TOFEDU: The Future of Education Journal
Vol 5 No 2 (2026): Continued

Deconstructing the Portrayal of the Creature in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

David Alfadillah (Universitas Islam Negeri Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi)
Firdiansyah Firdiansyah (Universitas Islam Negeri Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi)
Rahmat Fajar (Universitas Islam Negeri Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi)



Article Info

Publish Date
27 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study analyzes the construction of the Creature's character in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1831) through Gérard Genette's narratology and Jacques Derrida's deconstruction. The main problems addressed are: (1) how is the portrayal of the Creature constructed through Victor Frankenstein's narrative?; and (2) how can this portrayal be deconstructed to challenge identity boundaries within the text? Using a qualitative descriptive method with close reading techniques, this research examines textual evidence from the 1831 edition of Frankenstein. The findings demonstrate that the Creature's monstrosity is not an absolute truth but an unstable subjective perspective constructed through narrative authority. Through deconstructive reading, contradictions emerge between Victor's claims and the Creature's self-narrative, proving that identity in the novel is contestative and open to reinterpretation. The final conclusion reveals that the 'monster' label is not an inherent trait of the Creature but a discursive mask created by Victor to conceal his own irresponsibility as a creator. By amplifying the Creature's voice, this study proves that the boundaries between human and monster are thin and fragile, showing that the creator can be more 'monstrous' than the being he created.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

journal

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Mathematics Other

Description

TOFEDU Journal is a scientific journal related to research results, conceptual studies, critical/comprehensive studies in the field of education. The results of the work of the researchers are expected to make a positive contribution in the field of education in order to achieve equitable, inclusive ...