Friendship in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein';

Through the exploration of value attached to friendship in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein';, it is found that Victor, Walton, and the monster each desire a companion to either fall back on during times of misery, to console with, or to learn from. During various periods throughout the novel, it is found that Victor depends heavily on friendship when tragedy occurs to keep him from going insane. Walton desires the friendship of a man to have someone who he can sympathize with. The sole purpose of the monster is to find a companion to learn from and not be a total outcast to society. None of these characters desire to be isolated and when any of them become so, they lose the ability to function properly and are driven insane.

Whenever Victor suffers tragedy, he looks to the close comfort of his friends to raise his spirits. Following the creation of the monster, Victor undergoes great pain when he states, “I passed the night wretchedly';(p.87). In the process of creating the monster, Victor has been isolated for a long time. He becomes mad and sickened after the monster’s awakening and has never felt true horror and fear such as this. With the arrival of Clerval his emotions change when he states, “But I was in reality very ill; and surely nothing but the unbounded and unremitting attentions of my friend could have restored me to life';(p.91). Victor rejoiced his spirit with pleasure on the arrival of his friend. Victor recollected the pleasant thoughts of his home and family through Clerval. He found that he could fall back on Clerval to forget the pain. With Clerval’s aid, Victor returned to his former self in a short period and valued Clerval dearest among all friends. When Walton rescues Victor on the northern shores, he finds him “on the brink of destruction';(Shelley 58). Victor puts his quest on a halt to restore himself on Walton’s ship when he states, “And yet you rescued me from a strange and perilous situation; you have benevolently restored me to life';(p.59). From the aid of Walton, Victor is able to feel confidence and some happiness once again so that he can continue his journey. Victor values Walton because he saves him from dying on the ice whi...

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...ing he knows from the family and begins to love them. After he finally confronts De Lacey, he believes that he has found a friend at last when he states, “Excellent man! I thank you, and accept your generous offer. You raise me from the dust by this kindness; and I trust that, by your aid, I shall not be driven from the society and sympathy of your fellow-creatures';(p.162). Once he is driven out and beaten, the monster loses all hope of ever fitting in and becomes isolated and mad. All he ever needed was someone to show him compassion but when he was not shown any, he believed he had every reason to hate mankind.

Each character in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein';, has their own unique perspective on how they value friendship. Victor Frankenstein prospers from the ability to rely on his friends during tragic times. Walton needs a companion that he can express his feelings to and relate to on many subjects. The monster greatly appreciates the ability to learn from a friend and wants someone so he can be freed from isolation. Together, all three men can love humanity when with companions but can also be crazy when isolated.