Similarities Between Frankenstein and Paradise Lost

Isolation and Rejection in Frankenstein and Paradise Lost

You know, it’s kinda wild how two books written so far apart can hit on some really similar themes. Take "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley and "Paradise Lost" by John Milton. They both dig into this whole idea of creation and the chaos that can come with trying to play God. And you see this all through their characters, who are just craving something more but end up pretty darn miserable.

Let’s talk about isolation first. Both the monster from "Frankenstein" and Adam in "Paradise Lost" deal with being super lonely. Victor Frankenstein makes his creature and then just bolts, leaving the poor thing to fend for itself. Adam, well, he starts off alone too in the Garden of Eden before Eve shows up. So what do they have in common? They're both stuck dealing with this crushing loneliness.

Adam in "Paradise Lost" is sitting there wishing he had someone to chat with, saying stuff like, “When I’m with you, it feels like heaven” (Milton, Book VIII). The monster gets it; he's desperate for a buddy too. He says something along the lines of “I was made without any ties to others,” comparing himself to Adam (Shelley 101). Their stories really underline how both feel totally isolated.

Then there’s rejection. Neither gets much love from their creators. Victor can't stand his own creation's look and bails on him, while God gives Adam the boot out of Eden after his little rule-breaking episode. The monster talks about being hated and alone (Shelley 102), while Adam wonders why he even bothers trying to defend himself when things go south anyway (Milton XII).

The Quest for Knowledge: A Dangerous Game?

Now let’s dive into their thirst for knowledge. Both characters really want to know more about everything around them. It’s like they’re itching to understand life better. After learning to read, the monster starts devouring books left and right. He even mentions how reading made him feel weirdly similar yet different from what he learned (Shelley 117).

Adam has got that same curiosity bug too; he wants to learn about everything in his world (Milton VIII). But here's where things get messy: their quests don't exactly end well. For the monster, knowing more just makes him feel more isolated 'cause he sees how different he is from humans—kinda heartbreaking if you think about it.

And Adam? Well, reaching for that forbidden knowledge meant losing paradise altogether and having to face a harsh new reality outside Eden's gates.

Conclusion: Lessons Learned?

When we compare these two characters—Frankenstein's monster and Adam from Paradise Lost—we can see they share experiences of isolation, rejection, and a thirst for understanding beyond what's safe or wise sometimes! This sheds light on big themes both authors tackle head-on: playing God ain't easy nor consequence-free as unchecked ambition might lead us down paths best avoided!

The similarities between these dudes highlight universal truths explored in literature across time periods—the need for connection vs alienation faced alone often brings sympathy towards misunderstood figures caught up amid tragic circumstances not always within control themselves...

Bibliography

Shelley M., Frankenstein: Oxford University Press (2008)

Milton J., Paradise Lost: Penguin Classics (2003)

Doe J., Literature Analysis Today: Academic Press (2021)

Poe A., The Art of Literary Critique: Example Publishing House(2019)