Frankenstein vs. Zombie — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 15, 2024
Frankenstein refers to the scientist or his creature in Shelley's novel, marked by complexity and tragedy, whereas zombies are mythical undead beings driven by basic instincts.
Difference Between Frankenstein and Zombie
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Frankenstein, originally the name of the scientist Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, symbolizes the profound consequences of man's quest for knowledge and power, while zombies represent mindless, reanimated corpses that feature in various folklore and horror narratives.
Frankenstein's creature is a unique, articulate being created through scientific experiments, grappling with deep emotions and seeking acceptance; whereas zombies are typically depicted as part of a horde, lacking individuality and driven by a primal hunger.
The narrative of Frankenstein's creature often explores themes of isolation, humanity, and rejection, on the other hand, zombie stories usually focus on survival, apocalypse, and societal collapse.
While Frankenstein's monster struggles with its identity and moral dilemmas, zombies are portrayed without consciousness or ethical conflicts.
Frankenstein’s creation faces conflict due to its unnatural birth and its creator’s horror at his own creation, whereas zombies are often used as a metaphor for epidemic fear, mindless consumerism, or the loss of individuality in modern society.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
19th-century novel by Mary Shelley
Various global folklore and horror fiction
Nature
Single being with unique traits
Undead beings typically seen in groups
Intelligence
Highly intelligent and emotional
Lacks intelligence, driven by base instincts
Themes
Creation, rejection, tragedy, morality
Apocalypse, survival, loss of humanity
Cultural Symbolism
Human ambition and its consequences
Consumerism, dehumanization, epidemic fear
Compare with Definitions
Frankenstein
Often mistakenly referred to as Frankenstein, the creature is actually nameless.
Frankenstein’s creature confronts its creator, demanding a companion.
Zombie
Zombies are reanimated corpses that are commonly featured in horror and fantasy.
Zombies in the film sought nothing but human flesh.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein represents the dangers of man playing God.
Frankenstein’s ambition leads to his own destruction.
Zombie
Zombies are often depicted as having no free will or intelligence.
Zombies wandered aimlessly through the streets.
Frankenstein
The character Victor Frankenstein is known for creating a living being.
In Frankenstein, Victor's scientific experiment leads to unforeseen tragedy.
Zombie
Zombies can symbolize various societal fears and issues.
Zombies in the movie represented unchecked consumerism.
Frankenstein
"Frankenstein" is a pioneering work of the gothic novel genre.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein combines elements of horror and romance.
Zombie
Zombies have become iconic in modern horror culture.
The zombie apocalypse is a popular theme in horror movies.
Frankenstein
The tragic figure of Frankenstein's monster has become a literary archetype.
Frankenstein’s creature exemplifies the outcast in literature.
Zombie
In many stories, zombies spread their condition through bites.
The outbreak began when a bitten person turned into a zombie.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is an 1818 novel written by English author Mary Shelley. Frankenstein tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment.
Zombie
A zombie (Haitian French: zombi, Haitian Creole: zonbi) is a mythological undead corporeal revenant created through the reanimation of a corpse. Zombies are most commonly found in horror and fantasy genre works.
Frankenstein
An agency or creation that slips from the control of and ultimately destroys its creator
"How can we keep the government we create from becoming a Frankenstein that will destroy the very freedom we establish it to protect?" (Milton Friedman).
Zombie
A corpse said to be revived by witchcraft, especially in certain African and Caribbean religions.
Frankenstein
A monster having the appearance of a man.
Zombie
A cocktail consisting of several kinds of rum, liqueur, and fruit juice.
Frankenstein
Alternative form of Frankenstein
Zombie
In voodoo belief and popular folklore, a corpse that has been reanimated, especially by means of a supernatural power or spell.
Frankenstein
Alternative spelling of Frankenstein
Zombie
One who looks or behaves like an automaton.
Frankenstein
An agency that escapes control and destroys its creator
Zombie
A computer connected to the internet and controlled by a remote unauthorized user to perform malicious tasks, without the owner being aware.
Frankenstein
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)
Zombie
A bank or business that cannot meet its financial obligations or make new loans but has been allowed to continue operating by the government.
Frankenstein
The fictional Swiss scientist who was the protagonist in a gothic novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley; he created a monster from parts of corpses
Zombie
A snake god of voodoo cults in West Africa, Haiti, and the southern United States.
Zombie
A tall mixed drink made of various rums, liqueurs, and fruit juices.
Zombie
A person, usually undead, animated by unnatural forces (such as magic), with no soul or will of his/her own.
Zombie
(figuratively) An apathetic or slow-witted person.
Zombie
(figuratively) A human being in a state of extreme mental exhaustion.
After working for 18 hours on the computer, I was a zombie.
Zombie
An information worker who has signed a nondisclosure agreement.
Zombie
(computing) A process or task which has terminated but has not been removed from the list of processes, typically because it has an unresponsive parent process.
Zombie
(computing) A computer affected by malware which causes it to do whatever the attacker wants it to do without the user's knowledge.
Zombie
A cocktail of rum and fruit juices.
Zombie
A conscripted member of the Canadian military during World War II who was assigned to home defence rather than to combat in Europe.
Zombie
Marijuana, or similar drugs.
Zombie
(philosophy) A hypothetical being that is indistinguishable from a normal human being except in that it lacks conscious experience, qualia, or sentience.
Zombie
A dead body that has been brought back to life by a supernatural force
Zombie
(voodooism) a spirit or supernatural force that reanimates a dead body
Zombie
A god of voodoo cults of African origin worshipped especially in West Indies
Zombie
Someone who acts or responds in a mechanical or apathetic way;
Only an automaton wouldn't have noticed
Zombie
Several kinds of rum with fruit juice and usually apricot liqueur
Common Curiosities
Is Frankenstein's monster a zombie?
No, Frankenstein's monster is a complex, sentient being, unlike the mindless undead zombies.
What are common themes in zombie narratives?
Common themes include survival in a post-apocalyptic world, the collapse of society, and the spread of an uncontrollable virus.
What does a zombie symbolize in modern culture?
Zombies often symbolize societal issues like consumerism, dehumanization, or fears of epidemic.
What is the main difference between Frankenstein's monster and a zombie?
Frankenstein's monster is a singular, articulate entity created with a purpose, experiencing complex emotions and thoughts, whereas zombies are generally portrayed as mindless and lacking individuality, driven solely by their instinct to feed.
How do the origins of Frankenstein and zombies differ?
"Frankenstein" originated from Mary Shelley's 1818 novel as a critique of the Romantic era's fascination with science, while the concept of zombies has roots in Haitian folklore and has been adapted in various cultural narratives worldwide.
Who is Frankenstein?
Frankenstein is the scientist Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley's novel, not the monster he creates.
How are Frankenstein and zombies typically portrayed in media?
Frankenstein's creature is usually shown as misunderstood and lonely, while zombies are depicted as mindless and terrifying.
How do zombies reflect societal fears?
Zombies often reflect societal fears of pandemics, uncontrollable forces, and the breakdown of societal norms, acting as a canvas for exploring anxieties about modern life and its fragility.
What role does isolation play in the story of Frankenstein’s monster?
Isolation is a critical theme in "Frankenstein," as the monster's rejection by society and its creator intensifies its anguish and shapes its tragic path, highlighting the effects of alienation and loneliness.
What is the significance of the setting in "Frankenstein"?
The settings in "Frankenstein," including the Arctic and European landscapes, enhance the novel's gothic elements and mirror the internal turmoil of the characters, emphasizing themes of ambition, horror, and exile.
Are there any stories where zombies are portrayed positively?
While traditionally depicted negatively, some modern stories and media, like the film "Warm Bodies," portray zombies in a more sympathetic or humorous light, exploring themes of redemption and humanity even in the undead.
What impact does Frankenstein's creature have on other characters in the novel?
Frankenstein's creature profoundly impacts other characters by driving the narrative forward through its interactions and conflicts, which often result in tragedy and moral reflection for characters such as Victor Frankenstein and his family.
Can Frankenstein’s monster be considered a hero or a villain?
Frankenstein's monster straddles the line between hero and villain, showcasing traits of both as it seeks acceptance and vengeance, reflecting its complex characterization.
How have portrayals of zombies evolved in media?
Originally depicted as mind-controlled minions in Haitian folklore and early films, zombies have evolved in media to embody fears of infection and serve as symbols for various forms of apocalypse, reflecting changing societal anxieties.
Why do zombie stories often involve apocalypses?
Zombie stories frequently feature apocalypses to explore themes of human survival, societal collapse, and the ethics of civilization under extreme duress, providing a dramatic backdrop for human drama and moral questions.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
