What work by Plutarch does the monster read in the novel?

The work by Plutarch that the monster reads in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is Parallel Lives.

Also known as Plutarch’s Lives, this work pairs biographies of notable Greek and Roman figures, often placing a Greek statesman beside a Roman counterpart. Plutarch’s purpose was not simply to record events, but to explore character, virtue, ambition, and moral failure.

The creature discovers books while secretly observing the De Lacey family and teaching himself language. His reading of Parallel Lives helps him think about human courage, leadership, justice, and the behaviour of societies. It also shows that Shelley’s creature is intellectually curious and capable of serious moral reflection.

A common mix-up is Moralia, another major work associated with Plutarch. Moralia is a collection of essays and dialogues, whereas Parallel Lives is the biographical work named among the creature’s books. The other titles listed are not the work he reads in the novel.