Keep It Simple

The monster in the novel Frankenstein differs substantially from its depiction in the 1931 film, and in society today.  In the novel, the monster is a revolting and complicated compilation of body parts originating from deceased human beings. In the film and today’s portrayal, however, the monster is simplified, exposing shocking aspects in only a few areas such as green skin, a misshaped head, and bolts in the neck. I believe this change in the physical, bodily representation of the monster correlates with the fact that the name Frankenstein has also changed from being associated with the creator, to being associated with the monster. By changing the physical aspects of the monster, it becomes more easily identifiable for the general public. The limited and simplified characteristics create a solid figure that is able to both relate with, and popularize throughout society. For a general audience, it is much more effective to present a monster with a few memorable characteristics than it is to present one that is both complicated to look at and difficult to decipher or understand. When producing a movie, film creators want the viewers to not only remember the film and its characters, but also relay their thoughts, opinions and information on to their peers. Generally, the more a film is talked about in the potential-viewer population, the more successful it will be. Having the monster in a more simplified form makes it easier for people to recognize and describe the character, thus allowing them to spread the hype over the film more easily. I will argue that this is also a probable reasoning for the association between the name Frankenstein and the monster, instead of the creator. Giving the monster a name other than “the monster” allows viewers to more easily identify the concept of the monster. Without a name, the monster is a poorly solidified character that is both difficult to remember and describe to others. By associating the name Frankenstein with the monster, film makers and viewers are simplifying their task of identification, and creating a stronger attachment to the character and the film. Through this strategy of simplification we again ease the task of spreading the idea of the monster, and popularizing it throughout modern society.