FAQ About Frankenstein
Does the Creature have a name in the novel?
Yes, in the novel Frankenstein, the Creature is often referred to as "the Creature," "the Monster," or "the Wretch." It does not have a given name, and Victor Frankenstein never bestows one upon it. The lack of a name reflects the Creature's status as an outcast and the rejection it experiences from both its creator and society.
However, the Creature is portrayed as a highly intelligent and sensitive being. It is capable of language, emotions, and complex thoughts. In the narrative, the Creature expresses its desire for a name and an identity, feeling that being nameless adds to its sense of isolation and estrangement from humanity.
At one point in the novel, the Creature reads three books: Paradise Lost by John Milton, Plutarch's Lives, and The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. After reading these books, the Creature reflects on its own condition and refers to itself as "the Adam of your labors" in comparison to Victor as its "creator" or "God." This self-referential name reflects its understanding of its creation and place in the world.
Throughout the novel, the Creature's lack of a name symbolizes its lack of identity and its position as an outsider, rejected and feared by society. It serves as a reminder of the ethical and moral implications of Victor's creation and the consequences of neglecting one's responsibilities towards one's creations.
