The extract chosen from Frankenstein details the Monster’s time observing the DeLaceys as they teach Safie how to speak their language, which subsequently leads to the education of the Monster. The extract opens as “Felix instructed Safie” by a book. The monster mentions that this is how he himself learned much of what he knows despite the fact that he never came into direct contact with either party rather listening in from his adjacent barn. Such circumstances demonstrate the monster’s psychological isolation from the cottagers since he never actually interacts with them. Despite this he still sees himself as being with them, mentioning that he “wept with Safie” during one history lesson even though she was not aware of his presence and thus felt no connection with him. During another such lesson the monster refers to the “strange system of human society” suggesting that he does not see himself as a part of that society and thus is alienated from the entire world; this is later emphasized as he states that he is “not even of the same nature as man”. Furthermore he mentions that “of his creator he was absolutely ignorant” which extends his alienation to include that of any possible family he may have, primarily his father figure. This situation is further explored later in the extract as he tells of how he had to learn how fathers “doated on the smiles of infants” since he never had a father in order to give him firsthand experience of such a phenomenon. The monster does acknowledge that he is kept apart from the DeLaceys, observing that he “was shut out from intercourse with them”. This is particularly significant when we take into account that he refers to the DeLaceys as “my cottagers” suggesting a certain amount of familial affection despite the fact that he seems aware that they would be unlikely to accept him were they to see him. Finally a most important line to be noted is the line in which he claims that he has “never yet seen another being resembling” him which clearly emphasizes how truly unique and alone the monster is in the world.
The passage taken from Frankenstein focuses mostly on the isolation of the monster without going into much detail of the corresponding alienation of other characters, such as the DeLaceys being far from other civilisation or Safie being away from her home country. In Cold Blood however depicts the loneliness and isolation of two of the pivotal characters, demonstrating both the similarities and differences between their situations.
The piece taken from In Cold Blood describes the relationship between Dick and Perry as well as their physical appearances and significant experiences from the past. It opens with the statement that the men had “little in common” proving that they were isolated even from each other as well as from the rest of society. Dick is the first character mentioned singly and the extract details the relationships and marriages of his early life. He separated from his first wife six years into their marriage to “’do the right thing’” by the girl he had impregnated with his first child. This separation, being unwanted as it was, is indication of Dick’s separation from those he loved. This is furthered a few lines down where he states that he “don’t want anything to do with my second wife” and yet does not say the same about the first, suggesting that he still harbours feelings for her yet is isolated from her by his past mistakes. Further down the author moves on to describing Dick’s physical appearance, depicting him as looking as if his “head had been halved like an apple” making it appear “tilted” and uneven. This physical deformity could cause him to be looked at as different by other people which may subsequently have ostracized him from wider society. A reason for this may be that his appearance makes him appear “sane enough but not too bright” in comparison with the average person, perhaps making people less likely to try to converse with him. However this would be a moot point since an IQ test he took revealed him to have a “rating of 130”, well above average. On the other hand his high intelligence may be yet another reason for him to be alienated as it the difference in IQ may cause him to think and behave differently to other members of society making it difficult to fit in. Perry too is described as being physically different with “chunky, dwarfish legs” as the result of a motor-bike accident which may be cause for social isolation much like Dick’s. The extent of the difference of body caused by such an affliction can be observed close to the end of the extract where it is stated that Perry can “never find trousers to fit” as a direct result of the deformity in his legs. An extension of the accident’s effects can also be seen in Perry’s being an “aspirin addict” which in itself would cause society to look down upon him and try to avoid him.
Neither text uses much dialogue with In Cold Blood having just one line of dialogue not included within flashbacks and Frankenstein having none other than when the narrator speaks to the reader. This lack of verbal communication may be seen as yet another way for the writer to demonstrate the isolation of their characters, alienating them from the other characters within the book by keeping them from speaking. The one line spoken by Dick to Perry quotes “’OK, beauty. Put away the comb’”, an order which suggests that Dick is in charge of Perry rather than their being friends on equal grounds, such a relationship would also be evidence of isolation as it would imply that neither of them have real friends.
The language used in Frankenstein is considerably more dramatic and arguably more poetic than that used in In Cold Blood, however the latter uses language which is much more succinct and less extravagant, getting straight to the point rather than dancing around it with obscure wording and endless sentences. This difference is most likely due to alternate periods of time in which the novels were written. In the time that Frankenstein was written it was common to write in long sentences and use an abundance of adjectives and as such the way that the monster dictates his narration is vastly different to the style of the omniscient narrator observed in In Cold Blood.
Both texts explore differing areas of the concept of alienation, with Frankenstein discussing the walls erected by society to deter those different to us and In Cold Blood depicting the isolation not only within society but also within friendships and relationships. Furthermore both novels depict the worst possible effect of ostracizing individuals from society being that they will lose much of what makes them human and, in the cases shown here, such individuals may be forced to take drastic action. Perhaps these classic books can be a lesson to all who read them.