Definition

Noun: 1. The creature created by Victor Frankenstein: A fictional being, assembled from body parts and brought to life through science, in Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. It is often mistakenly called "Frankenstein," but the name properly belongs to its creator. 2. A thing that becomes terrifying or destructive to its maker: Something, especially a project, creation, or system, that escapes the control of its originator and ends up causing them harm or ruin.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In the novel, Frankenstein's monster is intelligent and articulate, but his appearance horrifies everyone he meets.
  • The new algorithm he designed became a Frankenstein's monster, generating unpredictable and damaging results.
  • Many critics argue that social media has become a Frankenstein's monster for its early developers.

Advanced Usage

• As a metaphor for unintended consequences: The term is commonly used in political, technological, and social commentary to describe innovations that backfire.
  • The deregulated financial system turned into a Frankenstein's monster, leading to a global crisis.
• In discussions of ethics in science: The phrase is a cornerstone in debates about scientific responsibility.
  • Bioethicists often cite the story of Frankenstein's monster as a cautionary tale about playing god.

Variants and Related Words

• Frankenstein (proper noun): The surname of the novel's protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, the scientist who creates the monster. Colloquially, his name is often misapplied to the creature itself.
• Franken- (prefix): Used to form compounds implying something is assembled from disparate, often unnatural, parts (e.g., , ).
• The Modern Prometheus: The subtitle of Mary Shelley's novel, linking Victor Frankenstein to the Greek Titan who defied the gods to give fire to humanity.

Synonyms

• Creation (in the specific context of the novel).
• The creature.
• The wretch (as the monster sometimes refers to himself).
• Rogue entity (for the metaphorical sense).

Idioms and Common Phrases

• To create a Frankenstein's monster: To bring something into existence that one ultimately cannot control.
  • By ignoring the warnings, the company created a Frankenstein's monster of a product that damaged its reputation.
• A Frankenstein's monster of a [thing]: Describes something clumsily or dangerously cobbled together from incompatible parts.
  • The proposed bill was a Frankenstein's monster of conflicting amendments.

Noun

1. the monster created by Frankenstein in a gothic novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (the creator's name is commonly used to refer to his creation)