Isolation in literature serves as a powerful tool for character development and thematic exploration, as seen in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper.”

In “Frankenstein,” both Victor Frankenstein and his creature experience profound isolation. Victor’s self-imposed isolation, driven by his obsession with creating life, leads to guilt and fear. The creature’s enforced isolation due to societal rejection results in loneliness and a quest for identity, highlighting themes of ambition and the need for empathy.

In contrast, “The Yellow Wallpaper” portrays enforced isolation through the narrator’s confinement by her husband as a treatment for her “nervous condition.” This isolation exacerbates her mental illness, leading to an obsession with the wallpaper and a complete breakdown. The story critiques the patriarchal medical practices of the time and the oppressive gender roles that stifle women’s creativity and autonomy.

Both works use isolation to depict psychological decline and critique societal norms. However, while “Frankenstein” focuses on scientific ambition and societal rejection, “The Yellow Wallpaper” specifically addresses gender oppression and the impact of enforced solitude on women’s mental health. Through isolation, both stories reveal deep insights into the human condition and societal flaws.