At just 18 years old, Mary Shelley began crafting one of the most influential horror stories ever written, the 1818 novel “Frankenstein.” This work is heavily intertwined with the age of romanticism, portraying themes like alienation, monstrosity, aesthetics and the dangers of playing God. The aging of this book has not only given it a front row seat in classic literature, but crawled its way into modern pop culture.
There have been more than 187 film adaptations of “Frankenstein,” using creative liberties to weave plots and imagery into a wide array of other media. In 2023, Yorgos Lanthimos directed “Poor Things,” a modern reshaping of the classic. Some movies stick close to the original story such as Branagh’s 1994 “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.” Others, including Barton’s 1948 “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein,” take more artistic license. Either way, a tall green monster with bolts in its neck has become embedded in our understanding of “Frankenstein.”
I do not think that the remastering of “Frankenstein” original concept is bad. Adaptations play on classic archetypes. While these modern renditions distort the key takeaways of the novel to sensationalize the Creature, it ironically furthers Shelley’s narrative of the divide between creator and creation. However, the original does still deserve to be read and analyzed in order to get a greater appreciation and understanding of the story.
The original “Frankenstein,” while containing horror-driven descriptions and elements, is a tragedy by modern respects. Victor creates his Creature, but is disgusted by the ugliness of it, rejecting it. The Creature is thrown into isolation and forced to learn the harsh ways of the world without his creator. He kills Victor’s younger brother out of revenge, eventually finding Victor himself. Reunited, the Creature tells him the story of his wretched existence, pleading with his creator to make him a wife so he will not be so lonesome. Victor eventually makes the female Creature, but overwhelmed by her hideousness, destroys her. Horrified, the Creature kills Victor’s friend and vows his ultimate revenge. The Creature waits for Victor to get married and then kills his wife. He chases his creation to the Arctic and ultimately dies, leaving the Creature shockingly inconsolable and suicidal. The book ends with an insinuated suicide of the creation.
There are themes about not being too ambitious, not harming others in individual pursuits and how we should approach others without prejudice, but I think the lasting takeaways of this book is in its archetypes. The gothic scenery has stood the test of time with the key models of Victor as the mad scientist and fallen hero, and the Creature as the outcast. These creator/creation roles are what have stood the test of adaptation and are the fundamental core of the book.
Classic literature lovers, horror fanatics and those in a general state of angst should visit the original conception of “Frankenstein.” Besides its famous premise, it is beautifully written and is endlessly engaging. As the November chill turns to December freeze, this book will perfectly coincide with winter features.
