Frankenstein Study Questions - Bibb County Schools

4. Caprices – whim; an impulsive change of mind
By one of those caprices of the mind which we are perhaps most subject to in early youth, I at once gave up
my former occupations, set down natural history and all its progeny as a deformed and abortive creation,
and entertain the greatest disdain for a would-be-science which could never even step within the threshold
of real knowledge.
5. Cursory –[kur-suh-ree] hastily done; going rapidly over something, without noticing
details; hasty; superficial
He then took a cursory view of the present state of the science and explained many of its elementary terms.
6. Prognosticated – predicted; to forecast or predict (something future) from present
indications or signs; prophesy
On the third day my mother sickened; her fever was accompanied by the most alarming symptoms, and the
looks of her medical attendants prognosticated the worst.
7. Countenance – face; appearance, esp. the look or expression of the face
She died calmly, and her countenance expressed affection even in death.
8. Indefatigable – tireless
He was respected by all who knew him for his integrity and indefatigable attention to public business.
9. Physiognomy - facial feature with regard to revealing character …and I found even in M.
Krempe a great deal of sound sense and real information, combined it is true, with a repulsive
physiognomy and manners, but not on that account he less valuable.
10. Obliterated –destroying completely
But this discovery was so great and overwhelming that all the steps by which I had been
progressively led to it were obliterated, and I beheld only the result.
Other terms you need to know:
Philosopher’s stone – alchemists thought that the philosopher’s stone would give
its owner the powers to change metals into gold.
Elixir of life – thought to be able to give eternal life to the one who could distill it.
“I am by birth a Genevese [ someone who lives in Geneva] , and my family is one of the most
distinguished of that republic. My ancestors had been for many 7 years counselors [ lawyers] and
syndics [civil magistrates]…”
Cornelius Agrippa (1486-1535) a young man interested in alchemy, astrology,
and natural magic.
VOCABULARY CHAPTERS 6 - 9
1. Fetter – a chain or shackle placed on the feet
He looks upon study as an odious fetter; his time is spent in the open air, climbing the hills or rowing on the
lake.
2. Immutable – [i-myoo-tuh-buhl] unchangeable; changeless
The blue lake, the snow-clad mountains, they never change; and I think our placid home, and our contented
hearts are regulated by the same immutable laws.