Human connections allow people to share the burden of their emotions, stimulate their minds, and feel less alone in the confusing journey that is life. A lack of companionship can be harmful to an individual physically, intellectually, and emotionally. In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, Shelley conveys her opinion that companionship plays a vital role in the lives of all creatures by creating characters that experience to crushing weight of loneliness, and showing the resulting consequences of their isolation. Human connections are essential to an individual's well-being. When creating his monster, Victor cuts himself off from his family and the rest of the world. He spends days alone in his laboratory, obsessing over his creation. He
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The monster starts out as a moral and kind being, helping the cottagers whom he has come to know as his family. But, when he is rejected by his only connections to human society, his demeanor plummets to vengeful and he develops an extreme hatred for humanity. The monster describes that he “bore a hell within [him], and [. . .] wished to tear up the trees, [and] spread havoc and destruction around [him]” (Shelley 125). The monster began pure and innocent, not capable of hurting a soul, but as he realized how utterly alone he was in the world, he was unable to contain his rage. Having strong bonds with other people would have prevented this outburst and kept the monster emotionally stable. Where the monster lacks companionship and descends into emotional turmoil, Elizabeth uses her connections with her family to keep her sane through difficult times. After Caroline passes away, Victor’s entire family does not hide their devastation, except for Elizabeth. Victor admires how she “looked steadily on life and assumed its duties with courage and zeal” (Shelley 29). Elizabeth consoles herself through helping her grieving family and continuing her daily work. With no one to distract her from her own grief, Elizabeth might have become bitter and depressed, but instead she resolves to move forward with her remaining family by her side. The companionship of others can lessen emotional pain, and, conversely, a lack of human connections can amplify mental
The monster starts out as a moral and kind being, helping the cottagers whom he has come to know as his family. But, when he is rejected by his only connections to human society, his demeanor plummets to vengeful and he develops an extreme hatred for humanity. The monster describes that he “bore a hell within [him], and [. . .] wished to tear up the trees, [and] spread havoc and destruction around [him]” (Shelley 125). The monster began pure and innocent, not capable of hurting a soul, but as he realized how utterly alone he was in the world, he was unable to contain his rage. Having strong bonds with other people would have prevented this outburst and kept the monster emotionally stable. Where the monster lacks companionship and descends into emotional turmoil, Elizabeth uses her connections with her family to keep her sane through difficult times. After Caroline passes away, Victor’s entire family does not hide their devastation, except for Elizabeth. Victor admires how she “looked steadily on life and assumed its duties with courage and zeal” (Shelley 29). Elizabeth consoles herself through helping her grieving family and continuing her daily work. With no one to distract her from her own grief, Elizabeth might have become bitter and depressed, but instead she resolves to move forward with her remaining family by her side. The companionship of others can lessen emotional pain, and, conversely, a lack of human connections can amplify mental