Brief summary: 

The story starts with a letter from Robert Walton to his sister about his Arctic expedition to North Pole that he had been dreaming of since a young age. While traveling through the sea, Walton’s ship gets trapped between the icebergs, and they are shocked to spot a gigantic, humanlike creature sledding across the ice. The next day, they rescue a man named Victor Frankenstein, nearly frozen, who begins to recount his tragic story. As a young scientist, he became obsessed with discovering the secret of life. Driven by ambition, he dedicates himself to creating a living creature from dead body parts, but the creature’s monstrous appearance horrifies him. Victor abandons his creation, and the creature, left alone, suffers rejection and isolation due to his appearance. As the creature learns about humanity, he becomes furious and vengeful towards Victor, blaming him for his misery. In revenge, the creature kills Victor’s brother, and they later meet at the mountain where Victor has gone to recover his health. The creature asks Victor to create a female companion, promising to leave humanity in peace. However, Victor refuses and this cycle of pursuit and revenge leads them to a tragic end in the Arctic. Walton concludes his letter with the lessons he has learned from Victor’s story, warning against the responsibility and consequences that come with ambition.

 

Review: 

In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, the devastating consequences of isolation are presented through the character of Victor Frankenstein, emphasizing the importance of human connection. Victor’s isolation from his loved ones resulted in psychological and physical decline. His isolation after creating the creature leads to deep fear and remorse, and he symbolizes this with his inner “demon”. This shows how the disconnect from society and lack of support can make individuals more vulnerable to moral and psychological collapse. 

The novel also connects to the real world nowadays because it portrays society’s tendency to judge by appearance and discriminate against the ones who are different from the majority. Victor’s creature experiences loneliness and hatred due to his hideous appearance, despite his pure desire to help and connect with others. This reflects an issue where superficial judgements lead to social rejection and isolation. Frankenstein ultimately suggests that judging others can contribute to one’s suffering and that genuine empathy is essential for sustaining humanity. 

I believe that the story would have had a happier ending if Victor had created the female creature as the creature demanded, despite the risks he feared. By creating a companion for the creature, the creature might have experienced the connection and acceptance that he desperately sought, potentially preventing the revenge and violence that followed. I was surprised as I found that most readers disagreed, viewing the female creature as an even greater threat. However, I think this choice would have led everyone to the path toward peace, showing the power of empathy and understanding.

 

written by Chloe Ko

edited by Srisha Nannapaneni