Unit 1
What does the term prodigious mean in the context of the text?
As the news of my arrival spread through the kingdom, it brought prodigious numbers of rich, idle, and curious people to see me; so that the villages were almost emptied; and great neglect of tillage and household affairs must have ensued, if his imperial majesty had not provided, by several proclamations and orders of state, against this inconveniency.
an impressive or amazing quantity
Read the sentence.
Alfie could do little to assuage his guilt about accidentally breaking Mr. Ferguson’s window, even though Mr. Ferguson just chuckled when he found out what had caused Alfie’s mishap.
Which word is a synonym of assuage as it is used in the sentence?
ease
Read the sentence.
After traversing the trail to the mountain summit, Susanna was famished and in dire need of sustenance food before she could venture back down.
What is wrong with how the word sustenance is used in the sentence?
Sustenance is used as an adjective, but it is a noun.
What sentence uses the word regurgitate correctly?
We don’t have to really understand the vocabulary words for our science class; we just need to regurgitate the definitions on the quiz.
Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds.
I was very glad to do as he asked, and so become one of the privileged spectators within the contemplated enclosure. I failed to find Lord Hilton at his house, but I was told he was expected from London by the six o’clock train from Waterloo; and as it was then about a quarter past five, I went home, had some tea, and walked up to the station to waylay him.
Given the context, what is the most accurate definition of the word waylay?
to intercept
Read the passage.
Anthony sprinted from the parking lot, tightening his tie as he ran. Here he was, about to have his first job interview, and he was late! He pushed open the door and almost dashed through. However, he saw a man appear at the corner. The man had white hair and was walking with a cane. Anthony knew the seconds were ticking by, and he was getting later and later, but he felt bad thinking of letting the door close before the man reached it. Trying not to check his watch, he opened the door wide and waited while the man walked slowly through.
Anthony speed-walked through the office, around a corner, and toward the receptionist. She smiled when he introduced himself and said, “Welcome. Your interviewer, Mr. Bryce, is a few minutes late himself. He should be here in a moment.”
Just then, the white-haired man walked around the corner. The receptionist said, “Oh, good morning, Mr. Bryce!”
Mr. Bryce smiled at her and said to Anthony, “You must be Anthony. I noticed you were so considerate earlier, when you held the door for me. You’re certainly making a good first impression. Let’s begin your interview.”
Which responses most effectively identify a theme of this short story?
A theme of this short story is that you should always choose to behave with courtesy because you never know how someone you encounter might be involved in your future.
A theme of this short story is that if you put people’s needs ahead of your own, others will take notice and will respect you for your compassionate behavior.
Which response most clearly presents a character archetype in literature?
a young man who goes on a quest and encounters many trials
Which option most accurately defines satire?
Satire is the use of literary techniques, such as humor or irony, to expose the foolishness of others.
What options correctly identify kinds of irony?
verbal
situational
dramatic
Which option most clearly reflects the purpose of a subplot?
to provide support for the main plot
Read the three excerpts from Chapter 5 of Frankenstein.
1. It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.
2. Mingled with this horror, I felt the bitterness of disappointment; dreams that had been my food and pleasant rest for so long a space were now become a hell to me; and the change was so rapid, the overthrow so complete!
3. I remember the first time I became capable of observing outward objects with any kind of pleasure, I perceived that the fallen leaves had disappeared and that the young buds were shooting forth from the trees that shaded my window.
Choose two of the excerpts to explain and to analyze the use of figurative language. For each excerpt
explain the meaning of the figurative language
analyze how it contributes to the meaning or tone of the text
Use evidence from the text to explain or support your responses.
I choose 1 and 2
In excerpt 1 you see personification being used. For example "I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs." The author is giving characteristics that are normally described for a person nut instead using it for light.
In excerpt 2 you see a metaphor being used. For example "pleasant rest for so long a space were now become a hell to me: and the change was so rapid, the overthrow so complete!" The vents are not really in hell. But the way the author uses a metaphor to really makes you feel like it really is in hell.
Write an objective summary of Chapter 4 of Frankenstein. As you develop this summary, make sure to include the important actions and events from this chapter of the story. Also, describe how the chapter develops themes to produce a complex account.
First off Victor changes his whole perspective and totally goes all in to study. But since Victor was putting time and everything into his studying he forgets about his family, friends, and social life. One thing Victor has become obsessed with is the concept of life and death. By becoming obsessed he begins to greatly know more about the human anatomy. He then starts a project, in which he is trying to build a creature.
Chapter 9 of Frankenstein begins with this sentence:
Nothing is more painful to the human mind than, after the feelings have been worked up by a quick succession of events, the dead calmness of inaction and certainty which follows and deprives the soul both of hope and fear.
Victor Frankenstein is stating his viewpoint regarding the aftermath of the deaths of William and Justine in the previous chapters. What perspective is Victor conveying with these words? Describe what Victor is saying and explain how his perspective is revealed by the explicit and implicit meanings in the sentence. Use evidence from the text to support your ideas and analysis.
Victor is trying to convey a perspective of fear. He blames himself and feels guilty he couldn't do more for Justine. He believed that nobody would believe if he had stepped in to prove Justine was innocent. So now that everything is over, and once again another person has died because of his creation, he suddenly has this over whelming feeling that he should have done more. He didn't step in and take action when it was most needed.
Read the excerpt from Chapter 16 of Frankenstein.
“When night came I quitted my retreat and wandered in the wood; and now, no longer restrained by the fear of discovery, I gave vent to my anguish in fearful howlings. I was like a wild beast that had broken the toils, destroying the objects that obstructed me and ranging through the wood with a stag-like swiftness. Oh! What a miserable night I passed! The cold stars shone in mockery, and the bare trees waved their branches above me; now and then the sweet voice of a bird burst forth amidst the universal stillness.”
Identify instances where figurative language is used in this excerpt. For each use of figurative language
explain its meaning
analyze how it contributes to and affects the meaning in the excerpt
Provide evidence from the text to support your analysis and responses.
There are two instances where figurative language was used and it was personification and simile. Example of personification "The cold stars shone in mockery, and the bare trees waved their branches above me; now and then the sweet voice of a bird burst forth amidst the universal stillness." It showed that the character thought the stars were mocking him. Example of simile, " I was like a wild beats that had broken the toils, destroying the objects that obstructed me and ranging through the wood with a stag-like swiftness." It showed the character how destructive it can be by comparing itself to a wild beast.
The creature makes a request of Victor: to create a female companion. What is the basis for the creature’s request? What is Victor’s reaction to the request? How does the interaction between Victor and his creation impact Victor? Explain how the creature’s request affects Victor by analyzing the relationship between Victor and the creature. Provide evidence from the text to support your analysis of Victor and his interaction with his creation.
He wants a female companion so he isn't lonely anymore and so that he can always have company. At first Victor was happy to complete his request. Victor even beings to think about creating a female companion. Victor then feels the hurt that the creature brings to him. When Victor and the creature interact Victor beings to feel this guilt about creating the creature. The creature promised Victor that if he made a female companion for him that he would never come back. The creature is very intelligent and senses the compassion and guilt inside of Victor. The creature proceeds to use this to his advantage and manipulates Victor.
Read this excerpt from Physiologus to analyze the use and impact of symbolism.
From the creature’s mouth
Issues a melody of sweetest strains;
And close upon the voice a balmy scent
Fills all the place—an incense lovelier,
Sweeter, and abler to perfume the air,
Than any odor of an earthly flower
Or scent of woodland fruit, more excellent
Than all this world’s adornments.
The “odor” is a symbol for Christ and represents the soothing and unavoidable impact Christ has on everyone who encounters him. The odor that Christ gives off—of springtime flowers and fruits—is other-worldly and symbolizes purity and calm. By using a symbol that has many possible meanings, the author characterizes Christ as someone who has a powerful presence that is able “to perfume the air” and enchant anyone.
Which option provides an accurate definition of the term implicit meaning?
meaning that is understood without being clearly or directly stated
Which option most accurately identifies the two types of characterization?
direct and indirect
Which option most accurately defines personification?
assigning human characteristics or qualities to non-human things
Which options depict the most effective ways in which a short poem could be artistically interpreted?
audio recording
stage adaptation
Think about the various tones Mary Shelley establishes in Chapter 7 of Frankenstein. How does the development of the plot, characters, and setting affect the tone in this chapter? Choose one of these narrative elements—plot, characters, or setting—and explain how the chosen element contributes to a specific tone in this chapter. Provide evidence from the text to support your analysis, and explain how your evidence supports your ideas.
Williams death sets the tone in this chapter. The sentence structure of the sentences are built very long and there is a lot of semicolons. It kinda shows that the sentences are kinda like falling into each other. This show the distress caused by William's death. This is not a happy chapter indeed.
Take a moment to reflect upon Frankenstein Chapters 1–7 you just read. What are your thoughts about the novel so far? You can discuss what is going on in the story, describe how you are connecting to the characters, evaluate the author’s writing style, or simply share any of your impressions about the novel.
My thoughts so far is I see a lot of myself in Victor. When life gets tough I tend to throw myself into something to distract myself from dealing with the pain. Victor did that when Elizabeth died and he threw himself into his studies. It shows hoe he broke away from his friends and family. It shows how Victor is like any other human being dealing with very horrible things.
While hunting for food and firewood in the forest, the creature comes upon a great prize—the books Paradise Lost by Milton, Lives by Plutarch, and Sorrows of Werter by Goethe. After the creature reads the third and final book, Paradise Lost, what is the creature’s perspective of himself? How has it changed? Write a response in which you analyze the creature’s viewpoint of himself based on the knowledge acquired from reading Paradise Lost. Provide supporting evidence for your response.
The creatures perspective of himself changes to where he feels as if he is a sinner. When he read Paradise Lost when Lucifer fell because of his disgrace. The creature looks back at himself and thinks like a mortal. He can choose to suffer like Werther and choose to give up. The creature can also find some hope in the human race because of the coming of Jesus Christ.
In Chapter 14 of Frankenstein, the creature conveys the story of the cottagers, specifically how Felix met and fell in love with Safie. Based on the actions Felix took to free Safie’s father, what can you infer about Felix? Provide implicit and explicit evidence from the text to support your inferences, explaining how this evidence validates your responses.
In this chapter we can a infer that Felix is the type of man to pursue justice. He cares about Safie but also cares about what happens to her family. This shows that his very prominent in finding justice. Example "Felix had accidentally been present at the trail; his horror and indignation were uncontrollable when he heard the decision in court."
Read the excerpt from Chapter 18 in Frankenstein.
Alas! To me the idea of an immediate union with my Elizabeth was one of horror and dismay. I was bound by a solemn promise which I had not yet fulfilled and dared not break, or if I did, what manifold miseries might not impend over me and my devoted family! Could I enter into a festival with this deadly weight yet hanging round my neck and bowing me to the ground? I must perform my engagement and let the monster depart with his mate before I allowed myself to enjoy the delight of a union from which I expected peace.
Examine this excerpt to analyze the way the author’s choice of words adds to the meaning and impacts the tone of this portion of Frankenstein. What does Victor mean when he talks about “this deadly weight yet hanging round my neck and bowing me to the ground”? How do these words affect the tone at this point in the story? Use examples and evidence from the text to support your analysis.
When Victor says "this deadly weight yet hanging round my neck and bowing me to the ground"? he feels a overwhelming amount of responsibility. This is making him miserable. Victor has an important decision to make. He doesn't want to let down his family by not marrying Elizabeth. Victor doesn't want to marry Elizabeth, if he decides to marry her he would be going against his own feelings.