Companionship in Frankenstein
Frankenstein, which has famously been depicted inaccurately, in movie adaptations, has been remembered iconically as a story that has a theme which revolves around companionship. It’s theme of companionship can be seen through the story’s imagery of isolation, character arches throughout the story, and the importance of supporting characters.
Mary Shelley’s clever ways of using visual imagery in her text has helped the theme become more relevant. An example of the many visual scenarios which depicted themes of Isolation, was actually in the beginning of the story, when Walton’s ship, which is headed towards the Antarctic gets stranded by ice, deserting the passengers on board. While many readers could have been confused as to why she chose this setting, the setting was probably chosen intentionally because it was meant to give the reader an idea of unwanted isolation. Another example can be the scenario where readers find the beast in an abandoned shack, peeping through a hole, and spying on a struggling family. While the beast witnesses the family’s emotions once a women comes to visit them, the author attempts to make the audience feel the yearning for companionship that the monster feels, to accompany that family. Through this visual image the reader understands that although the fiend wants their companionship, he knows that he cannot have it.
Another factor which highlights the theme of companionship, are the important character arch’s throughout the story; specifically Walton, Victor, and his creation. Walton is introduced as an ambitious man who is sophisticated, and knows very little about characterization. Victor Frankenstein is described the same way only he grew up with friends, and always understood the feeling of companionship, Victor has chosen to push himself away from family, and associates to focus on alchemy, and his creation. His creation on the other hand understands the meaning of loneliness, through Victor’s neglect after he fainted once the creature he then faced many hardships, when it came to coming near people. It wasn’t until after he read, and educated himself through literature when he became more malice. These 3 central characters can be compared to Adam, and Eve. Since it isn’t until after they bite upon the fruit of knowledge when they reach their downfall. Walton, and Victor both dissociate themselves with company, and they chose knowledge. They later suffer the consequences. And isn’t until the monster becomes knowledgeable when he turns to the dark side, seeking revenge against the whole human race. This statement is made even more relevant when the creature reads out of ‘Paradise Lost’, and compares himself to the devil. This could even foreshadow his antagonistic behavior towards the end of the novella.
The supporting characters which make up the majority of Frankenstein’s family, are essential to the story, and the theme of companionship. The Frankenstein’s symbolize companionship, this can be seen through Victor’s fathers decision to care for Victor’s mother after her father had died, and she was left a beggar, as well as their decision to adopt Elizabeth. His family has a long history of helping others, and allowing people into their family. Victor is also proven to be social, through his interaction with his colleague Henry, who has helped nurse him back to health. The purpose of these supporting characters, are to highlight Victor’s for living. They are also seen as his saving grace when he is in trouble, and is left to fend for himself. They also help add more dynamic, and sympathy to his character. The family which the beast spies on can also resemble companionship, since even though they were exhiled, and are struggling they are still together. They are used a tool to add more dynamic to the beasts character, since he wants to spend time with them. His idolization of them can even help further boil his anger towards the Frankenstein’s since he knows that Victor will never be alone.
Mary Shelley’s clever ways of using visual imagery in her text has helped the theme become more relevant. An example of the many visual scenarios which depicted themes of Isolation, was actually in the beginning of the story, when Walton’s ship, which is headed towards the Antarctic gets stranded by ice, deserting the passengers on board. While many readers could have been confused as to why she chose this setting, the setting was probably chosen intentionally because it was meant to give the reader an idea of unwanted isolation. Another example can be the scenario where readers find the beast in an abandoned shack, peeping through a hole, and spying on a struggling family. While the beast witnesses the family’s emotions once a women comes to visit them, the author attempts to make the audience feel the yearning for companionship that the monster feels, to accompany that family. Through this visual image the reader understands that although the fiend wants their companionship, he knows that he cannot have it.
Another factor which highlights the theme of companionship, are the important character arch’s throughout the story; specifically Walton, Victor, and his creation. Walton is introduced as an ambitious man who is sophisticated, and knows very little about characterization. Victor Frankenstein is described the same way only he grew up with friends, and always understood the feeling of companionship, Victor has chosen to push himself away from family, and associates to focus on alchemy, and his creation. His creation on the other hand understands the meaning of loneliness, through Victor’s neglect after he fainted once the creature he then faced many hardships, when it came to coming near people. It wasn’t until after he read, and educated himself through literature when he became more malice. These 3 central characters can be compared to Adam, and Eve. Since it isn’t until after they bite upon the fruit of knowledge when they reach their downfall. Walton, and Victor both dissociate themselves with company, and they chose knowledge. They later suffer the consequences. And isn’t until the monster becomes knowledgeable when he turns to the dark side, seeking revenge against the whole human race. This statement is made even more relevant when the creature reads out of ‘Paradise Lost’, and compares himself to the devil. This could even foreshadow his antagonistic behavior towards the end of the novella.
The supporting characters which make up the majority of Frankenstein’s family, are essential to the story, and the theme of companionship. The Frankenstein’s symbolize companionship, this can be seen through Victor’s fathers decision to care for Victor’s mother after her father had died, and she was left a beggar, as well as their decision to adopt Elizabeth. His family has a long history of helping others, and allowing people into their family. Victor is also proven to be social, through his interaction with his colleague Henry, who has helped nurse him back to health. The purpose of these supporting characters, are to highlight Victor’s for living. They are also seen as his saving grace when he is in trouble, and is left to fend for himself. They also help add more dynamic, and sympathy to his character. The family which the beast spies on can also resemble companionship, since even though they were exhiled, and are struggling they are still together. They are used a tool to add more dynamic to the beasts character, since he wants to spend time with them. His idolization of them can even help further boil his anger towards the Frankenstein’s since he knows that Victor will never be alone.
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