Frankenstein: Abandonment Essay

Frankenstein is full of ideas and warnings, which are relevant to a modern day audience; in what ways does Shelley explore. Frankenstein Coursework Q. Frankenstein is full of ideas and warnings, which are relevant to a modern day audience; in what ways does Shelley explore these ideas? The novel Frankenstein is set in the pre 1914’s, when there were theories on certain things that they did not understand. It is full of darkness and tragedy in some places.

Several fields have studied the relationship between creator and creation. The most significant aspect of this research considers the difference between nature and nurture. Sociologists, psychologists, scientists, and other professionals have tried to pin down the exact distinctions between these two types of upbringings. In literature, the same questions have been asked and studied using fictional characters, most famously in John Milton’s Paradise Lost, in 1667, and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, in 1818. The complexity of the characters in these texts creates the theme of nature versus nurture before they diverge and arrive at differing conclusions.

“Works of literature often depict acts of betrayal. Friends and even family may betray a protagonist; main character may likewise be guilty of treachery of may betray their own values.”

Friends will determine the direction and quality of your life. Loneliness is a battle that all people will once face at a certain point in their life; it is how they handle it that determines the outcome of that battle. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein loneliness is the most significant and prevailing theme throughout the entire novel. Shelley takes her readers on a wild journey that shows how loneliness can end in tragedy.

Isolation is the separation from others and/or society whether it be physically or emotionally. In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, I believe that a central theme is that the isolation from family and society, especially at a time when one is faced with difficulty, can have a negative effect on a person. The main characters in the story, Victor Frankenstein and the monster, both experience the same suffering of being alone in different ways. The negative consequences are the death of their loved one and eventually the end of their own.

throughout this novel and the movie. The decline is a less gradual one in the novel but a

In Shelley’s Frankenstein, the monster is portrayed as a grotesque abomination. However, as Hopkins states in Contending Forces, the cultural and geographical situations, or lack thereof, in which one matures in play a crucial role in the proper development of one’s mind and brain. The monster is simply a product of circumstance. The lack of social interactions alongside geographical isolation propelled the daemon to be alienated from society, ultimately resulting in a lack of morals and an underdeveloped psyche. By being a culmination of his surroundings and experiences it is revealed that the true monstrous entities are the factors that leave the daemon predisposed to fail in a modern society. Arguably, Victor created a being, while the circumstances that said being was placed in “created” a monster. Shelley purposefully terrorizes the monster with such intensity to provoke and justify the overarching theme in this novel which states that people should not be judged on their physical appearance.

As the creator and father of the monster, it was Frankenstein's duty to teach it right from wrong, to care and nurture it like you would a child, because that is what the monster was inside- an unknowing child. As soon as he was created, the monster had a need for love; it reaches an outstretched hand towards Frankenstein showing a want for recognition and love. ' A grin wrinkled his cheeks' The monster even tries to communicate but it can only utter 'inarticulate sounds' as it was yet to be taught how to speak, which should have been the task of Frankenstein.

Previously unnoted, abandonment and the resulting loneliness in children have lasting impacts on adult life. As abandonment becomes increasingly more common, studies place emphasis on such impacts. Dr. Frankenstein’s monster is essentially a newborn baby when created. Caregivers teach infants to seek comfort,

Rejection is a hard thing to overcome. Rejection and abandonment can happen to newborn babies, children, and adults. Some babies are abandoned due to birth defects; children and adults are bullied and rejected because of the clothes they wear, their hair, face, ethnicity, and body. Some of this rejection can go too far, and can cause the one being bullied to become suicidal, or even homicidal. The theme of rejection is apparent in Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein. Isolation and abandonment happen to each of the main characters; Victor Frankenstein, the creature, and Robert Walton.

In doing so, Frankenstein condemns the creature to loneliness and persecution. The creature's hatred and violent acts are not an inherent part of his character, as he explains, "I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous" (81). If Frankenstein had raised and cared for him, the creature would have experienced compassion, and had someone to support him and be his advocate. Instead, the creature is left to learn about the world on his own, and develop a set of morals based on the way society treats him. Because he grows up outside of, and shunned by, society, he feels very little moral obligation towards other human beings. "...and tell me why should I pity man more than he pities me?" the creature asks Frankenstein. "Shall I respect man when he contemns [sic] me?" (122) The creature is not a monster in his own eyes; he is behaving rationally given the treatment he has received. If he were taught a better way to act, he would almost certainly behave in that way. The monster is not born a monster, his ugliness notwithstanding; he becomes one because society behaves monstrously towards him.

Thank you June for sharing your comments! I enjoyed learning many things about Frankenstein. I also enjoyed learning many things about evolution. Yes, science is involved with the laws of nature. Science does involve culture. Culture may be able to affect the society overall. Different cultures have a different way of living. Yes, some people may believe that it is good to earn power. Evolution does deal with organisms. Did you learn anything new while conducting your

Can you imagine a heartless person leaving a baby in a trash can to fend for himself/herself because they can’t take care of it? That is an example of abandonment, or the act of deserting someone. Many people agree that abandonment is a tragic occurrence and should be stopped. Abandonment affects children. Children are our future, so if you want the future to be bright, then start with this generation.

Alienation and isolation have been apparent in society since the beginning of man. When an individual stumbles outside the realm of social normality they are viewed as degradation to society or a threat to normal society.(“Truthmove” 2012) In the gothic tale of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley frequently displays the many different forms of alienation. Victor Frankenstein and his creation were two of the characters in this book that went through alienation and isolation.

I hastily fled to my newest place of work. I had inhabited the world with a second creation. This demon, though a woman, was more terrifying and hideous than the first. A monstrous creature created only for longing of a new beginning. A world where I would forget this horrible deed I had bestowed upon the universe. I had only promised my first creation a companion, not a family. His companion would never get the chance to conceive, for no more demons will wreak havoc upon mankind. I fled knowing the creature was close looking for what I had promised him.