People have been experiencing multiple stages in life where they desire to be either counted as part of a civilization or being solitary and independent. This brings about the conflict between “Individual vs. Society”, in other words, “Individualism vs. Collectivism”. Both beliefs have several advantages and drawbacks that lead to certain consequences. The two novels: Frankenstein and Robinson Crusoe are perfect examples that depict both terms thoroughly through the decision and actions of the main characters. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, illustrates a professional scientist Victor hoping to create a monster that levels his authority, but in reality, he creates an ugly creature that later destroys the whole human civilization and brings devastating destruction toward Victor and his family relatives. In the story, the creature’s willful of be part of society while Victor develops individualism by traveling abroad on his own. In Robinson Crusoe, Robinson, a young and impulsive wanderer, neglects his father’s suggestion of letting him become a lawyer. He travels abroad alone into the unknown vast seas and discovers an island, where he lived for twenty-eight years individually. Same as Victor, Robinson abandons his own family with long-term “forfeit” relations such that his family thought he was dead.
Development of individualism can be a gradual process or a sudden impetus. Individualism leads toward independence, unlimited restrictions, and freedom from the arrangements of others, as well as a type of relief in pressure. Escaping from society might be enjoyable and adventurous in the beginning, but during the middle and toward the end, the sufferings might accumulate and outweigh the benefits. In Frankenstein, the monster’s solitude is developed gradually, since his initial desire was to withhold friendship with humanity. After Victor’s rapid abandonment, the monster always wants to be involved and cared for by others. "Living alone in the wilderness" was his only choice. This reveals his absolute loneliness and separation between human society due to his monstrous appearance. He feels himself more and more unwelcoming, but strives to provide nice impressions toward others. In the quote “he approached the family in hopes of becoming their friend, entering the house while only the blind father was present. The two conversed, but on the return of the others, the rest of them were frightened. The blind man's son attacked him and the Creature fled the house.” (Wikipedia) the monster attempted to induce friendship with the blind man’s family. After the man’s children discover him, the monster’s being shunned disrespectfully. This second “appearance” shock leads to the monster’s anger being kindled. He desires the same organism to give him comfort, but Victor refuses to offer him a partner. Finally losing control of his temper, the monster rebels against mankind by “choking William to death”. He recognizes that the only way he could satisfy himself is to stay as a powerful individual.
On the other hand, Robinson’s individualism is developed immediately, right after he rebels against his father’s arrangement: "Robinson Crusoe sets sail from Kingston upon Hull, England, on a sea voyage in August 1651, against the wishes of his parents, who wanted him to pursue a career in law. "(wikipedia), indicating that he desires to forge a path for himself. During his voyage, he finds numerous things that’s beyond what he expects. Being an individual requires the need to be self-sufficient. The quote "Over the years, by using tools salvaged from the ship, and some which he makes himself, he hunts animals, grows barley and rice, dries grapes to make raisins, learns to make pottery and traps and raises goats. " (wikipedia) describes him developing tools to hunt animals, grow staple food, and raise cattles. Robinson enriches his abilities in being self-reliable. Because he continues his innovation of manufacturing tools, he also develops his creativity. From “ He made a makeshift pick ax from some iron he salvaged from his ship and used the wood from a particularly strong tree he found to make a kind of shovel, but he was in need of a wheelbarrow. He then got to work deepening the cave he was carving out behind his tent, which he had connected to the tent.", we clearly see Robinson fully utilizing his cleverness and resourcefulness. While in the beginning, Robinson craves profit for buying slaves, he soon realizes his only necessity: survival. Therefore, he no longer possesses greediness nor vanity in his island life. After 28 years, Robinson gets rescued and returns home, shocking to know that his family thought he’s dead. Despite losing his father’s will(income), Robinson “reclaim the profits of his estate in Brazil, which has granted him much wealth." (wikipedia)”. His adventure provides him profits from the plantation, which is expected, predictable, and reliable.
Inner evilness lies within every individual in society. It’s something innate and uncontrollable. Inner evilness expresses people’s emotions toward their disappointments, disgusts, and hatred. In Frankenstein, “Again do I vow vengeance; again do I devote thee, miserable fiend, to torture and death” , hatred and the willingness of revenge soon dominates the monster’s whole soul. Selfishness can be considered inner evilness. From “a new species would bless me as its creator and source.” and “many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me.”, Victor's motivation for creating the monster is to gain personal value and authority, instead of displaying generosity in serving human civilization. Similarly, Robinson Crusoe is being selfish and inconsiderate when his father provides him a “competent” living. He reflects his abandonment of his parents counsel “My Original Sin” after he recognizes that he’s a sinner according to the Bible descriptions. During his voyage, there was a period where Robinson, Xury, and another guy were captured as slaves. While Xury is being loyal toward Robinson during their escape, Robinson disrespects Xuryand sells him into slavery. However, he later regrets selling Xury not because he finds it pitiful, but because he could have used him as a slave on his own plantation. When Robinson plaints “I began really to love the creature,” we can derive that although his emotional attachment seems sincere, his internal slavery toward Friday is inevitable.
Although nothing could compensate for the previous sinfulness, the virtue maintained within everyone remains an approved strength. In Frankenstein, Victor’s pursuit in the fields of natural science reveals his inquiring spirit. This shows his respect toward his profession, although he treats the monster with none. In the beginning and middle, the monster demonstrates friendliness and is good-hearted by his act of saving the nearly drowning girl. However, he was later described as “Hideous monster” in the novel, disgusted by the girl, not recognizing her great savior. Robinson Crusoe’s ingenuity and resourcefulness during his survival reveals his wisdom. We can infer that out of his volition of teaching, accepting, and helping Friday, Robinson’s virtue of compassion and service occupies a part of him. “Those people cannot comfortably enjoy what God has given them because they see and covet what He has not given them. All of our discontents for what we want appear to me to spring from want of thankfulness for what we have.” shows Robinson’s devotion to God. He understands that a person could never be fulfilled and it’s enough to be pleased with what you have in the meantime. Overall, the two novels: Frankenstein and Robinson Crusoe, center the theme of individual and society. Victor and Robinson are individualist pursuers right from the beginning, while the evilness of human society obliges the monster to become a destructive solitary. In reality, individuality doesn’t merely mean abandonment, but rather a pursuit of uniqueness and self-dependency. For the benefit of the community, it’s better to balance between individual and society.
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