The Monster in Frankenstein

I was impassioned to talk about this after watching Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” a couple of nights ago, and the passion has not faded. With Halloween just around the corner, I want to share my opinion on who the real monster is in Frankenstein’s story (Spoiler: it’s not him).

Let me first make it clear that I don’t mean Victor Frankenstein: I mean his creation. The whole “Don’t you mean Frankenstein’s monster?” is an outdated pedantic way of viewing him because, in my opinion, that is his name. Victor certainly didn’t name him, and as his creator, it only seems fitting he shares his surname, if nothing more than for the irony of his hated creation being named after him.

When watching the film, it’s easy to see the civilians acting out of fear and thinking, If they just stopped attacking him, everything would be fine! While it’s nice to think we’d all be different and would show kindness towards the creation, let’s be honest: I would probably pee my pants if I saw Frankenstein in person, and I don’t blame anyone for thinking they’re about to die (especially when some of them actually do). 

Trying to spoil as little about the film as possible, I will just say that I think it executed a grey area perfectly. Everyone’s actions make sense if you put yourself in their shoes, and no one is truly fully at fault.

Correction: One person is at fault.

This is not a unique take by any means, and you may have heard it before, but I will shout it from the rooftops: If anyone is a monster in this story, it is Victor. To create a living creature and do nothing but harm him, scare him, and treat him like an abomination is far more monstrous than Frankenstein knowing no better than to defend himself.

I understand feelings make people act irrationally, but pride, fear, disappointment, and anger be damned. Maybe I’m being harsh, but Victor acts like the one without a soul. 

I see the parallels between abusive parents and Victor, and I am sure there is something to be said in the film about breaking this cycle of abuse, but gosh it is hard to empathize with him. Frankenstein views him as his whole world, and he is left to die for not being as intelligent as Victor hoped… News flash! He was quite literally just born. 

I implore you to watch the film for yourself and consider “monsters” from a different perspective. Next up on the roster: Medusa.

Photo by Blexmedia https://blexmedia.com/netflix-frankenstein-trailer/