Just like Walton, Frankenstein was alone as a child because he was an only child. Over time, he acquired a fascination with science and began to educate himself. “I was largely self-taught when it came to my preferred studies. My father was not a scientist and I had to struggle with the blindness of a child, coupled with the thirst for knowledge of a student” (Shelley 38). Frankenstein leaves his family very early to continue his studies. He has little to no contact with his family during this time, unless it is on his terms. Frankenstein buried himself in his studies, which caused him to have few friends. Discovering his habits, it is obvious that he has chosen a life of solitude. Although Frankenstein feels comfortable alone, he has a close friend, Clerval. This friendship is like the relationship Frankenstein has with his family, because it is only a relationship when he wants it to be. However, Frankenstein does not confide in Clerval about the difficulties he encounters with his experience. Frankenstein chose to set up his laboratory “in a solitary room, or rather a cell, at the top of the house” (Shelley 52) in Ingolstadt. Due to his science experiments, he believes it is best for him to be alone during this time, even though he has not seen his family in a while. Even though he chooses to be isolated, he insists that the reason he is isolated is because of the Creature. " I have to