Who the creature is
The creature begins life without language, knowledge of himself, or anyone willing to care for him. Victor recoils from the being he has made and leaves him to discover the world alone. His earliest experiences teach him about hunger, cold, and the comfort and pain of fire.
What the creature wants
Above all, he wants affection and a place among others who will accept him. He secretly gathers firewood for the De Laceys, a poor family whose kindness to one another draws him close. Watching their daily lives, he learns language and begins to understand human feelings.
How the creature changes
Reading gives him new ways to think about history, feeling, and his own lonely existence. Victor's journal reveals his maker's disgust, deepening his sense that he has been denied the love he needs. Repeated rejection turns his early wish to help into bitterness and a desire for revenge.
The creature and the others in the story
His relationship with Victor raises the question of what a creator owes a living creation. When they meet again, he asks Victor to listen to his account rather than judge his appearance. He asks for a female companion who will not reject him, promising that together they will live far from humankind.
Best-known lines
“I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel.”
“Beware, for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.”
Questions
Does the creature have a name?
No, the creature has no name in the novel. Frankenstein is his creator's surname.
Is the creature evil?
He does not begin as cruel. He is curious and helpful, but rejection feeds his anger and wish for revenge.
How does the creature learn to speak?
He learns by watching and listening to the De Lacey family. When Felix teaches Safie French, he follows the lessons from his hiding place.