NPR's Book of the Day Princeton professor Susan Wolfson on why we love 'Frankenstein' two centuries later
Oct 28, 2025
Susan J. Wolfson, a Princeton English professor and Mary Shelley scholar, dives into the enduring legacy of 'Frankenstein.' She explores how the novel's themes resonate in today’s culture, discussing its representation in film and television. Wolfson highlights the horror sparked by Victor Frankenstein's disgust for his creation, along with the surprising features of the creature. She also shares her favorite illustration from 1818, which humanizes the monster in a way rarely seen in modern adaptations, emphasizing the tale's ongoing relevance in discussions about unchecked ambition.
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Book Versus Pop Culture
- Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is often known through cultural adaptations, not the original 1818 novel.
- The book's creation scene emphasizes an ambiguous "spark of being" rather than cinematic lightning or thunder.
Pacemaker Inventor's Childhood Impression
- Susan Wolfson recounts Dr. Gene Rosenbaum's childhood impression of the 1931 James Whale film.
- That film inspired Rosenbaum to think electricity could infuse life, influencing his later invention of the pacemaker.
Creator's Disgust Is About Failed Beauty
- Victor Frankenstein's disgust is less about monstrosity and more about failed aesthetic expectation.
- Shelley describes a creature meant to be beautiful whose appearance horrifies its creator.
