Have you ever found yourself in a conversation about Frankenstein and stumbled, unsure whether Frankenstein is the name of the monstrous creation or its brilliant, yet arguably reckless, maker? You’re not alone. Even in academic settings, the line blurs, and the monster often mistakenly inherits the moniker of its creator. Many are surprised to discover that Frankenstein is indeed the scientist, the ambitious Doctor Victor Frankenstein, who breathes life into the creature.
This confusion is deeply rooted in popular culture, fueled by decades of film adaptations of Mary Shelley’s groundbreaking novel, “Frankenstein.” Since its publication in 1818, Shelley’s gothic masterpiece has inspired over 60 cinematic interpretations. The creature, often mistakenly called Frankenstein, quickly became a horror icon, joining the ranks of vampires, werewolves, and mummies in the pantheon of movie monsters, despite its uniquely human-made origin, as noted by Deseret.com.
These film adaptations have significantly shaped public perception, often deviating drastically from Shelley’s original narrative. A common trope is naming the creature “Frankenstein,” directly contributing to the widespread misconception. Some films even omit Victor Frankenstein entirely, like the comedic horror film “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948). In this slapstick rendition, Frankenstein the monster, alongside Dracula and the Wolfman, engages in comedic chases, reminiscent of a Scooby Doo episode.
Furthermore, the creature’s portrayal in many adaptations often reduces him to a lumbering, inarticulate brute with a square head, neck bolts, and prominent stitches. The National Theatre’s 2011 stage production of “Frankenstein” visually emphasizes this stitched-together image, with extensive sutures across the creature’s face and body.
Adaptations that retain Doctor Victor Frankenstein frequently depict him as a stereotypical mad scientist, obsessed with playing God through the creation of life. The iconic 1931 “Frankenstein” film, starring Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein (a name variation), epitomizes this portrayal. Clive’s ecstatic cry, “It’s alive, it’s alive, it’s alive!” upon witnessing the creature’s first movements, followed by his declaration of understanding what it feels like to be God, remains one of the most recognizable Frankenstein quotes. Ironically, in this famous instance, the character wasn’t even named Victor.
However, Shelley’s 1818 novel presents a more nuanced Victor Frankenstein. He isn’t a scientist in the modern sense, but rather a highly inquisitive university student driven by ambition and a thirst for knowledge. Driven by a desire to unravel the mysteries of life, he delves into grave-robbing to procure body parts, ultimately constructing a being and animating it with electricity. While Victor’s pursuit of life’s secrets can be seen as playing God, his immediate reaction to his creation is profound regret and terror. He is horrified by the creature’s awakening and abandons it, plagued by paranoia of its return.
Left to its own devices, the creature in Shelley’s novel is far from the unintelligent monster depicted in films. He learns to survive, acquiring language and knowledge through observation and reading, including works like John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” which profoundly influences his understanding of the world. His encounters with humanity, however, are marked by rejection and cruelty, leading to a gradual descent into despair and vengeful acts, culminating in the deaths of Victor’s wife, Elizabeth, and his younger brother, William.
The creature’s literary depiction contrasts sharply with his cinematic counterpart. He is articulate, eloquent, and possesses remarkable agility and speed due to his immense size. Shelley describes him with striking imagery: piercing yellow eyes like the moon and translucent skin revealing the network of veins beneath.
Film, as a powerful medium, significantly shapes collective memory, and the Frankenstein narrative is a prime example. The enduring image of “Frankenstein” as the monster overshadows the complex character of Doctor Frankenstein and the philosophical depths of Shelley’s original work. To truly grasp the legacy of Frankenstein, and the unexpected cultural phenomenon it has become, immersing yourself in Mary Shelley’s novel and exploring its diverse film adaptations is highly recommended. You might be surprised by the depth and nuances you discover beyond the popular monster myth.
