Title: I, Monster

Author: Loren D. Estleman

Date of First Publication: 1991

Place of Publication: The Ultimate Frankenstein

Type: Short Story

Characters: The Creature

Themes: SYMPATHETIC MONSTER; ANDROID; POSTHUMAN

Critical Summary: The story primarily centers around The Creature and follows his experience after a 200 years slumber. There is a mechanical gadget encasing his body, leaving just his head out to investigate his surroundings. Between the commotions he hears and what he sees around him, he can’t make sense of things, and doesn’t know if he made it to paradise or damnation. Individuals come in and out his room; however the most critical guest is Dwight Laemme, a professor of Anthropology, who places two fingers on the creatures neck and is stunned to discover a heartbeat. The professor is shocked and yells out in triumph that the creature is alive. The creature is then loaded in a cylinder and is to be transferred to an airport that will take him to Flint, Michigan for further research. The drivers take a detour due to construction, the chamber in which the creature is in is shaken from side to side, and he aids it, gaining momentum. He’s soon able to break free from the chamber and escape the van. He finds an old relinquished church, where he discovers food and supplies. A man then strolls in and finds the Creature. The creature is more than willing to leave the abandoned church as no mischief is done to him. The man reveals to the creature that he is Clark Florey, a World Wrestling Guild promoter and wants to manage the Creature. The Creature concurs. He is glad and knew his father would be pleased with him as well when he was billed as Frankenstein.

Administrative Notes: Malyssa Arellano, CSUF; Yesenia Rodriguez (editing)