English final 12
What is the tone of the essay?
The tone of the essay is serious and even cautionary. The authors word choices help the reader grasp the serious tone of the novel as well as the dilemma discussed in the essay.
Who were the Romantics?
They were writers who sympathized with the oppressed middle classes and wrote about their plight.
Infuse
To inject; to fill something or someone with
Appreciate
To recognize the quality, significance, or magnitude of
Recoil
To shrink back in fear or repugnance
What is one of the deeper questions posed by Shelley's novel?
What responsibilities accompany scientific development?
precipice
a very steep cliff; the brink or edge of disaster
tumult
agitation of mind or soul
Calamity
an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster
Sentient
aware; conscious; able to perceive
The attitude that Gates, Hawking, and Sinclair share about the future of artificial intelligence is one of -
concern and caution
Succinct
concise; clearly expressed with a few words.
Odious
extremely unpleasant; repulsive
prescient
having foresight
Ardor
intense and passionate feeling
Frankenstein dreams that Elizabeth, a woman he loves, turns into a corpse after he kisses her. How does this dream reflect his experience with the creature?
Although he brought the creature to life instead of turning it into a corpse, he is similarly horrified by the corpse-like appearance of the creature, whom he expected to be perfect and beautiful.
What is the main idea of this essay?
Frankenstein was the first novel to raise questions about science and moral responsibility, an issue that has led to many calamities and is especially relevant to current research into artificial intelligence.
What motivates Dr. Frankenstein to kill the creature?
He feels responsible for what he has created.
What moral dilemma does Frankenstein experience in the Swiss Alps? What actions and motivations have contributed to this dilemma?
He is torn between his wish to destroy the monster and his desire to understand him better. His earlier abandonment of the creature and his wish to create a perfect being contributed to the dilemma.
Why does the creature think that he should be forgiven for his crimes?
He thinks he is not guilty because after Frankenstein abandoned him, he was completely alone and despised by all people. He says he only hates people because they hate him, and if Frankenstein shows him compassion, he will lead a good life.
What does the creature want from Dr. Frankenstein?
He ultimately wants him to create a companion for him so that he can live in peace.
How does Frankenstein react when the creature finds him in the Swiss Alps?
He wants to kill the creature.
Which factor contributed most directly to the Luddite Riots?
Loss of factory jobs due to advances in technology
Why does Frankenstein feel disgusted by the creature soon after bringing him to life?
The creature has an ugly appearance.
Radical
extreme
According to the author, the genius of Shelley is in -
giving a voice to Frankenstein's creature
Intensity
high level or degree
The creature demands that Frankenstein -
listen to his story
Inanimate
not having life; without energy or spirit
insight
the ability to see the true nature of something
Invoke
to call on for support or inspiration
What was the "Reign of Terror"?
A period of time in history when radical revolutionaries persecuted and massacred thousands of French aristocrats and middle-class citizens.
Domain
A sphere of activity, influence, or knowledge
Artifice
Cleverness or ingenuity in making or doing something
Romantic writers valued
Emotion over reason
How effective is the author's conclusion to the essay? Explain.
His conclusion effectively summarizes his view of Shelley's novel and how it relates to our modern situation. The final paragraph also includes examples of current studies on the issue, which implies an element of hope for the future.
Inarticulate
Incomprehensible; unable to speak with clarity
ominous
Menacing; threatening
Does the author provide sufficient support for his opinion the Shelley's genius was to "give voice to the monster"? Why or why not?
The author supports his opinion effectively with evidence from the text in the form of quotations and summaries. He also uses evocative language with strong connotations that sets an appropriate tone.
In the text Victor Frankenstein says: "A mist covered both that and the surrounding mountains...the sea, or rather a vast river of ice wound among its dependant mountains...". What language does the author use and why?
The author uses sensory language to help the reader feel the atmosphere of cold desolation.
Which event caused many British citizens to lose sympathy for the French Revolution?
The execution of French aristocrats during the Reign of Terror
