusion can have serious implications for one’s mental health. One day in the early fall, while Wendy and Danny are in Sidewinder doing some early Christmas shopping, Jack goes out to the animal topiaries to trim them and swears he sees the giant lions move. When Jack saw such things in his drinking days, he called it withdrawal, but now he just calls it “insanity.” Like Danny, Jack is alone with no one to confirm his experiences. Thus, he is convinced he is going crazy. After Jack finds a scrapbook in the basement that outlines the Overlook’s sordid past, he begins spending more time alone in the hotel’s basement and attic looking for additional information. Jack is a writer, and he is determined to write a book about the hotel, even though Mr. Ullman and Al Shockley , Jack’s friend who secured his job and sits on the hotel’s Board of Directors, strictly forbid it. Jack spends hours alone, obsessively researching the hotel even though it may cost him his job, which again points to his deteriorating mental health. The more time that Jack spends alone in the hotel, the further he slips into insanity. He hallucinates a bartender named Lloyd , and he even believes that the gin martini in front of him is real. But then Lloyd and the martini are gone in the blink of an eye, and Jack is left with the “cold certainty” that he is “losing his mind.” Jack’s isolation, stemming from both his alcoholism and the hotel, has a serious effect on his sanity.

Just as the isolating nature of the evil Overlook Hotel drove the previous winter caretaker, Grady , to absolute insanity, the hotel hopes to do the same to Jack. In a murderous rage, Grady murdered his family and killed himself, and as Jack’s own sanity unravels, he contemplates the very same thing. While Danny and Wendy are ultimately saved—due to a combination of Hallorann’s heroic efforts, Wendy’s determination, and Jack’s love for Danny—Jack is killed when the hotel’s boiler explodes while he is deep in the throes of a psychotic break. The maddening seclusion of the hotel drives Jack to insanity and results in his death, which proves King’s central claim that isolation often has damaging psychological effects. 

Isolation and Insanity ThemeTracker

Isolation and Insanity Quotes in The Shining

“She creeps,” Watson said. “You tell that fat little peckerwood Ullman, he drags out the account books and spends three hours showing how we can’t afford a new one until 1982. I tell you, this whole place is gonna go sky-high someday, and I just hope that fat fuck’s here to ride the rocket.

Danny, who had been frightened as well as lonely sometimes, nodded. “Am I the only one you ever met?” he asked.

Hallorann laughed and shook his head. “No, child, no. But you shine the hardest.”

“Are there lots, then?”

“No,” Hallorann said, “but you do run across them. A lot of folks, they got a little bit of shine to them. They don’t even know it. But they always seem to show up with flowers when their wives are feelin blue with the monthlies, they do good on school tests they don’t even study for, they got a good idea how people are feelin as soon as they walk into a room. I come across fifty or sixty like that. But maybe only a dozen, countin my gram, that knew they was shinin.”

They watched until the car was out of sight, headed down the eastern slope. When it was gone, the three of them looked at each other for a silent, almost frightened moment. They were alone. Aspen leaves whirled and skittered in aimless packs across the lawn that was now neatly mowed and tended for no guest’s eyes. There was no one to see the autumn leaves steal across the grass but the three of them. It gave Jack a curious shrinking feeling, as if his life force had dwindled to a mere spark while the hotel and the grounds had suddenly doubled in size and become sinister, dwarfing them with sullen, inanimate power.

And still she agonized over it, looking for another alternative. She did not want to put Danny back within Jack’s reach. She was aware now that she had made one bad decision when she had gone against her feelings (and Danny’s) and allowed the snow to close them in . . . for Jack’s sake. Another bad decision when she had shelved the idea of divorce. Now she was nearly paralyzed by the idea that she might be making another mistake, one she would regret every minute of every day of the rest of her life.

As the number 2 rose on the shaft wall, he threw the brass handle back to the home position and the elevator car creaked to a stop. He took his Excedrin from his pocket, shook three of them into his hand, and opened the elevator door. Nothing in the Overlook frightened him. He felt that he and it were simpático .

The thought rose up from nowhere, naked and unadorned. The urge to tumble her out of bed, naked, bewildered, just beginning to wake up; to pounce on her, seize her neck like the green limb of a young aspen and to throttle her, thumbs on windpipe, fingers pressing against the top of her spine, jerking her head up and ramming it back down against the floor boards, again and again, whamming, whacking, smashing, crashing. Jitter and jive, baby. Shake, rattle, and roll. He would make her take her medicine. Every drop. Every last bitter drop.

His mother was still a little bit afraid, but his father’s attitude was strange. It was a feeling that he had done something that was very hard and had done it right. But Danny could not seem to see exactly what the something was. His father was guarding that carefully, even in his own mind. Was it possible, Danny wondered, to be glad you had done something and still be so ashamed of that something that you tried not to think of it? The question was a disturbing one. He didn’t think such a thing was possible…in a normal mind.

Around him, he could hear the Overlook Hotel coming to life.

It was hard to say just how he knew, but he guessed it wasn’t greatly different from the perceptions Danny had from time to time…like father, like son. Wasn’t that how it was popularly expressed?

All the hotel’s eras were together now, all but this current one, the Torrance Era. And this would be together with the rest very soon now. That was good. That was very good.

He had no idea what time it was, how long he had spent in the Colorado Lounge or how long he had been here in the ballroom. Time had ceased to matter.

“For instance, you show a great interest in learning more about the Overlook Hotel. Very wise of you, sir. Very noble. A certain scrapbook was left in the basement for you to find—”

What would she do if he came at her right now, she wondered. If he should pop up from behind the dark, varnished registration desk with its pile of triplicate forms and its little silver-plated bell, like some murderous jack-in-the-box, pun intended, a grinning jack-in- the-box with a cleaver in one hand and no sense at all left behind his eyes. Would she stand frozen with terror, or was there enough of the primal mother in her to fight him for her son until one of them was dead? She didn’t know. The very thought made her sick—made her feel that her whole life had been a long and easy dream to lull her helplessly into this waking nightmare.

“Gotcha!” he said, and began to grin. There was a stale odor of gin and olives about him that seemed to set off an old terror in her, a worse terror than any hotel could provide by itself A distant part of her thought that the worst thing was that it had all come back to this, she and her drunken husband.

“ Oh Tony, is it my daddy? ” Danny screamed. “ Is it my daddy that’s coming to get me? ’’

Tony didn’t answer. But Danny didn’t need an answer. He knew. A long and nightmarish masquerade party went on here, and had gone on for years. Little by little a force had accrued, as secret and silent as interest in a bank account. Force, presence, shape, they were all only words and none of them mattered. It wore many masks, but it was all one. Now, somewhere, it was coming for him. It was hiding behind Daddy’s face, it was imitating Daddy’s voice, it was wearing Daddy’s clothes.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Edgar Allan Poe — The Themes Of Obsession, Isolation, And Madness In Edgar Allan Poe’s Stories

The Themes of Obsession, Isolation, and Madness in Edgar Allan Poe’s Stories

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Frankenstein: Theme of Isolation by Mary Shelley

• Author: arsalan
• Posted on: 24 May 2018
• Paper Type: Free Essay
• Subject: English
• Wordcount: 1378 words
• Published: 24th May 2018

This is a novel written by Mary Shelley. The novel title refers to a scientist known as Victor Frankenstein, who learns to treat life and creates a being in the image and likeness of man but more powerful and average (Fleck 250). However, the idea of depicting man as God is wrong. This novel starts with Robert Walton, who sought for a new way through Russia to the Pacific Ocean via the Arctic Ocean. Shelly defines several themes in the novel which are tied to actions performed by characters associated with them.

The themes in the Frankenstein novel are developed through the characters’ actions and personalities, which help in giving insight into the full understanding of the concepts anticipated by Shelley. The novel is full of terror and agony which has made it qualify as science fiction. The book story is written in a concise manner where Shelley allows the main characters to speak as the narrator to pass the main themes to her audience. The theme of isolation is outlined and carried on throughout the context, mainly through Victor.

In Shelley’s gothic novel, isolation is a significant theme attributed to Victor. Family bonding is essential for breaking emotional isolation, and since Victor lacks that family bond, he ends up being alone and devastated.  Victor lived in “his world” with no people to bond with; as his father stated, “once Victor accepts himself and considers them as a family, he will think about the affection of the family and hear from him regularly.” Victor excluded himself from his family while also ignoring their letters, and he rarely responded since he was only focused on his project as he once said: “ he could not tear my thought from my employment.” Victor’s mind was only concentrated on creating another being and did not focus on interactions with family or forming bonds with friends.

In the novel, the theme of isolation is developed around the main character in which victor is portrayed as isolated (Pollin and Burton 100). He has no one to tell about his inventions and creations because he has no one to express his emotions to. This is due to the loss of his lover, friends, and family. Isolation in this context is far more described by portraying characters’ loneliness and the acts that are attributed to the isolated nature of the specific character developed in the setting of the book. The inability to express emotions leads to the growth of hatred, which is channeled and expressed in inappropriate ways and results in harming society, as described in the book.

In the preface, Frankenstein is a novel that provides a clear depiction of isolation. Cases of murder, despair, and tragedy occur due to a lack of connection to society or family. In the novel, Shelley tries to define isolation as being the separation from other people, whether physically or emotionally, leading to the self-destruction of Victor and the creature he had created. This shows that the real evil in Frankenstein is not the monster nor Victor but isolation. The novel is characterized by passion and a tale of deep sorrow as well as misfortunes. Shelley explores the theme of loneliness in different ways and presents it to the readers, accompanied by its reputation. Shelley effectively describes this theme through Victor by examining his actions and how depressed he is.

Victor experiences isolation from society and his family during his studies. He, therefore, faces the worst imaginable fate, and where he views violence, revenge, and hatred as caused by isolation. According to Victor, the monster turns vengeful not because he is evil but because isolation fills it with anger and hatred. The devastation experienced by Victor leads to imprecise and poor judgment and thus ends up with unbearable decisions. As described by Victor, isolation from society leads to emotional disorder, which is implicated through social evils committed by him. The message portrayed by Shelley that isolation is considerably associated with the way people live their lives and also how people interact with each other in society of not limited only to emotional relationships and bonds.

In the Frankenstein novel, the victor is described as the one who brings isolation to himself. Throughout most of his life, Victor had isolated and grounded himself in his chambers trying to solve the math and create a creature (Cole and David 69). Victor had excluded himself from society, and that resulted in implicit implications for the community since, by creating the creature, he unleashed a monster. The misfortune brought about by isolation keeps the book’s ideas alive by making the readers want to know what each action resulted in. To cope with loneliness, Victor finds a way of expressing his emotions through the creature he created. Although isolation is viewed to have negative impacts, Victor found it as an essential factor in his work since he did not experience disruption during his project. This implies that isolation can result in something good if used in the right manner since, through it, the victor was able to achieve his dream and create a powerful being as he had anticipated.

In conclusion, isolation, as portrayed by Shelley, is a dangerous factor in one’s life. Isolation is destructive and makes the affected characters suffer adverse consequences from it. As observed, Victor was aspired by isolation to create a monster whom he could not take responsibility for and whom he could not control and hence led to the self-destruction of Victor’s life. Additionally, by Victor excluding himself from everyone, he ended up losing family affection and bond, and also, the love for his work cost him a family relationship.

Cole, David. “Teaching Frankenstein and Wide Sargasso Sea Using Affective Literacy.”  English in Australia  42.2 (2007): 69.

Fleck, P. D. “Mary Shelley’s Notes to Shelley’s Poems and” Frankenstein.”  Studies in Romanticism  (1967): 226-254.

Pollin, Burton R. “Philosophical and Literary Sources of Frankenstein.”  Comparative Literature  17.2 (1965): 97-108.

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Essay On The Theme Of Isolation In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Can isolation destroy the wellbeing of one’s mental health, or turn you into ?  In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Shelley develops them of isolation, a dangerous yet accommodating act. The reader sees the downside of isolation when Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist, Robert Walton, a lonesome seafarer, and the creature endeavor mental breakdowns that are direst results of their isolation. Each character has either inflicted their own isolation or has been forced into isolation by societal standards. Each character has approached isolation differently, and with those attempts to seclude the amount of isolation they face, Shelly implies that isolation will ultimately lead to self-destruction of the mind soul and body. Furthermore, the dangers of isolation are prevalent in the novel. Mary Shelley reveals the dangerous effects of different forms of isolation through the characters of Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the creature.

Robert Walton is a seafarer who is on an expedition to the North pole. He travels alone while writing various letters to his sister Margaret that expresses, he is yearning for a companion, that will not only accompany him, but share emotions as well. Robert Walton has inflicted himself with isolation, with similar reasons to Victor Frankenstein. Walton initially secludes himself to discover more knowledge found in nature. As Walton is on his journey to acquire more knowledge, he yearns to have an intellectual connection with an induvial, particularly Victor Frankenstein. Walton suffers from loneliness while he is on an expedition by himself. He chooses to stay in solitude, but beings to feel physically and mentally isolated. “"But I have one want which I have never yet been able to satisfy, and the absence of the object of which I now feel as a most severe evil, I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavour to sustain me in dejection." ( Frankenstein Letter 2 ). The author uses Robert Walton as an example of self-inflicted isolation, and although Walton has done it to himself, he experiences dejection from the world because he does not have anyone to share intellectual knowledge with. 

Victor Frankenstein embodies the idea of isolation by inflicting it unto himself. He does so by allowing himself to physically isolate himself from his friends and family, which ultimately lead to a decline in his mental health. He makes the decision to leave his family to further execute his studies on creation. Victor studies elsewhere in Ingolstadt, but fears being alone, and later realizes that eventually, loneliness will overtake his life. Because he understands what his decisions may hate in store for him, he also realizes that he must do whatever is necessary to “become his own” to survive alone. “I, who had ever been surrounded by amiable companions, continually engaged in endeavouring to bestow mutual pleasure, I was now alone. In the university, whither I was going, I must form my own friends, and be my own protector” ( Frankenstein Chapter 3 ). Mary Shelley implies the first instance of isolation Victor must endure while studying abroad. During this point in the novel, Victor imposes isolation on himself, but has not built the strength to tackle it on his own, which is why he struggles with himself throughout the novel. As he struggles he becomes more of a monster than the one he intended to create .Because Victor has imposed his own form of isolation, he must make it up for himself. 

The creature in which Victor Frankenstein has created has been isolated form the world, but not by choice. He suffers with isolation, but what makes the creature different is the mere fact that he never asked to be alone, he is not the same as Robert Walton or Victor. As the monster begins to grow more isolated and forced out of society, he expresses how through isolation his hate for himself has worsened, also questioning why Satan is accepted by his “angels” but no one stands by the creature’s side. Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him, but I am solitary and abhorred.’ ( Frankenstein Chapter 15). Mary Shelly introduces isolation through different characters, in this case, the creature also experiences isolation, but it was not intended. The creature feels completely separated from the world, simply because of the way he is looked at by society.  Isolation has led the creature to so many pains, that he often asks himself questions, as well as questioning his identity and what he has to offer to a world that does not even accept him. If a form of evil can have an army behind it, why can't the creature have one as well?

Self-inflicted isolation and being rejected from the world are one of many aspects of isolation which is detrimental to the characters Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the creature. Mary Shelley exemplifies the themes of isolation by portraying it through Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the Creature. Each character has gone through some form of isolation that has either been self-inflicted or brought by rejection. Although there are many aspects of isolation, they are equally detrimental to an individual's wellbeing, as seen in the novel. Each character has suffered, due to isolation. This provides solid information about how isolation can do much damage to someone's mental health and even drive them crazy. In the novel Mary Shelley reveals that isolation is the true evil behind self-destruction.

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Isolation Essay

Throughout the world people are tested through isolation. On one hand, some people learn how to cope with the darkness of solitude; and, on another hand, isolation opens a whole new perspective to those both in and out of solitude. Isolation is a state of being where you are set apart from anything that has to do with society. While being in this state for a long period of time, people may stay behind intellectually those who are mingled into the society and are exposed to everything. Three texts that support and go along with the subject of isolation are Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius, and Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. In Frankenstein, we notice that Victor spends most of his time focusing on his studies of natural philosophy and creating life that he basically becomes insane because he cannot manage to live a normal life while trying to keep control of the monster he created. Then In Consolation of Philosophy, Boethius is put in jail under a false accusation of treason.

While imprisoned he has a discussion with Philosophy, which some could say is crazy because philosophy is an imaginary being rather than a person but, because of this chatting, Boethius maintains sane mentality which leads him to find true happiness. Finally In Metamorphosis, a man named Gregor Samsa is forced into the life of a “monstrous vermin” becoming more isolated then he already was when he was a travel salesman working to pay of his parents debt to an office manager. As his life continues as this bug he begins to lose everything that pertains to his human life. This all goes to show that when in isolation, solitude effects a man positively and negatively depending on the circumstances he is in and how he spends his time during that period of solitude.

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Before diving into their lives during and post isolation, it is essential to examine their lives growing up while inspecting their behavior prior to their encounter with isolation. Also, it is necessary to investigate them separately starting with Victor Frankenstein, who grew up as an only child with a well respected parents who cared a lot for him until the age of five when they adopted his sister Elizabeth Lavenza. After moving to Geneva, which was one league away from any city, Victor started to show early signs of being secluded by avoiding crowds and only being attached to a few people. This led him to have a temper and an extreme passion to learn.

“My temper was sometimes violent and my passion vehement; but by some law in my temperature they were turned not to childish pursuit but to an eager desire to learn, and not to learn all things indiscriminately. I confess that neither the structures of languages, nor the code of governments, nor the politics of various states possessed attractions for me. It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn.” (Chpt. 2 pg. 39 Frankenstein)

Here Victor describes his passion to learn about nature and the creation to life which depicts why he falls in love with natural philosophy at the age of thirteen where he says “Natural philosophy is the science that regulated my fate”. Soon, Victor thought it would be best fitting to go off to the College of Ingolstadt but, right before he was about to leave his sister Elizabeth came down with the scarlet fever. Then, when his mother came to her side to help her get better she also, got this terrible sickness and passed away. As Victor is reflecting back on this particular misfortune, he comes to the realization that this was “an omen, as it were, of my future misery.” Not knowing this as an omen at the time though, Victor carries on and goes to college to study natural philosophy with Professor M. Krempe and Professor M. Waldman. He studied and read various texts concerning this subject for two years straight without seeing his family at all, living a very some lonesome life.

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The Importance of Setting in Frankenstein

This essay about the role of setting in Mary Shelley’s *Frankenstein* analyzes how geographical and atmospheric environments enhance the novel’s major themes and character development. The essay begins by examining the Arctic’s icy expanses, highlighting how this harsh, isolated environment mirrors the psychological states and ambitions of characters like Walton and Victor Frankenstein. It then contrasts these icy settings with the lush, serene landscapes of Geneva and the Swiss Alps, which reflect Victor’s transformation and emotional turmoil. The urban setting of Ingolstadt is also discussed, emphasizing how the space of Victor’s laboratory contrasts with the natural world, underscoring the unnatural aspects of his scientific endeavors. Additionally, the creature’s interactions with various environments are explored, showing how each setting reflects his alienation and struggle with humanity. Overall, the essay argues that the settings in *Frankenstein* are not just backgrounds but are integral to the thematic depth and emotional resonance of the narrative, enriching the exploration of isolation, ambition, and monstrosity.

How it works

In Mary Shelley’s *Frankenstein*, the setting plays a crucial role, not just as a backdrop for the narrative, but as a dynamic force that shapes the characters and themes of the novel. The diverse and often sublime landscapes that Shelley describes do more than merely frame the action; they reflect and influence the emotional and psychological states of the characters, particularly Victor Frankenstein and his creation. This essay explores how the settings in *Frankenstein*—from the icy reaches of the Arctic to the lush landscapes of the Swiss countryside—contribute to the novel’s exploration of isolation, ambition, and monstrosity.

The novel opens and closes in the bleak and formidable Arctic, where Robert Walton is leading an expedition to reach the North Pole. This icy setting is reflective of Walton’s and later Victor’s psychological isolation and relentless ambition. The Arctic’s vast, desolate landscape serves as a metaphor for Walton’s and Victor’s internal wilderness. It is here, in this remote and unforgiving environment, where the boundaries of human endurance and desire are tested. The Arctic also frames the monstrous actions and consequences that follow Victor and his creature, encapsulating the chilling results of unchecked ambition.

Moving from the Arctic’s icy expanse to the lush, serene settings of Geneva and the Swiss Alps, the shift in setting illuminates Victor’s transformation from an innocent youth to a man tormented by creation and guilt. Shelley’s vivid descriptions of the Swiss Alps, with their sublime beauty and terrifying might, mirror Victor’s passion and the overwhelming forces he unleashes. The tranquility of Lake Geneva, juxtaposed with the stormy nights that often accompany Victor’s most turbulent moments, enhances the novel’s Gothic atmosphere, intensifying the sense of dread and foreboding that pervades Victor’s story.

Furthermore, the setting of Ingolstadt, where Victor attends university and first gives life to his creation, is pivotal. This university town symbolizes the enlightenment and scientific discovery prevalent in the 18th century. However, it also becomes the birthplace of horror as Victor’s experiments cross ethical boundaries. The dark, confined spaces of Victor’s laboratory contrast sharply with the expansive beauty of nature often described elsewhere in the novel. This contrast underscores the unnaturalness of Victor’s pursuits and the isolation that his secretive and obsessive work brings upon him.

The creature’s experiences with setting further amplify the novel’s themes. His journey through the harsh wilderness, his hideaway in a hovel adjacent to a cottage, and his final disappearance into the icy Arctic are all laden with symbolic meaning. Each environment reflects and shapes the creature’s understanding of himself and his interactions with the human world. His rejection by society is paralleled by the hostile, often frozen environments he must traverse, underscoring his alienation and the cruelty of his existence.

In conclusion, the settings in *Frankenstein* are intricately woven into the fabric of the narrative, serving as more than mere locations. They are symbols of the characters’ inner lives and thematic reflections of isolation, ambition, and horror. The sublime nature of the settings in *Frankenstein* not only heightens the novel’s dramatic tension but also enriches its exploration of the human condition. Through these diverse landscapes, Shelley invites the reader to reflect on the beauty and terror of human creativity and the moral implications of scientific advancement. The settings, thus, play an indispensable role in deepening the novel’s exploration of these complex themes.

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