FAQ About Frankenstein
Who is the Creature in Frankenstein?
The Creature in Frankenstein, often referred to as "Frankenstein's Monster," is the result of Victor Frankenstein's scientific experiment to create life. After becoming obsessed with the idea of unlocking the secrets of life and death, Victor gathers body parts from various sources and assembles them into a living being.
The Creature is brought to life through Victor's unorthodox scientific methods, but upon seeing its grotesque appearance, Victor is horrified and abandons the Creature. Left to fend for itself, the Creature seeks understanding and acceptance from society, but it is universally rejected and subjected to cruelty due to its terrifying appearance.
Despite its appearance, the Creature is highly intelligent and compassionate. It learns to speak and read by observing a family, the De Lacey's, but even its attempt to reach out to them in friendship is met with fear and violence.
Throughout the novel, the Creature's narrative is presented, offering insights into its thoughts and feelings. The Creature grapples with its identity and experiences deep loneliness, anger, and a desire for revenge against its creator, Victor Frankenstein, for abandoning it and causing it so much suffering.
The Creature serves as a tragic figure in the novel, highlighting themes of alienation, prejudice, and the consequences of societal rejection. Despite its violent actions later in the story, the Creature's initial innocence and desire for companionship elicit sympathy and raise questions about the nature of humanity, responsibility, and the treatment of others who are different.
Mary Shelley's portrayal of the Creature challenges readers to consider the implications of playing "God" through scientific experimentation and the importance of empathy and compassion in human interactions. The Creature's plight has made it an iconic character in literature and popular culture, and its name "Frankenstein's Monster" has become synonymous with the novel itself, despite the creature not being named in the original text.
