Question

read the following passage from frankenstein, by mary shelly and then answer the questions: cursed, cursed creator! why did i live? why, in that instant, did i not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? i know not; despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and revenge. i could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants, and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery. 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. all, save i, were at rest or in enjoyment: i, like the arch - fiend, bore a hell within me, and finding myself unsympathized with, wished to tear up the trees, spread havoc and destruction around me, and then to have sat down and enjoyed the ruin. how does the imagery of wandering like a wild beast contribute to the portrayal of victors emotional state? a. it highlights his intellectual pursuits. b. it illustrates his indifference to the natural world. c. it shows his calm and controlled demeanor. d. it emphasizes his rage and loss of self - control. what emotion is most strongly expressed in the phrase cursed, cursed creator! why did i live? a. indifference b. curiosity c. despair d. joy

Explanation:

First Question (How does the imagery of wandering "like a wild beast" contribute to the portrayal of Victor’s emotional state?)

• Option a: Intellectual pursuits are not related to the "wild beast" imagery, which focuses on emotion, so a is wrong.
• Option b: The passage shows Victor interacting with nature (wandering in wood, reacting to stars, trees), so he is not indifferent, b is wrong.
• Option c: A wild beast is not calm or controlled; the imagery shows lack of control, so c is wrong.
• Option d: A wild beast breaking toils, destroying obstacles, and his rage/revenge feelings match loss of self - control and rage, so d is correct.

• Option a: Indifference is a lack of emotion, but the phrase has strong emotion, so a is wrong.
• Option b: Curiosity is about wanting to know, but the phrase is about despair over existence, so b is wrong.
• Option c: "Cursed" and questioning why he lives show deep hopelessness (despair) about his life, so c is correct.
• Option d: Joy is positive, but the phrase is negative, so d is wrong.

Answer:

d. It emphasizes his rage and loss of self - control.

Second Question (What emotion is most strongly expressed in the phrase "Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live?")