by Laura W
Frankenstein has been, and still is, considered one of the greatest horror novels of all time. Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus was written by Mary Shelley and was originally published anonymously in 1818. Mary’s name finally appeared on the second edition, when it was published in France in 1823. The story tells of a brilliant scientist who creates a creature and the subsequent events that follow. What many don’t realize about the novel is that Frankenstein is not actually the name of the creature, but of the man who invented the creature, thus causing a great deal of confusion once people start reading. Let’s have a look at several of the covers of Frankenstein, to see if any actually clear up the confusion. Be warned, spoilers may lie ahead.
Frankenstein has been, and still is, considered one of the greatest horror novels of all time. Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus was written by Mary Shelley and was originally published anonymously in 1818. Mary’s name finally appeared on the second edition, when it was published in France in 1823. The story tells of a brilliant scientist who creates a creature and the subsequent events that follow. What many don’t realize about the novel is that Frankenstein is not actually the name of the creature, but of the man who invented the creature, thus causing a great deal of confusion once people start reading. Let’s have a look at several of the covers of Frankenstein, to see if any actually clear up the confusion. Be warned, spoilers may lie ahead.
The 1818 Edition
This cover, while the original, offers no insight into who is who, or gives any clue to what the novel is about. It simply states the title of the book, a quote from Paradise Lost, and that it is the first of three volumes, plus publication information. It’s rather bland and uninspiring. There’s nothing there to catch one’s eye. We all know not to judge a book by its cover, but with this cover, it may have proven to be a tad difficult not to for some readers.
This cover, while the original, offers no insight into who is who, or gives any clue to what the novel is about. It simply states the title of the book, a quote from Paradise Lost, and that it is the first of three volumes, plus publication information. It’s rather bland and uninspiring. There’s nothing there to catch one’s eye. We all know not to judge a book by its cover, but with this cover, it may have proven to be a tad difficult not to for some readers.
1831 Inside Cover
Granted this was in fact an inside cover, it did offer more of an insight into the novel. The 1831 front cover is quite plain, like the above cover. The inner cover, however, does portray both man and creation, giving the reader more of an idea about who the men actually were. It is a little more cryptic, and mysterious. Readers could now associate that there were indeed two separate characters. There is also a quote, describing the first moment that Frankenstein first sees the Creature, alive. This is far more tempting for a reader.
Granted this was in fact an inside cover, it did offer more of an insight into the novel. The 1831 front cover is quite plain, like the above cover. The inner cover, however, does portray both man and creation, giving the reader more of an idea about who the men actually were. It is a little more cryptic, and mysterious. Readers could now associate that there were indeed two separate characters. There is also a quote, describing the first moment that Frankenstein first sees the Creature, alive. This is far more tempting for a reader.
Ignatius Critical Editions Version
This is, by far, one of the more interesting covers. It shows who we assume to be the scientist, Frankenstein, holding a body. What we are left to answer for ourselves is simple - whose body is he holding? Is it that of The Creature, or of someone else? We know, those that have read the novel, that The Creature is not the only creation that Frankenstein creates. The cover is more appealing, as it allows the readers to ask questions before even opening the book.
This is, by far, one of the more interesting covers. It shows who we assume to be the scientist, Frankenstein, holding a body. What we are left to answer for ourselves is simple - whose body is he holding? Is it that of The Creature, or of someone else? We know, those that have read the novel, that The Creature is not the only creation that Frankenstein creates. The cover is more appealing, as it allows the readers to ask questions before even opening the book.
2003 Penguin Classics Version
This particular cover leaves very little to the imagination. It features a hunched man, naked, staring out into the world. One could assume, probably quite rightly so, that is the Creature, shortly after his “creation”. Apart from the title of the novel and the name of the author, nothing else is given. Where does this leave us in our search for the answer of who is who? The cover does little to raise any curiosity and may deter readers from forming any questions.
This particular cover leaves very little to the imagination. It features a hunched man, naked, staring out into the world. One could assume, probably quite rightly so, that is the Creature, shortly after his “creation”. Apart from the title of the novel and the name of the author, nothing else is given. Where does this leave us in our search for the answer of who is who? The cover does little to raise any curiosity and may deter readers from forming any questions.
There are hundreds of different covers for the novel and we’d be here all night if we discussed every single one of them. Unfortunately, many of them either portray Frankenstein or the Creature, but not both. Not one, apart from the 1831 version, gives us a pure and simple answer to a question. Who, exactly, is the monster and who is the man?
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