Doppelgänger

The word doppelgänger comes from the German ““double goer”. It was often used in German folklore, and there is a belief that everyone has a

doppelgänger, an exact spiritual double. Even birds and beasts were

thought to have a

double.

Doppelgänger: Good or Bad?

One may think it’s interesting to meet their doppelgänger. But it is the

opposite. In actuality, meeting

your doppelgänger meant

that your death was near.

A doppelganger is similar to

an evil twin but, a doppelganger is the spirit, while an evil twin is an actual person.

Rise to Popularity

During the Romantic Period, doppelgängers became more popular. They became the subject of many gothic horror novels. The idea of the doppelgänger was very complex and difficult to understand.

The Doppelgänger & Frankenstein

It is said that the Creature and Frankenstein are very closely

related. The Creature is Victor’s alter ego or, Doppelgänger. The Creature is Victor’s other half of

his personality. They are complete opposites, but similar.

Question- How can this be?

Answer

When the Creature came to life, Victor abandoned him. Victor

did not teach him any life lessons or how to act.

Therefore, the creature does not have any manners. He

doesn’t have any boundaries.

Victor’s FreedomThe Creature’s mind has no limitations. He does not know of rules and restriction. Victor, is the opposite,

his mind developed with rules. By creating this Creature, Victor escaped. His creation can express

madness and freedom, which Victor lives

out through him.

Question- How is Victor being

freed through his Creature?

Answer

When Victor created the Creature, he made him in his own image,

as God made man. So they have one mind. But Victor did not give

the Creature education or guidance for his mind to

develop.

Victor’s Mistake

After creating this “monster”, Victor was unprepared. He had given no

forethought to caring for his creation because he only cared about

animating it. But if he had educated the Creature, then he would have no

freedom. Therefore, the Creature would not be Victor’s doppelgänger.

Pop Culture

While researching we found a reference to pop culture. In the Spiderman comics, Spiderman’s arch-enemy is Doppelganger, who looks like Spiderman’s evil twin. He has the same abilities as Spiderman, with some differences. He is faster and stronger than Spiderman, but has the intelligence of a child.

Sources• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/169319/

doppelganger/169319topic

• http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doppelganger

• http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa111102a.htm

• http://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/27816.html

• http://www.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/frank.comment3.html

• http://www.crossref-it.info/textguide/Frankenstein/7/338