Over the years, the monster's portrayal in popular culture has often deviated from the original novel. In many adaptations, the creature is depicted as a mute, lumbering brute with bolts in his neck and a flat-top head, a far cry from Shelley's intelligent and articulate creation. This shift in portrayal may be attributed to the influence of early film adaptations, particularly the 1931 film, Frankenstein, which has had a lasting impact on the public's perception of the character.