‘Frankenstein’: The Misunderstood Masterpiece 200 Years After Its Publication

During a rainy night in the European summer of 1816, Mary Godwin (later known as Mary Shelley), Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and John Polidori gathered at Villa Diodati on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. This casual meeting would forever change the history of literature. The group challenged each other to write a terrifying story, with Mary wanting to create something that would ‘awaken thrilling horror,’ resulting in the creation of Frankenstein. More than two hundred years later, the work remains misunderstood, especially with Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming adaptation attracting attention. Frankenstein portrays Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates life from death, only to reject his creation, delving into themes of ambition, rejection, and the boundaries of human knowledge. Shelley’s novel encapsulates the societal shifts of the time, including the Industrial Revolution challenging man’s relationship with nature and science pushing the limits of sacred knowledge. Surrounded by intellectuals like her father William Godwin and Percy Shelley, Mary wrote about science, ambition, motherhood, and loss, drawing from personal experiences. The emotional core of the story lies in the bond between creator and creation, exploring themes of abandonment and understanding amidst ambition and science. Over time, Hollywood and popular culture have simplified Shelley’s philosophical tragedy into a horror spectacle, creating the image of the ‘mad scientist’ and a voiceless monster. Guillermo del Toro’s new adaptation aims to restore the original novel’s emotional core, exploring the connection between creator and creation. By emphasizing the humanity and complexity of the monster, del Toro seeks to present a narrative focused on familial pain and tragedy rather than mere horror. Del Toro, inspired by Shelley’s work, aims to give a voice to the voiceless and shed light on the psychological depths of the characters. The upcoming release of del Toro’s adaptation promises a deeper exploration of Shelley’s themes and characters, aiming to offer a new perspective on the classic tale of Frankenstein.