Literature · 3
What is the subtitle of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'?
Answer
The Modern Prometheus
The full title of Mary Shelley's novel is 'Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.' The subtitle invokes the classical myth of Prometheus, the Titan who defied Zeus by stealing fire for humanity and suffered eternal punishment for his transgression. The comparison suggests that Victor Frankenstein, through his hubristic scientific ambition to create life, becomes a modern Prometheus figure—transgressing natural boundaries and suffering catastrophic consequences. Shelley's use of this classical allusion deepens the novel's exploration of the dangers of unchecked ambition, the moral responsibilities of creators, and the suffering inflicted by defying natural law. The subtitle frames the novel as a philosophical meditation on the limits of human knowledge and power.
💡 Did you know?
Mary Shelley wrote 'Frankenstein' at age 18 during a ghost story competition with Percy Shelley and Lord Byron at Lake Geneva in 1816.
Other options people guess
- The Creature's Tale
- Science and Horror
- The Monster's Revenge
Topics
- fiction
- classic-lit
- authors
- novels
- gothic
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