It's specifically the archetypal Universal variation that I often think of as "Frankenstein". If it's some other version, like Robert De Niro's or Christopher Lee's, I think of it as "the Monster" or "the Creature".
share"Knowledge is knowing that Frankenstein is not the monster. Wisdom is knowing that Frankenstein is the monster."
—Unknown
--
"These go to eleven."
Since the monster was created by Frankenstein, and is thus a kind of son, wouldn't he also be named Frankenstein? All he needs is a first and middle name.
I usually do too, as do most people I know. I definitely know the difference, of course. It really doesn't take a genius to be aware of the fact that, technically, the scientist who created the monster is Frankenstein and not the creation itself. But is it really such a stretch that the monster could possibly be named after its creator? If I just say "Frankenstein", when referring to the monster, everyone always knows what I'm talking about right away and it's slightly less cumbersome than saying "Frankenstein's Monster" every single time. I probably will say the latter, of course, if I know I'm around some snarky elitist pseudo intellectual that thinks they are the smartest person in the room. I don't want to give them the dubious satisfaction of correcting my lack of precision with their "infinite wisdom", so I'm careful to refer to him as Frankenstein's Monster only. Those know-it-all types are kind of pedantic, but whatever.
If you're talking about the original book, then yes, Frankenstein is clearly the creator and not the creation. Most other adaptions (such as the Hammer films and the 1994 Kenneth Branagh film) leave no doubt whatsoever that the name refers to the creator only. It would be ludicrous to call the monster by that name in those versions. But if you're talking about the Universal canon, it can be either, but pretty often it is referring specifically to the Monster.
Hell, even some of the titles in the Universal series (such as Bride of, Meets the Wolfman, and Abbott and Costello Meet) seem to be referring to the monster itself. And I outright REFUSE to just call him "The Monster" if he is appearing alongside other monsters like Dracula or The Wolfman, which seems kind of asinine. Also, most movies featuring an ensemble cast of monster characters (such as Van Helsing, Monster Squad, and Hotel Transylvania) usually refer to the creation itself as Frankenstein, and some even have a scene or two explaining the actual difference. And for the record, I usually say "Dr. Frankenstein" (or maybe Victor or Henry, depending on the version), when referring to the man.
So yeah, to me the creator AND the monster can both (usually) be Frankenstein in a way. Just my two cents.
But you are wrong!
shareAlmost everyone does. LOL.
share