A Hovel is a small, poorly built, often dirty house or hut. "Hovel Definition." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 02 Jan. 2017. <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hovel>. The author chose "Hovel" instead of just a house or a shed, because when victor climbs into a "Hovel" to escape from the angry village people, it emphasizes just how desperate Victor was to get away from the people, that he would climb into such a dirty thing.