Frankenstein

One of the major themes in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is Friendship and Companionship. Below are a few quotes from the book that go along with this theme.

"I have no friend, Margaret: When I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; If I am assailed disappointment, no one will endeavor to sustain me in dejection." (Letter II, pg. 1)

"We were brought up together; there was not quite a year difference in our ages. I need not say that we were strangers to any species of disunion or dispute. Harmony was the soul of our companionship, and the diversity and contrast that subsisted in our characters drew us nearer together" (Volume 1, Chapter 2, pg. 38)

"I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species, and have the same defects. This being you must crate." (Volume 2, Chapter 8, pg. 146)

We see an ongoing yearning for friendship and companionship throughout the whole story. In the letters in the beginning of the book, Walton becomes depressed because he does not have anyone to share his experiences, joys and fears with. Walton wants a friend and someone he can relate with to share the experience of this huge quest he is embarking on.

Frankenstein was born into a family where he was the only child. He had always wanted a companion, a friend, someone he can relate to and spend time with. When Elizabeth was brought into the family, Frankenstein was ecstatic and was happy to finally have someone his age to spend time with.

The monster that Frankenstein created expresses the sadness and loneliness he feels. He also yearns for someone to come into his life that he can care about and in turn care about him. He comes to realize that because of his appearance, this person needs to look like him so each other is accepted.