...In The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, isolation is a common theme that contributes to character development throughout the novel. Junot Diaz, in his narration of Oscar’s life through the eyes of Yunior, induces the idea that isolation is a self-imagined way for a character or person to justify his/her differences from society and the people around them. While there are outside forces that contribute to the feeling of isolation, such as cultural differences, immigration, and gender stereotypes and expectations; in the end, Diaz firmly believes that a person’s feeling of isolation is a crutch to reason why he/she does not fit in. Diaz believes that the feeling of isolation is a self-imagined feeling that helps a person justify why he/she is an outcast in society. In the novel, the theme of isolation is common throughout all the main characters; Oscar, Lola, and Beli. To start with, Oscar begins as a typical Dominican male. As a child, Oscar was considered “a Casanova” who was “a ‘normal’ Dominican boy raised in a ‘typical’ Dominican family” (11). Oscar eventually grows “fatter and fatter,” develops “zits,” and gets “self-conscious” because his “interest in “Genres...bec[o]me[s] synonymous with being a loser...” (16, 17). Because Oscar suddenly turns into an outcast, he blames his dorkiness and homely appearance for his lack of acceptance by the outside world. What Diaz underlines, though, is that Oscar has control over his life, but isolates himself by letting...
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...What is isolation? The Oxford dictionary implies that isolation is the state of being separated from people, or a situation in which you do not have the support from others. Statistics display 1 in 5 people experience isolation which in severe cases leads to depression and anxiety. Isolation is also found in the film ‘Edward Scissor hands’ as we see the main character, Edward, is inconsiderately isolated of the means of his odd physical appearance. The theme isolation is frequently highlighted in the film ‘Edward Scissor Hands’ as a series of chain events occurred due to him being isolated. Edwards isolation ushered him to be socially awkward, not knowing how to act around people. This means he hasn't had time to build his defence mechanisms, leaving him vulnerable to gossipy housewives and macho bullies. This is evident when Jim takes advantage of Edwards ability to unlock doors and when Jim is able to physically and mentally abuse Edward with out retaliation. Through all these events, Edward is not able to comprehend the fast pace society due to his isolation. In the society we live in today, we see and encounter isolation frequently. One of the most common types, is social isolation. Social isolation is a process in which someone stops communicating or cooperating with society. They are essentially mentally...
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...To Dwell in Isolation Consider a life away from the busy traffic and noises of the city. A life in peaceful serenity secluded in nature that allows a clear mind and focused thoughts without distracting annoyances. Does it sound like the perfect setting for a writer? Emily Dickinson seemed to think so as it is well known that she spent much of her life in isolation from society. In her poem “I dwell in Possibility” a comparison is made between the house of poetry and the house of prose with favor towards the house of poetry. However, this comparison goes much deeper. The house of poetry actually represents Emily Dickinson’s way of life in isolation, and the house of prose represents a life in mainstream society. Dickinson uses a unique metaphor,...
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...Isolation Anybody can feel isolated or alienated, and therefore must face certain struggles because of it. These people are often bullied for being different, feel unwanted, and have low self-esteem issues which can result in further isolation and other irreversible consequences. Isolation is not only expressed in real life, but literature as well, in the stories The Metamorphosis, Revenge of the Geeks, and The Doll House, many of the stories feel isolated from society and feel as if they are outcasts to those they know. In the Franz Kafka’s short story, The Metamorphosis, the main character Gregor wakes up one morning as an insect. His family is quick to shun him and turn him into an outcast and push him to a point of isolation rather than...
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...of similarities. Characters in both texts come face-to-face with the challenge of being different, which consumes most of the texts. However , there are minor differences that revolve around society’s reactions to the challenges and changes faced by some individuals, such Edward Scissorhands and “the thing”. Conformity and social isolation are both explored and scrutinised deeply throughout both texts, with strong messages delivered about the problems with being different. Whilst the texts focus so strongly on the challenges or problems of being different, they ironically reveal a stronger message about the ignorance of a society that behaves exactly the same. Conformity is a result of the influenced change in one’s behaviour and beliefs in order to fit in with a group or individuals or society. It is a main theme explored in Edward Scissorhands and The Lost Thing. The ‘thing’ in The Lost Thing is different as it is a red mechanical being , as opposed to the human characters on the beach in the book. Alternately, Edward’s character In Edward Scissorhands is seen as different from he neighbourhood, as he hides himself away in a dark castle, away from the bright, sunny town. He has scissors for hands and has pale features with dark hair, as opposed to the human neighbours. This is seen in the barbecue scene in Edward Scissorhands when Edward’s blank facial expressions reveal he struggles to understand the men’s...
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...1790 – Commentary: This excerpt from 1790 by Eleanor Dark explores the isolation experienced by an Aboriginal woman, Cunnembeillee and her white husband, Andrew. In this excerpt, Dark highlights the hardships, which Cunnembeillee faces through her fraught relationship. Emphasizing her feelings of separation from her tribe and from her husband, drawing out the sadness, which is felt not only by Cunnembeillee but also her husband. Dark explores the condition for women of the time of patriarchal societies through highlighting Cunnembeillee’s treatment she experienced by her husband. This piece is retrospective in the way that it was written at the time of the suffragette movement in Australia with the rise of feminism, which is clearly influential through the focus of the text. Ultimately this text will examine the idea of isolation, patriarchal societies and the use of language to portray assimilation. In this excerpt, the reader is exposed to the social condition in which Cunnembeillee is living in. Dark portrays the severity of isolation that Cunnembeillee experiences through the emphasis of differentiation of culture between her and her husband. When describing how Cunnembeillee “tried to amuse him and make him less heavy hearted by performing a little dance which was one of the most popular comedies of her tribe, he snarled at her and struck her with a stick” Dark utilizes dance as a symbol of Cunnembeillee attempting to express her emotions, a way for her to share a...
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...one that is rich with ideas on how mankind can be able to utilize knowledge for evil and good intentions. The book also brings out how some individual, those without knowledge or ‘defected’, are treated by society at large. In another instance, the book helps to illustrate how mankind views and is affected by technology. One of the main characters of the story is Victor Frankenstein. Victor is a young scientist obsessed with finding the unknown secret of life. To this end, he manages to create a creature out of dead organs; in his laboratory. At first, the monster is gentle, but mankind negative attitude and fear towards it manages to change that. To this end, the monster seeks revenge towards its creator; it manages to do so by killing close relatives of its creator. The book clearly illustrates the theme of alienation and the innocent bystanders that are directly affected by it. Frankenstein and his character are presented as one complete thing; with one being a complement of the other. This paper aims to explore and support the theme of alienation in Mary’s book. The book starts with a clear illustration of alienation in the form of the scientist; victor. Victor has faced alienation almost his entire life. The alienation is seen from his childhood, work, and the society at large. The life of victor is that of science; his mission and goal being that of trying to understand the intricacies of life. In addition, the young scientist is intrigued by the miracles presented by...
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...The development and growth of an individual or group of people allows them to thrive in the modern world which continues to encourage more change, creating a cycle of evolution. When an individual becomes isolated from the progression of the society in which they live, they themselves are unable to develop. This creates a breach in the cycle and can make the life of the individual problematic since they begin to rely on a traditionalist lifestyle in an ever growing modern society. In W.D. Valgardson’s Bloodflowers, The isolation of an island nation from the rest of society does not allow it and its residence to grow and evolve which causes problems within and creates difficulties when it comes to surviving. When and individual or group of people chose...
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...The image, Isolation is created by the multidisciplinary artist Jack Vanzet. Vanzet is twenty-four years old who is from Melbourne, Australia and works in the fields of graphic design, art direction, illustration, branding and typography. Jack Vanzet is not only an astonishing, groundbreaking artist, but also an incredible and my personal favorite musician who goes by the name of Thrupence. The image Isolation speaks about various sociocultural influences and cultural aspects. Sociocultural factors can be defined as the customs, lifestyles and values, which portray a society or group of people. These factors are the larger scale forces within societies that affect the judgments, mindsets, opinions, and behaviors of individuals. When looking at Isolation, I see a face with two eyes, two eyebrows, lips and a...
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...one that is rich with ideas on how mankind can be able to utilize knowledge for evil and good intentions. The book also brings out how some individual, those without knowledge or ‘defected’, are treated by society at large. In another instance, the book helps to illustrate how mankind views and is affected by technology. One of the main characters of the story is Victor Frankenstein. Victor is a young scientist obsessed with finding the unknown secret of life. To this end, he manages to create a creature out of dead organs; in his laboratory. At first, the monster is gentle, but mankind negative attitude and fear towards it manages to change that. To this end, the monster seeks revenge towards its creator; it manages to do so by killing close relatives of its creator. The book clearly illustrates the theme of alienation and the innocent bystanders that are directly affected by it. Frankenstein and his character are presented as one complete thing; with one being a complement of the other. This paper aims to explore and support the theme of alienation in Mary’s book. The book starts with a clear illustration of alienation in the form of the scientist; victor. Victor has faced alienation almost his entire life. The alienation is seen from his childhood, work, and the society at large. The life of victor is that of science; his mission and goal being that of trying to understand the intricacies of life. In addition, the young scientist is intrigued by the miracles presented by...
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...The Effect of Isolation Through out the story “The Yellow Wallpaper,” written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and the film, “Santa Sangre,” the main characters finds themselves led into a state of insanity. In the story “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the narrator explains that she is suffering from post partum depression, leaving her husband to treat her with rest cure or bed rest. During this time, she is placed in a solitary room with walls covered in yellow wallpaper. Similarly, through out “Santa Sangre,” Phoenix grows up with his family in a circus, only to end up losing them. He was locked in a trailer as his father had an affair, murdered his mother by cutting off both her arms and then committed suicide in front of Phoenix. He is then forced to be on his own and grow up living an introverted life away from society. The over abundance of social isolation these characters experience leads to their states of insanity. Through out “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the narrator is locked away in an isolated room, which was supposed to cure her disorder, but instead, the treatment makes her worse. With the locked door and barred windows, she is secluded from the real world and what was once supposed to refresh her mind, dulls it. She finds herself only exposed to the yellow wallpaper that surrounds her, which is explained as a scattered and unorganized pattern. The constant isolation, time for examination and reflections of this wallpaper causes her to become further insane. “On a pattern...
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...relevant to real life in Miss Brill are isolation and appearance versus reality. Likewise Frau Brechenmacher suffers through isolation throughout the story and also male dominance is one of the major themes that are highlighted in the story. These themes are relevant to real life as women are likely to suffer more in their life than men. In Miss Brill one of the central theme is isolation as Miss Brill is mentally isolated this is portrayed when she takes her fur out of the box which is symbolic of Miss Brill’s situation as she starts to have conversation “dear little thing it was nice to feel you again” this represents Miss Brill’s mental state, the way she shares her feeling with fur which is a object, highlights how desperate she seeks acceptance from person whom she can have conversation. This is significant when old couple do not have conversation with her at the park “disappointed Miss Brill as she looked forward for conversation”. This shows she is being rejected by people of her own age and also shows her egoistic behaviour as she expects the couple to have conversation with her. The theme isolation is relevant to real life as Mansfield uses Miss Brill to suggest reader that as human age they begin to feel emptiness in their lives and fill it with action of other. This is also relevant older people are rejected by younger generations as younger generation takes over older generation. Mansfield highlights insightful feelings of elderly people and the ways they cope with loneliness...
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...Macbeth Essay People isolate themselves when stressed or going through a hard time. In Macbeth, Macbeth becomes progressively isolated from society. An examination of Macbeth after Duncan’s murder, his paranoia, and his relationships with others by the end will demonstrate Macbeth’s growing isolation. Firstly, Macbeth’s social isolation begins after Duncan’s death. After murdering Duncan, Macbeth feels guilty and fears someone will find out. An example of this is when Macbeth says: “What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine eyes/Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/Clean from my hand?” (2.2.76-78). Macbeth is paranoid and worries someone will discover that he has committed the murder. This initiates his isolation, and he begins to trust others less because he fears being caught. Secondly, Duncan’s death is often referred to as Macbeth’s largest inner turmoil. For instance, before murdering Banquo, Macbeth says: … Duncan is in his grave, After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well, … Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, Can touch him further! (3.2.24-28) Macbeth is still distraught over murdering Duncan. This stress causes his social isolation and deteriorating mental health. Overall, Macbeth’s isolation begins after murdering Duncan, and his guiltiness continues to be a problem....
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...Existentialism talks about man making himself. Man has a dream for himself to fulfill one day. These dreams sometimes get the best of people and become them. These people become isolated from society with only their dream keeping them going. Isolation is everywhere. There are different types of isolation: intrapersonal, interpersonal, and existential isolation. We see the main character Gregor Samsa going through all three types of isolation in the short story The Metamorphosis. Gregor Samsa is an ordinary man with a dream to one day fulfill. This dream or goal of his has become him. The only thing keeping him going is the thought that one day his goal will be reached. This dream has kept him running away from reality, which has led to his isolation. The first type of isolation that we see in Gregor is interpersonal isolation; this is the form of isolation from others. Throughout the short story Gregor isolates himself from his family. He overworks himself to try to maintain his family by himself. People would think that such dedication from a son would bring him closer to his parents; “but for all the work one does, one still doesn’t gain any right to be treated with loving kindness by everyone; on the contrary, one is alone, a perfect stranger to everyone, and merely an object of curiosity.” (Emrich) Gregor did not stand up for himself, he let his parents control his life; a life he despised. His parents had such control over him that he no longer was a son to them, but an...
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...Frankenstein exhibits the negative effects of what isolation can do to a person or character. There is three characters who contribute to Frankenstein’s overall theme of depression and isolation. More specifically, the three characters who appear as narrator's experience the greatest distress and isolation. Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and Frankenstein’s creation. Each of the three characters experience their heartache in different ways and for differing reasons, but they can all relate because of the problems they go through in the novel. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, three of the main characters experience isolation, which causes them emotional instability and depression that leads to their awful and distressful lives. Frankenstein’s...
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