1. Isolation in “Frankenstein”
Madison West, Colton Gibson, & Leana King

2. Isolation
Isolation is the process or fact of isolating or being isolated. Furthermore, being alone or separated from other people or objects.
Isolation is a common theme expressed in multiple media sources including books, movies, music, and television.

3. Isolation cont. Isolation in the Media: Literature: Movies: Music:
“The Perks of Being A Wallflower” written by Stephen Chbosky. The book is about a teenage kid who is a out cast who is having a hard time being apart of the world. Eventually he befriends two seniors who bring him up.
Movies:
Cast Away- The movie is about a man who is stranded on an island after a plane crash and has to survive only on what is on the island and what is left from the plane
Music:
Away From the Sun-3 Doors Down: feeling alone and depressed and wondering if there is anyone there for you to help bring you up
I Get Lonely Too-Drake: Wanting someone to be with you when you get lonely
Whispers in the Dark-Skillet: feeling alone and needing someone to call out to
Need You Now-Lady Antebellum: missing someone they love and care for

4. Thesis Statement
In the novel “Frankenstein”, Mary Shelley shows Victor running from his dreams, family, and life through the theme of isolation. Characters being isolated in the book cause them to react in ways including murder and resentment.
The essay about isolation is going to include how isolating the characters throughout the book leads them to their negative actions and behavior.

5. From the beginning of his life, Victor Frankenstein was exposed to isolation.
Points to Make: Victor was an only child, Victor always wanted someone to be in his life to love and cherish, Elizabeth coming into his life gave him someone to love and respect
Quotes:
“I, their eldest child, was born at Naples, and as an infant accompanied them in their rambles. I remained for several years their only child.” (Shelley 19) Victor was an only child to a loving family. He was loved and cared for but was isolated in that he was the only child.
“… my more than sister- the beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations and my pleasures.” (Shelley 21) Victor developed strong feelings in which he was completely devoted and isolated his love to Elizabeth.
“No word, no expression could body forth the kind of relation in which she stood to me-my more than sister, since till death she was to be mine only.” (Shelley 21) Victor wanted his love and commitment to go to only Elizabeth.

6. In the middle stages of life, Victor’s family led him to become and feel isolated from the world around him.
Points to Make: Parents wanted Victor to leave for school, the outside world was new and not right for Victor, He wanted to focus on the sciences, Victor secluded himself while in school
Quotes:
“When I attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.” (Shelley 28) Victor’s parents told him that he needed to leave home, his family, and his life to go to school. He was isolated from his life at home.
“My life had hitherto been remarkably secluded and domestic, and this had given me invincible repugnance to new countenances.” (Shelley 30) Victor is saying that since he has been isolated from the world his whole life, being exposed to new experiences disgusts him.
“From this day natural philosophy, and particularly chemistry, in the most comprehensive sense of the term, became nearly my sole occupation.” (Shelley, 36) Victor’s “sole” focus was on studying chemistry and sciences.
“Winter, spring, and summer passed away during my labours; but I did not watch the blossom or the expanding leaves-sights which before always yielded me supreme delight-so deeply I was engrossed in my occupation.” (Shelley 42) Victor was so focused on his work and so secluded from a normal life that he hadn’t realized the year going by. He had refocused all of his attention to studying and creating the monster.

7. Victor Frankenstein's monster also experienced isolation when Victor abandoned him.
Points to Make: Victor was disappointed and ashamed of his creature, the creature wanted to find Victor and have his affection, the creature felt alone and hated by everyone including Victor and reacted in a negative way
Quotes:
“I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” (Shelley, 43) Victor realized the time he had spent meant nothing because his creature wasn’t what he wanted and he was not happy with it.
“…but I escaped and rushed downstairs. I took refuge in the courtyard belonging to the house which I inhabited, where I remained during the rest of the night, walking up and down in the greatest agitation, listening attentively, catching and fearing each sound as if it were to announce the approach of the demonical corpse to which I had so miserably given life.” (Shelley 44) Victor realizes immediately that he has made a mistake and is ashamed of it so he had nothing more to do than run and get away from it.
“Oh! No moral could support the horror of that countenance. A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch.” (Shelley 44) Victor says that no one could ever be happy with the creature.
“… into the streets, pacing them with quick steps, as if I sought to avoid the wretch whom I feared every turning of the street would present to my view. I did not dare return to the apartment which I inhabited, but felt impelled to hurry on, although drenched…” (Shelley 45) Victor got away from the monster as soon as he could and would not go back, leaving the creature isolated.