Mrs. Van Der Velde
English 10
November 18, 2015
Literary Elements in Frankenstein The feeling of loneliness leads people to feel miserable. In the story Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, there are many factors which cause the characters to feel miserable and lonely. The primary theme of Frankenstein is loneliness, and Shelley clearly communicates this theme by using characterization, symbolism, and setting to convey this theme to the reader. The literary element of characterization plays a big role in conveying the feeling of loneliness in Frankenstein. When Victor first sees the monster he’s created he says:
How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I …show more content…
The monster describes waking up to Victor saying, “It was dark when I awoke; I felt cold also, and half frightened, as if it were instinctively, finding myself so desolate” (Shelley 71). The first time the monster awoke he was confused, cold, alone, and helpless. The monster was brand new to the world, like a helpless baby, except for being much larger and uglier. Shelley uses the setting of cold and darkness to bring out the feelings of fear, loneliness and isolation. When Victor hears about the death of his youngest brother William, he quickly returns back to Geneva. He walks out to the spot of the murder and says, “It advanced; the heavens were clouded, and I soon felt the rain coming slowly in large drops, but its violence quickly increased. I quitted my seat, and walked on, although the darkness and storm increased every minute, and the thunder burst with a terrific crash over my head” (49). The approaching rain and heavy storm pouring down of Victor makes the reader feel the anger and loneliness Victor feels. Through the setting, Shelley shows the desolation Victor feels, and passes that feeling onto the