polished essay-motivations that direct an individuals course of action

 

Isolation is an extreme sensation of nature when the mind is deprived of social connection. It thaws the individual to warm up to other people; it claws to fight for what it wants; and it gnaws within the desperate, panicking individual. A self induced decision can cause isolation from others or isolation can originate from the prejudices of society. Either way, when isolated the individual blames themselves for their situation. Isolated individuals generously find ways to try to please society which will to some extent work, except the prejudice against them can be too strong for society to overcome. Upon failure, the  individual will resort to anger and emotion, adorning themselves with a false facade, to sway the bias society has against them. When no options are left the individual will subject themselves to any plan, regardless of risk with the hope of acceptance. Rejection from society motivates one to actively pursue some form of connection as a priority. Seen through the monster, in Frankenstein, is his attempt at generosity to try to gain the love of humans; upon failure he pleads out in emotion and persuasion for love; and in further rejection denies his morals for the sake of connection. Through this isolation Mary Shelley teaches us in Frankenstein how the desire for acceptance dominates one’s motivations, directing them to relentlessly pursue relationships because one can never be satisfied when they are rejected because of their image.

 

One who is isolated from society must thaw themselves, melting away the prejudice that society has declared them, discounting its power, to enable one to integrate back into society with freedom. The monster in Frankenstein does this in a manner of such effectiveness, yet his appearance is an insurmountable hurdle for him to overcome. He accomplished self sacrificed tasks for humans, serving them in order for their appreciation in return. He sought for his benevolent favours to redeem his hideous qualities that brought prejudice.   Yet he was “spurned”, “trampled”, and “kicked.” The monster’s innocence led him to believe that society valued character above appearance, a regrettably incorrect concept. He gambled that after enough favours, humans would be guilted to cast him out based on prejudice, that he could win over their conscience. His philosophy having been crushed, rejected with blatant xenophobia, taught him much about society and lead him to adapt to more effective methods of approaching society. Once more the monster attempts to free himself of his isolation and this is by saving the young child. It is almost inconceivable that through saving a life he is not rewarded, yet the monster shares this confusion too; shot at like an animal, “wounded” to the “flesh and bone.” The monster was motivated for companionship by love, bringing those he sought joy; but was returned with hostility. This escape from isolation was one of beauty, to find love with love. Fairness is not designed for everyone though, prejudice tarnishes the opportunities of so many seeking acceptance. Genuine love from those who are isolated is met with the malice of prejudice, a near unwinnable challenge in a world that is reluctant to look past these stereotypes. In the quest for acceptance, individuals must seek more persuasive methods to gain trust that prejudice denies. 

 

Those who failed to win the hearts of society must work to claw themselves out of the hole that society has burdened them with. It is with much pathos that one coordinate their actions to tear down their labels. Having failed to oust prejudice with love, it is next to be attempted with an intimidating passion. One pours out their heart to the point it leaves the recipient shaken, transformed by what they heard.  From Frankenstein the monster delivers such a speech to Victor that manifested sympathy in his demeanor. It broke past the monstrous perception of his creature and allowed Victor to glimpse into the vulnerability of a fellow person. Elation must have been felt within the monster at hearing the success of his endeavors, to have spilled his soul at the expectation of very little. Such incomparable joy to experience for the monster, when that first inkling of companionship is founded. Now how crushing it must be when he plummets back into isolation. Victor betrays his promise, the alluring pathos the monster conjured to him before wore off like the morning mist at noon. Even with the monster’s powerful persuasion, it is cub compared to the bear. Prejudice is formidable and it is the assailant to inclusion all throughout history. Isolation is at its mercy, forever seeking a way out. There is anger held through being rejected based on such trivial prejudices, that is channeled into the fight to be accepted. It is this impossible struggle that fuels individuals with so much passion to reach others and have them understand. Seeking connection is more than just having a friend, it is about being valued without judgement, loved for who one is. In this quest for understanding, individuals must seek more drastic methods to reform the triviality of ignorance.

 

When is comes to this, those failing to have persuaded society to release its prejudice, will gnaw inside for something, anything to work. Desperation ensues, and the choices to now rid oneself of their isolation; are dire and consequential. The monster, from Frankenstein, now has to betray the humans, who he adores, and embrace the abomination he has been viewed as, to escape isolation. His threats, “ I will be with you on your wedding night,” serve only to reinforce the desperation of his situation. If Victor does not comply with these demands, he will have unleashed a nightmare upon himself and all he loves. Prejudice is the reason he is lead to this corrupted state. The monster violates his morals as he set out with love to save himself, but now is resorting to threats. He has spiraled out of control from  his innocent, benevolent, and wanting inclusion past. The monster recognizes that this is his only chance, to have another like himself, that will never be prejudiced against him. Too much has happened for him to back down now. Those in isolation everywhere know that it sometimes takes evil methods to achieve freedom from their oppression. If every peaceful attempt is denied because of prejudice, then how will an individual in isolation ever escape their unwanted solitude and rejoin society without doing it unethically? These dire events catch people’s attention and coerce them into looking past the stereotypes. When a person is willing to go so far as to murder, it has to be reognized by the other how much suffering they have gone through. By no means is it timely to apologize when this dawns on them, but finally the prejudice is weakened. Victor sees through into his creation, the torment it has suffered, and will indulge into what the monster has been asking for the entire time. At the end of this quest for freedom individuals have gone too far to express their hated isolation that their lives are forever changed.

From the novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the idea of isolation is explored in how one is dominated by their desire for companionship because they cannot fathom being rejected because of their outwardly appearance. Individuals must try to thaw society, to try to convince them their prejudice is incorrect through acts of kindness and selfless love. The next level is to claw one’s way through prejudice through sheer emotion and anger about the stereotype to create sympathy and understanding from society. As a last resort an individual is to plot with all options open, despite the consequences, to express your emotions when words have failed them. However the further one goes, the more freedom they lose, despite the freedom they have gained. An act of raw emotion may convey one’s sincerity and truth at a larger scale, but because it is at a larger scale; the punishment is more severe. Where one may gain progress for every person  struggling with the same isolation themselves, they are a martyr and suffer for the cause. There is the draw: how content is one with their freedom from being isolated by society against their actual freedom in society.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *