Title: A Friend of Mine
Author: William L. DeAndrea
Date of First Publication: 1993
Place of Publication: Frankenstein, The Monster Wakes!
Type: Short story
Characters: The Creature
Themes: RACE/POLITICS; SYMPATHETIC MONSTER; POSTHUMAN
Critical Summary: A Friend of Mine takes place during the post-Cold War era and follows an American soldier named Peeters. Peeters is stationed in Greenland and is in charge of watching sensors meant to detect incoming missiles. One day while driving outside the base he sees a large man in the distance, too large to be human. Shortly after his halftrack is attacked by an Inuit tribe. He returns to base to report his sighting and further researches Inuit history and culture. He comes across an old folklore tale of a god named Veektuk that would rescue stranded hunters and provide food during scarce seasons. Resolved he saw something the other day, he takes off with the halftrack to the same place. He finds several sled dogs staked into the ground. He decides to try and save them and bring them back to base, but while attempting he is attacked by a polar bear. As he struggles to remain conscience, he sees a large mass fighting the polar bear. When he awakes, he finds the Creature brought him to shelter and healed his wounds. They develop a friendship and Peeters discovers that the Creature has taken the name of his father Victor Frankenstein and that the locals pronounce it as Veektuk. Peeters informs the Creature that he is familiar with his story—that he read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus in school. Filled with hope the Creature wishes to return to society, but Peeters voices his doubts of the Creature’s acceptance into society. Search helicopters near their location and while the Creature sleeps Peeters takes the sled dogs in hopes to keep the Creature safe from humans and resolves to die in the snow. Peeters is picked up and he returns to the base and normal life.
In post-Cold War, foreigners and unfamiliarity are met with hostility in America. While the Creature is accepted by the Inuit people, Peeters explains that many who read Mary Shelly’s book misinterpret the Creature and see him as a villain. The Creature acts as a benevolent god in the north, but during his conversations with Peeters, he explains that he is truly lonely and has only ever wanted to belong. He expresses his remorse for his actions in his youth, he explains he was just a child in harsh world that rejected him.
Administrative Notes: Brian Guthrie, CSUF; Jonathan Donabo (editing)