Vocabulary for Shelley’s Frankenstein Volume I, Chapters 4–6

dogmatism (n.): The tendency to assert that one’s beliefs are true without considering the evidence or the opinions of others; arrogant assertion of opinion as truth.  In M. Waldman I found a true friend. His gentleness was never tinged by dogmatism, and his instructions were given with an air of frankness and good nature, that banished every idea of pedantry (51). 

bestow (v.): To give as a gift; to bequeath or confer a gift, honor, or right.  Note: The word bestow is usually followed by the proposition upon.  I became myself capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter (53). 

ardent (adj.): Characterized by a warmth or intensity of feeling.  I will not lead you on, unguarded and ardent as I then was, to your destruction and infallible misery (54).  

exalt (v.): To praise highly; to raise in rank, stature, or power.  I doubted at first whether I should attempt the creation of a being like myself, or one of simpler organization; but my imagination was too much exalted by my first success to permit me to doubt of my ability to give life to an animal as complex and wonderful as man (54).

magnitude (n.): The size, extent, or importance of something.  I was encouraged to hope my present attempts would at least lay the foundations of future success. Nor could I consider the magnitude and complexity of my plan as any argument of its impracticability (54). 

disquiet (v.): To make someone worried or nervous.  [T]he same feelings which made me neglect the scenes around me caused me also to forget those friends who were so many miles absent, and whom I had not seen for so long a time. I knew my silence disquieted them (56).

engross (v.): To engage the whole attention of someone.  I did not watch the blossom or the expanding leaves — sights which before always yielded me supreme delight — so deeply was I engrossed in my occupation (57). 

impel (v.): To feel a strong desire to do something; to urge or drive forward.  I did not dare return to the apartment which I inhabited, but felt impelled to hurry on, although drenched by the rain which poured from a black and comfortless sky (60).

convalescence (n.): To return to health after an illness or injury.  It was a divine spring; and the season contributed greatly to my convalescence. I felt also sentiments of joy and affection revive in my bosom (63). 

verdant (adj.): Green with growing plants.  A serene sky and verdant fields filled me with ecstasy. The present season was indeed divine; the flowers of spring bloomed in the hedges, while those of summer were already in bud (71).