What is the subtitle of Mary Shelley's novel 'Frankenstein'?

The subtitle of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein is The Modern Prometheus. The complete original title was Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, linking Victor Frankenstein's experiment with the Greek myth of Prometheus.

In mythology, Prometheus is a Titan associated with creating or helping humanity and stealing fire from Zeus. He is punished by being chained to a rock while an eagle repeatedly eats his regenerating liver. The comparison highlights Victor's attempt to cross natural boundaries by creating life, but it also raises questions about responsibility, ambition, and the consequences of pursuing forbidden knowledge.

Shelley began writing the novel when she was eighteen, and the first edition appeared anonymously in London on 1 January 1818. It was published with a preface by her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, which helped fuel later confusion about authorship. Modern editions often shorten the title to Frankenstein, but The Modern Prometheus remains the novel's authentic subtitle. Another common mistake is calling the creature Frankenstein; Frankenstein is the scientist, while the creature is never given a personal name.