Archetype
An archetype is something of a mold that every thing of one type is based on, like a stereotype.
Each character in Frankenstein fits an archetype. Victor is the mad scientist who commits himself to his work and tends to go a little too far science-wise. He has good intentions but his creation does more harm than good. The monster fits the monster persona - he kills everyone Victor loves. The monster is outcasted which angers him and makes him less human but at the same time it makes him almost like a victim to society. Like most villains he has quite a backstory and a big motivator for all of his horrible deeds. Elizabeth is the classic love interest. She sits around, having no real contribution to the story and no real purpose other that to marry Victor and then be murdered by the monster. She's innocent, like everyone else the monster killed making her a sad, lonely woman with no real purpose. |