Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Group

Question:

amyprest
amyprest
Student
Graduate School

What is the monster's name in the novel Frankenstein?

Rate question:

Posted by amyprest on Monday August 20, 2007 at 1:38 PM and tagged with frankenstein; or, the modern prometheus, monster.

Answers:


  1. dymatsuoka

    eNotes Editor

    The monster has no name in the novel. It has been said that this omission is a reflection of Victor Frankenstein's complete rejection of his creation. The monster calls himself "the Adam of your labors", and is referred to as "the creature", "the fiend", "the daemon", and "the wretch" at different points in the book.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/frankenstein/monster

    Rate answer:

    Posted by dymatsuoka on Monday August 20, 2007 at 2:20 PM

  2. daveb
    daveb Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    In a way, I think the monster lacking a name is like schools that attempt to make their students wear uniforms: the idea is that students will display their creativity in their work, rather than by what they wear. I think by not giving the monster a name, it allows his appearance and behavior to get the full attention of the reader, and it helps avoid what happens in so many other novels, where the character's name is in some way indicative of what the character is, or stands for.

    Dave Becker

    Rate answer:

    Posted by daveb on Friday October 19, 2007 at 9:15 AM