Exploring Isolation, Loneliness, and Otherness in Frankenstein Adaptations"

Abstract

Loneliness, particularly the sense of isolation that characters experience and are depicted as enduring, is one of the most prevalent themes in monster literature. Monsters are frequently portrayed as monstrous and terrifying, separating them from everyday culture and positioning them as the "other." They become isolated as a result, which may lead to antisocial and occasionally violent behaviour. This article examines how loneliness is portrayed in a few Frankenstein adaptations, including Tim Burton's Frankenweenie, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Kenneth Branagh's 1994 film adaptation, and the X-Files episode "The Post-Modern Prometheus." The article examines the impact of isolation on the characters in these stories, considering how loneliness affects both creators and creations.