Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s Frankenstein is a well-known tale that has been adapted into films and books. The novel is known for its complex narrative of the protagonists whose profound experiences of isolation are central to the plot. This essay argues that Mary Shelley employs the theme of loneliness to emphasize the importance of relationships and belonging to society. This is examined by looking at how loneliness is portrayed and how it affects the two protagonists, Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. The primary source in this analysis is Mary Shelley’s revised version of Frankenstein (1831). The research revealed that the referred characters share certain concepts of loneliness, but the specifics of their experiences differ due to their physical characteristics, their roles as creator and creation and their differing actions in the novel. The possible and actual societal reactions to their activities have influenced whether their loneliness is voluntary or involuntary. The research findings support the idea that loneliness can be considered “a body in pain” that manifests itself in various ways. Social norms operate as catalysts in the novel, driving the protagonists into emotional anguish. Existentialism, scientific norms, ethics, family togetherness, and an overall heteronormative paradigm are some examples of norms that impacted the protagonists’ journey. The allusions to the theme of loneliness not only broaden the story’s emotional and intellectual dimensions, but also provide complex insights into the consequences of violating natural order, pursuing unethical impulses and the painful isolation that comes with such ambitious goals. Mary Shelley has brilliantly stitched a complex story that addresses loneliness and the underlying longing for connection, urging readers to think about the novel’s timeless themes. The study concludes that Mary Shelley employs this dystopian perspective on the protagonists’ lives to highlight the dire repercussions of missing important relationships.

Keywords: Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein, the Creature, loneliness, social norms, allusion