Frankenstein Study Questions - Bibb County Schools

9. Reveries – [rev-uh-ree] – daydreams; a state of abstracted musing
I was alone; none were near me to dissipate the gloom, and relieve me from the sickening oppression of the
most terrible reveries.
10. Calamity – [kuh-lam-i-tee] - a great misfortune or disaster, as a flood or serious injury;
grieveous affliction; adversity; misery
Little did I then expect the calamity that was in a few moments to overwhelm me, and extinguish
in horror and despair all fear of ignominy or death.
VOCABULARY CHAPTERS 21 - 24
1. Internment – Confinement as in a burial
Mr. Kirwin, on hearing this evidence, desired that I should be taken into the room where the body
lay for internment, that it might be observed what effect the sight of it would produce upon me.
2. Retrospect – Contemplation of the past; to look back upon; looking
As Mr. Kirwin said this, notwithstanding the agitation I endured on this retrospect of my sufferings, I also
felt considerable surprise at the knowledge he seemed to possess concerning me.
3. Repugnance – strong distaste, aversion, or objection; loathing
I should have thought, young man, that the presence of your father would have been welcome, instead of
inspiring such violent repugnance.
4. Imperious – [im-peer-ee-uhs] domineering in a haughty (proud or snobbish) manner;
dictatorial; overbearing
By the utmost self-violence, I curbed the imperious voice of wretchedness, which sometimes desired to
declare itself to the whole world.
5. Appalling – causing dismay or horror; shocking
In this manner many appalling hours passed; several of my dogs died; and I myself was about to sink under
the accumulation of distress when I say your vessel…
6. Posterity – succeeding or future generations collectively
“Since you have preserved my narration,” said he, “I would not that a mutilated one should go down to
posterity.”
7. Portend – to signify; mean; to foreshadow as an omen; predict
I am interrupted. What do these sounds portend?
8. Diabolical – [dahy-uh-bol-ik] having the qualities of the devil; fiendish; outlandishly
wicked
If you had listened to the voices of conscience and heeded the sting of remorse, before you had urged your
diabolical vengeance to this extremity, Frankenstein would yet have lived.
9. Satiated – [sey-shee-ey-tid] satisfied as one’s appetite or desire, to the point of boredom
If thou were yet alive, and yet cherished a desire of revenge against me, it would be better satiated
in my life than in my destruction.
10. Conflagration – [kon-fluh-grey-shuhn]a destructive fire, usually an extensive one
The light of that conflagration will fade away; my ashes will be swept into the sea by the winds.