One of the greatest elements of horror is the lack of conscience. It is the absence of obeying human rules of right and wrong, adhering instead to deviousness that frightens us. But, many of the genre’s best villains have very clear desires. They have purposes that drive them through deadly, occasionally diabolical, paths.

Frankenstein’s monster is one such being.

The novel Frankenstein, also called The Modern Prometheus, was written by Mary Shelley in the early 1800s when she was 19 years old. The first edition was published anonymously in London in 1818, then was credited to Shelly in ensuing publications. It is arguably the first realized science fiction novel, warning against the dangers of scientifically overreaching during the industrial revolution.

Shelley wrote the novel through a challenge she and her friends undertook. During the rainy summer of 1816 when outdoor activities left something to be desired, she and a group that consisted of her boyfriend Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron read the German ghost story anthology Fantasmagoriana. The group then decided to write their own scary stories, and Frankenstein was the masterpiece Mary Shelley presented.

The story begins when Robert Walton, the captain of a ship heading to the North Pole finds Victor Frankenstein traveling by dog sled, weakened by the cold. As Walton nurses Frankenstein back to health, the scientist recounts the story of a monster he created. Victor begins the story by talking about Elizabeth, his cousin in the first edition, later revised to be an adopted sister, and his time at the University of Ingolstadt. While studying, he became single mindedly focused on discovering the secret of life. After finding the knowledge he sought, Victor collects body parts to make a creature, essentially making life.

Unfortunately, after it does come to life, Victor is frightened by the monster he created. He leaves the apartment stricken by what he has done, then when he returns home, he discovers that the monster is gone. While Victor prepares to return to Geneva, his father informs him that his youngest brother, William, has been murdered. Upon investigating the place of his brother’s death, he catches a glimpse of the monster in the woods, convincing him that the monster is William’s killer. Unfortunately, Justine Moritz, a young girl the Frankenstein family adopted is accused, tried, and executed for William’s death. Victor mourns the loss of two loved ones, believing the incidents to be his fault for creating the monster.

Then the monster finds Victor on vacation, admits to killing William to hurt Victor, and begs Victor to make a companion to end his loneliness. Victor refuses, horrified at the idea of having another monster terrorizing the world. The monster eventually persuades him, but while creating the mate, Victor changes his mind and dumps her in a lake. What follows is a trade of revenge and horror as two beings fight for love: one to protect what he has, the other vengeful for what he has not.

The gothic story combines horror and decadence with passionate emotions of the Romantic Movement. Throughout the novel terror blends with yearning for love as both Victor and the monster encounter similar emotions on opposite sides of their predicaments. Victor is frightened by his creation, becomes desperate to rid himself of the monster, then pursues him for revenge. Meanwhile, the monster builds rage from his loneliness, wanting to hurt Victor for creating him singularly.

What happens to the scientist and his monster? You’ll have to read the book or see the movie to find out. In the meantime, Hake’s Americana, of Geppi’s Entertainment, just auctioned a large Aurora Frankenstein model for your monstrous collection. The plastic assembly kit #470 comes in the large 14.5 X 18.25 X 5” box, and includes a large portrait of Frankenstein, along with assembly instructions. It realized 3,270.02 in Hake’s auction #195.